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Split Keyboard for Professionals

ultimatehackingkeyboard.com

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Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#11

Post by colinjoy »

Waterluvian wrote: post #6
wegs wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most are horrible. One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally hit keys on the other side. You want a pair of 2/3 keyboards, rather than 1/2 keyboards. You /especially/ want a lot of the "special" keys on both sides. Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys. A third is mounting. That's a problem which hasn't really been figured out. The middle hinge or fixed setup is definitely sub-ideal.…

I was told by one friend that they made it really hard to use a normal keyboard effectively after a few years. Did you find that?

It took a few months, not years, for me.

I don‘t mind it. 99% of my time spent typing happens at my own desk(s) and the few times I use someone else’s keyboard don‘t justify compromising on comfort with my own setup.

A big part of what makes it hard for me to use a normal keyboard now, isn‘t so much the physical shape, but the programmability and additional modifier keys offered by the UHK, both of which I use a lot.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#12

Post by sethammons »

I have a cloud nine split mechanical keyboard. I really enjoy it. It is the closest I’ve found to the Microsoft Ergo 4000. I use it primarily for working on my MacBook.

Pros: very similar to ergo 4000. No immediate drop in typing speed like with an ergo dox ez.

Cons: easy to workaround: left alt is too left due the spacebar and the strange dial button in the middle. I ignore the dial and mapped the cmd key to ctrl and ctrl to capslock.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#13

Post by andykx »

kozak wrote: post #2

I am puzzled why there aren't more split keyboards on the market, they are such a good idea.

It's definitely a pain to re-learn how to type. I type quickly in general (as I'm sure most here do), and I'm used to the split layout now, but I was painfully slow for the first few weeks.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#15

Post by dkdk8283 »

I used the microsoft natural keyboard for years and now the kinesis freestyle. I don’t know why split keyboards aren’t more popular. Proper ergonomics are important or your career could be interrupted due to RSI.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#16

Post by 7839284023 »

kozak wrote: post #2

I am puzzled why there aren't more split keyboards on the market, they are such a good idea.

But there are? A lot go a bit into the DIY territory but you can buy most of them pre assembled as well. With the QMK firmware you can customize everything you want about them.

e.g.:

https://splitkb.com/products/kyria-pcb-kit

https://github.com/foostan/crkbd

https://old.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#18

Post by Pawka »

Waterluvian wrote: post #6
wegs wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most are horrible. One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally hit keys on the other side. You want a pair of 2/3 keyboards, rather than 1/2 keyboards. You /especially/ want a lot of the "special" keys on both sides. Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys. A third is mounting. That's a problem which hasn't really been figured out. The middle hinge or fixed setup is definitely sub-ideal.…

I was told by one friend that they made it really hard to use a normal keyboard effectively after a few years. Did you find that?

I'm using UHK for almost a year and can share with my experience.

It really depends on a keyboard - if it is similar to regular one or not. The UHK is pretty similar to regular keyboard - keys are staggered (not ortholinear), there are no additional thumb keys which are also not available on a regular laptop keyboard. After a year with UHK I'm still able to jump between laptop and UHK when needed. Somehow muscle memory "detects" when my hands are on UHK and I start using additional shortcuts which are not available on laptop.

Meanwhile if you'd pick something like Dactyl https://github.com/adereth/dactyl-keyboard, I believe it would be more difficult to jump arround.

P.S. After a year my typing speed on split keyboard is higher compared to laptop.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#19

Post by chansiky »

Waterluvian wrote: post #6
wegs wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most are horrible. One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally hit keys on the other side. You want a pair of 2/3 keyboards, rather than 1/2 keyboards. You /especially/ want a lot of the "special" keys on both sides. Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys. A third is mounting. That's a problem which hasn't really been figured out. The middle hinge or fixed setup is definitely sub-ideal.…

I was told by one friend that they made it really hard to use a normal keyboard effectively after a few years. Did you find that?

I almost always use a split keyboard when I'm able to set up a stationary environment. But I love to go mobile: coffee shops, beaches, couch, bar counters. I never forget how to use a normal keyboard, nor do I lose any speed. That might be the trick, maybe you need to switch between the two occasionally.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#20

Post by oskardenandre »

wegs wrote: post #4
kozak wrote: post #2

I am puzzled why there aren't more split keyboards on the market, they are such a good idea.

Most are horrible. One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally hit keys on the other side. You want a pair of 2/3 keyboards, rather than 1/2 keyboards. You /especially/ want a lot of the "special" keys on both sides. Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys. A third is mounting. That's a problem which hasn't really been figured out. The middle hinge or fixed setup is definitely sub-ideal.…

Now I've only used one split keyboard and only for about three years. The Ergodox Ez. And I think it combats every aspect you've pointed out, except the part about it being expensive.

However, put that into perspective and it feels like this keyboard will outlive me. I'll probably get another one for home use when I can go back to the office...

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