https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWQL_XORalY

It looks like the feature is called Auto Shift in QMK/VIAL (I had to open up VIAL to remember the term).

I'm not sure I have a good answer for quick typing, I was in the process of implementing urob's timeless homerow mods for ZMK when I fried my ZMK board. I know there are QMK implementations (maybe in userspace?), but my quick googling didn't come up with what I was thinking.

How do you like the pinky stagger? ( I think that's what it's called). I'm modding a 42 key board to have a similar layout (I find moving the pinky up forces me to move my whole hand)

I thought it might fall into the non-split ortholinear category, but that makes sense once you pointed it out.

Others have mentioned some of the boards on this list, but YAL should be pretty comprehensive list of boards with dpads

It might not be "hand-shaped", but the use of layers (and tap-dance/home-row mods) will minimize hand-movement, which is another way to approach ergonomics.

My first "weird" mechanical keyboard was an early Planck version (I was trying to learn steno and it was a fairly cheap NKRO option). I ended up getting rid of it as I had trouble adapting to the layout and layers. I didn't end up pursuing steno very far, but it was a good learning experience.

My first ergo split was much more recent with the Ergo travel that I was able to find very cheap on mechmarket. I still had to build it, but it was a good learning experience and forced me to learn more about flashing firmware, soldering, and the details of keyboard construction.

I'm now using a Draculad wireless after really learning Colemak dhk on a 34 key dilemma, both of which I really love. I don't think I would be as comfortable with firmware and switching to zmk for the Draculad if I hadn't had the experience getting zmk to work.

I've been happy to experience many years of custom keyboards and the advancements in firmware over that time, and I think I've found an end game solution with zmk/Draculad

It only fulfills point 4 I think, but it does look like it might not be in line with the rules on the sidebar, so it will probably get removed (admittedly I don't know if posts need to be manually approved here, so I'm not sure about this).

What's your budget? I have also been looking out for something similar, mostly on r/mechmarket (I have an ergo travel that I am trying to get to work consistently).

There are sometimes deals like this: (not sure if this one is still available) at $80 https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/162uc4s/uscah_dilemma_v1_choc_pink_w_paypal/

Another place I've found really good prices is the bastardkb discord, but like r/mechmarket the postings for split keyboards are infrequent.

If you have switches and keycaps from a donor mech kb, this could be a good option at $128: https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/162uc4s/uscah_dilemma_v1_choc_pink_w_paypal/

Edit for completeness: $120 one piece option just without keys/keycaps: https://ergohaven.xyz/shop/tproduct/339856256-880659810681-planeta

Looks really clean! How do the RJ11s compare to the RJ45s in the cheapino? Could you get away with doing a single microcontroller with them?

Beautiful board! I thought the thumbnail might be a render, that's crazy

Not including switches and keycaps, two cheapinos would come to around $60 according to the prices listed on its GitHub (I don't think I'd be confident to do the job myself, but going half with someone might be a cheap option).

This is the thread where I learned about the cheapino and the OP is asking a similar question that might have relevance to your situation https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/16id57p/recommendations_for_cheap_split_ergo_keyboard/

wow, wireless for €90 sounds great! I'm on a dilemma currently (pink chocs too!), but I've been looking to go wireless

No worries, I was wondering if it was bastardkb, good prices

Thanks for the explanation! Yeah, I misremembered what I read about the cheapino not using all of its 8P8C wires (it uses 7 out of 8), but that makes sense.

Nice! What discord if you don't mind me asking?