this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
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ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

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Keep it ergo

Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)

i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²

¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid

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Help me pick a keyboard (self.ergomechkeyboards)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by YellowAfterlife to c/ergomechkeyboards
 

Some context: I write code and play videogames, primarily on Windows and currently on a Logitech K860, which I've been thinking of replacing with something that is less wide and/or two-piece. In looking into this I have discovered that there's quite a number of keyboards that fit my criteria, so I could use some help figuring out what's more likely to be a good choice.

What do I desire:

  • US-like QWERTY layout
    (LShift next to Z, horizontal or otherwise reasonable-sized Enter)
  • TKL (or otherwise not too wide)
  • Split
    (ideally two-part, but the classic 15(?)-degree triangle in the middle is also okay)
  • Probably a normal staggered layout (I touch-type, but it's not strict home-row typing)
  • Normal arrow keys
    (read: separate keys not requiring an Fn press/layer switch; Up-arrow being above Down-arrow)
  • Home/End keys next to arrow keys, or accessible via Fn+arrow
    (or a couple useless keys next to arrow keys that could be remapped)
  • A Delete key somewhere in that area
    (or another useless key that can be remapped)
  • Digit keys
  • A Windows/Option key

Nice to have:

  • F-keys (to use for keyboard shortcuts)
  • Tenting
  • (detachable?) palm supports
  • Wired connection or optional cable.

Things that don't mean too much:

  • Lighting
  • Key labels and their durability
  • High-end macro recording (key codes can be remapped on PC side)

Misc:

  • I've not owned enough mechanical keyboards to have a switch preference beyond "shouldn't take much force to press / shouldn't be too loud".
  • I can assemble and disassemble devices, but probably wouldn't find time to solder.
  • Not particularly limited in terms of budget - been a few years since I've last got a fancy keyboard.
  • I'm used to low-profile keyboards, though it's more about travel time and how much the keys poke out of the keyboard than actual key cap height.

What else I've used that's worth noting:

  • MSI GK-701 (non-split)
    Bought to see what was the fuss with Cherry MX brown switches, but couldn't get used to how tall this thing was (~4cm).
  • Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop
    Very good keyboard layout, somewhat stiff (?) keys and clicky F-keys.
  • HAVIT HV-KB390L (non-split)
    A pretty pleasant TKL low-profile keyboard with Kailh white switches that I used for a little while before going back to split keyboards.
  • Logitech K860
    Better keys than Sculpt, but full-sized.
  • Perrixx/MoKo/etc. Foldable Keyboard (aka B.O.W. keyboard)
    It's a pocket comedy split keyboard. Not very high-quality, but beats typing on the phone, you know?
  • Logitech K280e (non-split)
    A curious low-profile, quiet (rubber-domed?) office keyboard that I use with secondary devices.

Considerations so far

Sculpt-likes (one-piece ~75%):

  • Perixx PERIDUO-606
    A mouse wheel in the middle?
  • Perixx PERIBOARD-613 B
    This one has a 4:1 Enter key. I think it's for people that like their RShift keys.
  • Perixx PERIBOARD-335 (TKL)
    A mass-market-ish keyboard with mechanical switches? That's neat. Not hot swap, but still!
  • Lenovo Go Wireless Split
    Apparently Lenovo made a conventional TKL split keyboard once.
  • BC Split Ergonomic
    Seems like an almost 1:1 replica of Sculpt layout, except for distribution of F-keys. UK layout only, I think?
  • X-Bows Knight
    Column-staggered, has a 2x2 Backspace key, and the most obnoxious website I've seen as of late.
  • Truly Ergonomic 229 Mechanical Keyboard
    A similar design to X-Bows, but with a more symmetrical layout. -Truly Ergonomic CLEAVE
    A slightly different design with a handful of large keys for your thumbs.

Two-piece (pre-assembled):

  • Goldtouch V2 (>75%)
    A seemingly normal rubber-domed keyboard.
  • Kinesis Freestyle2/Pro/Edge (>75%)
    A similar layout. I guess this one made it big because every other split keyboard post I find includes a sponsored listing from Kinesis.
    And what's the difference between these? Switches, programmable buttons, and lighting?
  • Matias Ergo Pro (>75%)
    That's a quirky layout, but technically has all the buttons.
  • Cloud Nine ErgoTKL (>75%)
    A fairly Sculpt-like layout with a couple extra buttons.
  • Core Mechanics Project: 0001 (>75%)
    Pretty good layout and a couple macro keys too. A clean look.
  • Perixx PERIBOARD-524B (75%)
    A perfectly normal two-piece layout.
  • Goldtouch Go!2
    The wireless/scissor edition of the seemingly normal keyboard, now with a couple sacrifices and navigation keys on the left.
  • R-Go Split Break
    This is a different kind of a compact comedy keyboard, except it's a wired PC keyboard.

Two-piece (kits):

  • Mistel MD770 (75%)
    An (almost) perfectly normal layout that's split into two halves.
    650L seems similar sans the f-key row.
  • YMDK Split 64/75/84
    All QMK-based I believe?
  • Keychron Q11 QMK (75%-ish)
    Also a pretty normal layout featuring two knobs.
  • Keebio collections (65%..>75%)
    I've not even heard of some of these switches before, but Cepstrum looks intriguing.
  • Sinc R3 (>75%)

One-piece (kits):

  • Keychron Q8
    That's not how you curve a keyboard.
  • Feker Alice 80 (65%)
    A very sensible layout sans the relocated Win-key.
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[–] Wimads 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

If you want to keep it at row staggered, Dygma Raise is probably a good place to start. It will keep it fairly traditional, but split, with a thumb cluster, and programmabe; which are imho the 3 most fundamental ergonomic improvements to make.

[–] YellowAfterlife 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

That's a neat keyboard - doesn't have arrow keys, but their upcoming Defy keyboard has a rather impressive number of side keys and thumb keys. I'll keep this in mind.

[–] Wimads 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Once you start to explore the possibilities of programming a keymap, you'll quickly find out that a lot of functions don't really require dedicated keys. Using a thumb key as a layer modifier, can bring your arrow keys right under your finger tips on the home row, like on I J K L. The reason you see so many tiny keyboards (36-40 keys) on here, is a consequence of optimizing custom keymaps; more keys simply become redundant (everyone will find some kind of sweet spot here, 36 keys isn't for everyone). Something like the Raise or Defy is a good place to start experimenting with that, with minimal barrier due to the familiar layout. I do recommend picking something with a thumb cluster at minimum, because that will really open up a lot of possibilities and flexibility in experimenting with your layout.

[–] YellowAfterlife 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I ended up getting a Sofle since it turns out that a few people assemble these locally, and I have noticed a very certain caveat about these little keyboards: the Latin alphabet fits well on the default layer, but my native tongue doesn't - ї is usually made by pressing the key that makes ] on the US layout, but that key is now beyond the right edge of the keyboard. Perhaps I'll get a custom one (with an extra column of keys on each side) made later if I don't figure out a keymap that makes sense.

[–] Wimads 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Good choice! I'm sure you can figure out a keymap, though it may take a bit of trial and error, but that's the fun part of this hobby ;)

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