Wooting 80HEaven (special edition)

[dusk portal]

IMPROVED LOOK (LAST IMAGE) https://i.imgur.com/lBtVTul.png
with additional comments in replies below

This new keeb isn't just different for the sake of it. Aiming to perfect the traditional keyboard layout (especially for ISO users, with new ISOx layout) - either you're a software user, coder, gamer or typist, this keyboard improves something for everyone.
Main improvements and features (in addition to all other 80HE features):

• Finally the big left Shift for ISO users, meaning more comfortable usage (also important with the new Ctrl placement). < > key moved to a more preferable position, where all the special characters belong.
• Most mouse space you have ever had with a TKL-ish keyboard.
• This is also a great alternative keyboard for left-handed users (that use mouse on left or right side) - finally.
• Using "home row" position for various things now means much more comfortable access to the left Ctrl (as well as right).
  -- Also true for gaming, where you can now use the superior ESDF position (instead of WASD), with fingers already on the home row and more hotkeys to bind to the left (and 1.0u even more mouse space? :O ).
• Keyboard is more centered (G | H) than the normal 80HE (or any other), especially satisfying when typing.
• The left side key clusters (with Del key and Arrow keys) are now closer to your centered position than they have ever been.
• Alt keys closer to center, meaning easier usage in general, and with special characters like brackets (for ISO users). For gaming (e.g. Dota 2), it's very convenient to use the left Alt to see a lot of hidden information (and as modifier), but so far almost no keyboard has provided a good Alt placement (awkwardly bending your thumb to press it) - this is especially important if you're using ESDF - with this new placement your thumb and comfort is saved.

• Potentially a Knob sticking out on the left side, from the slight groove the keyboard has (so it's attached a bit better by the small magnet, but also a bit cozily hidden), the metal plate that's holding the knob goes over the ledge and on top of the kb, with the Wooting logo on the top surface - both useful and stylish. (Interacts in some way with the keyboard, with many possible functions - you also get the info with the light bar when you use it.)
• Using the bottom row more efficiently - no longer with the too long Spacebar you don't actually need.
• Bind and easily use both Del and Up arrow keys in games where you need them (good for ESDF, but especially for users that still decide to use WASD, or maybe for games that force you to use WASD in some way).

* To begin with you might think you bought 80HEll - this is a common reaction to a new layout, stay strong and faithful and you will eventually get to 80HEaven.

- For ISOx layout, can make the "< >" key look more like horns - something sinners/demons have - they are locked out of 80HEaven, just like the key is.
- Colors are not final of course, etc. Some special extra keycaps included expected too (heaven theme) (maybe also a choice between default knob addon, and some heaven themed one (but can also add the one you didn't to cart separately after)).

[dusk portal]

Refined it a bit with Ps

• removed 2 bottom row unneeded keys for a cleaner and nicer look and usage (only that now Alt placement(s) doesn't seem as intended as it is - possibly revert)
• "< >" locked out of 80HEaven key is now more horny
• new W logo

[dusk portal]

Another alternative

• big right Shift is back!
• "< >" split into two keys on bottom row, and also aesthetically can be seen as "Gates of 80HEaven" (maybe also with extra themed keycaps that look more like open gate doors)

[quiet mica]

Pretty interesting tbh. Shout out to ESDF! One thing though is that a lot of games use arrow keys and ZXC keybindings (mainly JRPG or RPGMaker) games, so arrow keys on the left side are probably not ideal for those games.

[dull kestrel]

The tiny space bar though, wooting were trying to help with keycap compatibility, not hinder it

It's hard enough being an iso UK user already

[dusk portal]

They did try it with 80HE yeah, but they also said they won't try as much in the future (because of feedback on arrows).
But also this is a special edition (that might also have a different Spacebar included if you want, and probably another color/set of keycaps all together, so you have a bit of choice like this). Special edition, that also tries to perfect all the previous and old standardized "wrongs" (esp. for ISO), trying to do "Dream Scenario" keyboard, with as little compromise as possible (still largely keeping the standard key positions).

One thing though is that a lot of games use arrow keys and ZXC keybindings
Still not that bad to move kb a bit and use those bindings but with different hands (also can't you often rebind ZXC to like JKL?).
But there is also some games that use Arrow keys + Mouse, and with this it's the opposite, easier to use.

[dusk portal]

Some further observations

• I think you would need to factory-bind "Shift + < >" on the " > " switch slot (if choosing that layout), since I don't think ISO supports just " > " (OS does either ISO or ANSI, not both). (Still remappable after.)

• In pretty common scenarios it's nice to use Arrows and Enter with same hand, so maybe include a 1.0u " ⏎ " keycap (to the left of Del, remappable if needed).

• With shifted and closer to center Ctrl and Alt, it's now easier to open Linux terminal with its default binding "Ctrl + Alt + T".

• Not great text manipulation with Arrows, unless you learn to do it all with one hand on the left, and/or shift left hand position a bit during it; and learning using both hands is possible too (either using right Shift/Ctrl or left). Not great because you use left Ctrl or/and Shift with A, Z, X, C, V. But still not that bad if you get used to it.