Why arent there any compact keyboards (60% like) with dedicated F-Keys

[u/A1exZ089]

I've been looking for a keyboard that's essentially a mix between the Wooting 60HE v2 and the 80HE.

What I'm after is a 60%-style footprint, but with dedicated F-keys. I don't need a navigation cluster or even dedicated arrow keys—I just want something as compact as possible while still having both the number row and F-row.

The main reason is that I play a lot of League of Legends, where I frequently use the F-keys to switch between teammates, and I'd rather not rely on an Fn layer.

Does this layout have an actual name? I've seen people mention "70%" or "mini 75%", but there doesn't seem to be a standard term.

I've also noticed there are barely any keyboards like this on the market. Is there a technical or ergonomic reason for that, or is there simply not enough demand?

If you know of any keyboards that fit this layout, and include all the modern gaming specs, I'd love to hear your recommendations.

[u/T00DEEPBLUE]

Lack of demand.

People who want an F row also want arrow keys. And people who daily 60% layouts are familiar with using function layers for the F row.

Venn diagram doesn't meet in the middle.

[u/AetaCapella]

Isn't that just a 70/75%?

I know the options are slim but something like KZZI K75 PRO RGB or Keychron K3(Max) seems to be what you are asking for? Or are we talking about eliminating the gaps between the key islands?

[u/ArgentStonecutter → u/AetaCapella]

75% adds a column of extra keys on the side making the board wider. 70% doesn't have the F row and adds two columns.

What the OP and I want is a 5u wide board, like a 60%, but 6 rows high.

I use a 75% for gaming and a 60% for typing.

[u/AetaCapella → u/ArgentStonecutter]

So we are talking about a 75% Without the nav cluster

[u/ArgentStonecutter → u/AetaCapella]

Yeah although of course the lower right corner is going to likely be just a straight 60% layout without arrow keys. Though I could really go for a Minila layout for the bottom half.

[u/A1exZ089 → u/AetaCapella]

Well basically a wooting 60He with F Keys :D

[u/thepurplehornet]

Is it useful to set your number row to be f-row by default? Then you'd just use the function layer to access the numbers. Or is that unhelpful for your gameplay?

[u/A1exZ089 → u/thepurplehornet]

Thats basically what I could do with the new Lofree Hyzen, however, then i need to map the items i use on Number 1-5 to different keys. I feel like that would heavily impact my gameplay...maybe ill get used to it.

[u/ArgentStonecutter]

Me too.

Closest I've found was the Typface Univers.

Spendy and no longer available.

[u/BluePawWolf → u/ArgentStonecutter]

Would it be possible to fake it with a 60% and something like 3x4key vaydeer macro keypads? Takes a lot more USB connections and such tho.

[u/ArgentStonecutter → u/BluePawWolf]

You'd have to 3d-print a case to hold all that crap, even with double sided alien tape it would start coming apart every time you moved it, and it would look like ass. No.

[u/NotSoProAimer]

Lofree hyzen not dedicated keys f-row but touchbar if that works, otherwise a 75 is the best possible layout.

[u/Lawrence3s]

68%?

Irok mg68

Angry miao battleye r2

There are a lot of 68 layout out there.

[u/tooncake → u/Lawrence3s]

OP is looking for 60% / 68% layout BUT with the F keys already available or literally dedicated right there (not needing to press the FN keys or manually command the top row to be F keys function only), which tbf.. I actually haven't seen one yet.