Inexpensive split-design keyboard - recommendations requested

[Arbalest]

As a small step toward finding the right keyboard for me I would like to spend some quality time with a split design keyboard.  For now I don't care about the switches so rubber domes will be fine.  I would like to make this an inexpensive experiment so it could be a used item on ebay.  Any suggestions as to what to try or what to avoid?

In addition to the MS offerings there are plenty of GoldTouch and Fellows boards out there. But I am willing to wait for something else to show up.
I am open to any/all input so here are some random details that might anticipate your questions.

0) I use a keyboard to program, correspond, document and take a great deal of typed notes.
1) I never use the computer for gaming.
2) I do half-a$$ed touch typing and I think the split design will help me break the habit of using the left/right hand for some right/left keys.
3) I think (but don't know) that I would REALLY like a Kinesis Advantage keyboard (probably with browns) and this experiment will help me decide.
4) I will experiment with switches separately.
5) I will try Dvorak/Colemak experiments down the road.

Thanks!

[kod]

Kinesis advantage is very, very different from the goldtouch / kinesis freestyle type keyboards.  Having used both an advantage and a freestyle for over a year each, I don't think trying one will tell you much about the other.

Freestyle is ok for rubber dome, but the keys do start to bind after a few years.  I personally like being able to adjust separation, tilt, etc separately enough to make it worth it. 

Trying to go back to an advantage just hurt, I ended up selling it.  At this point waiting on the last Ergodox group buy.

[Tony]

Go straight for Kinesis Advantage or ErgoDox with brown or blue. For starters, I suggest brown.

Do try to learn Colemak/Dvorak properly to erase bad typing habits you have acquired over the years.

Youtube: Typing Colemak 100+wpm on a Kinesis Advantage with Cherry red switch

[Arbalest]

Thanks @Tony and @kod. 

One strike against the ErgoDox (for me) is that I do use function keys a fair amount in the OS environment and in apps, especially in an IDE.  Maybe a separate key-strip or a "Nostromo" will suffice.  I do know that the Kinesis has sub-standard function keys but I don't know how much that will matter.

So among the adjustable-split design is the Freestyle better than others?

When is the next/last ErgoDox buy?

[kod]

I liked the Freestyle better than the goldtouch.

I don't know when the next ergodox massdrop is... this one seems to be delayed for an unknown time, and I don't think they'll do a new one until this one actually delivers.