ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

Rules

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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This subreddit is not a marketplace, please post on r/mechmarket or other relevant marketplace.

Some useful links

EMK wiki
Split keyboard compare tool
Compare keycap profiles Looking for another set of keycaps - check this site to compare the different keycap profiles https://www.keycaps.info/
Keymap database A database with all kinds of keymap layouts - some of them fits ergo keyboards - get inspired https://keymapdb.com/

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What's the term for the distance between keys called? (midwest.social)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/ergomechkeyboards

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have been using a piantor built for me by beekeeb.com, and am enjoying the more agressive stagger than my previous Ergodox. However, my typing experience is being spoiled by how tight the key spacing is. I have large hands, and can span an octave on a full-size piano; the Piantor is downright cramped.

In looking for a possible replacement (the Kyria was my primary option, but I guess splitkb.com has entirely given up on selling pre-builts, and I don't solder), what should I be looking at for specs to get some wider spacing on the keys? Is it simply "key spacing?"

Most commercial keyboards are fine; my prior was an Ergodox and the spacing was fine. The Piantor supplies that - it might even be a touch too much, but it's still better than the tepid stagger on the Ergos.

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[–] cairn 8 points 9 months ago

I think the terms you're looking for are "choc spacing" and "MX spacing". Choc spacing is what the Piantor uses where the space for each key is 18 x 17 millimeters. MX spacing is 19 x 19 millimeters.

If you want to keep using low-profile switches, there are a handful of boards that either choc or MX switches, and any of those will always use MX spacing. That said, I don't think there are a lot of pre-built options in this space.

Maybe check out Klor. I think that one is offered as a pre-built by beekeeb and it uses MX switches. It's got the more aggressive pinky stagger, but it also has some splay which may or may not be your thing. I just finished building one using tecsee "medium" switches and MTNU keycaps, do it's lower profile, but still not as low as choc.