11 ms·

The ergonomic Ultimate Hacking Keyboard 60: v2

66 points by jseliger 6y ago

matklad 6y ago
Urgh, I now feel sad that I haven't ordered v1 earlier :-( I definitely prefer the absence of backlighting and completely blank keycaps.
- slezyr 6y ago
  > For the UHK 60 v2, you can select English US (ANSI), English UK (ISO), Blank ANSI, or Blank ISO. Being a backlit keyboard, we implemented the blank option by placing small translucent dots on every keycap. All these keycap options are made of double-shot PBT. And you can disable the backlight on any keyboard.
  - dotancohen 6y ago
    > And you can disable the backlight on any keyboard. That's not the same as no backlighting. Just this week, I had to open the Cherry switch on a Race keyboard [1] to modify the spring a bit. On a normal cherry, four small flathead screwdrivers can be used to pry the top off to access the switch internals after just popping off the keycap. With backlighting, though, the keyboard case needs to be opened and the LED needs to be desoldered before the top of the key comes off. The actually soldering it back in place is a pain as the leads just barely make it out of the hole, and that hole had better be clear of solder. Most modern boards are also ROHS compliant, so they're using high-temp leadless solder, which is more of a pain to solder, requires a high-temp soldering iron, and has a higher chance of causing thermal damage if you don't get the parts together quickly. [1] https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=759 https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_det...
    - lemper 6y ago
      chief, it uses hotswap sockets. you don't have to desolder the switches in case of trouble.
      - dotancohen 6y ago
        Nice to know, thank you!
  - 1996 6y ago
    > And you can disable the backlight on any keyboard. I don't want to have to disable an useless backlight. I want the backlight to bring in functionality that makes it worth keeping. Per key RGB led? Great! Have a daemon learn my typing to make suggestions by lighting up the keys I'm the most likely to use in a context dependent operation. ex: if using Firefox, after I type the L-I-N-U key, I want X to be shining. if using Excel, after typing (-[A-Z]-[0-9], I want : to be shining.
    - wlesieutre 6y ago
      For all those hunt-and-peck typists who buy keyboards with per-key RGB backlighting? I wouldn’t think those two markets have a lot of overlap.
      - 1996 6y ago
        No, for when coding at night tired, when replying to email and uncertain about the spelling, etc. You like color for looks? I like color for function.
        wlesieutre 6y ago
        Still, if one must have pre-typing spelling assistance instead of just spelling it wrong and correcting it afterward, seems like something you'd be better off putting on-screen where you're actually looking, rather than displaying it on the keyboard where you typically not looking. Even if you do look down you'd need to move your hands out of the way to see which key is glowing. For me, backlit keys are useful to set my hands in the right place, and then I stop looking at them. When I have them change color, it's a reminder of which keys in my fn-layer are bound to other functions like volume up/down and previous/play+pause/next.
        1996 6y ago
        > rather than displaying it on the keyboard where you typically not looking I use a laptop and both the screen and keyboard are in my field of vision. If the most probably key was highlighted, I believe I could consciously (or subconsciously?) take advantage of that information > When I have them change color, it's a reminder of which keys in my fn-layer are bound to other functions so you are using the backlight as a whole, instead of the invidual key backlights - to match what you were saying, nothing that a popup couldn't display on the screen ("CONTROL_DOWN"...)
dehrmann 6y ago
I've been using natural keyboards forever (currently an MS Sculpt), but they've always had the two sides fixed to each other. I can see how being able to orient each side separately might be nice, and it's infinitely adjustable, but I worry that I'd get annoyed that I can't move the keyboard as a unit, and I'm happy enough with the default split-key layout (though I might prefer slightly more tenting). How much does having the sides separate help?
- dotancohen 6y ago
  > How much does having the sides separate help? All the difference in the world. I'm currently on my second Matias Ergo Pro [1]. I love the thing, it is one of my favorite tools I've used in any industry. I put it up there with VIM, the hydraulic press, and Snap-On ratchets. I'll be honest, I prefer Cherry keys to these Alps clones, and the build quality is absolutely excellent in some aspects yet atrocious in other aspects. But a split keyboard with actual F* keys (used heavily in Jetbrains IDEs, plus I've got a bunch of KDE features on them) has become a necessary tool for me. I'm now considering a Raise keyboard, which like the UHK is missing the F* keys. I'm right now prototyping some F* keypads, not unlike an independent numpad, but in truth I doubt that I will approach the level of comfort as the Matias boards. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about mechanical or split boards. I've had quite a few )). [1] https://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/ https://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/
  - 01100011 6y ago
    It seems like every ergo keyboard I've looked at has something about the layout that turns me off. The keyboard mentioned in this post has no arrow keys. The keyboard you linked to seems to lack volume keys but has dedicated cut, paste, copy keys. I know everyone makes a big deal over key switches, but that's not something I've ever felt strongly about. I really wish I could find an old MS Natural keyboard without the number pad. It would be great if the sides were fully separated, but that's less important to me. I've been using the MS Sculpt for a couple years now, and even after all that time I find my muscle memory is still calibrated to the old MS natural.
Glavnokoman 6y ago
No Bluetooth? OK, I'll wait.
- krzyk 6y ago
  Yeah, me to :( And I don't see arrow keys, strange, how does one use such keyboard? And where is the Esc key?
  - nnwright 6y ago
    Arrow keys, escape, are controlled via a modifier key. In theory this seems like a horrible job idea, but in practice it allows me to largely keep my right hand on the home row which is great. it took me a few days to get used to the layout and now when I'm not using my UHK I truly miss this feature.
sdfhbdf 6y ago
It's ~$350 or ~€300 (incl. VAT) for anyone wondering. It's not mentioned in this blog post but it is in their shop [0]. [0]: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/product/uhk60v2 https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/product/uhk60v2
- mondalaci 6y ago
  The UHK currently costs $275 without VAT for the record.
1MachineElf 6y ago
My eye twitches every time I see a keyboard with staggered rows given the "ergonomic" classification. EDIT: Row stagger explained here: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Staggering https://deskthority.net/wiki/Staggering
- SilasX 6y ago
  You mean how it’s broken in two? Isn’t that better for ergonomics?
  - 1MachineElf 6y ago
    In many cases, a split keyboard is better for ergonomics. What I am referring to by "row-stagger" are the top three key arrangements shown here: https://deskthority.net/wiki/File:Staggers_-_1.jpg https://deskthority.net/wiki/File:Staggers_-_1.jpg I haven't tried a symmetrical stagger keyboard yet, but I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt that those are the one exception to my personal "no row stagger" rule.
- amelius 6y ago
  Doesn't like 99% of the keyboards in use today have staggered rows (according to your linked description)?
  - fouric 6y ago
    Yes, and that's why they're not ergonomic.
    - amelius 6y ago
      Ok, I was wondering about the eye twitching.
    - Arainach 6y ago
      That's an absurd statement. There are degrees of everything, and I have seen no research suggesting that staggering is as important as wrist angle/position - or even statistically relevant for that matter. Perfection is the enemy of good. A $40 staggered split layout like the Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 that's affordable to most users will do far more benefit than a $300 mechanical ortholinear device that most people will never have.
maltalex 6y ago
I'm not a fan of UHK's layout (or its name), but having the ability to add a trackpoint/touchpad module to the keyboard sounds like a killer feature. I honestly don't understand why only laptop keyboards can have nice pointing devices that let you keep your hands on the keyboard.
- falcor84 6y ago
  Lenovo offers an external version of their keyboard :) https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/keyboards-and-mice/keyboards/KEYBOARD-US-English/p/0B47190 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/keyboa...
  - stevesimmons 6y ago
    That's the wired version. The new Bluetooth version (model 4Y40X49493) is more versatile (though make sure you get the "Keyboard II" rather than the previous model). https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/new-arrivals/KBD-BO-TrackPoint-KBD-US-Eng/p/4Y40X49493 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/new-ar...
    - JoshTriplett 6y ago
      It's nice, but I prefer the older version that has a built-in palmrest: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/migr-73183 https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/migr-73183 That's much more relaxing to use in my lap. Are there any still-manufactured laptop-like keyboards that have either a built-in stick or trackpad, positioned like a laptop rather than off to the side, with mouse buttons and a palmrest?
    - l3s2d 6y ago
      I've been using the v1 Bluetooth keyboard as my daily driver for almost 2 years. Solid construction and very portable, but lately I've been plagued with frequent disconnects and input lag. Has anyone had experience with the v2 on Linux?
  - maltalex 6y ago
eigenrick 6y ago
I may never understand why people are willing to depart from the form factor of a keyboard, but still adhere to the staggered (as opposed to ortholinear) layout of the keys themselves. Both modifications will require retraining some muscle memory. The staggered layout is a remnant of typewriters, since there was no other way to create room for the bars that connect the key to the hammers. Computer keyboards don't have this restriction. Switching from a staggered to ortholinear keyboard took me all of a day to adapt-to, and I still regularly use a staggered keyboard on a regular basis with no hardship (when I take my laptop from my desk)
- HugoDaniel 6y ago
  what are the advantages of ortholinear ?
  - fouric 6y ago
    Purely medial movement of the fingers (which is more ergonomic) as opposed to the lateral motions that fingers have to make for a staggered-row keyboard.
    - svrb 6y ago
      I don't understand this. My fingers don't move straight away from my wrist unless I've got them squeezed together, which doesn't seem like a useful way to type.
      - fouric 6y ago
        Replace "purely" with "mostly", if you want to be pedantic. Even if ortholinear keyboards don't completely eliminate lateral motion, there's still a rather large reduction in it - which is what matters.
  - rgoulter 6y ago
    I find it much more comfortable. A standard row-staggered keyboard is terribly asymmetric. With your hands on home row, the distances to the modifier keys are different for left/right; but even the distances to the inner columns of keys aren't symmetric. That asymmetry makes it uncomfortable to use the right-hand modifier keys; and more awkward to type, in general. It's fairly hard to accurately touch-type the number-row with a standard row-staggered keyboard; but this is more accessible with an ortholinear keyboard. Moreover, ortholinear keyboards (because they're so niche) tend to have firmware customisation, which allows for some improvements. (e.g. allowing different keyboard 'layers').
amelius 6y ago
A keyboard where "Esc" is not given a prominent place, is not a hacker's keyboard imho. Also, I'm missing a lambda key.
- bpizzi 6y ago
  Anyone who's using Esc to return to normal mode isn't a hacker imho. Sarcams aside (I'm referring to `:imap jj <Esc>`), I would say that sticking to staggering is the real sin here.
  - steve_b 6y ago
    I used jk for a long time until I found out that control-C escapes pretty much every mode. No mapping necessary!
    - amelius 6y ago
      You can also use control-[ by the way, without mapping. But a one-key solution has my preference.
- clankyclanker 6y ago
  Every key is remappable and programmable, so Esc (and maybe lambda?) is available as a primary key.
fouric 6y ago
No concavity? Staggered rows? No thumb clusters? Calling this "ultimate" and "ergonomic" is a joke.
dia80 6y ago
Enjoying my moonlander [1] which I bought after reading about it on HN. I went the whole hog and switched to a colemak variant as well. Typing speed is still far from my peak but feel I'm on track to a longer term pay off. The configuration software is pretty impressive too. [1] http://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ http://www.zsa.io/moonlander/
- gregwebs 6y ago
  How long until pay off? I spent a week on their previous model and then returned it and am now happily using an earlier version of the Kinesis Freestyle Edge.
kjaftaedi 6y ago
Personally if I was selling overpriced keyboards, I would market to more than just English speaking countries. I mean you're basically forcing everyone else to either use stickers or a blank keyboard. All it would take would be to throw a handful of extra keys in a bag on the side for each language and you'd have all latin keyboard layouts covered. (increasing the target market several times over)
m463 6y ago
A wooden palm rest? gah. The idea of a palm rest is valid. but it should not be a hard surface and it should not conduct heat away from your body.
- mondalaci 6y ago
  UHK customers are not complaining in these respects.
  - m463 6y ago
    They would also be a self-selecting population.
hysan 6y ago
This is close to what I’ve been searching for - split, TKL mechanical keyboard. But it’s missing the esc and function keys. I find it weird that I haven’t seen such a keyboard yet.
- Symbiote 6y ago
  I'm maintaining a gallery of split keyboards: https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/ https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/ You might find the Sinc, Wheatfield Split 75% or Core Mechanics Project 0001 close to what you want.
krupan 6y ago
Happy UHK owner here. I’m seeing a few comments about missing function keys and arrow keys. Yes, this is a compact layout. Since it has two space bars, you can map the FN key to the one space bar you never use, and then you get function keys and arrow keys when you hold down space. Even better, the arrow keys are right under your fingers. It also has a mouse layer. I don’t like it for fine mouse movements, but it’s great for doing a quick mouse click (middle click to paste, left click to activate a window, etc) without moving your hands off the keyboard.
- haraball 6y ago
  Another happy UHK owner here. I got the UHK since I was suffering from an increasingly troublesome shoulder impingement syndrome after working on laptop for years. The UHK was the best split keyboard alternative I could find which didn't require too much change from the laptop keyboard. Getting the keyboard and raising the laptop screen with a nice stand fixed my posture and the shoulder problems have been reduced a lot (together with physical training). Now I'm feeling discomfort in my back/neck if I have to work on my laptop for a few hours, and I don't see myself going back to a non-split keyboard. Adding a vertical mouse to the mix has also been an ergonomical improvement for me. Like the parent comment, I don't miss the arrow keys since navigation is quicker with the mod layer. I also use the Fn layer for controlling spotify many times per day. The agent software shipped with the keyboard is also great for customization, you can see how it works online here: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.github.io/agent/ https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.github.io/agent/ Disclaimer: I'm just a happy customer. The UHK is also the first enthusiast keyboard I've tried, so I don't know how it compare to others. I'd like to try the other types of layouts (like the columnar layout of the Moonlander), but it's hard to "risk" paying the price + shipment cost for those in case I don't like it, and living in the EU I need the ISO layout.

66 points by jseliger 6y ago

Urgh, I now feel sad that I haven't ordered v1 earlier :-( I definitely prefer the absence of backlighting and completely blank keycaps.

slezyr 6y ago
> For the UHK 60 v2, you can select English US (ANSI), English UK (ISO), Blank ANSI, or Blank ISO. Being a backlit keyboard, we implemented the blank option by placing small translucent dots on every keycap. All these keycap options are made of double-shot PBT. And you can disable the backlight on any keyboard.
- dotancohen 6y ago
  > And you can disable the backlight on any keyboard. That's not the same as no backlighting. Just this week, I had to open the Cherry switch on a Race keyboard [1] to modify the spring a bit. On a normal cherry, four small flathead screwdrivers can be used to pry the top off to access the switch internals after just popping off the keycap. With backlighting, though, the keyboard case needs to be opened and the LED needs to be desoldered before the top of the key comes off. The actually soldering it back in place is a pain as the leads just barely make it out of the hole, and that hole had better be clear of solder. Most modern boards are also ROHS compliant, so they're using high-temp leadless solder, which is more of a pain to solder, requires a high-temp soldering iron, and has a higher chance of causing thermal damage if you don't get the parts together quickly. [1] https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=759 https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_det...
  - lemper 6y ago
    chief, it uses hotswap sockets. you don't have to desolder the switches in case of trouble.
    - dotancohen 6y ago
      Nice to know, thank you!
- 1996 6y ago
  > And you can disable the backlight on any keyboard. I don't want to have to disable an useless backlight. I want the backlight to bring in functionality that makes it worth keeping. Per key RGB led? Great! Have a daemon learn my typing to make suggestions by lighting up the keys I'm the most likely to use in a context dependent operation. ex: if using Firefox, after I type the L-I-N-U key, I want X to be shining. if using Excel, after typing (-[A-Z]-[0-9], I want : to be shining.
  - wlesieutre 6y ago
    For all those hunt-and-peck typists who buy keyboards with per-key RGB backlighting? I wouldn’t think those two markets have a lot of overlap.
    - 1996 6y ago
      No, for when coding at night tired, when replying to email and uncertain about the spelling, etc. You like color for looks? I like color for function.
      - wlesieutre 6y ago
        Still, if one must have pre-typing spelling assistance instead of just spelling it wrong and correcting it afterward, seems like something you'd be better off putting on-screen where you're actually looking, rather than displaying it on the keyboard where you typically not looking. Even if you do look down you'd need to move your hands out of the way to see which key is glowing. For me, backlit keys are useful to set my hands in the right place, and then I stop looking at them. When I have them change color, it's a reminder of which keys in my fn-layer are bound to other functions like volume up/down and previous/play+pause/next.
        1996 6y ago
        > rather than displaying it on the keyboard where you typically not looking I use a laptop and both the screen and keyboard are in my field of vision. If the most probably key was highlighted, I believe I could consciously (or subconsciously?) take advantage of that information > When I have them change color, it's a reminder of which keys in my fn-layer are bound to other functions so you are using the backlight as a whole, instead of the invidual key backlights - to match what you were saying, nothing that a popup couldn't display on the screen ("CONTROL_DOWN"...)

dehrmann 6y ago

I've been using natural keyboards forever (currently an MS Sculpt), but they've always had the two sides fixed to each other. I can see how being able to orient each side separately might be nice, and it's infinitely adjustable, but I worry that I'd get annoyed that I can't move the keyboard as a unit, and I'm happy enough with the default split-key layout (though I might prefer slightly more tenting). How much does having the sides separate help?

dotancohen 6y ago
> How much does having the sides separate help? All the difference in the world. I'm currently on my second Matias Ergo Pro [1]. I love the thing, it is one of my favorite tools I've used in any industry. I put it up there with VIM, the hydraulic press, and Snap-On ratchets. I'll be honest, I prefer Cherry keys to these Alps clones, and the build quality is absolutely excellent in some aspects yet atrocious in other aspects. But a split keyboard with actual F* keys (used heavily in Jetbrains IDEs, plus I've got a bunch of KDE features on them) has become a necessary tool for me. I'm now considering a Raise keyboard, which like the UHK is missing the F* keys. I'm right now prototyping some F* keypads, not unlike an independent numpad, but in truth I doubt that I will approach the level of comfort as the Matias boards. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about mechanical or split boards. I've had quite a few )). [1] https://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/ https://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/
- 01100011 6y ago
  It seems like every ergo keyboard I've looked at has something about the layout that turns me off. The keyboard mentioned in this post has no arrow keys. The keyboard you linked to seems to lack volume keys but has dedicated cut, paste, copy keys. I know everyone makes a big deal over key switches, but that's not something I've ever felt strongly about. I really wish I could find an old MS Natural keyboard without the number pad. It would be great if the sides were fully separated, but that's less important to me. I've been using the MS Sculpt for a couple years now, and even after all that time I find my muscle memory is still calibrated to the old MS natural.

Glavnokoman 6y ago

No Bluetooth? OK, I'll wait.

krzyk 6y ago
Yeah, me to :( And I don't see arrow keys, strange, how does one use such keyboard? And where is the Esc key?
- nnwright 6y ago
  Arrow keys, escape, are controlled via a modifier key. In theory this seems like a horrible job idea, but in practice it allows me to largely keep my right hand on the home row which is great. it took me a few days to get used to the layout and now when I'm not using my UHK I truly miss this feature.

sdfhbdf 6y ago

It's ~$350 or ~€300 (incl. VAT) for anyone wondering. It's not mentioned in this blog post but it is in their shop [0]. [0]: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/product/uhk60v2 https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/product/uhk60v2

mondalaci 6y ago
The UHK currently costs $275 without VAT for the record.

1MachineElf 6y ago

My eye twitches every time I see a keyboard with staggered rows given the "ergonomic" classification. EDIT: Row stagger explained here: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Staggering https://deskthority.net/wiki/Staggering

SilasX 6y ago
You mean how it’s broken in two? Isn’t that better for ergonomics?
- 1MachineElf 6y ago
  In many cases, a split keyboard is better for ergonomics. What I am referring to by "row-stagger" are the top three key arrangements shown here: https://deskthority.net/wiki/File:Staggers_-_1.jpg https://deskthority.net/wiki/File:Staggers_-_1.jpg I haven't tried a symmetrical stagger keyboard yet, but I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt that those are the one exception to my personal "no row stagger" rule.
amelius 6y ago
Doesn't like 99% of the keyboards in use today have staggered rows (according to your linked description)?
- fouric 6y ago
  Yes, and that's why they're not ergonomic.
  - amelius 6y ago
    Ok, I was wondering about the eye twitching.
  - Arainach 6y ago
    That's an absurd statement. There are degrees of everything, and I have seen no research suggesting that staggering is as important as wrist angle/position - or even statistically relevant for that matter. Perfection is the enemy of good. A $40 staggered split layout like the Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 that's affordable to most users will do far more benefit than a $300 mechanical ortholinear device that most people will never have.

maltalex 6y ago

I'm not a fan of UHK's layout (or its name), but having the ability to add a trackpoint/touchpad module to the keyboard sounds like a killer feature. I honestly don't understand why only laptop keyboards can have nice pointing devices that let you keep your hands on the keyboard.

falcor84 6y ago
Lenovo offers an external version of their keyboard :) https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/keyboards-and-mice/keyboards/KEYBOARD-US-English/p/0B47190 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/keyboa...
- stevesimmons 6y ago
  That's the wired version. The new Bluetooth version (model 4Y40X49493) is more versatile (though make sure you get the "Keyboard II" rather than the previous model). https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/new-arrivals/KBD-BO-TrackPoint-KBD-US-Eng/p/4Y40X49493 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/new-ar...
  - JoshTriplett 6y ago
    It's nice, but I prefer the older version that has a built-in palmrest: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/migr-73183 https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/migr-73183 That's much more relaxing to use in my lap. Are there any still-manufactured laptop-like keyboards that have either a built-in stick or trackpad, positioned like a laptop rather than off to the side, with mouse buttons and a palmrest?
  - l3s2d 6y ago
    I've been using the v1 Bluetooth keyboard as my daily driver for almost 2 years. Solid construction and very portable, but lately I've been plagued with frequent disconnects and input lag. Has anyone had experience with the v2 on Linux?
- maltalex 6y ago

eigenrick 6y ago

I may never understand why people are willing to depart from the form factor of a keyboard, but still adhere to the staggered (as opposed to ortholinear) layout of the keys themselves. Both modifications will require retraining some muscle memory. The staggered layout is a remnant of typewriters, since there was no other way to create room for the bars that connect the key to the hammers. Computer keyboards don't have this restriction. Switching from a staggered to ortholinear keyboard took me all of a day to adapt-to, and I still regularly use a staggered keyboard on a regular basis with no hardship (when I take my laptop from my desk)

HugoDaniel 6y ago
what are the advantages of ortholinear ?
- fouric 6y ago
  Purely medial movement of the fingers (which is more ergonomic) as opposed to the lateral motions that fingers have to make for a staggered-row keyboard.
  - svrb 6y ago
    I don't understand this. My fingers don't move straight away from my wrist unless I've got them squeezed together, which doesn't seem like a useful way to type.
    - fouric 6y ago
      Replace "purely" with "mostly", if you want to be pedantic. Even if ortholinear keyboards don't completely eliminate lateral motion, there's still a rather large reduction in it - which is what matters.
- rgoulter 6y ago
  I find it much more comfortable. A standard row-staggered keyboard is terribly asymmetric. With your hands on home row, the distances to the modifier keys are different for left/right; but even the distances to the inner columns of keys aren't symmetric. That asymmetry makes it uncomfortable to use the right-hand modifier keys; and more awkward to type, in general. It's fairly hard to accurately touch-type the number-row with a standard row-staggered keyboard; but this is more accessible with an ortholinear keyboard. Moreover, ortholinear keyboards (because they're so niche) tend to have firmware customisation, which allows for some improvements. (e.g. allowing different keyboard 'layers').

amelius 6y ago

A keyboard where "Esc" is not given a prominent place, is not a hacker's keyboard imho. Also, I'm missing a lambda key.

bpizzi 6y ago
Anyone who's using Esc to return to normal mode isn't a hacker imho. Sarcams aside (I'm referring to `:imap jj <Esc>`), I would say that sticking to staggering is the real sin here.
- steve_b 6y ago
  I used jk for a long time until I found out that control-C escapes pretty much every mode. No mapping necessary!
  - amelius 6y ago
    You can also use control-[ by the way, without mapping. But a one-key solution has my preference.
clankyclanker 6y ago
Every key is remappable and programmable, so Esc (and maybe lambda?) is available as a primary key.

fouric 6y ago

No concavity? Staggered rows? No thumb clusters? Calling this "ultimate" and "ergonomic" is a joke.

dia80 6y ago

Enjoying my moonlander [1] which I bought after reading about it on HN. I went the whole hog and switched to a colemak variant as well. Typing speed is still far from my peak but feel I'm on track to a longer term pay off. The configuration software is pretty impressive too. [1] http://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ http://www.zsa.io/moonlander/

gregwebs 6y ago
How long until pay off? I spent a week on their previous model and then returned it and am now happily using an earlier version of the Kinesis Freestyle Edge.

kjaftaedi 6y ago

Personally if I was selling overpriced keyboards, I would market to more than just English speaking countries. I mean you're basically forcing everyone else to either use stickers or a blank keyboard. All it would take would be to throw a handful of extra keys in a bag on the side for each language and you'd have all latin keyboard layouts covered. (increasing the target market several times over)

m463 6y ago

A wooden palm rest? gah. The idea of a palm rest is valid. but it should not be a hard surface and it should not conduct heat away from your body.

mondalaci 6y ago
UHK customers are not complaining in these respects.
- m463 6y ago
  They would also be a self-selecting population.

hysan 6y ago

This is close to what I’ve been searching for - split, TKL mechanical keyboard. But it’s missing the esc and function keys. I find it weird that I haven’t seen such a keyboard yet.

Symbiote 6y ago
I'm maintaining a gallery of split keyboards: https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/ https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/ You might find the Sinc, Wheatfield Split 75% or Core Mechanics Project 0001 close to what you want.

krupan 6y ago

Happy UHK owner here. I’m seeing a few comments about missing function keys and arrow keys. Yes, this is a compact layout. Since it has two space bars, you can map the FN key to the one space bar you never use, and then you get function keys and arrow keys when you hold down space. Even better, the arrow keys are right under your fingers. It also has a mouse layer. I don’t like it for fine mouse movements, but it’s great for doing a quick mouse click (middle click to paste, left click to activate a window, etc) without moving your hands off the keyboard.

haraball 6y ago
Another happy UHK owner here. I got the UHK since I was suffering from an increasingly troublesome shoulder impingement syndrome after working on laptop for years. The UHK was the best split keyboard alternative I could find which didn't require too much change from the laptop keyboard. Getting the keyboard and raising the laptop screen with a nice stand fixed my posture and the shoulder problems have been reduced a lot (together with physical training). Now I'm feeling discomfort in my back/neck if I have to work on my laptop for a few hours, and I don't see myself going back to a non-split keyboard. Adding a vertical mouse to the mix has also been an ergonomical improvement for me. Like the parent comment, I don't miss the arrow keys since navigation is quicker with the mod layer. I also use the Fn layer for controlling spotify many times per day. The agent software shipped with the keyboard is also great for customization, you can see how it works online here: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.github.io/agent/ https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.github.io/agent/ Disclaimer: I'm just a happy customer. The UHK is also the first enthusiast keyboard I've tried, so I don't know how it compare to others. I'd like to try the other types of layouts (like the columnar layout of the Moonlander), but it's hard to "risk" paying the price + shipment cost for those in case I don't like it, and living in the EU I need the ISO layout.