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Show HN: Best Keyboard for Programming

9 points by keymouse 7y ago

bradhe 7y ago
"Best" is quite a statement. Indeed, by "feature" it's great...but personally I'm never going to switch away from a QWERTY keyboard. It's really easy to under index consistency.
- mpoteat 7y ago
  This is QWERTY, albeit not one linear rectangle.
jmagaro88 7y ago
I'm a big fan of Ergodox (https://ergodox-ez.com https://ergodox-ez.com). It's a little clunky to get used to at first, but it's so customizable that you can easily adjust for any positions your hand wants to be in. It made a huge difference for my RSI.
- Wiles_7 7y ago
  I have an Ergodox but never got used to it. I prefer a normal 75% layout.
  - antjanus 7y ago
    what part of it was uncomfortable?
  - yuhe00 7y ago
    It takes a while to get used to. I switched to Ergodox and Colemak at the same time, and it took me around 3 months to get up to my normal speed again. Unless you type a lot on other people's keyboards (IT-support or similar), I'd say it's definitely worth it!
- antjanus 7y ago
  yeah, I was wondering how they compare because I'm hoping to buy it sometime later this year. Mind giving a quick review so I know if I'm making the right choice? haha
  - yuhe00 7y ago
    I had one of the first revisions of the Ergodox EZ. There were some problems with the build quality, and a few of the legs arrived loose/broken. Customer service was great though, and I received replacement parts very quickly, but after a while the same parts came loose again. Likely a problem with the design or low quality component, which I hope the newer revisions have fixed. Otherwise a great keyboard, although it takes a while to get used to (around 3 months for me). I ended up building my own Ergodox using the open-source design - Now I have about 5-6 of them that I built myself, all with different keycap/switch configurations... Only negative is that I can no longer type on a regular keyboard ;)
    - antjanus 7y ago
      ohhh ok, so it takes a while to get used but you find yourself more comfortable with it and productive?
      - yuhe00 7y ago
        Yes! Would definitely recommend the investment if you spend a lot of time typing on the computer ;)
- keymouse 7y ago
  KeyMouse is also fully programmable (including the mouse motion and scroll/trackball), and like the Ergodox, you can place each hand in whatever is the most comfortable position, but you don't have to move your hands off the keyboard to use the mouse.
  - antjanus 7y ago
    Am I right to assume that the difference between the Track 127 and the ChairTrack 127 is just that the ChairTrack has the mounting bracket set included?
    - keymouse 7y ago
      (edited) Actually, no. For chair mount options, the ChairTrack just allows the device to sit over an armrest. Both Track and ChairTrack have chair mount options, but no brackets are included with the devices.
ericvolp12 7y ago
Obligatory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7iSbrkeAhE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7iSbrkeAhE (LTT Review) Take it however you want to, as a joke or as serious criticism.
- keymouse 7y ago
  Thanks for posting the link. LTT definitely made a cool video!
codingdave 7y ago
Intriguing, but not a price point that many people will be willing to pay just to try it out. Even with a 30 day return policy, the 10% return fee isn't an ideal experience if it doesn't work for me. A way to get a live demo before buying would be a good thing.
mrsaint 7y ago
For me for many years this has been the "best" keyboard for programming: https://hhkeyboard.us/happyhacking/ https://hhkeyboard.us/happyhacking/
- kaesve 7y ago
  I love my HHKB to death. I can also really recommend getting a reprogramable controller off of hasu from geekhack (https://geekhack.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=58s2o9bvije7q36shi8clr5cl950us6q&topic=71517.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=58s2o9bvije7q36shi8...). It's really easy to install and customize the firmware, and it adds a whole new dimension to how much I enjoy my keyboard.
ReC757 7y ago
I love the idea of this keyboard/mouse. I looked into it while searching for a keyboard to help with my RSI. By the way, I would love to see something like your product that would allow me to use dual cursors on the screen at the same time to interact with the computer. Resizing and passing things back and forth between monitors while doing graphic design would be awesome! I know that this may be out of reach for windows, but I would love to see something come about that allowed this on Linux. I'm sure program support is asking too much... Also, I would love to see both a trackball and optical sensor in a new version of your product.
- keymouse 7y ago
  Thank you! There are some possible options out there for 2 mouse cursors, you can see here: https://www.keymouse.com/resources https://www.keymouse.com/resources, but not sure how well they work. Also, we are considering making a product that will allow 2 mouse sensors in the same device (trackball and bottom mouse sensor).
jacknews 7y ago
I love the idea, and am quite tempted to give it a go. I especially love the option to '3d print your own dummy model to try out the different sizes' Are you a single inventor bringing this baby to life, or is this a project from a larger company? I'd really love to hear your startup story, particularly as I also have some gadget ideas I'd like to reify.
- keymouse 7y ago
  Yes, single inventor (programmer of 25+ years now). Started a Kickstarter campaign, but ended up changing to a 3D printed modular system, rather than going injection mold route. Gave us the flexibility to improve our design without high costs, but also allowed us to create a modular system, so anyone can use our parts to build their own devices.
snapdaddy 7y ago
One product (not yet mentioned here?) that seems to be getting overlooked is the trackball version of the split keyboard that you can mount on your armrests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd4TipIRVlc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd4TipIRVlc I've often sort of fantasized about that exact product. Now that I see it, I'm not sure how great it would be to facilitate working while laying back, but . . . it's certainly intriguing.
IdontRememberIt 7y ago
(I have been programming for +20y for +8 hours minimum a day) I tried so many keyboards. Types and brands. Mechanical are unfortunately a no go because of the noise (I am not alone in the office) and the required position of the arm, wrist and hand (if I want to have everything aligned naturally and because of the height of the keys and the keyboard). Finally, the best (for me) is the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID. Only complains: missing removable battery and missing some separation space between "blocks" (numpad, f keys, arrows, etc). IMPORTANT: it would not use it for gaming. On the go, the keyboard of my Lenovo X1 carbon is fantastic.
- keymouse 7y ago
  You mentioned that the keys are too noisy for mechanical keyboards, but have you tried Cherry Silent Red switches? Here's a video that explains the Cherry MX mechanical switches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSPH3HvxhQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSPH3HvxhQ
  - IdontRememberIt 7y ago
    Yes, unfortunately. My 130USD cherry keyboard ended as an expensive toy for my toddler (he was using it without being connected). :( The issue is not only the switch but the resonance with the keyboard (even with plastic rings). (Gaming with it was superb, but I needed one for programming. Different use case.)
stunt 7y ago
Congrats! It looks awesome! I love KinesisAdvantageII. Having two of them myself both with Cherry MX Brown! One for office, and one for home. I can see some similarities and some differences comparing Keymouse to mine. It looks like a mix of Ergodox and AdvantageII! Very much like it that you are offering different sizes.
- keymouse 7y ago
  Thank you! The AdvantageII and Ergodox are definitely good keyboards. We just went the next step and added the mouse built in, so you don't have to move your hands of the keyboard to use the mouse.

9 points by keymouse 7y ago

"Best" is quite a statement. Indeed, by "feature" it's great...but personally I'm never going to switch away from a QWERTY keyboard. It's really easy to under index consistency.

mpoteat 7y ago
This is QWERTY, albeit not one linear rectangle.

jmagaro88 7y ago

I'm a big fan of Ergodox (https://ergodox-ez.com https://ergodox-ez.com). It's a little clunky to get used to at first, but it's so customizable that you can easily adjust for any positions your hand wants to be in. It made a huge difference for my RSI.

Wiles_7 7y ago
I have an Ergodox but never got used to it. I prefer a normal 75% layout.
- antjanus 7y ago
  what part of it was uncomfortable?
- yuhe00 7y ago
  It takes a while to get used to. I switched to Ergodox and Colemak at the same time, and it took me around 3 months to get up to my normal speed again. Unless you type a lot on other people's keyboards (IT-support or similar), I'd say it's definitely worth it!
antjanus 7y ago
yeah, I was wondering how they compare because I'm hoping to buy it sometime later this year. Mind giving a quick review so I know if I'm making the right choice? haha
- yuhe00 7y ago
  I had one of the first revisions of the Ergodox EZ. There were some problems with the build quality, and a few of the legs arrived loose/broken. Customer service was great though, and I received replacement parts very quickly, but after a while the same parts came loose again. Likely a problem with the design or low quality component, which I hope the newer revisions have fixed. Otherwise a great keyboard, although it takes a while to get used to (around 3 months for me). I ended up building my own Ergodox using the open-source design - Now I have about 5-6 of them that I built myself, all with different keycap/switch configurations... Only negative is that I can no longer type on a regular keyboard ;)
  - antjanus 7y ago
    ohhh ok, so it takes a while to get used but you find yourself more comfortable with it and productive?
    - yuhe00 7y ago
      Yes! Would definitely recommend the investment if you spend a lot of time typing on the computer ;)
keymouse 7y ago
KeyMouse is also fully programmable (including the mouse motion and scroll/trackball), and like the Ergodox, you can place each hand in whatever is the most comfortable position, but you don't have to move your hands off the keyboard to use the mouse.
- antjanus 7y ago
  Am I right to assume that the difference between the Track 127 and the ChairTrack 127 is just that the ChairTrack has the mounting bracket set included?
  - keymouse 7y ago
    (edited) Actually, no. For chair mount options, the ChairTrack just allows the device to sit over an armrest. Both Track and ChairTrack have chair mount options, but no brackets are included with the devices.

ericvolp12 7y ago

Obligatory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7iSbrkeAhE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7iSbrkeAhE (LTT Review) Take it however you want to, as a joke or as serious criticism.

keymouse 7y ago
Thanks for posting the link. LTT definitely made a cool video!

codingdave 7y ago

Intriguing, but not a price point that many people will be willing to pay just to try it out. Even with a 30 day return policy, the 10% return fee isn't an ideal experience if it doesn't work for me. A way to get a live demo before buying would be a good thing.

mrsaint 7y ago

For me for many years this has been the "best" keyboard for programming: https://hhkeyboard.us/happyhacking/ https://hhkeyboard.us/happyhacking/

kaesve 7y ago
I love my HHKB to death. I can also really recommend getting a reprogramable controller off of hasu from geekhack (https://geekhack.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=58s2o9bvije7q36shi8clr5cl950us6q&topic=71517.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=58s2o9bvije7q36shi8...). It's really easy to install and customize the firmware, and it adds a whole new dimension to how much I enjoy my keyboard.

ReC757 7y ago

I love the idea of this keyboard/mouse. I looked into it while searching for a keyboard to help with my RSI. By the way, I would love to see something like your product that would allow me to use dual cursors on the screen at the same time to interact with the computer. Resizing and passing things back and forth between monitors while doing graphic design would be awesome! I know that this may be out of reach for windows, but I would love to see something come about that allowed this on Linux. I'm sure program support is asking too much... Also, I would love to see both a trackball and optical sensor in a new version of your product.

keymouse 7y ago
Thank you! There are some possible options out there for 2 mouse cursors, you can see here: https://www.keymouse.com/resources https://www.keymouse.com/resources, but not sure how well they work. Also, we are considering making a product that will allow 2 mouse sensors in the same device (trackball and bottom mouse sensor).

jacknews 7y ago

I love the idea, and am quite tempted to give it a go. I especially love the option to '3d print your own dummy model to try out the different sizes' Are you a single inventor bringing this baby to life, or is this a project from a larger company? I'd really love to hear your startup story, particularly as I also have some gadget ideas I'd like to reify.

keymouse 7y ago
Yes, single inventor (programmer of 25+ years now). Started a Kickstarter campaign, but ended up changing to a 3D printed modular system, rather than going injection mold route. Gave us the flexibility to improve our design without high costs, but also allowed us to create a modular system, so anyone can use our parts to build their own devices.

snapdaddy 7y ago

One product (not yet mentioned here?) that seems to be getting overlooked is the trackball version of the split keyboard that you can mount on your armrests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd4TipIRVlc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd4TipIRVlc I've often sort of fantasized about that exact product. Now that I see it, I'm not sure how great it would be to facilitate working while laying back, but . . . it's certainly intriguing.

IdontRememberIt 7y ago

(I have been programming for +20y for +8 hours minimum a day) I tried so many keyboards. Types and brands. Mechanical are unfortunately a no go because of the noise (I am not alone in the office) and the required position of the arm, wrist and hand (if I want to have everything aligned naturally and because of the height of the keys and the keyboard). Finally, the best (for me) is the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID. Only complains: missing removable battery and missing some separation space between "blocks" (numpad, f keys, arrows, etc). IMPORTANT: it would not use it for gaming. On the go, the keyboard of my Lenovo X1 carbon is fantastic.

keymouse 7y ago
You mentioned that the keys are too noisy for mechanical keyboards, but have you tried Cherry Silent Red switches? Here's a video that explains the Cherry MX mechanical switches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSPH3HvxhQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSPH3HvxhQ
- IdontRememberIt 7y ago
  Yes, unfortunately. My 130USD cherry keyboard ended as an expensive toy for my toddler (he was using it without being connected). :( The issue is not only the switch but the resonance with the keyboard (even with plastic rings). (Gaming with it was superb, but I needed one for programming. Different use case.)

stunt 7y ago

Congrats! It looks awesome! I love KinesisAdvantageII. Having two of them myself both with Cherry MX Brown! One for office, and one for home. I can see some similarities and some differences comparing Keymouse to mine. It looks like a mix of Ergodox and AdvantageII! Very much like it that you are offering different sizes.

keymouse 7y ago
Thank you! The AdvantageII and Ergodox are definitely good keyboards. We just went the next step and added the mouse built in, so you don't have to move your hands of the keyboard to use the mouse.