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.
Cost, size, and learning curve.
Split Keyboard for Professionals
111–120 of 331 posts
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#112I'm maintaining a gallery of split mechanical keyboards, including the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard. Hopefully it's helpful for a quick overview of the options that exist. Many of these keyboards are DIY (available as a kit, or sometimes just a PCB and case plan), but some are available assembled. https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/ (There's also https://jhelvy.shinyapps.io/splitkbcompare/ for direct comparis…
A friend of mine is one of the nerdiest guys I know but has suffered from RSI most of his life. He exclusively uses DataHand keyboards (which he buys used and refurbishes or parts out). I notice you don't have a picture of those in your gallery. It's an interesting idea (having 5 switches per finger without moving your hand) but I'm more hopeful that chording will become the default.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#113Myself, I have been using a Kinesis RGB Edge with the "lift-kit" for about a month. Have never been a perfect, trained touch-typist - so there has been a learning curve, but it is worth it. My wrists feel so much better, and I am almost back to full speed. (Previously, I would just use laptop KB's). The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB…
I got the Freestyle Pro from them with Silent Red keys and have been happy with it. I was worried about the key noise since my office mate (who is also my wife) has complained that my chair is too loud. No complaints at all about the keyboard.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#114I just picked up a moonlander that i'm really living. https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/
I wouldn't recommend an ortho keyboard, I've found it takes a lot of time to relearn how to type with not much benefit.
Disagree whole heartedly. The benefits of ortho is minor compared to the split, but it’s still there. And if you’re already willing to buy an expensive split mechanical keyboard, what’s the drawback?
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#115I've had Ergodox EZ for 5+ months, and not loving it at all! It's unnatural and uncomfortable. Tried changing switches a few times, armrest changed, angels and keyboard layout adjusted many times and it's not any better.
I feel I have to force myself to keep trying to use it because of the cost! I'm not sure if it's worth it at all, none of the parts are that expensive but I guess novelty cost money.
I bought it because of the reviews, I now realize no reviewer is ever 100% honest because candid honesty doesn't get you free samples from manufacturers to review! I will be getting rid of it soon. I definitely DO NOT recommend!
I played around with Keyboardio 001 and it's better, but my play time was too short to judge more accurately, didn't like the switches at all. I want to consider Kinesis Freestyle Edge but again the key switches are not my favorite, I like heavier tactile switches, Cherry MX Clear or similar.
My full CODE keyboard with Clear switches from 6-7 years ago is still the KING!
EDIT: LOL, people are down voting because this comment "hurt" their feelings. There's a small niche group that love ergodox, but it's not for general population. I code a lot and absolutely HATE it when missed key hits, looking for keys and typos distract my train of thought. I'm still in the hunt for a proper split keyboard but ergodox and family are not it!
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#116Earlier quoted context omitted.
These keyboards look interesting but how does "space" work on it and how long did it take you to learn the non-qwerty parts of the layout (like space, hyphen, brackets, and tilde)?
Every single key is completely configurable, so you can have space wherever you want (or in multiple places). That said, it's pretty normal to put it under directly under the thumb, on the side you normally use for space. I use an ErgoDash, essentially a flat version of the Dactyl Manuform, and have this layout [1]. Enter is under my right thumb, but if I hold down that key it becomes Ctrl. I could already touch-type…
Generally space in under the right thumb, backspace the left. I've seen some people swap this around, but for my brain there is no way to reckon with that.
I primarily use a dactyl day to day, but that's just a split version (with pretty much the exact same layout) as my kinesis advantage.
That said, I like to play the occasional videogame and the advantage and dactyl just don't work well for that. So I keep a 65% board around on my desk to swap out. It has a split spacebar, left bs, right space... which means in every game ever I just rebind 'jump' to backspace :)
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#117Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 memo…
I use a Kinesis Advantage, which is a split ortholinear design with the keys in bowls and thumb clusters, just like the Dactyl. I have no issues switching between that and normal keyboards.
Same. Though I now feel like when I code on a normal keyboard it feels .. un-natural. I'm still approx as fast, it just doesn't feel right?
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#118I've had Ergodox EZ for 5+ months, and not loving it at all! It's unnatural and uncomfortable. Tried changing switches a few times, armrest changed, angels and keyboard layout adjusted many times and it's not any better. I feel I have to force myself to keep trying to use it because of the cost! I'm not sure if it's worth it at all, none of the parts are that expensive but I guess novelty cost money. I bought it beca…
I purchased one two years ago and I still love it and use it nearly every day.
It took about a month to get used to the linear (non-staggered) layout, but since I did it's been great.
I attribute the major improvement in RSI mostly to the split-ness, which keeps my shoulders properly spaced.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#119Any split keyboard out there for $50 or less?
One that’ll actually last? No. Even the Sculpt, which doesn’t have nice switches, is over $50.
These things are made in such small numbers that they’ll never get economies of scale. They’re typically 2x the cost of even the already high price of regular mechanical keyboards.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#120Whilst this looks interesting, as someone with RSI (who already uses a split keyboard), just thinking about those thumb modules is giving me anxiety.
Ergonomic setups are specifically meant to immobilise both your thumb and wrist joints.