ErgoDox - Custom split ergo keyboard.

[Dox]

Id get one if its in the 300 USD range...

Good to know, thanks!

why not just taking baby steps first like.
Reuse an ergonomic shell like the goldtouch board (not expensive) and add a custom PCB + internal logic + switches.

Because I can, and the only way to get things the way I want them is to build it myself (my first and only cherry based boards are my doxkb).

[christoffer.braathen]

I'm ALL IN!!!

Looks great, and the idea of splitting the two parts completely is great.
Sing me up for one.

Best Regards
Christoffer Braathen
Oslo, Norway

[Lanx]

Regarding keywell curvature: I may not understand Sordnas view of the Kinesis wells being too curved
NOTE:
 Kinesis, and fully update and document the split Kinesis project.

So far i'm in love with the depth and curve of the kinesis keywells (they could be angled/sloped towards the middle more i think many of the kinesis users agree on this).
yea there's zero kinesis hacking/modding atm, imma try to fill the gap with that.

[Dox]

I reworked the thumb area a bit. Tell me what you think.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 28744[/ATTACH]

[litster]

That is nice!  More placement options.

[bretrex]

I'd throw in for just the pcbs. It shouldn't be difficult to lay out the circuit board to be functional mirrored, allowing you to use the same board for both sides, helping cut the per-board cost. The full metal enclosure seems a bit rich for my blood, but would make an amazingly solid input device for those who can afford it.

[Dox]

I'd throw in for just the pcbs. It shouldn't be difficult to lay out the circuit board to be functional mirrored, allowing you to use the same board for both sides, helping cut the per-board cost. The full metal enclosure seems a bit rich for my blood, but would make an amazingly solid input device for those who can afford it.

The pcbs wont be symmetrical as the controller is on one half and the columns and rows of the other half have to be routed to the other side. The mounting plate will be symmetrical.

[calavera]

Do you have a plan view (top view) pic of the design?

[Findecanor]

I reworked the thumb area a bit. Tell me what you think.
(Attachment Link) 28744[/ATTACH]

That looks like the thumb-key configuration that the Kinesis has. I find that on my Kinesis, I can not reach for the smaller thumb keys easily, and I wish that there was instead a key in-between the thumb keys and the main group. For me, the problem is mostly with the "Alt" keys, which is the topmost thumb key in each of the Kinesis' thumb groups.

[dorkvader]

The pcbs wont be symmetrical as the controller is on one half and the columns and rows of the other half have to be routed to the other side. The mounting plate will be symmetrical.

You could just leave the controller area blank on one of the boards, but I don't think this will work because I don't think the cherry switch is symmetrical.

[Dox]

Do you have a plan view (top view) pic of the design?

Here we go:
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 28763[/ATTACH]

That looks like the thumb-key configuration that the Kinesis has. I find that on my Kinesis, I can not reach for the smaller thumb keys easily, and I wish that there was instead a key in-between the thumb keys and the main group. For me, the problem is mostly with the "Alt" keys, which is the topmost thumb key in each of the Kinesis' thumb groups.

Having them on the same level as the other keys will probably help with the reach and you still have 2 extra buttons at the "interior" of each hand.

You could just leave the controller area blank on one of the boards, but I don't think this will work because I don't think the cherry switch is symmetrical.

Not really, leaving the controller area empty on one side side and using a symmetrical pcb would simply route the signals of one half to the columns/rows of the other one and not to the controller. And as you said, cherry switches aren't symmetrical.

[Karacho]

In my opinion and in result of my own tests, two buttons for the thumbs are best.
Additional thumbbuttons are not good to reach.
I want one to
It should be reprogramable, right?

[Quarzac]

I won't pledge definite interest, but when would you be ordering all this? I like the idea, but I don't know if I could afford it. If it wasn't for a good long while, I'd have to start saving now, and maybe I could do it. It would be good if only to force me to type correctly.

[Dox]

I dont know, I still have a lot of work to do on the design and I'll have to save some cash too. I was thinking that maybe in 2-3 months would be good.

[Quarzac]

Hmm... If I get a job, that could work. I'll keep up with this, and closer to the trigger date I'll have a definitive answer.

[sordna]

In my opinion and in result of my own tests, two buttons for the thumbs are best.
Additional thumbbuttons are not good to reach.

Well, being a Kinesis user I appreciate the additional thumbkeys. Of course the smaller keys are a bit harder to reach than the larger ones, that is inevitable. But since this is programmable, you would put slightly less frequently used keys there. We do want the extra keys, however, definitely... I like to have 2 controls, 2 alts, 2 win keys, and 2 Fn (2nd layer keys) keys so I can always avoid one-hand combos which are bad for rsi/carpal tunnel issues. The extra thumb keys allow doing 2-handed combos all the time; which is ergonomically superior.

[dorkvader]

I dont know, I still have a lot of work to do on the design and I'll have to save some cash too. I was thinking that maybe in 2-3 months would be good.

I'll start saving now, too.

[litster]

With the new keys, I think I got everything on the first layer except F1-F12 and PrintScreen, Scroll Lock, And Pause/Break.  I keep most of the modifiers in the usual location as they are how I prefer :-).

[REVENGE]

Fantastic project Dox! Hope you guys are able to put this into production!

[slueth]

I'm interested but we will see about cash lol.. Time to get a work working.

[calavera]

I was wondering if you could simplify the design. Here's what I was thinking.



Or something more drastic and "dynamic."

[dorkvader]

MM, that's a good point: Does that notch you take out in image #1 serve any non-aesthetic purpose?

[Dox]

I was wondering if you could simplify the design. Here's what I was thinking.

Show Image

Or something more drastic and "dynamic."

Show Image

The first is possible and a good idea. The second one, I wont have enough place to fit the controller in there.

[calavera]

Where does the controller fit and how does the PCB look like?

[Dox]

The pcbs are not designed yet but the controller will be at the top right on the right hand.
Something like that (old pic):
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 28848[/ATTACH]

[dorkvader]

(my first and only cherry based boards are my doxkb).

Thought you said you had a WYSE around here somewhere?

It seems like every day my interest in this project grows. If we can get this under $200: I'm in for sure, under $250: good chance, under $300: okay chance, depends on timing.

Given the interest garnered thus far, it sort of looks like we've a shot of getting 10+ made, which is pretty awesome.

[Dox]

Thought you said you had a WYSE around here somewhere?

It seems like every day my interest in this project grows. If we can get this under $200: I'm in for sure, under $250: good chance, under $300: okay chance, depends on timing.

Given the interest garnered thus far, it sort of looks like we've a shot of getting 10+ made, which is pretty awesome.

I got a wyse on ebay for the keycaps and to try some different switches (black and getto red) for my doxkbs.

Thanks for the interest, when this will be closer to completion I will post the prices for different quantity and hopefully that will bring in more people into it!

[Dox]

Show Image

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 28864[/ATTACH]

[litster]

Looks good!

[Jim66]

This looks very nice, I'm defo going to keep an eye on this thread.