The origin story of our new ortholinear keyboard

I have a renewed interest in fully-split keyboards because of the idea of using a VR headset instead of monitors for my day job - I currently just use a goldtouch partially-split&#x2F;tilt keyboard which is inexpensive and works incredibly well at a desk. This opens up the possibility of moving away from a chair&#x2F;desk combo to all sorts of varied positions - standing, sitting cross-legged on a cushion, various floor stretch positions as in [0], lying down, lounging on the couch, etc. I bought a quest 2 off craigslist for cheap to test this. I&#x27;m imagining that a split keyboard with some kind of integrated pointing device (tiny joystick? or just get very good at keyboard-only navigation) that mounts to your wrists or something would be ideal. Anyone have experience with trying different setups of this type? A quick youtube search brings up a custom-built leg-attached keyboard [1] but nothing commercial yet.<p>[0] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=UPZa8yMLfWw" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=UPZa8yMLfWw</a><p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=iOupyi-lQZM" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=iOupyi-lQZM</a>

As compared to the Moonlander, which is what I use as my daily driver this is an improvement in some ways: wireless connectivity, possibly tenting (assuming the base plate is rigid enough), but not as good in others: the thumb cluster seems strangely wide, and in the videos it seems like it operates as a combination thumb cluster &#x2F; 5th row which is a nice segue to -- it&#x27;s missing the fifth row. That means it&#x27;s going to require layers to do most coding. Not great for me. It also seems very large, due to the way the wrist rest works. In the Moonlander that part is removable, but it seems to be part of the tenting system here. Maybe you can still remove it.<p>Anyway, I like to try out these kinds of keyboards, but I might give this one a pass due to it not having the full complement of keys I need in one layer.

I think the Advantage2 is still more ergonomic for most users since the keys are shaped in two curved wells which help keep all rows comfortably in reach without forearm or wrist movement. I have long fingers but someone with shorter fingers should still benefit in relative terms. My understanding is that the two curved circuit boards are expensive to produce, which may justify some of the $370 (wtf) cost. I bought mine used from Amazon Warehouse (used, good return policy) for $220 when I started experiencing RSI and have never looked back.

For anyone having RSI issues and considering upgrading to a split&#x2F;ergo&#x2F;ortho keyboard, I&#x27;d encourage you to look into the Advantage360[1], Glove80[2], and ZSA Moonlander[3] in addition to this one.<p>- Advantage360 - Pros: Concave key well, wireless, split, proven &quot;real&quot; company, proven ergonomics Cons: not low profile, not available until late 2022, not hotswap<p>- Glove80 - Pros: Concave key well, wireless, split, low profile switches and caps, ergonomics look excellent Cons: Kickstarter, not available until late 2022, not hotswap, low profile switches &amp; POM caps harder to replace<p>- Moonlander - Pros: Available now from reputable company, hot swappable switches and caps, split Cons: No concave key well, thumb cluster difficult to reach, ergonomics don&#x27;t seem as &quot;comfortable&quot;. This one seems to be the most direct competitor to the one in OP, though the dygma&#x27;s thumb cluster seems much closer (good for reachability but might get in the way?).<p>After eyeing mech keyboards for ~1yr (analysis paralysis...) I decided to back the Glove80 and hope they ship in a reasonable timeframe.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;kinesis-ergo.com&#x2F;keyboards&#x2F;advantage360&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;kinesis-ergo.com&#x2F;keyboards&#x2F;advantage360&#x2F;</a> [2] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.kickstarter.com&#x2F;projects&#x2F;moergo&#x2F;glove80-the-incredibly-comfortable-ergonomic-keyboard" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.kickstarter.com&#x2F;projects&#x2F;moergo&#x2F;glove80-the-incr...</a> [3] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.zsa.io&#x2F;moonlander&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.zsa.io&#x2F;moonlander&#x2F;</a>

I don&#x27;t know how keyboards and switches became an obsession for me. I was a happy with my CODE keyboard + Cherry MX Whites until about 2 years when I decided to try Ergodox Ez. I feel forced to use it because I&#x27;ve spent $$$ extra money on switches and keycaps on top of the already expensive keyboard. I didn&#x27;t want to bother with Moonlander because of the negative experience of EZ version.<p>I&#x27;m still waiting for Keyboardio Model 100 to arrive. After I had backed the kickstarter, Kinesis announced the Advantage360... I was really pissed because that&#x27;s the one I &quot;feel&quot; I really want. I decided to skip 360 until end of the year where the custom switch option becomes available. I really hope Model 100 does it so I can finally stop spending money!!! (I doubt it)<p>Ps. This keyboard is now on the list too, but not sure about the thumb cluster.

How is this better than the Kinesis Advantage2 which has been the gold standard in ergo keyboards for a very long time?<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;kinesis-ergo.com&#x2F;shop&#x2F;advantage2&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;kinesis-ergo.com&#x2F;shop&#x2F;advantage2&#x2F;</a>

I don&#x27;t understand the function of LEDs on keyboards. Is it purely aesthetic ? How much cost does the LED add to an already expensive split keyboard? Think of the engineering and coding that could be saved without the LEDs.<p>The sales copy touts: &quot;The LEDs can serve as visual support for your changes. Use different lighting for different layers, or use them to improve your touch-typing.&quot;<p>Do people really use it for that?<p>I suppose there is a difference between why people buy something (shiny feature) and how they actually use it. If the manufacturer is competing with other keyboards with the LED feature, I suppose they don&#x27;t want to risk losing a sale.<p>I just wish I could type comfortably without expensive hardware.<p>&lt;&#x2F;rant&gt;

Looks neat!<p><i>So, we made a huge list, cracked the whip, and ensured our engineers checked every box.</i><p>Eww.

I cant tell which keyboard they are actually selling. Most of the pictures show a sleek split keyboard with buttons that look programmable -- especially around the thumbs, but on the buy button and store -- its a square, generic looking split keyboard. Am I missing something?<p>edit: I suppose this is just mostly marketing. The new one looks pretty interesting.

Honestly <i>anytime</i> I see a post about a &quot;special&quot; keyboard I hope to find something nice for me and I am punctually disappointed by finding damn small&#x2F;few keys keyboard.<p>I&#x27;m an Emacs-er and I see nothing quicker than a damn key - a bind. <i>all</i> modern keyboards do try to sell less at a higher price stating that&#x27;s small is better (for the OEM I imaging)... Actually I&#x27;m on a classic Unicomp PC122 not much loving it&#x27;s cheap plastic and switches nor the fact that in the USB version many keys are just duplicates, but at least I have a bit of unique single keys.<p>Sorry for the rant, I&#x27;m just exploded a bit...

Does anyone have a recommendation for a simplistic split keyboard? I&#x27;ve been curious about them as a better orientation for my shoulders, but I really have no need for all these glowing color leds and whatnot that gamers seem to like.<p>The ZSA moonlander looks maybe the closest, but I&#x27;d really love to be able to disable the leds (or just not have them at all).<p>Edit: Well that was fast, I&#x27;ll check out the ergodox-ez for sure -- thanks!

This looks interesting. But will that design for tenting really work? It looks like it would buckle as soon as you lay your hand on them.

The upcoming Keyboardio Model 100 is also a contender in this niche. It <i>does</i> have sculpted keycaps.

I used to have the Microsoft Ergonomic Natural Elite. Is there something modern, maybe programmable, that is like it. I particularly liked that it tilted up at the wrists to give a more natural wrist position.

&gt; It also doesn’t have dedicated F-keys or arrow keys. Why? You might say. Well, reducing finger stretching and hand movement is key to keyboard ergonomics. So, it doesn’t make much sense to have those keys if we want to encourage people to use layers and place them closer to the home row.<p>I have a deep hatred for companies that try to rationalize removing functionality because think they know what&#x27;s best for me. Using arrow and FN-keys is way better than having to change to a layer or typing key chords

Dear Dygma people.<p>Please make your keyboard work under the BIOS and Grub.<p>Thanks, a happy-but-not-fully-happy customer.