I really think the ergonomic keyboard community should start looking more into chorded, 10-key keyboard layouts. I use asetniop pretty frequently on my Ginny keyboard and it's probably the most...
I really think the ergonomic keyboard community should start looking more into chorded, 10-key keyboard layouts. I use asetniop pretty frequently on my Ginny keyboard and it's probably the most comfortable keyboard layout I've used simply because there is literally zero finger travel. I just wish there was a bigger selection of keyboards designed for chorded input.
I do code but I don't think asetniop is all that great for coding. I could definitely build in the support for special characters with layers but there is a limited number of keys and switching...
I do code but I don't think asetniop is all that great for coding. I could definitely build in the support for special characters with layers but there is a limited number of keys and switching layers all the time is irritating to do while coding. One possible solution would be a twenty key keyboard with more modifier keys and a symbol row, I could imagine that being a nicer experience over all.
Same here. For months, I have been thinking about their Ergodox EZ, and now Moonlander, but I just can't justify paying over $500 for a keyboard with shipping and import taxes, especially when I...
Same here. For months, I have been thinking about their Ergodox EZ, and now Moonlander, but I just can't justify paying over $500 for a keyboard with shipping and import taxes, especially when I can't test it before purchase and returns would be a pain.
Assuming you're in Europe, you could take a look at the Redox from falba.tech, which I believe ships from Poland. I nearly pulled the trigger on one of those, but ended up getting an iris instead.
Assuming you're in Europe, you could take a look at the Redox from falba.tech, which I believe ships from Poland.
I nearly pulled the trigger on one of those, but ended up getting an iris instead.
Thanks, I have actually almost ordered FalbaTech's version a few times, but it doesn't quite tick all the boxes that Ergodox EZ does. And so, I go back to endlessly ruminating. Iris is definitely...
Thanks, I have actually almost ordered FalbaTech's version a few times, but it doesn't quite tick all the boxes that Ergodox EZ does. And so, I go back to endlessly ruminating. Iris is definitely another possibility. So is the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard.
I just can't get comfortable with an ergo keyboard unless it's much more concave than this one. I've been forced to rely on a backup, split ergo keyboard (with tenting), and it doesn't compare to...
I just can't get comfortable with an ergo keyboard unless it's much more concave than this one. I've been forced to rely on a backup, split ergo keyboard (with tenting), and it doesn't compare to my primary Kinesis Advantage Pro.
Not the original commenter, but I can chime in. I have carpal tunnel. I've been using ergonomic keyboards for a couple years now and have tried many different designs (planck, let's split, iris,...
Not the original commenter, but I can chime in. I have carpal tunnel. I've been using ergonomic keyboards for a couple years now and have tried many different designs (planck, let's split, iris, ergodox, orthodox, pinky3, kinesis advantage). To me, the concave keywells make a huge difference. At this point, I would not shell out more than $200 for a flat ergonomic keyboard. I use a heavily modified Kinesis contoured as my daily driver. It's probably end-game for me, though I might get a dactyl manuform in the future.
I've thought about the dactyl manuform, but I'm keeping my eye on this. If I get a new ergo keyboard (which would make 4 for me), it will have to be something like the KeyMouse that completely...
I've thought about the dactyl manuform, but I'm keeping my eye on this. If I get a new ergo keyboard (which would make 4 for me), it will have to be something like the KeyMouse that completely removes movements between keyboard and mouse.
I have carpal tunnel and other RSIs, and the concave wells of my Advantage Pro (which lives at my home office) make it so much more comfortable than my Kinesis Freestyle2 (which lives at my work...
I have carpal tunnel and other RSIs, and the concave wells of my Advantage Pro (which lives at my home office) make it so much more comfortable than my Kinesis Freestyle2 (which lives at my work office). It's a huge difference for me. I love the Kinesis Advantage so much that I bought a second one when I first got them 4-5 years ago, I just made the mistake of lending it to my sister since I didn't think I would need it during the pandemic. Then my employer "encouraged" me to start spending time in the office again, and I had to fall back on my Freestyle2 for when I go in.
If I ever change keyboards, it will only be for something like this that incorporates another way of reducing hand movements. Otherwise, I don't see much room for improvement over the Advantage.
For anyone thinking of ergonomic keyboards, I would highly recommend building an Iris. It would require a bit of soldering and a bit of flashing the firmware, but it's totally manageable for a...
For anyone thinking of ergonomic keyboards, I would highly recommend building an Iris. It would require a bit of soldering and a bit of flashing the firmware, but it's totally manageable for a beginner.
If you want to buy instead of build, I might recommend going for a Kinesis Advantage 2. The contoured keywells make a huge difference.
I've never used a keyboard with countered keywells like the Advantage or the Dactyl Manuform, so I can't speak to anything there. I don't have RSI or carpal tunnel - prevention of those two things...
I've never used a keyboard with countered keywells like the Advantage or the Dactyl Manuform, so I can't speak to anything there. I don't have RSI or carpal tunnel - prevention of those two things and the extra comfort of typing with your shoulders more open were the motivating factors for getting the iris.
The Kinesis keyboards were a non-starter for me because I wanted Zealios switches and QMK (which I've used in the past on my Whitefox and is just excellent). I've had the iris for a couple of weeks now, and have no complaints. The only tough part has been learning how to type z/x/c with different fingers and getting used to brackets on a second layer. I've made a concerted effort to practice typing, and I'm back to my normal speed for English - programming is still a bit slower though.
I know that the mechanical keyboard community goes really deep in terms of customization, but is this really considered "a breeze" for these ergo keyboards? That's definitely one more step than I...
Setup was a breeze (unbox, plug it in, flash firmware, type)
I know that the mechanical keyboard community goes really deep in terms of customization, but is this really considered "a breeze" for these ergo keyboards? That's definitely one more step than I would expect to be required when "setting up" a keyboard.
Based on my Planck EZ from the same company, I'm pretty sure the "flash firmware" step is optional, and is only required if you want a different layout from the default. It works fine with the...
Based on my Planck EZ from the same company, I'm pretty sure the "flash firmware" step is optional, and is only required if you want a different layout from the default. It works fine with the default layout the first time you plug it in.
Of course, a primary motivation for buying a keyboard that makes changing the layout easy is to, in fact, change the layout to exactly what you want. So it's understandable that OP would consider that part of the setup process.
Flashing the firmware is in fact a breeze. Producing a new configuration can be done (with version control!) through a web interface, and shared with others, or you can download someone else's layout. Once you download that layout, you flash it with the open source cross-platform Wally GUI.
I really think the ergonomic keyboard community should start looking more into chorded, 10-key keyboard layouts. I use asetniop pretty frequently on my Ginny keyboard and it's probably the most comfortable keyboard layout I've used simply because there is literally zero finger travel. I just wish there was a bigger selection of keyboards designed for chorded input.
I do code but I don't think asetniop is all that great for coding. I could definitely build in the support for special characters with layers but there is a limited number of keys and switching layers all the time is irritating to do while coding. One possible solution would be a twenty key keyboard with more modifier keys and a symbol row, I could imagine that being a nicer experience over all.
I would love to try this keyboard but (on top of being uber expensive) shipping stuff like this to outside of the USA is just nuts.
Same here. For months, I have been thinking about their Ergodox EZ, and now Moonlander, but I just can't justify paying over $500 for a keyboard with shipping and import taxes, especially when I can't test it before purchase and returns would be a pain.
Even standard looking ones such as WASD's V3, Input Club's K-Type or Drop's CTRL are insanely expensive for a non american, sadly.
Assuming you're in Europe, you could take a look at the Redox from falba.tech, which I believe ships from Poland.
I nearly pulled the trigger on one of those, but ended up getting an iris instead.
Thanks, I have actually almost ordered FalbaTech's version a few times, but it doesn't quite tick all the boxes that Ergodox EZ does. And so, I go back to endlessly ruminating. Iris is definitely another possibility. So is the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard.
I just can't get comfortable with an ergo keyboard unless it's much more concave than this one. I've been forced to rely on a backup, split ergo keyboard (with tenting), and it doesn't compare to my primary Kinesis Advantage Pro.
Not the original commenter, but I can chime in. I have carpal tunnel. I've been using ergonomic keyboards for a couple years now and have tried many different designs (planck, let's split, iris, ergodox, orthodox, pinky3, kinesis advantage). To me, the concave keywells make a huge difference. At this point, I would not shell out more than $200 for a flat ergonomic keyboard. I use a heavily modified Kinesis contoured as my daily driver. It's probably end-game for me, though I might get a dactyl manuform in the future.
I've thought about the dactyl manuform, but I'm keeping my eye on this. If I get a new ergo keyboard (which would make 4 for me), it will have to be something like the KeyMouse that completely removes movements between keyboard and mouse.
Now that looks cool! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome. I found it when researching other ergo keyboard formats like the RollerMouse.
I have carpal tunnel and other RSIs, and the concave wells of my Advantage Pro (which lives at my home office) make it so much more comfortable than my Kinesis Freestyle2 (which lives at my work office). It's a huge difference for me. I love the Kinesis Advantage so much that I bought a second one when I first got them 4-5 years ago, I just made the mistake of lending it to my sister since I didn't think I would need it during the pandemic. Then my employer "encouraged" me to start spending time in the office again, and I had to fall back on my Freestyle2 for when I go in.
If I ever change keyboards, it will only be for something like this that incorporates another way of reducing hand movements. Otherwise, I don't see much room for improvement over the Advantage.
For anyone thinking of ergonomic keyboards, I would highly recommend building an Iris. It would require a bit of soldering and a bit of flashing the firmware, but it's totally manageable for a beginner.
If you want to buy instead of build, I might recommend going for a Kinesis Advantage 2. The contoured keywells make a huge difference.
I've never used a keyboard with countered keywells like the Advantage or the Dactyl Manuform, so I can't speak to anything there. I don't have RSI or carpal tunnel - prevention of those two things and the extra comfort of typing with your shoulders more open were the motivating factors for getting the iris.
The Kinesis keyboards were a non-starter for me because I wanted Zealios switches and QMK (which I've used in the past on my Whitefox and is just excellent). I've had the iris for a couple of weeks now, and have no complaints. The only tough part has been learning how to type z/x/c with different fingers and getting used to brackets on a second layer. I've made a concerted effort to practice typing, and I'm back to my normal speed for English - programming is still a bit slower though.
I wouldn't say they are comparable. The Iris is theoretically much cheaper though. Maybe about $120 or $100 all-in.
That's hilarious and I might just try that.
I know that the mechanical keyboard community goes really deep in terms of customization, but is this really considered "a breeze" for these ergo keyboards? That's definitely one more step than I would expect to be required when "setting up" a keyboard.
Based on my Planck EZ from the same company, I'm pretty sure the "flash firmware" step is optional, and is only required if you want a different layout from the default. It works fine with the default layout the first time you plug it in.
Of course, a primary motivation for buying a keyboard that makes changing the layout easy is to, in fact, change the layout to exactly what you want. So it's understandable that OP would consider that part of the setup process.
Flashing the firmware is in fact a breeze. Producing a new configuration can be done (with version control!) through a web interface, and shared with others, or you can download someone else's layout. Once you download that layout, you flash it with the open source cross-platform Wally GUI.