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If you're interested in soldering together a keyboard, but not having to design everything from scratch, it's worth checking out the Ergodox: http://ergodox.org

by zck 12y ago

If you're interested in soldering together a keyboard, but not having to design everything from scratch, it's worth checking out the Ergodox: http://ergodox.org/ http://ergodox.org/ . I built one a month ago, and I'm enjoying it a lot. It's a two-piece keyboard with straight key columns, and six buttons for each thumb. You can order the parts on massdrop, when they start another order: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox?s=ergodox https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox?s=ergodox It's not perfect, mind you: the thumb islands are three buttons wide, and my thumb rests on the innermost button. And I have hands larger than average; I don't know how someone with smaller hands would find the board. Also, because of the layout changes, some keys (the square braces, enter, - and =) have to be moved somewhere else; the buttons you're used to pressing just aren't there. There are some tiny parts; if you buy it, get a head-mounted magnifier with a light, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/SE-MH1047L-Illuminated-Multipower-Magnifier/dp/B003UCODIA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413732059&sr=8-2&keywords=soldering+magnifier http://www.amazon.com/SE-MH1047L-Illuminated-Multipower-Magn... . I don't know how I would've been able to surface-mount the tiny diodes without it. Obviously, the downside to having a keyboard with radically different placements of buttons is that going to other keyboards becomes difficult again. I haven't solved this problem, but might end up buying a second one for work.

ljk 12y ago
Are you familiar with the Kinesis Advantage keyboards? The keys are also separated into two sections but sitting on one keyboard, but no DIY needed. I just started using one recently, but never used ErgoDox before, and wanted to see if anyone has any experience with using both of them.
- scottjad 12y ago
  Anandtech reviewed both keyboards maybe a year ago and preferred the Kinesis Advantage FWIW. You could checkout their reviews to see why.
- zck 12y ago
  Yes, I tried that for a while, and didn't like it. Here's why: 1. It has Cherry MX Browns. I like more clickiness. 2. I found the curved alignment of the keys annoying. The thumb keys also felt off, but I don't recall how. 3. The remapping support for Kinesis is far inferior to Ergodox's. When I talked to tech support, they recommended using macros rather than remapping keys. This is because switching from Qwerty to Dvorak wipes any key remappings. Certainly I don't want to risk losing my keyboard layout, so macros are the way to go. But there's a maximum of 48 macros that can be stored, so you could only remap 48 keys. That's probably an acceptable limit if you don't need a bunch of extra macros. However, having a lot of macros means you might lose keystrokes^1. Compare this to the Ergodox, which lets you place any key anywhere with no downside other than your memory and ergonomics. You can also have multiple key layouts, and switch between them easily. 4. I was trying to switch to the Kinesis while at work, making it more frustrating when I was slow. I switched to the Ergodox at home, so I had more time. I also got the Ergodox after I tried the Kinesis, so some of the muscle memory was already entrenched when I got the Ergodox. 5. I borrowed the Kinesis, but bought and assembled the Ergodox. This means I was more invested in liking the Ergodox, whether or not it was actually better. [1] http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/support/technical-support/faqs-advantage-keyboard/ http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/support/technical-support/faqs-a... , the section "How do I switch between the macro memory configurations of 24, 36, or 48 macros?" states "Fast typists will often lose keystrokes from certain common words with the 48 macro setting, and very fast typists may even lose keystrokes using the 36 macro setting."
- emptybits 12y ago
  I use a Kinesis Freestyle with wrist rests, split, tilted up toward the centre, with an Apple Magic Trackpad elevated and sitting tightly between the two halves. I enjoy this setup very much.
dkhenry 12y ago
I also recently built an ergodox and it is definitely worth checking out. As far as assembly, I didn't bother with a magnifying glass or anything. Just my phone to act as a good bright light source and everything went smoothly. I would recommend extra care with the diodes as I lost a few opening the packaging and had to get extras to finish the build.
jacobolus 12y ago
I’m hoping we can get this up for manufacturing as an Ergodox alternative/replacement sometime in the next few months: http://i.imgur.com/puH1Ge4.jpg http://i.imgur.com/puH1Ge4.jpg It’s the middle version here (background outlines show comparison with the standard Ergodox): http://i.imgur.com/l0REgJh.png http://i.imgur.com/l0REgJh.png In practice, the increased stagger on the finger columns means that the most comfortable hand orientation is slightly straighter compared to the ergodox, so this is probably a better comparison drawing: http://i.imgur.com/OqSwVJo.png http://i.imgur.com/OqSwVJo.png
- runiq 12y ago
  This is intriguing. Is there a link where I can learn more about this project?
tr4656 12y ago
In addition to the Ergodox, Massdrop has another keyboard that requires soldering available right now, which resembles the shape of the HHKB. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/infinity-keyboard-kit https://www.massdrop.com/buy/infinity-keyboard-kit
- pezh0re 12y ago
  Hrm, that looks pretty neat, but as someone completely new to mechanical keyboards, I wonder if it would be a good starter.
  - tr4656 12y ago
    Probably not, since it requires a bit more work than just a keyboard you can buy. I would say something like the CODE Keyboard, WASD Keyboard, or Ducky Shines are good and reliable keyboards.
    - pezh0re 12y ago
      I'm not opposed to doing some soldering - I'm mostly interested in the entry price. The lack of arrow keys concerns me a bit (but I suppose I could use their layouts to account for that). I'll give those keyboards a look though, thanks!

by zck 12y ago

ljk 12y ago

Are you familiar with the Kinesis Advantage keyboards? The keys are also separated into two sections but sitting on one keyboard, but no DIY needed. I just started using one recently, but never used ErgoDox before, and wanted to see if anyone has any experience with using both of them.

scottjad 12y ago
Anandtech reviewed both keyboards maybe a year ago and preferred the Kinesis Advantage FWIW. You could checkout their reviews to see why.
zck 12y ago
Yes, I tried that for a while, and didn't like it. Here's why: 1. It has Cherry MX Browns. I like more clickiness. 2. I found the curved alignment of the keys annoying. The thumb keys also felt off, but I don't recall how. 3. The remapping support for Kinesis is far inferior to Ergodox's. When I talked to tech support, they recommended using macros rather than remapping keys. This is because switching from Qwerty to Dvorak wipes any key remappings. Certainly I don't want to risk losing my keyboard layout, so macros are the way to go. But there's a maximum of 48 macros that can be stored, so you could only remap 48 keys. That's probably an acceptable limit if you don't need a bunch of extra macros. However, having a lot of macros means you might lose keystrokes^1. Compare this to the Ergodox, which lets you place any key anywhere with no downside other than your memory and ergonomics. You can also have multiple key layouts, and switch between them easily. 4. I was trying to switch to the Kinesis while at work, making it more frustrating when I was slow. I switched to the Ergodox at home, so I had more time. I also got the Ergodox after I tried the Kinesis, so some of the muscle memory was already entrenched when I got the Ergodox. 5. I borrowed the Kinesis, but bought and assembled the Ergodox. This means I was more invested in liking the Ergodox, whether or not it was actually better. [1] http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/support/technical-support/faqs-advantage-keyboard/ http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/support/technical-support/faqs-a... , the section "How do I switch between the macro memory configurations of 24, 36, or 48 macros?" states "Fast typists will often lose keystrokes from certain common words with the 48 macro setting, and very fast typists may even lose keystrokes using the 36 macro setting."
emptybits 12y ago
I use a Kinesis Freestyle with wrist rests, split, tilted up toward the centre, with an Apple Magic Trackpad elevated and sitting tightly between the two halves. I enjoy this setup very much.

dkhenry 12y ago

I also recently built an ergodox and it is definitely worth checking out. As far as assembly, I didn't bother with a magnifying glass or anything. Just my phone to act as a good bright light source and everything went smoothly. I would recommend extra care with the diodes as I lost a few opening the packaging and had to get extras to finish the build.

jacobolus 12y ago

I’m hoping we can get this up for manufacturing as an Ergodox alternative/replacement sometime in the next few months: http://i.imgur.com/puH1Ge4.jpg http://i.imgur.com/puH1Ge4.jpg It’s the middle version here (background outlines show comparison with the standard Ergodox): http://i.imgur.com/l0REgJh.png http://i.imgur.com/l0REgJh.png In practice, the increased stagger on the finger columns means that the most comfortable hand orientation is slightly straighter compared to the ergodox, so this is probably a better comparison drawing: http://i.imgur.com/OqSwVJo.png http://i.imgur.com/OqSwVJo.png

runiq 12y ago
This is intriguing. Is there a link where I can learn more about this project?

tr4656 12y ago

In addition to the Ergodox, Massdrop has another keyboard that requires soldering available right now, which resembles the shape of the HHKB. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/infinity-keyboard-kit https://www.massdrop.com/buy/infinity-keyboard-kit

pezh0re 12y ago
Hrm, that looks pretty neat, but as someone completely new to mechanical keyboards, I wonder if it would be a good starter.
- tr4656 12y ago
  Probably not, since it requires a bit more work than just a keyboard you can buy. I would say something like the CODE Keyboard, WASD Keyboard, or Ducky Shines are good and reliable keyboards.
  - pezh0re 12y ago
    I'm not opposed to doing some soldering - I'm mostly interested in the entry price. The lack of arrow keys concerns me a bit (but I suppose I could use their layouts to account for that). I'll give those keyboards a look though, thanks!