ErgoMechKeyboards
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
No Spam
No excessive posting/"shilling" for commercial purposes. Vendors are permitted to promote their products/services but keep it to a minimum and use the [vendor] flair. Posts that appear to be marketing without being transparent about it will be removed.
No Buy/Sell/Trade
This subreddit is not a marketplace, please post on r/mechmarket or other relevant marketplace.
Some useful links
- EMK wiki
- Split keyboard compare tool
- Compare keycap profiles Looking for another set of keycaps - check this site to compare the different keycap profiles https://www.keycaps.info/
- Keymap database A database with all kinds of keymap layouts - some of them fits ergo keyboards - get inspired https://keymapdb.com/
view the rest of the comments
this is really cool, I did not know about keymapDB!
The letters in between keys make sense to me (press both keys). I'd never thought of doing chords that way before.
I'm confused by the vertical in-between keys though. Like how are S and W pressed at the same time physically?
Vertical Combos are pressed with a single finger. Possibly easier depending on keycaps and key spacing (choc spaced and Chicago Steno is what I use). You basically press in the crack between the two keys pressing both at once.
The horizontal combos are done with multiple fingers. You can see the blue keys on the base layer as well as the combo diagrams on the bottom for the rest of the combos.
KeymapDB is great and I believe they have a combo/chording filter to look at keymaps that use them.
Oh! Yet another thing I didn't think of. I'll start trying that.
While I don't have choc (I wanted choc switches) I did take the time to print choc-like keycaps for MX switches, because apparently 3d printing and Etsy are the only way to get those (for some reason).
I don't know how people tolerate keycap profiles like DSA
I like DES for mx and it works well for combos as well. You can buy a set from Asymplex if you have the cash. Or order them from JLCPCB in MJF which is also pretty nice. You can find pre spued files for that on GitHub if you search around
I've considered getting Chicago steno but they're so darn expensive lol. You think they're worthwhile?
I got mine used and in the bag of shame raffle 😅 AUD to USD makes them pretty expensive. They are really nice though. If you’re on the fence I’d get some printed in MJF and use those for a bit. )Then you’ll fall in love with the profile and be forced to buy the real deal hahaha )
Thanks for the input!