Pick 2: Keyboard and work light

Thing 1: Dewalt DCL050 area light

I got this to help with repainting our half-bathroom. I disconnected the light fixture to paint, and there was no other light source.

Pros:

• plenty of light
• uses Dewalt batteries we already have
• flexible (can hang from a hook or stand on floor)

Cons:

• a little pricey
• easy to tip over when light is shining up

Thing 2: Nuphy Air75 v3

My first “modern” mechanical keyboard was an 87-key V2 from WASD Keyboards (apparently no longer in business). I got it with Cherry MX Blue switches and dampeners.

I used it for a couple of years, but when I started working from an office again I wanted something quieter. I tried a Keychron K6 with Gateron Red switches, but missed having a function row.

Next up was a Keychron K2. There was a short adjustment period as I got used to the placement of the arrow keys and lack of space between the function and number rows. Overall, I liked it, though.

I started having wrist pain and went looking for a more ergonomic keyboard. I tried a ZSA Voyager, but couldn’t get used to it. I moved on to a K15. The split layout seemed to help my wrists, but the arc of the keys made it tougher to accurately reach keys with my pinkies. It wasn’t a huge deal, though, and I was quite happy.

Until…

I didn’t think I was in the market for a new keyboard, but the YouTube algorithm served up a Switch and Click video.

Curiosity got the better of me and I ordered the Nuphy Air75 v3 (referral link) with Blush Nano switches. I love it. I can type more quickly than I could on the K15 and it feels and sounds amazing. It’s also smaller than the K15, so it’s easier to pack between my home and office. And there’s lots of RGB, which isn’t a big selling point for me, but I do like the starburst effect (each key lights up and fades out as you type).