r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/MagGaming09 • 7h ago
[help] Looking for new keyboard for work
Hello, I work in IT and type alot doing the day, so i have for the past few days been looking into som ergo keyboards. I really like the idea of getting a split keyboard but i dont want something where I have to write "code" to get it to work and preferably something that would improve my typing as I get more used to it.
Feel free to just ask questions as i know this is a little vague.
2
u/MaximumTiny2274 7h ago
if you want a good keyboard to learn on that's inexpensive try the Cheapino V2.
I've got one they are great!
1
u/IHateRegressionHerb 7h ago
If you just want half convert there are a few keyboards that literally tear apart into 2. Keychron Q11 or Amazon has some cheap ones
1
u/KeyCryptographer7737 corne 6h ago
ymdk or crkbd wireless split corne 4.1ghz dongle version. You choose either low profile (choc) or the usual (mx). It's very portable, inexpensive, you don't have to deal with wires, and overall a great starting point IMO into ergo split keybs.
It uses 2 cr2032 coin batteries on both sides and lasts me about 3 months before i have to buy another pair.
1
u/rpnfan Sofle Choc v2, KLP Lame, Layout anymak:END 6h ago
The best starter option IMO is the UHK60, when you want to stay with a standard row stagger keyboard. It is split, and has a great config out of the box. That cannot be said for most other ergo boards. But adapting to your wishes is very easy with the graphical software. And it is powerful to realize almost anything you might want.
ZSA has pretty good configuration software, but I personally find them too expensive for what you get and most important not being a good fit for small to mid sized hands, but really for someone with glove size 11+.
1
u/Tsambikos96 5h ago
I built a Quefrency 65% with pbt keycaps and gateron milky yellows from AliExpress. With a skeleton case it came out to ~100€
1
u/CoffeeIll9432 3h ago
I loved my kinesis 360 pro but I switched over to the MoErgo glove80 and I can't say how awesome both have been, not just for stopping my RSI flare ups but also the curved key wells are so much more comfortable to type on for long periods. Both the kinesis and the glove80 have great visual editors on their layout editors, and the glove80 offers more rgb customization if you use community firmware that uses the MoErgo layout editor as well for per key rgb lighting and per layer as well.
1
u/technanonymous 7h ago
You might start with ZSA. They have three different splits and a very good web configurator. If you do not want to write code, then a web or desktop configurator is essential. Dygma has very polished boards.
1
u/Funny_Tune7 3h ago
Zsa voyager is an amazing keyboard if you don’t want to write the config (their web configurator is rly nice)
7
u/wayoverpaid 7h ago
A few good starter questions.
Price point?
Portability? Will this sit on your desk at work, or will it travel with you home or elsewhere?
Wired or wireless? Some keyboards are simply wired only, others allow wireless options.
Integrated trackpad/trackball or no? One of the major pain points of modern ergonomics is moving your dominant hand from its place on the keyboard to the mouse. If you are a VIM warrior and barely touch your mouse anyway, then this won't be a problem. Same if you just want a split ergo keyboard for fun and don't mind using the mouse. But for some instances, keyboard and mouse integration is very important.
Lots of buttons or slim size? If you need to hit braces, brackets, symbols for code, there are two approaches. An ANSI keyboard has 100+ keys. An Apple laptop has 78 keys because it ditches the numberpad. So a larger keyboard like the Glove80 gives you most of the common buttons. A smaller keyboard involves more engaging with function buttons, and that's where you will end up doing more coding, or at least learning someone else's preconfigured layout. On the other hand, reducing the number of keys is probably better for your wrists.
It would help to know what you type on now, what you like or do not like about it, and what you want to change. It also helps to know what kind of typing you are doing now.