I was having some serious wrist and shoulder pain. Turns out it was related to my mouse which I kept to the right side of my keyboard. I moved it directly in front of the keyboard so it's in the middle and my pains disappeared. I may still take a look at this keyboard because the older you get the more you need. I've now been at the keyboard since 1979 and that's some wear and tear.
Kinesis Advantage 360
121–130 of 339 posts
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#122Earlier quoted context omitted.
whats the difference between that and an ergodox
Biggest difference is the thumbcluster can be tilted. Otherise the layout is minimally different. e: also switches are hotswappable on the Moonlander, they are fixed (soldered)on the Ergodox iirc. e2: They are hotswappable on the EZ :)
Switches are hotswappable on an ergodox ez. I bought one last year to get some quiet tactile switches, and it's been really good so far. Earlier versions of the ergodox are probably what you're thinking of
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#123Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would imagine you can add an F key layer pretty easily so this shouldn't be a big deal. I found it impossible to touch-type the F-row on my Advantage 2, and it's awesome to be able to move keys closer to your fingers. That being said, I don't see a reason to upgrade. I've ordered replacement key wells so I can install my own switches, and since the Advantage is my desk keyboard I'm not worried about portability.
> I would imagine you can add an F key layer pretty easily so this shouldn't be a big deal That may be the case, but the issue I have with this is that I need, often enough, to press random F keys while not actively using the keyboard. Like for example refresh HN while eating an apple (F5). It's a pain to have to press multiple keys.
They also sell pedals, which, I guess, you could use to switch layers. I am thinking about using pedals to switch to the arrow keys layer. I wonder what other uses the pedals have?
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#124I have Ergodox Ez, it looks like this one is slightly updated version. Pinky row is lowered (which I think is an advantage, I have wondered for a long time why the pinky row is too high in EZ.). It has Bluetooth which I would prefer. It has some ZMK firmware which I haven't studied, I have only used QMK, otherwise looks good.
The pinky columns could be lowered a lot more. After a bit of testing I moved them a full row height down on my keyboard as that seems to be the sweet spot for me. It's weird for a minute or two but feels natural quickly.
I tried that too, but couldn't stick to it, I don't remember why. Maybe I should try again.
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#125I was having some serious wrist and shoulder pain. Turns out it was related to my mouse which I kept to the right side of my keyboard. I moved it directly in front of the keyboard so it's in the middle and my pains disappeared. I may still take a look at this keyboard because the older you get the more you need. I've now been at the keyboard since 1979 and that's some wear and tear.
Try a trackball mouse. I sport a Logitech Ergo MX with a 30deg tilt. Similar to you it's in front of the keyboard. The fact you don't need the mouse to move at all is amazing.
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#126Semi-related:
I've had a basic ergo keyboard (MS sculpt ergonomic) for a while and it's much much better than regular keyboards;
However I think all ergo keyboard companies are missing the point those days:
"Just-a-keyboard" doesn't cut it anymore in the world of laptops. I want an ergonomic keyboard with a built-in Macbook-class touchpad, or ThinkPad-class trackpoint + three buttons. (I know it's tricky, especially with split keybord; conceptually it feels it almost can't be done).
Unfortunately most of software those days has pretty limited functionality if you want to use it 100% with a keyboard only. And no matter what best keyboard you have, adding a trackpad or mouse to it is just clunky and slows you down due to endless context-switching.
Are there any examples of ergo keyboard with built-in pointing device? I never found any.
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#127I wonder if an ISO version will become available (with a key next to the left shift key).
It has never been the case for their other models :(
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#128FWIW I've been quite happy with the ZSA Moonlander https://www.zsa.io/moonlander
Yep, love my Moonlander - it has really helped with my wrist issues. The only trouble I have is when I have to switch to a standard keyboard (e.g., on a laptop).
Yeah this kills me too, I use layering so much that switching to a standard keyboard is borderline crippling.
Still worth it though
Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#129I like how they added inboard macro keys. It was odd before how the Advantage had all this programming capability but you had to come up with some new keystrokes. Is it me or the price difference between the two makes the Pro model a no-brainer? Wireless, backlighting, better keycaps, and better programming model for only $40 more?
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Re: Kinesis Advantage 360
#130Holy shit finally!
I have been using the Kinesys Advantage (and the LF version with Cherry MX Reds instead of Browns) for many many years. I love it but have always wanted a split version because my shoulders are too wide and I have to pull my arms in to type (like every other non-split keyboard out there).
I spent a long time looking at building a custom 3d-printed keyboard of my own but trying to find just the right keycaps (they are not all the same size) that would work with the scooped layout was tough.
I can't find it right now but there was at least one person who cut their Advantage in half and wired each side together with a long cable. It was cool that it worked, but it looked janky as hell and seemed like a good way to accidentally break a $350 keyboard.
I'm so glad this is a thing!