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Can somebody compare the UHK to the Ergodox-Ez/Moonlander? I've just started a new job and hope to use the initial downtime to adapt to an ergonomic keyboard.

Can somebody compare the UHK to the Ergodox-Ez/Moonlander? I've just started a new job and hope to use the initial downtime to adapt to an ergonomic keyboard. Since I understand it'll be a major adjustment, I've been considering alternative layouts as well. I've never learnt touch typing, so why not start from scratch on a better system? I'm leaning Colmak mod DH for the Moonlander, but I'd appreciate any insights on this. I plan to learn Vim keybindings as well, so a layout that works well with vim would be the cherry on the top.

kbenth 6y ago
Colemak (any mod) + Ergodox/Moonlander - The user is not only serious about ergonomics, but has the will to put in the effort required to learn better tools of the trade. UHK/Kenesis non-advantage series - The user is not serious about ergonomics and lacks any drive to use better tools. Status quo is the driving factor in choice.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
k24883 6y ago
I'm using the Redox (almost the Ergodox layout) for about two years now and I'm a big fan of the ortholinear key layout which (at least for me) was as much of an ergonomic factor as the split. So I would not get the UHK (but every hand is different). The adjustment is not that bad. Just know that you are forced to learn touch typing (opting for blank key caps helped me a lot with that). When you are forced you usually learn this pretty quick. Just getting fast takes more effort. If you want to learn vim keybindings, I would stay with the usual QWERTY layout as vim keybindings are optimized around the QWERTY homerow. In my opinion, other layouts like Dvorak or Colemac mess up at least a part of what makes vim keybindings great. Of cause you could remap some keys like HJKL (left down up right) but you would have to do so in every application you would like to use vim keybindings. And what would you do if you are editing a file with vim on a remote server? IMO alternative layouts are a bit overrated. An ergonomic keyboard takes you most of the way. If you stick with QWERTY you also won't forget how to use your co-workers keyboard.
api_or_ipa 6y ago
The big difference between the Ergo/Moonlander and UHK is ortho vs staggered layout. Ortho (rather, "ortholinear") is an increasing common layout where the keys are arranged in straight rows and columns. The jury is out on whether it's useful, but legions of OLKB fans swear by it. Also, UKB hasn't shipped yet, where the Ergodox has been out for years, and there's excellent support for flashing using QMK. The Moonlander just landed (heh) a few months ago, I haven't heard too much about it, except that finding custom keycaps for the thumb console is going to be hard/impossible. I guess that's the biggest hindrance of all these ergonomic keyboards: it's really hard to find custom keycaps.
- bitbckt 6y ago
  > UKB hasn't shipped yet Huh? I ordered one on 19 Sept. and had it on my desk in California on 24 Sept.
  - api_or_ipa 6y ago
    Today I learned!
roel_v 6y ago
I used an Ergodox ez for over a year (mayne even 2?) before the uhk came out (ordered them around the same time, uhk was very delayed). Today (so for the last 2 years or so) I use the uhk because it has labels on all keys, ergodox only has the letters and numbers but not symbols which is what you need most. Of course that's because of personalisation but I (although I touch type and have done so for 30+ years) need to look when I type things that aren't in muscle memory, like not often used passwords. The switches are about the same for both. The keycaps on the uhk are ok but not great; you can feel the letters and now after 2+ years the prints are fading a bit. It's easy to order new keycaps for the ergodox, although I guess if I wanted to there's probably replacement sets for the uhk too? The uhk wrist pads (wood) are now getting quite stained from hand grease, I don't quite know how to clean them without damaging the wood finish. I would have preferred high quality plastic wrist supports. The uhk modules still aren't available, what - 3 or 4 years after they were promised? It seems the first one is almost done now... Their project management is horrible, and what's worse, they don't seem to learn either. There is no newsletter that doesn't have another reason for a delay. I mean, I get it, hatdware is hard - but then don't make predictions, especially when you were wrong the first 10 times. The thumb clusters are great in the ergodox, so I hope the uhk modules will be too. The mouse layer on the uhk ik worthless. I mean I guess there are people out there who use it, but don't get your hopes up until you know for sure it works for you. The ergodox just looks nicer, especially when you get some custom sleeved cables that go with your custom keycaps. It looks less - frolicky, shall I say? Eg the segment display on the uhk is both tacky and useless. But despite all of that I still use the uhk because of the key labeling. So make of that as you will.
- Symbiote 6y ago
  Depending on where you want the various symbols, you might find a custom set of keycaps that match what you need for the ErgoDox. They will cost a lot more than you expect (low volume manufacturing). This is one example, plus others others in the same subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechGroupBuys/comments/iks5r5/gb_kat_monochrome_september_1_october_1_2020/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechGroupBuys/comments/iks5r5/gb_ka... Personally, I bought a set with a few daft symbols, as I can easily remember that the biohazard symbol is Ctrl, and it gave a bit more flexibility.

kbenth 6y ago

Colemak (any mod) + Ergodox/Moonlander - The user is not only serious about ergonomics, but has the will to put in the effort required to learn better tools of the trade. UHK/Kenesis non-advantage series - The user is not serious about ergonomics and lacks any drive to use better tools. Status quo is the driving factor in choice.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]

k24883 6y ago

I'm using the Redox (almost the Ergodox layout) for about two years now and I'm a big fan of the ortholinear key layout which (at least for me) was as much of an ergonomic factor as the split. So I would not get the UHK (but every hand is different). The adjustment is not that bad. Just know that you are forced to learn touch typing (opting for blank key caps helped me a lot with that). When you are forced you usually learn this pretty quick. Just getting fast takes more effort. If you want to learn vim keybindings, I would stay with the usual QWERTY layout as vim keybindings are optimized around the QWERTY homerow. In my opinion, other layouts like Dvorak or Colemac mess up at least a part of what makes vim keybindings great. Of cause you could remap some keys like HJKL (left down up right) but you would have to do so in every application you would like to use vim keybindings. And what would you do if you are editing a file with vim on a remote server? IMO alternative layouts are a bit overrated. An ergonomic keyboard takes you most of the way. If you stick with QWERTY you also won't forget how to use your co-workers keyboard.

api_or_ipa 6y ago

The big difference between the Ergo/Moonlander and UHK is ortho vs staggered layout. Ortho (rather, "ortholinear") is an increasing common layout where the keys are arranged in straight rows and columns. The jury is out on whether it's useful, but legions of OLKB fans swear by it. Also, UKB hasn't shipped yet, where the Ergodox has been out for years, and there's excellent support for flashing using QMK. The Moonlander just landed (heh) a few months ago, I haven't heard too much about it, except that finding custom keycaps for the thumb console is going to be hard/impossible. I guess that's the biggest hindrance of all these ergonomic keyboards: it's really hard to find custom keycaps.

bitbckt 6y ago
> UKB hasn't shipped yet Huh? I ordered one on 19 Sept. and had it on my desk in California on 24 Sept.
- api_or_ipa 6y ago
  Today I learned!

roel_v 6y ago

I used an Ergodox ez for over a year (mayne even 2?) before the uhk came out (ordered them around the same time, uhk was very delayed). Today (so for the last 2 years or so) I use the uhk because it has labels on all keys, ergodox only has the letters and numbers but not symbols which is what you need most. Of course that's because of personalisation but I (although I touch type and have done so for 30+ years) need to look when I type things that aren't in muscle memory, like not often used passwords. The switches are about the same for both. The keycaps on the uhk are ok but not great; you can feel the letters and now after 2+ years the prints are fading a bit. It's easy to order new keycaps for the ergodox, although I guess if I wanted to there's probably replacement sets for the uhk too? The uhk wrist pads (wood) are now getting quite stained from hand grease, I don't quite know how to clean them without damaging the wood finish. I would have preferred high quality plastic wrist supports. The uhk modules still aren't available, what - 3 or 4 years after they were promised? It seems the first one is almost done now... Their project management is horrible, and what's worse, they don't seem to learn either. There is no newsletter that doesn't have another reason for a delay. I mean, I get it, hatdware is hard - but then don't make predictions, especially when you were wrong the first 10 times. The thumb clusters are great in the ergodox, so I hope the uhk modules will be too. The mouse layer on the uhk ik worthless. I mean I guess there are people out there who use it, but don't get your hopes up until you know for sure it works for you. The ergodox just looks nicer, especially when you get some custom sleeved cables that go with your custom keycaps. It looks less - frolicky, shall I say? Eg the segment display on the uhk is both tacky and useless. But despite all of that I still use the uhk because of the key labeling. So make of that as you will.

Symbiote 6y ago
Depending on where you want the various symbols, you might find a custom set of keycaps that match what you need for the ErgoDox. They will cost a lot more than you expect (low volume manufacturing). This is one example, plus others others in the same subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechGroupBuys/comments/iks5r5/gb_kat_monochrome_september_1_october_1_2020/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechGroupBuys/comments/iks5r5/gb_ka... Personally, I bought a set with a few daft symbols, as I can easily remember that the biohazard symbol is Ctrl, and it gave a bit more flexibility.