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Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

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Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#51

Post by kjhughes »

rootusrootus wrote: post #23

I've been using a CODE keyboard [0] for the last five years or so. Been pretty happy overall, the only complaint I could have is that some of the paint is wearing off on well used keys. It is a traditional layout, no split, nothing like that. But I have personally found that I only get sore wrists and fingers when I let the room temperature get too low, so I keep it warm and my keyboard choice seems to have no effect…

I too have been using the CODE keyboard. Got mine in 2015. Been very happy with it. I chose the 87-key board with Cherry MX Green switches for their IBM Model M feel and sound.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#52

Post by SamReidHughes »

LichenStone wrote: post #39
SamReidHughes wrote: post #31

I'm about 11 years into a variable-weighted white-gray Topre Realforce, and I don't think about keyboards anymore. I'd get either a variable-weighted or 45g Topre. I can recommend the Kinesis Advantage too, but I later sold mine -- weight lifting did an even better job of eliminating ergonomic problems, as did piano practice once before, and I think it's generally a better strategy to not need ergonomic devices.

Excercising your wrists and arms is absolutely one of the best ways to avoid RSI in my experience. I think the advantages of using ergonomic layouts are perhaps overstated in some cases, I find that if I allow my hands to 'float' a little and move around more freely my fingers find the keys easily, and I don't need to worry about planting my wrists in a fixed position and having them at an uncomfortable angle. I imag…

I think I would have liked the FC660C. I once had an HHKB2, but using the Fn modifier for arrows was too much.

I have to say, I found the Kinesis Advantage to be fantastic. It really did work, solving my ergonomic problems, wonderfully and very quickly. The need for it did depend on the volume of typing -- back when I used it, I switched off of it, but then had to switch back after some days with more typing.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#53

Post by johnm »

phowat wrote: post #37
kalessin wrote: post #12

I strongly recommend split hands, ortholinear layout and thumb clusters too, as well as a programmable firmware so you can setup your own layers.

100% this, I have a zsa moonlander and it was one of the best purchases I ever made. The adaptation period was really frustrating, but I can’t see myself ever going back to a traditional keyboard.

Good entry point for people coming from the "traditional" keyboard world -- particularly those who don't expect to invest a lot of time in things like learning radically different layouts, heavy use & customization of layers, etc.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#55

Post by johnm »

TrispusAttucks wrote: post #18

If you just want a great keyboard and don't want to learn a new layout or form factor and don't want to build your own I present the best mechanical keyboard. [1] FILCO Majestouch Ninja - Cherry MX Browns Make it yours with a nice pack of keycaps.[2] If you're not sure which Cherry MX switches to get read more about them here [3] and search for comparisons. I hate reds. I love blues. My wife's ears hate my blues. Now…

Note that for people who are used to and prefer the short travel of laptop keyboards, they should check out mechanical keyboards with choc switches rather than the much longer travel MX switches.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#56

Post by vladdoster »

If you need a keyboard NOW, take a severe look at the Kinesis Advantage 2. It has a learning curve, but it's a small price to pay to have a very comfortable typing experience AND incredible customizability it offers (e.g., macros & hardware-defined key re-mapping). However, don't bother downloading the software as it's not great.

BUT, if you can wait a few months... they have a modern version slated to release this summer.

https://kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards/advantage360/

IMO it fixes most if not all issues I have with it.

  - Wireless via Bluetooth
  - Ditching USB-A for USB-C
  - Split keyboard while retaining its finger ergonomics
  - Update styling, which will (hopefully) be much easier to 
    transport and less of an eye-sore
  - Ability to change 'tenting' which should increase 
    ergonomics
If you end up getting either one, you won't be disappointed. I went from needing to take off work due to wrist pain to no pain at all regardless of time. It was well worth the $350.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#57

Post by johnm »

BoorishBears wrote: post #36

Toore is highly overrated, build quality is not there with most common implementations (looking st you HHKB) Get a Keychron hot swappable, buy some Boba U4/U4T (U4 is silent, U4T is thocky) and install them. and for under $120 and 0 soldering you have a world class typing experience

Boba U4's are fantastic MX style switches. They've beaten out all of the others that I've tried on my hot-swappable Corne.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#58

Post by seFausto »

I've spent a lot of time finding the perfect keyboard. I started with a Das Keyboard Model S with CherryMx Blue [1], then got the Code Keyboard with CherryMx Brown [2]. I stuck with this keyboard for years. Then I found Ten-Keyless keyboards, and this is where I got very picky. I wanted: - RGB Backlight - Dedicated Media Keys(or Knob) - TKL

After some time I found Drevo BladeMaster with CherryMx Silent Red, this was it, small, RGB backlight, media Knob. The software is kinda janky, but I was really happy with this... Then I realized I had another requirement: I prefer 75% keyboard, this is a TKL, but smaller, with the "delete, page up, page down.." keys closer to the rest of the keyboard, and still have all the Function keys. I had to sacrifice the dedicated media keys for the size, but I'm extremely happy with my Keychron K2 with Gateron Red

[1] https://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional/

[2] https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/code-v3-104-key-mechanical-key...

[3] https://www.drevo.net/product/keyboard/blademaster-pro

[4] https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k2-wireless-mecha...

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#59

Post by johnm »

vladdoster wrote: post #56

If you need a keyboard NOW, take a severe look at the Kinesis Advantage 2. It has a learning curve, but it's a small price to pay to have a very comfortable typing experience AND incredible customizability it offers (e.g., macros & hardware-defined key re-mapping). However, don't bother downloading the software as it's not great. BUT, if you can wait a few months... they have a modern version slated to release this s…

I've worn out multiple of them over many many years of using the Kinesis Advantage (and then Advantage 2) (before I went down the splergo rabbit hole).

One thing to note is that people with large hands and/or long finger lengths can find the fixed size hand wells too cramped.

Another thing to note is that they are loud.

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