Got my trackball today.
People who use setups like this scare me
this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2024
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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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- Keymap database A database with all kinds of keymap layouts - some of them fits ergo keyboards - get inspired https://keymapdb.com/
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The split keyboard part is incredible for ergonomics. So comfy to just put your hands on my desk at shoulder width and just have my keyboard right there. The trackball I sold, though, came back to a Deathadder... How scary am I?
If I go down that route of ergonomic controls and weird keyboards and such I'm eventually going to build myself this whole HOTAS cockpit with controls at the ends of the armrests, foot pedals, the works. I'll need some bedsore cream.
I feel like this is where the rabbit hole will end up taking me
This is a setup btw, it's not a real plane. https://youtu.be/xRaiCEzDFKA
I went down the ergonomics route from sheer necessity more than anything. I have ulnar nerve issues in both elbows, meaning my hands and fingers end up tingling, then hurting for days if I'm not careful. I have pretty broad shoulders (used to play on the offensive line in american football) and very large hands, meaning "regular" non-split keyboards inherently create a lot of tension in my wrists and elbows due to the sheer angle I have to maintain. I use a split board just so I can reduce wrist pronation by keeping my arms at shoulder width and having some tenting.
However, I have to say, "large" split boards, like this one or my Iris l, aren't nearly as weird to use as they look. For the most part, until you have some fancy mappings going on, all that's different by default is having some modifiers and common special keys right under your thumbs instead of weak fingers or positions (pinkies or having to reach under your palm). Those tiny 3-4 row boards that need 3-4 layers just to be usable are IMHO another game entirely haha.
I type on a more or less standard QWERTY keyboard (a Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro M; an interesting board because instead of eliminating the numpad, it eliminates the arrow keys in a very clever way). I'm not a particularly big guy so standard key spacing is fine for me. I do touch type in a very classroom keyboarding class kind of way so I've thankfully avoided any repetitive stress injuries thusfar.
Sometimes I think I'd be interested in a split keyboard especially if it could combine my thumb ball mouse in the right side so I didn't have to move my hand around as much but meh.
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No trackball for me, but I use a vertical mouse and have my Glove80 mapped to a Colemak layout, so it probably balances out.
Do you use your tongue on the trackball? Or your member?
I actually cast Mage Hand when I need to use it while typing.
Glove80?
Yep! Having a great time with it.
I've been meaning to move on up from mechs to ergomechs but the analysis paralysis is real lmao This one seems like a top contender though. You ever try anything else like the Dygma Defy or the Moonlander or anything?
No, this is actually my first split/ergo keyboard. I considered the Moonlander as well, but figured I'd go straight for the endgame, haha. The keywells really work great. My hands are on the larger side though, so I can reach all the keys with ease.
$626 AUD, Jesus Christ.
Got to spend your money on something, right? I figured it's a tool I'm using for 8 hours a day to make a living, so it's worth it to avoid more tendonitis/RSI.
Oh, absolutely. I agree with you. Cheaper than treatment and having to put up with pain and issues in perpetuity.
I don’t type enough, even when I do I don’t touch type properly (using ye old “blind chicken hawk” technique”). Thus, I can’t justify this for my situation.
If this is part of your job, this is value for money in the end, if the quality is there.
I jumped into ergo with the Moonlander about a year ago. I really love it personally. This one scares me but so did the Moonlander at first. But i chose that for comfort as well as for the design choices of customizability and supporting modding and things like that. But that's where my value was. Just think through what aspects are most important to you.
I recently bought a ZSA voyager for co-working.
Took me a few days to get used to the reduced keyset, but overall was very easy to adjust to. I mapped it very similar to my home keyboard (Maltron 3D).
A colleague just got a glove80 and I was able to type 70wpm after 5 mins with it. I think I'd have bought one of those for home if I didn't already have a maltron.
Dave.
Open the pod Bay doors, HAL...
HAL, open the pod bay doors!
I'm sorry Dave...
Ok imagine you're my dad and you're helping me take over the family door opening business...
I'm sorry Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
How do you like your Glove80? I never got used to mine, and went back to my tkl. I gotta give it another shot. I love the look, and the dual design eases my shoulder pain significantly. But my typing speed and accuracy took such a huge hit...
I've had one for about a year and a half and I love it! It took me a few weeks to adjust but then my typing speed quickly got back to normal. I did play around with rearranging a few keys too, which really helped. I haven't had any other ergonomic keyboards to compare to, but to me the thumb clusters and concave design are game changers!
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How long did you try it? It took me a good two months to get back to full speed.
About two weeks. I had to get the speed back up, as work was starting to suffer. Two months? Worth the effort. I'll set it back up and give it a longer go.
I like it a lot, but as you say it takes a lot of getting used to and practice. I don't think my WPM is near what it is on a regular keyboard, but we're talking a few weeks of use versus 30 years of muscle memory ... I'm gradually switching over to the Glove. Funnily enough I write better on it when I'm not thinking about it at all.
I'm in the same boat with the muscle memory. Never tested my official speed, but I've had several people comment that it sounds like I'm just smashing the keys down, but I'm actually typing. Don't really want to give that speed up, but I don't want that shoulder pain more...
The default keycaps are terrible. I can't wait for the imminent LDSA keycap batch!
Ohhhhh ldsa would be amazing!
SlimBlade Pro gang. It really is superior.
I tried so many trackballs before settling on the Elecom Huge. I really wanted to like the Kensington, but I think it would be infinitely more useful if it had both a thumb scroll and the orbital scroll.
My current setup for reference:
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you're inspiring me with the trackball. i'm on mac for work though, so i have a trackpad between my halves for gestures... maybe one day
It's really nice being able to scroll by twisting the trackball!
that sounds so cool 🥺
As a trackpad lover I think it is the best of both worlds. Wireless, easy to transport, can be positioned between keyboard split.
Enjoy!
YouTube started recommending me keyboard reviewers who have been showing glove80 and now here? Am I being manipulated by astute marketing??
2025 is the year of the ~~Linux desktop~~ ergomech keyboard
I think I'd be in to try at $200.
I'll just have to wait I guess until the prices aren't "enthusiast only"
I use a Kinesis Advantage 2. Also very expensive, but a bit older and a monoblock design instead of two halves. Despite being only a single piece, this thing alone reversed the developing RSI in my wrists thanks to the superior ergonomics.
The vertical mouse I resisted a lot longer but eventually I got tennis elbow so I caved. But where I love my Kinesis 2, I hate the vertimouse. It's comfortable, but imprecise, and too tall so I always accidentally knock it over switching between keyboard and mouse. Still, my elbow is healing, so I cannot and will not go back to a traditional mouse. I've been seriously considering a trackball though...
For those reasons, I would class these devices as medical requirement rather than luxury. If you have pain from computer work with non-ergonomic hardware, you deserve to spend the money on these things. You're taking care of yourself.
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