Mechanical Keyboards

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Ortholinear mechanical keyboards (lemmy.zip)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Looking for some purchasing advice.

At the moment I use a Typematrix non-mechanical keyboard which is starting to wear out and become unresponsive. I was really happy with it apart from wishing it was mechanical. A mechanical clone of that, maybe a bit wider, is really my dream.

So what are my options? The mechanical ortholinear keyboards I've seen tend to be of the compact and minimalistic variety, but size isn't my priority I'm looking for something full-featured, preferably with some media keys and shortcut buttons. A number pad or some way to input numbers with a calculator-style layout is essential as my job involves numerical data entry.

Other "nice to have" things I'm more willing to compromise on:

I type in Dvorak so blank keys or Dvorak labels would be preferable
Hard-wired Dvorak switch is nice to have, the Typematrix has it, handy if I want to switch layouts in software to access special characters without worrying about finding a Dvorak-based layout.
Ideally no assembly required
I'm in the UK, I'll import if necessary but local availability is better. On that note the 105-key layout is preferred (but not that the Typematrix has that either)

Open to alternative suggestions that ignore any of the above.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago

If you’re looking for a mechanical ortholinear keyboard with additional features like media keys, shortcut buttons, and a number pad for numerical data entry, I highly recommend checking out Shop Galactica! They specialize in high-quality custom keycaps and mechanical keyboards, and while they primarily focus on customizability, you might be able to find a keyboard or keycap set that suits your specific needs.

While Shop Galactica does offer excellent customization options, if you’re after a full-featured, mechanical keyboard with a larger layout, you could consider looking for a customizable ortholinear keyboard that allows you to add a number pad or extra keys. Some of the keyboards they offer can be tailored to your preferences, like blank keys or Dvorak layouts, and they might offer some models that can be configured without the need for assembly.

Since you’re in the UK, importing might be an option, but Shop Galactica offers a variety of shipping options that could make this process smoother. While they don't focus on pre-built keyboards with specific features like a built-in number pad, the flexibility and quality of the mechanical keyboards they offer might make them worth exploring for a custom solution.

It could be worth reaching out to them for advice on a keyboard or keycap set that could meet your needs or perhaps check out community recommendations for Dvorak support. They may even have some good suggestions on compatible builds!

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

ZSA used to make the Planck, but it looks like it's been discontinued. That, and it's smaller than what you're looking for. But you could maybe look for a second hand one if you're interested?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That would definitely be much smaller than I'm looking for, but thanks, ZSA's other keyboards are now under consideration.

[–] bitwyze 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I have a Moonlander and absolutely love it! I also need a numpad, so I've got a layer mapped so that when I hold the bottom key on the left thumb cluster, the right side turns into a full numpad. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I can touch type the entire numpad at this point.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Moonlander FTW! I've been using ergo keyboards forever. Typematrix, Ergodox, TECK, you name it. The Moonlander is my goldilocks endgame board. Not too small, everything where it should be.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is there a lock button where I can lock it in to "numpad mode"? It does look good, if maybe a bit pricey, and I could of course just get a separate numpad if it doesn't work out for me...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yes, you can lock it with a key press. It's up to you how you want to go to the numpad layer and how you want to get back.

I have a Moonlander and based my layers on this tour. You can see the layers at the top. This kind of thing isn't limited to ZSA keyboards. Almost any QMK keyboard can do this kind of layers.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

My first thought was OLKBs Planck or Preonic. There is also a copy cat on AliExpress. I have a Planck and I get super lost in the sauce without having a super different F and J key. The height also kills me without a big wrist rest. I've since moved over to a diy board using Choc or the even lower X switches My Board.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

https://ymdkey.com/products/id75-75-keys-ortholinear-layout-qmk-anodized-aluminum-case-plate-hot-swappable-hot-swap-type-c-pcb-mechanical-keyboard-kit

This is DIY but the site does have an assembly service for their other boards, it might be worth contacting them about it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I'm thinking ur options might be a smaller one with a numpad layer or an external numpad. Otherwise I think you're going to struggle with finding this one m8ty.

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

The position of the number pad doesn't matter, as long as it has one. The number pad layer is what the Typematrix has, that's fine.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

most ortholinear keyboards I've seen have a numpad layer and are customisable by via or something, so if you're happy using a layer that definitely opens your options up.

[–] kilted_cyclist 1 points 1 year ago

It doesn't meet your 'no assembly's criteria, but I think the BFO from keeb.io ticks most of the other checkboxes.

BFO

[–] Nibodhika 1 points 1 year ago

I know this violates a lot of the requirements, but it's what I use and getting stuff in Ireland was a pain in the ass, so if none of the other solutions work as a last resort you can check https://mechboards.co.uk/products/helidox-corne-kit it's a very small keyboard and requires full assembly, however it is ortholinear and fully configurable, once you get used to the concept of layers it offers a lot of possibilities, e.g. with the press of a button I have a numpad, but it takes a while to get used to and to edit the layout to fit what you prefer.