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ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

ergodox-ez.com

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Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#21

Post by TakeBlaster16 »

breckenedge wrote: post #6

If you’re interested in ergo, I recommend visiting the ergo keyboard comparison tool [1] to get a sense of how deep this rabbit hole goes. And you can now use YAML to prototype custom layouts via Ergogen [2]. [1] https://jhelvy.shinyapps.io/splitkbcompare/ [2] https://ergogen.cache.works/

I wish there was a showroom or something I could visit to try them all out and see what fits my hands. I don't mind dropping $300 on a keyboard once, but I don't want to buy 10 different keyboards just to try them and then have to sell the ones I don't want.

Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#23

Post by laweijfmvo »

gregwebs wrote: post #2

I love split keyboards but had to return this one because after using it for a week my brain was still unable to adapt to the different key placements.

Same. Turns out don’t know how to touch type, so in addition to the learning curve of the new layout I also had to learn which fingers were even supposed to type each key. It’s much more difficult and counterproductive to cheat with an ergo keyboard.

Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#24

Post by patel011393 »

I bought and use two Moonlanders. I’d like future versions to integrate a small trackball and to be wireless. That said, this helped my shoulder and wrist pain tremendously. I recommend it for those with injuries and unique needs. This year, I’m trying the Halmak layout to type even more efficiently.

Pair it with an Evoluent mouse or similar vertical mouse for a great setup.

Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#25

Post by swozey »

Tepix wrote: post #11

$354 seems pricey when compared to a keyboard.io Model 100, that features custom keycaps for improved ergonomics and hopefully starts shipping this week.

As a Moonlander owner (which is its own niche look) that keyboard is.... a very niche look. I hate it, personally. I don't get wood on keyboards.

Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#27

Post by lrvick »

thenthenthen wrote: post #16
vvilliamperez wrote: post #8

I've had an Ergodox EZ for 4 years and it's awesome. Once you learn to type on it and take advantage of the multitude of macros, it's almost telepathic. But I end up using an inexpensive bluetooth keyboard most of the time because I work between a macbook (that doesn't like USB-A without a dock or dongle) and a windows desktop. I've thought about getting a USB switcher hub or a bluetooth dongle for the ergodox, but a…

You could use a software solution like ‘Sharemouse’ or Synergy (the former having working drag n drop and copy paste between windows and osx

Software sharing solutions create a lot of attack surface and mean giving a personal laptop full control of a work laptop or vice versa. This pretty much violates every security team policy at every company.

I can only recommend such solutions between things like test automation or QA machines that have no security impact if compromised.

https://www.n00py.io/2017/03/compromising-synergy-clients-wi...

Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#28

Post by throitallaway »

I had an EZ a few years ago. It took a few weeks to get used to it but I grew to like it quite a bit. I didn't have issues switching between traditional keyboards and it.

The build quality was questionable, and judging by the pictures it doesn't look like a whole lot has changed. Mine failed after approx 25 months. I believe the Mini USB (!) port failed, and unfortunately it couldn't be replaced due to the way the shell is injection molded into the PCB. They also wouldn't sell me a replacement half because "we're not sure if it will be compatible with your older half and the switches will feel different." Also, the cable/port connecting the two halves (mini audio style) was fidgety out of the gate.

At ~$320, this product was something that I expected to last at least a few years (and receive support for failing that.) I won't be buying anything from them again.

Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#29

Post by ezschemi »

martythemaniak wrote: post #12

I have the Moonlander and am a big fan. I haven't taken real advantage of the open-source firmware other than customizing the layout so that is is as close to a traditional layout as I could make it, given the physical layout of the keys (this mostly has to do with where you put the backspace, delete, enter, |\, control, arrow, and other keys, not the actual letters). It's well built and looks super cool, but the rea…

I have two Moonlanders and three Ergodox Ez keyboards from ZSA, and all have been great (one of each for the office, one for home usage). The build quality and software tools are very good: flashing a new layout from a browser is so much easier than needing extra tools. Had an issue with one of the Moonlander halves with a key suddenly not working and got a replacement half immediately, without further discussion with support.

Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware

#30

Post by hosteur »

koenvdb wrote: post #15

Each time I see this I really want to buy it, but I can't justify the price tag. Especially since I already have a 'regular' Ergodox from Falbatech. I recently bought a Keychron Q1, because I was also craving for just a regular keyboard with QMK support.

If you do any type of programming or heck even just regular office work for a living, I think it should be easy to justify the cost. Think of how many hours you are spending on your keyboard. This is a tool that you use to earn a living. The cost is trivial when you think of it this way.

Think of how much you spend on, say, shoes. What does Ergodox EZ cost? The same as two pairs of shoes? It is easy to justify cost of shoes as you use them many hours every day and bad shoes hurt your health. Same can be said about a keyboard if you use it professionally. Keyboard will definitely outlast two pairs of shoes.

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