this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2023
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ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

Rules

Keep it ergo

Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)

i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²

¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid

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https://images2.imgbox.com/6c/cc/QW7HYRQE_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/b4/0e/l7NzXbub_o.jpg

Dilemma Max by BastardKB; It has an integrated RP2040 microcontroller chip and diodes and underglow leds came presoldered, so soldering the per-key LEDs and switches and assembling the trackpad and case took me close to 2 hours.

I'm still looking for a display to use on the left side.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Is that the same trackpad as used in the steam controller? Does it click?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It is! You can perform a click with it, but won't "feel" the click, since there is no haptic feedback module, which the steam controller has.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is this kit no longer available? I've been waiting forever for splitkb to release the Elora to compliment my kyria for when I need a number row (gaming), but this seems like the next best thing.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This will be for sale very soon, it's not listed yet, I was just able to get it a bit sooner 😄

The Elora is also undergoing the last few steps before going for sale, I'm also waiting for it and can't wait to try out the module system!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Very cool. After getting the Kyria I really cannot imagine having anything other than this style thumb cluster/stagger. Great to see that there are alternatives out there.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Looks near, but the location of the track pad doesn't seem particularly useful... but I suppose that's entirely user opinion

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I find it alright for quick mouse movement using my index finger. As main I prefer a thumb trackball.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I am interested in the 3x5+3 version and would love to get Miryoku on it, plus of course the track pad needs to work, too. Is there an easy way, like a qmk workflow build that achieves this? Or another guide that describes it?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Where would your hands go?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The 4 keys next to each other are the thumb keys, so the keyboard would sit like this on the desk.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Wow, that looks really cool! Is that a track pad on the right?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, I've been a standard 60-75% user but this looks pretty great...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It has 58 keys, so it's getting close 😄

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, I bet they layers are pretty accessible though...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

With the default keymap the farthest thumb keys change layers.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Looks really neat! Will you apply letters / paint for identifying the keys?

I really like the construction, if I could try something and customize it to my hands and my workflow / comfort / ergonomics / productivity AND customize the firmware (key macros, binds etc) that could be really neat!

What is your particular use case? Gaming? Streaming? Programming? Typing all day?

I suppose having multiple keyboards is also an option

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Thanks! This was actually the only keycaps set I had laying around that wasn't in use 😄 But I'm a Colemak user myself, so 90% of the caps usually don't match my layout anyway and I never look at the keys. That said, I'm thinking about replacing the caps with a uniform XDA set (the current set is NP-profile) with labels.

I do have multiple keyboards, but I'll try this one out for gaming, since it has a num row which most of my other boards haven't.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I've been re-exploring these split keyboards... Thanks for replying . How are you liking this?

Is there anything you would change?

How is your typing speed? I'm a fast typer and type a lot everyday.. less a gamer but something like this would also be fun to build and program.

I still think this is one of the cooler ones that I have seen! 👍 Good job!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is this keyboard wireless? If not I couldn’t imagine using it because the wires would sit in your lap

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It isn't wireless. I'm not sure how the wires would end up in your lap when the keyboard is on your desk.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Because the wire on the trackpad is facing the user

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh no, the red cable is actually facing away from you when using it. I guess I shouldn't have taken these pictures at these angles 😅

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

That makes a lot more sense, I thought the pad was for your left thumb lol

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I think they said that because the wires seem to be going toward the user instead of away like a typical keyboard. Edit... Unless you're supposed to use it the other way and turn your hands out instead of in.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It's a split keyboard so you can rotate the two halves and put them further apart as you like. I noticed there was some confusion about how the keyboard should be orientated 😅

I commented another picture with how it would sit on the desk.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I can’t imagine using it period lmao how do you even put your hands on it? Like this? 👐

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

They're two separate halves, when using it you'll put them further apart from each other..