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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

#101

Post by 0xabe »

somedudetbh wrote: post #98
lrvick wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

For anyone else reading this thread- FWIW I bought a Moonlander a few months ago and I haven't been able to switch to it. It's missing just enough keys that I haven't been able to figure out a layout that seems good enough to stick with long enough to get used to it, and so when I use it it's still painfully slow. There are some extra keys, but some of them seem hard to use well (the big red triangle keys at the top…

Have you tried using the extra 2 layers? Multiplies the number of keys. Also, print your layout while you learn it to remember where things are.

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

#102

Post by CobaltFire »

patel011393 wrote: post #24

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.

I'm still trying to learn my Moonlander off and on. I want to love it, and when it clicks it's amazing, but the learning cliff is pretty tall.

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

#103

Post by irjustin »

I'm very late to this party, but here's an amazing list of buildable keyboards[0], specifically linked are the split ones (like Ergodox).

Most of these today run QMK and specifically the Configurator[1].

I recommend most people stay away from the Ergodox unless your hands are larger and have a specific reach. While a great keyboard back in 2012-2015, the thumb cluster is outside of comfortable for most people and there have been a lot of improvements in this area over the years.

If building a keyboard yourself isn't your thing, I highly recommend the keyboard.io crew.

[0] https://github.com/BenRoe/awesome-mechanical-keyboard/blob/m...

[1] https://config.qmk.fm/#/hotdox/LAYOUT_ergodox

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

#104

Post by sleepybrett »

TakeBlaster16 wrote: post #21
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.

look for a /r/mechanicalkeyboard meetup in your area.

I wouldn't buy this board, it's a wannabe kinesis advantange but flat. Makes the reach too hard imo.

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

#106

Post by asdfk-12 »

ZSA moonlander has been a joy to use. After a few iterations using their highly polished and user friendly customization tools, I found a great layout and have been using it for over a year. Going between Planck (kit, assembled DIY) layout when traveling, 65% board at work, and split ortho moonlander at home has been fun.

Also props to the very fast and friendly ZSA customer service department. I had a defective keycap and they responded swiftly and sent a replacement.

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

#107

Post by Findecanor »

Not only does the ErgoDox use open source firmware. The original hardware design is also open source, introduced ten years ago. The official site is https://www.ergodox.io/

ErgoDox EZ is for those who want a ready-made product. For DIY:ers with a soldering iron, parts have been available from multiple other vendors. The links here might be a bit outdated: https://deskthority.net/wiki/ErgoDox

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

#108

Post by xupybd »

I like my ergodox but I love my Kinesis Advantage. Seriously consider looking at the Kinesis before any other option. The learning curve is hard but the pay off is amazing. I truly love that keyboard and will replace it with a new one as soon as I need to.

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

#109

Post by __mharrison__ »

ledauphin wrote: post #35
arnvald wrote: post #4

I've been using Ergodox EZ for 2 years now and I love it. It has a certain learning curve due to columnar layout, but I used this opportunity to change my keyboard layout to Colemak. It took a while to get used to it, but not only I find typing more comfortable now, it's also healthier for my wrists - I used to feel pain quite regularly, and changing from Apple Magic Keyboard to Ergodox helped a lot

hah, I changed to the EZ and to something called "Norman" at the same time. Not sure if it was the best or worst decision I've ever made. It took me a solid month to get to where I could be productive again.

Wow there are two of us using Norman on the ErgoDox!

After 8 years I'm happy, though moving back to a normal keyboard often comes with a few typos .

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

#110

Post by __mharrison__ »

lrvick wrote: post #59
Youden wrote: post #52

Does anybody know something similar, with a trackball? I got interested in these split ergo keyboards when I saw the new Kinesis models [0] but unfortunately they don't ship to my location. I came across the Charybdis [1] and I loved the idea but I'm not capable enough to assemble it myself and the guy making them has a many week lead time, so I'd love an equivalent. [0]: https://kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards/advantage3…

CST trackballs use a billiard ball sized trackball which seems silly until you try it for a while. Super smooth and smaller movement to get a lot more travel. Honestly though I consider mice and trackballs a crutch and really only for design work or gaming. I ditched a mouse at my last office entirely favoring mouse emulation mode on the ergodox, a tiling window manager like i3, and the keyboard driven qutebrowser.

I've got a CST mouse (complete with billiard ball, you can see it in my Twitter background @__mharrison__).

I had the CST between the halves for almost 8 years but recently went back to putting it on the right side.

My conclusion is that there are general principles of ergonomics but in the end you need to listen to your body and adjust if you feel pain.

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