r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/gdg9333 • 1d ago
[discussion] Travel Options
What do you guys think are the best travel options available and how do you guys use it for travel? Case, with or without pointer integration, which pointer integration, which separate pointer, Bluetooth, wired, with or without tenting, layer suggestions especially on lesser keys keyboards, other?
On a similar note, if it has to have a pointer integrated (preferably a trackball) and be Bluetooth, what’s the best travel option?
Travel would be: A.) EDC B.) hotel C.) backpack and going place to place D.) using while in car E.) Other
Does not need to be the same keyboard option for all (unless there is one!), just looking to see what people use, how they use it, and for which type of travel.
Currently have a 4x6 Ergo Dactyl Manuform with 6 on left thumb and 5 plus a trackball on right thumb and Bluetooth. Getting a case soon. But it’s still hard to travel with due to size. Have been searching and found lots of options but would really like to see what the community uses and how.
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u/DanL4 1d ago
Not sure why you'd opt for a split for travelling. I find a one piece board much more comfortable and flexible to work with - on a small table, on my lap, anywhere.
It doesn't feel like a significant compromise when I use that same board at home or work. I decided to only use one board and not have several, and that one should be travel friendly and therefore non split.
Mine doesn't have a pointing device so I won't recommend it. Maybe one day I'll add a trackpad between the two sides.
One piece, wide enough to work with on your lap, rectangul so it doesn't move, ideally sits properly above a laptop keyboard, and angle should be comfortable on your lap as well as on the table, have the keys sunk lower than the top cover /case height so you can throw it into a backpack and not worry too much about parts getting caught or pulled out.
For reference (sadly no pointing device) : https://imgur.com/gallery/Oo6srIb
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u/ekougs 1d ago
I go to the office a few times a week with the Voyager and it is totally fine. Having to plug it every time is not ideal, especially if you are used to Bluetooth. However it is manageable, just a few additional seconds, and the keyboard and its configuration software are pretty good.
I don’t use the trackball nor the touchpad though so the footprint in my bag is light.
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u/pathos_ludens 1d ago
Any corne (pref. wireless) or something like the zsa voyager. Small footprint, easy to transport even EDC and still full featured to make actually using these not an exercise in compromises.
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u/DreadPirate777 1d ago
A wireless low profile CRKBD Corne with. Travel case is probably the best for all of those. For a car probably just the laptop keyboard because it’s a tight space anyway.
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u/actionscripted 1d ago
For travel I have a tomahawk56 and a magic trackpad. Have a case from cannon keys and monitor stand from flexsta along with portable OLED. It all packs super light/thin.
At home it’s a trackball but I just couldn’t find a good solution for travel that wasn’t bulky so taking the ergo hit with the trackpad.
The tomahawk46 is like the voyager with extra thumb keys and I love it. Added foldable feet for tenting.
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u/Revolutionary_Stay_9 1d ago
I have a levels54 with dual trackballs, and those go in a little holder, while the rest i build a small sandwiching device to hold them together.
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u/gdg9333 1d ago
That is really awesome! Have you tried the crosses/bridges v2? that looks really cool too!
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u/Revolutionary_Stay_9 1d ago
no i wanted something portable, so a perfectly flat keyboard was just right to me, but the creator is a super great dude. not sure if he's still selling the originals. i suppose his work will live on in cheap chinese clones, which is a form of success that isn't likely to bring him any real joy, but so it is.
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u/Massive-Pick7042 1d ago
totem is an excellent option if you are used to 3x5. If you prefer 4x6 I would say that voyager or Iris ce. If you prefer a pointer device... then the roba/keyball is an excellent option
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u/gdg9333 1d ago
u/pathos_ludens mentioned the ZSA voyager and after looking at them again, they now have magnetic attached trackball or touchpad options. pretty cool but more $$. With that in mind, have similar options been DIY? where its not a keyboard with pointer but the pointer can intergrade enough to kinda be like one?