ErgoMechKeyboards

I've had pretty good experiences with https://42keebs.eu/ and https://keeb.supply/ for my two split keyboards. They both offer kits and assembly services. I especially like that acrylic covers from 42 keebs, and they hand write a greeting on the receipt, which always makes me feel quite nice, haha.

For a first build I feel like QMK firmware with Vial support really made it easy for me to configure the keys how I like. My second keyboard used ZMK, directly modifying config file is not exactly hard, just a little more daunting.

I did ask a colleague to teach me how to solder for my first keyboard, he spent 10 minutes explaining, I practiced a little, and then I soldered everything without too much issue. I enjoyed it a lot, but it's probably not for everyone.

I also quite like https://splitkb.com/ with their super easy customizable designs, but never really went for that kind of budget. They should be within your budget though, you should check them out.

I had a great experience with beekeeb shipping to France. They offer many pre-soldered well-known open-source split keyboards at approximately half the price of ZSA products.

Bonjour,

Si tu cherches un bon clavier splitté pour commencer, le https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q11-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard est un bon choix.

Je vois que tu habites en France, n'hésite pas à rejoindre les communautés !forumlibre@jlai.lu , !technologie@jlai.lu et !france@jlai.lu !

I really love my Kinesis advantage 360. Looks like the reverb version is $400, which I think is €345? Definitely a little over budget, but worth it imo. I have no idea how to calculate import costs.

https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage360-refurbished/

Keebart is located in Germany with free shipping on most keyboards. I’ve been very happy with my Sofle v2 and after sale support from him. He uses USB-C for the right-left connection rather than TRRS, which I find to be nice.

The Sofle was an easy intro to split ergo boards. I had a Keychron Q11 and switched to this, which has a number row and 5 thumb keys.

The case is 3D printed, so not ZSA quality, but I have no complaints. He does offer aluminium cases though if you want to spend more.

https://www.keebart.com/

I have a wireless Sofle from keebmaker.

I like it. I tented it, and it took me a little bit of time to get used to the layout and layers, but I'm back up to my speed now.

Plus it look cool with the backlit LEDs on

One European vendor I've had good experiences with is Falba Tech.

Redox was my first split keyboard from them. Looks like they're doing cornes now. The pre builts have really high quality bamboo or wood cases.

I have the ZSA Moonlander and multiple versions of the Keeb.io Iris (v2 up to v6, I believe - they're on v8). I use both regularly and they're great keyboards. I took several keys off the Moonlander to make it match the Iris, which incidentally makes it look closer to the Voyager. It's still a bulkier board than the Iris, though, especially with the wrist rests still attached. However, it's very easy to travel with and the size difference is rarely relevant.

I have a low profile Iris and sometimes use it as a travel board, but I'm not a big fan of the low profile keys (I have the "Compact Edition," I believe, so the spacing might also be part of the problem - they have a new "LM" version I might like more).

The Voyager is also low profile and has only 4 thumb keys compared to 8 (which I use extensively*) on the Moonlander and Iris, so it isn't a good option for me. But if you like the idea of a low profile split board and there's a layout you like that only requires four thumb keys, the Voyager looks great.

If you want a similar split keyboard that can come pre-assembled, with the option for a low profile version, I highly recommend the Iris. If you want an even more versatile, albeit slightly bulkier, keyboard, the Moonlander is fantastic.

* - I have my thumb keys set up with two layer shifts, alt, command, control, space, and enter. One of my Irises has a rotary encoder on a thumb keys but I wouldn't do that again. I could handle three per thumb and overload, but two isn't feasible without learning a new layout. Our thumbs are our most powerful fingers, so it makes sense to use them extensively.

Enjoy the journey!
I went with a kit from splitkb ; and the community in their discord was super helpful.
Soldering a keyboard isn't too difficult, the components aren't very fragile, and you mostly have some easy feedback and will know exactly where you messed up (the key doesn't work, which is easier then chasing signals/volts around a more typical soldering/electronics project). I think its a very rewarding endeavor.

I think the harder part is learning a new keyboard layout; and overcoming muscle/finger memory.

If you're willing to learn something new, the charachorder 2 is easily the best piece of tech I've ever bought and only took a couple weeks to learn.

https://shop.keyboard.io/products/model-100

The Keyboardio Model 100 is at the top end of your budget, but is also an ortholinnear keyboard. I have tried the ZSA Moonlander, and didn't like it as much.

AliExpress now has a lot of split keyboards. Many of them pre-built, or don't require soldering (just insert your switches in hot swap holes). With your budget you can order almost anything.

I think Corne is simplest option, looks and feels almost like traditional keyboard. I have similar right now.

My personal top option is Charybdis, I will move to it next year. But this is more than just keyboard, but also trackball. So doesn't fit into "first split" criteria (if you isn't brave enough)