I have one, I love it, the only complaint i have is that there's not yet another enveloping row of keys across the top and down the outer sides of each half.
You don't need more keys, if you have layers.
ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
41–50 of 177 posts
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#42Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#43I have an Ergodox EZ sitting collecting dust these days. I got a great deal of use out of it and before long I was compiling my own firmware and making use of various advanced QMK features that were not available through the online visual layer configuration tool.
The keyboard has great build quality, the customer service is great (I got a free replacement for the right half after an issue with one of the keys), the ortholinear layout isn't that difficult to get used to, but ultimately the issue for me was that my hands aren't big enough to use the keyboard comfortably or to type as accurately as I'd like / as I'm used to typing.
I'm now back on my Apple Magic Keyboard and happier than ever, though with a few tweaks and improvements taken from my time using the Ergodox EZ.
I am now using kanata[1] which allows me to have multiple QMK-style layers on my regular old keyboard. This is already a huge step up from my pre-Ergodox days! I also like that I can have my layer configurations version controlled in a plain old git/dotfiles repo.
Since the layers are handled at the software level, I wrote my own integration with kanata, called komokana[2] to switch keyboard layers programmatically based on different state events emitted from my tiling window manager[3].
What that means in practice is that my keyboard can automatically switch to an app-specific layer when that app's window is focused, or to a workspace specific layer, or to a browser tab-specific layer, or really just switch on any event emitted by the window manager or any specific window manager state.
For me, this is really the killer feature of my setup now, and one that I don't think would be anywhere near as easy to implement with QMK which sits at the hardware level.
The jump from having to trigger layer changes via key presses or holds to having my keyboard automagically switch to the layer I want for a given application is almost as big as the jump from having no layers to having layers. There is just no going back once you've experienced it.
[1]: https://github.com/jtroo/kanata
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#44I 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 sh…
By contrast friends and I have beat the hell out of our EZs and never had a problem. Way more durable than any of our hand-built Ergodox. That said, I switched to the Moonlander a couple of years ago and can attest the build quality is much higher though. I could hardly see myself using anything else now.
The typing experience itself was pleasurable and solid (although the tenting arms were a little weird.) It wasn't abused/sat on my desk and always had an issue with the cable connecting the halves (I had to play with it sometimes to get one half to be recognized.) Then eventually the right-angle mini USB cable started winking out and requiring me to re-seat it.
Maybe I just got a bad unit. Regardless, I was really disappointed in their support options.
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#45If 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.
FWIIW friends and I have used, bought, and built a lot of these but the build quality and comfort of the Moonlander surpasses everything. Yet to hear anyone that has tried one that switched away from it. It is also the most expensive, but in this case you get what you pay for IMO.
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#46The Ergodox EZ is my secondary keyboard, while my primary is a Keebio Iris [1]. I've used them heavily for years, and highly recommend both.
[1] https://keeb.io/collections/iris-split-ergonomic-keyboard
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#47Each 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 o…
Yes, but as I said, I already have a 'regular' Ergodox. That would be the same as replacing a pair of perfectly good shoes for shinier newer ones.
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#48If 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 recommend visiting the ergo keyboard comparison tool [1] As far as I can tell, the list of keyboards seems dated and does not include the Ergodox EZ
There is no difference between an EZ and a DIY Ergodox other than LED options and an admittedly nice injection molded shell with tilt adjustments.
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#49I've been using split keyboards and the Dvorak layout for many years. Currently using a UHK[1], which I love.
I'm curious about the Ortholinear layout though, and how much benefit that confers by itself if you're already using a split keyboard and/or optimized layout. It seems like most people switch all three factors at once, which makes it hard to isolate which ones are the most beneficial. Anyone have any experience switching no factor besides the ortholinear layout?
Re: ErgodoxE EZ – an ergonomic keyboard with open source firmware
#50I 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.
> I’d like future versions to integrate a small trackball
Maybe you are aware, but it is possible to configure a layer to include mouse controls directly on the keys: https://i.imgur.com/5x3YTg6.png
I use this a lot and this prevents me from having to reach for the mouse to do trivial stuff.