Key Takeaways
1. ZMK Firmware Popularity: The open-source ZMK firmware is gaining traction in the wireless mechanical keyboard market, with brands like Keychron adopting it for its wireless functionality and efficiency.
2. Compact and Ergonomic Design: The Go60 is a 60% wireless split keyboard designed for portability while maintaining ergonomic comfort similar to the larger Glove80.
3. Advanced Features: The Go60 features hot-swappable low-profile Kailh Choc V1 switches, exclusive silent Cherry Blossom switches, and POM keycaps for enhanced durability and touch quality. It also includes dual 40mm trackpads for better usability.
4. Enhanced Portability: With a slim design and a bento box-style case for easy transport, the Go60 is lightweight and includes magnetic tenting attachments, offering six angle options for ergonomics on the go.
5. Long Battery Life: The Go60 boasts a 1,000 mAh battery on each side, providing up to 336 hours of battery life, wireless connectivity for multiple devices, and a wired option for versatility.
Recently, the ZMK firmware, which is open-source, has been gaining attention in the wireless mechanical keyboard market. Even well-known brands like Keychron are opting for ZMK due to its design that prioritizes wireless functionality and efficiency. MoErgo, the company behind the Glove80 and now the Go60, has been involved with ZMK for a while, having launched the Glove80 in early 2022. The new Go60 is a more compact wireless split keyboard aiming to offer the great comfort and ergonomic advantages of the Glove80 in a smaller and more portable form.
Compact Design
As indicated by its name, the Go60 is a 60% mechanical keyboard, making it smaller compared to larger models like the Lemokey L1 HE that we reviewed recently. However, beyond its split ergonomic shape, the Go60 has several unique features that distinguish it from typical mechanical keyboards.
Advanced Features
To begin with, this new keyboard comes with hot-swappable low-profile Kailh Choc V1 switches, and it includes silent Cherry Blossom switches that are exclusive to MoErgo and the Go60. Similar to the Glove80, the Go60 uses POM keycaps, providing a premium touch and better chemical resistance when compared to materials like ABS and PBT.
The most notable aspect of the Go60 is its dual touchpads, which are positioned like the single trackpad on the Beekeeb Toucan split wireless mechanical keyboard we reviewed earlier. The 40mm circular trackpads are located above the thumb cluster, allowing optimal use with the index finger while reducing side-to-side movement.
Enhanced Portability
The flat design of the Go60, which has a total height of 17.5 mm, makes it more portable than its predecessor. MoErgo has further improved portability by creating a bento box-style case that includes storage for snap-fit tenting attachments. This allows users to enjoy the ergonomic advantages of the Go60 while on the move, except for chair attachments.
These tenting attachments are attached magnetically for easy use and offer six different angles ranging from 6.2° to 17°. Despite having a steel bottom case, the keyboard is lightweight at just 600 g, and the carrying case is a compact 178 × 135 × 43 mm, making it a perfect fit for smaller backpacks.
Impressive Battery Life
The MoErgo Go60 has a 1,000 mAh battery on each side, and the company claims it can last up to two weeks of continuous use when “powered-on 24/7 with ZMK sleep functionality disabled and RGB off,” which translates to about 336 hours of battery life. Previous reviews have shown that RGB lighting can significantly impact battery life, so it’s likely that enabling backlighting will reduce battery duration, even if set to the lowest setting. Wireless connectivity is supported by BLE 5.0, allowing connection to up to four devices wirelessly and one through USB.
MoErgo has also released a selection of accessories for the Go60, such as a mounting puck and an optional walnut palm rest, and it seems many accessories from the Glove80 will also be compatible. In contrast to keyboards like the Corne split keyboards (currently $99 on Amazon), the Go60 operates fully wirelessly, meaning the two halves can work independently without a wire, making setup easier when traveling. However, it does come with a TRRS cable for those who prefer a wired connection, and it will automatically switch to wired mode when the cable is plugged in. The Go60 aims to provide a versatile input solution for people who primarily work at a desk but need the flexibility to take their ergonomic setup with them.
Pricing Expectations
Pricing details for the MoErgo Go60 have yet to be revealed, but it’s reasonable to expect it won’t be inexpensive. The MoErgo Glove80 is priced at $399, which includes a travel case. Nevertheless, since the Go60 is less complex, mainly due to the absence of key wells, it may turn out to be more budget-friendly, even with the inclusion of trackpads.
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