Software

There is no dedicated software driver support for the Goldtouch Go!2 keyboard at this time—all functionality is hardware based. As such, I have chosen to combine the Software and Performance pages into one.

Performance

The Goldtouch Go!2 keyboard supports the typical 6-key rollover Bluetooth, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and funnily, there are two Windows keys here instead of a Menu/Fn key on the right side. The Fn key is a dedicated large key on the left instead, which is a clear sign of this being a business-oriented keyboard.

Expectations are different here compared to a mainstream mechanical gaming keyboard; that is, for us anyways. The Goldtouch Go!2 is a wireless membrane keyboard with an emphasis on ergonomics and mobility. The membrane switches already mean it may not be for everyone, and the features we usually see are omitted altogether. No backlighting at all, let alone RGB lighting, as well as no software drivers for macros or key mapping. As such, the stock configuration is all the more critical. The non-standard form factor also means no standardized configuration or key layout is used throughout, and Goldtouch has taken the liberty of making a few interesting choices, as with the aforementioned dual Windows keys, for instance. In general, this is an excellent layout for the layperson wanting a better and more ergonomic keyboard, however.


I have had more experience with ergonomic keyboards than probably ninety-nine percent of the planet and thought I had seen it all, but the simple ball-and-socket joint implementation here works so well that I do understand why Goldtouch patented it, and that it only works this well for low-profile keyboards. The ability to fold the keyboard was such a "huh" moment in terms of why no one else has done so with split keyboards, before I of course realized that it would have been a really chunky unit that puts unnecessary pressure on the springs in mechanical switches. Likewise, the single point of contact at the top with the ball socket only works with lighter, slim-profile keyboards. This is why more substantial split keyboards (pretty much everything else) use standalone feet for tenting and tilting. Ergonomically, this keyboard is excellent provided you take the time to work out the best working angle and distance for you and don't try to rotate the keyboard halves while the lever is closed lest you lose out on the locking mechanism over time.

I took the time to loan it out to a couple of colleagues at work to get their opinions, and it was hilarious to see their complaints quickly turn into joy when using it over the course of a week, and then sorrow when they had to give it back. A week to get used to for someone not used to anything other than a standard OEM full-size keyboard is incredible even before we talk about the split-keyboard nature of the keyboard and the 75% form factor. Indeed, it took nearly as much time for them to finalize the tenting of the keyboard as it did to avoid phantom key strokes. Both were Windows users, although I suspect macOS users may have a slightly harder time. Indeed, the toughest change across the board was with the Fn key all the way at the bottom-left corner rather than R. CTRL, so the bottom row as a whole does shift further away until things get weird again across the break. The dual space bars are quite handy, as are all the Fn-assigned pre-programmed functions for media and volume controls in addition to some Windows-only features, such as bringing up the calculator, email client, etc.

The Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you have compatibility with just about everything with a Bluetooth controller today, including phones, tablets, TVs, laptops, PCs, and so on. As the mobile nature of the keyboard targets the average businessperson, I definitely understand going with compatibility over the latest and greatest. The problem is that a lot of newer devices would have allowed for greater battery life with low-energy modes as well as better line-of-sight signal strength through even some walls should you need it for whatever reason. Connecting the keyboard is trivial, either going natively with some devices or over a pairing code typed on the keyboard. Once done, connectivity in front of a PC on a desk runs into no issues whatsoever. Battery life is also very good, but that was to be expected for a device that is relatively simple. Turns out going with Bluetooth, removing all lighting, and membrane switches allows for a long battery life as with pretty much any other such wireless OEM keyboard. Goldtouch claims up to 32 days of use, although with a maximum of 4 hours of typing per day, and thus far, I had to charge it once in my month of review time with far more typing than that. Charging time was about 4.5 hours for me, with 5 hours being the rated time from empty to full. The onboard LEDs show when battery life is low, and when charging is done, as well as the actual power on and connection status.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Goldtouch Go!2 keyboard sample at ~85 WPM as it comes out of the box with the scissor switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with membrane switches. This is an extremely quiet keyboard, so much so that the recording had the gain turned on to gather more of the sound, so ignore the background noises you may hear. The scissor switches have a key travel of 2.7 mm, which is better than your average laptop keyboard and likely the most travel of any scissor switch keyboard I have tried to date. They are also rated for an actuation force of 40–45 gf, which is on par with the average full-size membrane switch, and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch. It goes without saying that you need to bottom out to actuate the keystroke here since actuation requires the electrical pads to touch.