The Ergodox is Back @ MassDrop [Round 2]

[JmactheAttack]

Massdrop is offering for a second time, the ErgoDox Ergonomic Keyboard. Here is a link to the current group buy: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox-2.




I missed the last round, but I definitely think I will be in for round 2. Let's get this down to $199!

Edit: Added Sordna's image.

[calavera]

Just got the email!

[aggiejy]

I'm in at $199. Fate can decide. :-)

[JmactheAttack]

Yeah hopefully it will hit the mark, I wouldn't be surprised considering the popularity of the first drop. Who knows, maybe we'll get another assembly GB going too  Either way it would still make a great DIY project.

[calavera]

If I remember correctly there were 180+ requests for another round

[JmactheAttack]

If I remember correctly there were 180+ requests for another round

Apparently 207!

[calavera]

Damn I was wrong, 299 people requested it lol

[blueSmoke]

But there may be few issues.

This keyboard is not much tested, by the general public, only the enthusiasts/geeks have tested. So we dont know what is the outcome from the buys, say adjust the heights, keep key spacings etc, arrow keys, how easy it is to switch to layer2 and use the other keys, etc.

Keycaps; I am dying here. So many people bought the keyboard and so many will be. Wish there are some colored and lettered keycaps, at least for layer1 & layer1+layer2 like in lot of laptop keyboards. Hey, I know many users are programmers and they dont even look at the keys. But there maybe many like me who dont/wont/cant touch type, have not learned/hate to do etc. Lets face the facts, there are few geeks and even fewer uber-geeks, rest are normal () geeks

WASD keyboards can do custom printing, but not sure about the layers/colors etc. But not sure if the printing would hold!

I wish the round 2 would be delayed a little till the issues (whatever may come) are fixed.

[tjcaustin]

Um, I'm not even entirely sure where to start with the mess you just posted...

We'll start first with:  You know that this was in development for over a year, right?  This isn't something that was slapbanged together as quick as possible, let the end user be a beta tester so I have extreme doubts to there being any layout or construction changes ever.  Especially to coddle someone that can't be bothered to research the development of the product and then dismiss the efforts of everyone that's been involved in the development so far.

Two:  It's completely, 100% programmable.  Since you're just a "normal" geek (whatever the **** that means), I'll explain why that matters.  YOU CAN MAKE WHATEVER KEY DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.  So there's not going to be anything better than the blank set that's on offer with it that's made specifically for it because there's nothing set in stone in terms of what the keys do.

And since we're facing facts here, this isn't meant for someone that has an off-the-shelf mechanical keyboard that thinks that makes him a geek even though he can't be bothered to type properly.  This is meant for the true geek that, much like a gearhead/petrolhead, wants to tinker down to the smallest bits possible. Plainly stated this is marketed and sold to the enthusiast/geek you so cavalierly dismiss as not being able to truly test a product and not to you.

[ksm123]

I know many users are programmers and they dont even look at the keys.

I'm sorry, but ergonomic split layout is designed specifically for touch typing.
Have you ever tried to "hunt-and-pick" type on ergonomic keyboard? I can say that my SO found it a chore to type on my old MS Natural 4000.

ps: I've committed to buy if the price gets down to 199$.

[tp4tissue]

If I get MX clear, is the order going to take longer?

My mom really wants one of these... sadly it doesn't fit my hand.. 

[danielucf]

If I get MX clear, is the order going to take longer?

My mom really wants one of these... sadly it doesn't fit my hand.. 

I chose MX Clear on the first one and got my kit yesterday. Then again I might have ordered when it was in the single digits, or early double digits and they mentioned giving switch priority to those who ordered first.

[TheQsanity]

@tjcaustin
Some of the programmable fearures are not currently working. It stated that media keys arent working on Windows.  I hope they refine the coding soon, as I dont  know how to code. Oh and yeah this kb is impressive.

Which key do you guys use for switching layers? Toggle layers, pop layers and I think the other one is push.. I tried toggle and it didn't work for me...

[tp4tissue]

last question... are those keys on the VERY right and VERY left,, the size of CTRL keys or the size of Tab key, or the size of Capslock key...

Please give it to me in ctrl // tab // capslock

as the 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x throws me off.


also, does this use cherry stabilizer or costar. and do the stabilizers come with the kit.

[Findecanor]

Please give it to me in ctrl // tab // capslock

as the 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x throws me off.

The width of the outermost columns is 1.5 which is the size of a typical Tab key.
However, the Ctrl keys on vintage keyboards without Windows keys are typically also this size.

While the plates and the cases were designed for 1.5 wide outer keys, the PCB does also support the option of using 1 unit wide keys for the outermost columns. The PCB supports PCB-mounted switches so a plate is optional.
The PCB does not have support for PCB-mounted stabilisers for the large thumbkeys, but you won't really need them. The Kinesis has never had any stabilisers for the large thumbkeys and I have not heard or seen anyone complain about that.

[tp4tissue]

Please give it to me in ctrl // tab // capslock

as the 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x throws me off.

The width of the outermost columns is 1.5 which is the size of a typical Tab key.
However, the Ctrl keys on vintage keyboards without Windows keys are typically also this size.

As I have understood, you could build this keyboard without a plate. Then you would also have the option of using 1 unit wide keys for the outermost columns. You could of course also modify the plate to use such keys...
The PCB supports Cherry PCB-mounted stabilisers for the large thumbkeys, but you won't really need them. The Kinesis does not have stabilisers for the large thumbkeys and I have not heard or seen anyone complain about that.

Cool, thanks for the info...

Where do I buy pcb mount cherry stabilizers

[mashby]

I chose MX Clear on the first one and got my kit yesterday. Then again I might have ordered when it was in the single digits, or early double digits and they mentioned giving switch priority to those who ordered first.

When was the GB held for the one that you ordered?

[jcrouse]

Please give it to me in ctrl // tab // capslock

as the 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x throws me off.

The width of the outermost columns is 1.5 which is the size of a typical Tab key.
However, the Ctrl keys on vintage keyboards without Windows keys are typically also this size.

As I have understood, you could build this keyboard without a plate. Then you would also have the option of using 1 unit wide keys for the outermost columns. You could of course also modify the plate to use such keys...
The PCB supports Cherry PCB-mounted stabilisers for the large thumbkeys, but you won't really need them. The Kinesis does not have stabilisers for the large thumbkeys and I have not heard or seen anyone complain about that.

Cool, thanks for the info...

Where do I buy pcb mount cherry stabilizers

Sorry, you already said "last question". No more answers for you.

[TheQsanity]

I was wondering why plate mounted cherry stabilizers didnt fit at all...

Who knows how each layer switcher works?

[tp4tissue]

Please give it to me in ctrl // tab // capslock

as the 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x throws me off.

The width of the outermost columns is 1.5 which is the size of a typical Tab key.
However, the Ctrl keys on vintage keyboards without Windows keys are typically also this size.

As I have understood, you could build this keyboard without a plate. Then you would also have the option of using 1 unit wide keys for the outermost columns. You could of course also modify the plate to use such keys...
The PCB supports Cherry PCB-mounted stabilisers for the large thumbkeys, but you won't really need them. The Kinesis does not have stabilisers for the large thumbkeys and I have not heard or seen anyone complain about that.

Cool, thanks for the info...

Where do I buy pcb mount cherry stabilizers

Sorry, you already said "last question". No more answers for you.

well, I did already commit to buy... Just wondering' that's all...

but if you must..

I demand you tell me the location (web or otherwise) that sells pcb mounted cherry stabilizers

[mashby]

well, I did already commit to buy... Just wondering' that's all...

but if you must..

I demand you tell me the location (web or otherwise) that sells pcb mounted cherry stabilizers

I bought mine from The_Ed (link)

[sordna]

WASD Keyboards sells stabilizers for cheap, make sure you get the bars too:

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-parts-1.html

[dorkvader]

last question... are those keys on the VERY right and VERY left,, the size of CTRL keys or the size of Tab key, or the size of Capslock key...

Please give it to me in ctrl // tab // capslock

as the 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x throws me off.


also, does this use cherry stabilizer or costar. and do the stabilizers come with the kit.

The plate MD offers doesnt support it, but if you go PCB mount, you can move them over, for use with 1x (normal sized, QWER, etc) keys)

I'm interested in stabilizers as well. I just built mine up and before I soldered the switches down, I test fit with the keycaps. My hands must be differently shaped, 'cause it's easier to hit some keys in the thumb area: very interesting!

Anyway, I need to decide between cherry whites or light whites (white lights) or clears/ergoclears for the switches.

WASD Keyboards sells stabilizers for cheap, make sure you get the bars too:

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-parts-1.html

WASDkeyboards sells plate-mount costar stabilizers, I'm not sure the plate supports these.

[inteli722]

The hands say yes, the wallet says no.

[tp4tissue]

The hands say yes, the wallet says no.

just sell your other stuff.?

[inteli722]

The hands say yes, the wallet says no.

just sell your other stuff.?

My "other stuff" consists of a Leopold. Not gonna get me up to $300.

[tp4tissue]

The hands say yes, the wallet says no.

just sell your other stuff.?

My "other stuff" consists of a Leopold. Not gonna get me up to $300.

"other stuff" also includes... computer games, old monitors, used digi cam, sexual services, kidneys...

[esoomenona]

Dibs on sexual services with kidneys on digi cam.

[The_Ed]

I demand you tell me the location (web or otherwise) that sells pcb mounted cherry stabilizers

I bought mine from The_Ed (link)

I'm gonna have to count my stock as it is getting lower now with all the orders. I may have to order more POS boards soon as well because of all the MX Brown orders.

[sordna]

@tjcaustin
Some of the programmable fearures are not currently working. It stated that media keys arent working on Windows.  I hope they refine the coding soon, as I dont  know how to code. Oh and yeah this kb is impressive.

Which key do you guys use for switching layers? Toggle layers, pop layers and I think the other one is push.. I tried toggle and it didn't work for me...

Toggle is not worded probably, what it does is momentary bring you to the said layer as long as the key is held down.
I have a ~L1 toggle key, so I hold it down and hit for example 5 to produce the F5, and have other keys to push the L1 layer so my keyboard stays there (until I push a -L1 key to pop it off). It all works man! My current layout is here:
https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=BY6MGD&hash=e45371cc643778f59be3a757a75d99ef

BTW just did 98 WPM on my ergodox on type racer. It's a very, very nice keyboard, what can I say.

[tp4tissue]

So... ok.. we need   [2x length] pcb mounted cherry stabilizers correct? does this have a wire that goes through it?

[sordna]

You need to buy the bases, wire, and keycap white thingies. They are all sold separately. But really you don't need stabilizers.
Get the keyboard first, and then decide those details, you can add them any time.

[tp4tissue]

You need to buy the bases, wire, and keycap white thingies. They are all sold separately. But really you don't need stabilizers.
Get the keyboard first, and then decide those details, you can add them any time.

Hey sordna,

are you talking about costar stabilizers?

the hole in the ergodox plate does look like it would fit costar... but I'm being told it's cherry..

It actually doesn't look like it'll fit cherry stabs to me, the sliver is a bit thin?

[sordna]

[ THIS POST INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ]

Why aren't we allowed to delete posts like we used to

[sordna]

I'm talking costar stabilizers, I don't have any plate-mount cherry ones. WASD's costars fit, however they need some filing because the plate is too thick, and they cannot "grab" on the underside. So those wedges that normally grab the plate underside should be filed, otherwise the stabilizers pop off, I tried it.

[tp4tissue]

So ok... the picture below,, the green circled parts needs to be shaved down to the "red" circled parts correct?

[JmactheAttack]

Alright, I just put my money where my mouth is and joined up. My wallet is really hoping for the $199 mark.

[tp4tissue]

Alright, I just put my money where my mouth is and joined up. My wallet is really hoping for the $199 mark.

you're not getting caps?

[sordna]

So ok... the picture below,, the green circled parts needs to be shaved down to the "red" circled parts correct?

EXACTLY.

[tp4tissue]

So ok... the picture below,, the green circled parts needs to be shaved down to the "red" circled parts correct?

EXACTLY.

Aight man cool.. when you tried it.. how was the fit// smoothness// stability

[sordna]

I didn't bother to file the stabs so I just took them out because stabilizers are really not needed. I've used Kinesis Advantage keyboards for years and this was never an issue, because the thumb hits those keys pretty squarely. But if you want to use stabilizers, file them and they'll work just fine, don't worry.

[tp4tissue]

I didn't bother to file the stabs so I just took them out because stabilizers are really not needed. I've used Kinesis Advantage keyboards for years and this was never an issue, because the thumb hits those keys pretty squarely. But if you want to use stabilizers, file them and they'll work just fine, don't worry.

Aw man.. i'm excited.. Costar Stabs ftw....

actually i should say my mother'd be excited, since this doesn't really even fit my hand.. LOL

fits hers though..

[JmactheAttack]

Alright, I just put my money where my mouth is and joined up. My wallet is really hoping for the $199 mark.

you're not getting caps?

Yeah I'm getting the caps too. If only I would of planned this purchase a little more and selected some of my recent keycap group buy purchases more carefully.

[blueSmoke]

Um, I'm not even entirely sure where to start with the mess you just posted...

We'll start first with:  You know that this was in development for over a year, right?  This isn't something that was slapbanged together as quick as possible, let the end user be a beta tester so I have extreme doubts to there being any layout or construction changes ever.  Especially to coddle someone that can't be bothered to research the development of the product and then dismiss the efforts of everyone that's been involved in the development so far.

Two:  It's completely, 100% programmable.  Since you're just a "normal" geek (whatever the **** that means), I'll explain why that matters.  YOU CAN MAKE WHATEVER KEY DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.  So there's not going to be anything better than the blank set that's on offer with it that's made specifically for it because there's nothing set in stone in terms of what the keys do.

And since we're facing facts here, this isn't meant for someone that has an off-the-shelf mechanical keyboard that thinks that makes him a geek even though he can't be bothered to type properly.  This is meant for the true geek that, much like a gearhead/petrolhead, wants to tinker down to the smallest bits possible. Plainly stated this is marketed and sold to the enthusiast/geek you so cavalierly dismiss as not being able to truly test a product and not to you.

Wow! I think I hit a nerve there. I did not mean that way and apologize if this presented a cavalier tone. I really appreciate the huge amount of collaborative effort needed to produced ergodox. I merely meant 'general public' by what it is, can be anybody. Anyway, too difficult to present what I meant, so we let it stay where it is.

Regarding the keycaps thing, I meant to hint at a few preset layout that are very generic/popular, like a preset arrow cluster or the ins|del/home|end/pgUp|pgDn cluster, Or even something similar to the kinesis, but that escaped from my post. May be there will be some future group buys on those. I actually bought a second board to gift to a friend who is into tech/programming, but does not possess any amount of geekiness.

Anyway, had I been around last year I would have known these, but I landed in Geekhack last few months and not yet dived deep into most of geekhack.

I guess an explanation was due; so here it is.

[Jagriff]

Does anyone know if the keycaps that you can purchase for an extra $37 include longer keys for the sides (as intended by the ErgoDox design) or 1x1 keys as shown in the picture in the OP?

[sordna]

Keycaps come properly long. The OP has a prototype picture with random keycaps slammed on.
This blog post (good one too) has photos of a finished keyboard with the keycaps that are sold by massdrop:
http://hairysun.com/blog/2013/04/02/oh-ergonomic-keyboard/

[tp4tissue]

Um, I'm not even entirely sure where to start with the mess you just posted...

We'll start first with:  You know that this was in development for over a year, right?  This isn't something that was slapbanged together as quick as possible, let the end user be a beta tester so I have extreme doubts to there being any layout or construction changes ever.  Especially to coddle someone that can't be bothered to research the development of the product and then dismiss the efforts of everyone that's been involved in the development so far.

Two:  It's completely, 100% programmable.  Since you're just a "normal" geek (whatever the **** that means), I'll explain why that matters.  YOU CAN MAKE WHATEVER KEY DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.  So there's not going to be anything better than the blank set that's on offer with it that's made specifically for it because there's nothing set in stone in terms of what the keys do.

And since we're facing facts here, this isn't meant for someone that has an off-the-shelf mechanical keyboard that thinks that makes him a geek even though he can't be bothered to type properly.  This is meant for the true geek that, much like a gearhead/petrolhead, wants to tinker down to the smallest bits possible. Plainly stated this is marketed and sold to the enthusiast/geek you so cavalierly dismiss as not being able to truly test a product and not to you.

Wow! I think I hit a nerve there. I did not mean that way and apologize if this presented a cavalier tone. I really appreciate the huge amount of collaborative effort needed to produced ergodox. I merely meant 'general public' by what it is, can be anybody. Anyway, too difficult to present what I meant, so we let it stay where it is.

Regarding the keycaps thing, I meant to hint at a few preset layout that are very generic/popular, like a preset arrow cluster or the ins|del/home|end/pgUp|pgDn cluster, Or even something similar to the kinesis, but that escaped from my post. May be there will be some future group buys on those. I actually bought a second board to gift to a friend who is into tech/programming, but does not possess any amount of geekiness.

Anyway, had I been around last year I would have known these, but I landed in Geekhack last few months and not yet dived deep into most of geekhack.

I guess an explanation was due; so here it is.

wha.... don't be such a pu....  stick it to um''''   rawrrrr

[tp4tissue]

Keycaps come properly long. The OP has a prototype picture with random keycaps slammed on.
This blog post (good one too) has photos of a finished keyboard with the keycaps that are sold by massdrop:
http://hairysun.com/blog/2013/04/02/oh-ergonomic-keyboard/

Show Image

Thanks Sordna, your keyboard looks great.

[sordna]

That's not mne, mine is full hand

[metalliqaz]

"MSRP $570" lolz, I think not

[tp4tissue]

That's not mne, mine is full hand

ic.. did that guy also sand the edges? or does it come like that?

[sordna]

I don't think the edges are sanded. No sanding is needed in the acrylic case. Here is mine, with a mix of Kinesis and DSA keycaps. You can also see an LED and buzzer (to produce click sounds) I put on the top right:

[tp4tissue]

I don't think the edges are sanded. No sanding is needed in the acrylic case. Here is mine, with a mix of Kinesis and DSA keycaps. You can also see an LED and buzzer (to produce click sounds) I put on the top right:

very nice sordna, they look like fists, 'internet fists

[dorkvader]

"MSRP $570" lolz, I think not

I lol'd at that too, There is no MSRP; but that number is based on their cost to make prototypes, or what I would assume the cost to make one would be.

[funkymeeba]

Maybe this time I'll remember to hop on board.

[danielucf]

How much of the board has to be soldered before you can test if it is working? I got the entire right hand done, and it looks like I can upload to the teensy from windows so the USB is working. When I try to type though I get nothing so I'm guessing it requires the left side to be completed also?

Additionally there were 4 resistors together so I assumed those were the 3x 220Ω resistor, and I had another 3 resistors together so I assumed those were the 2 x 2.2kΩ resistor

[WhiteFireDragon]

I'm currently building one of these for someone. Once it's done and I like it, I'll grab one from this round 2 for myself.

How much of the board has to be soldered before you can test if it is working? I got the entire right hand done, and it looks like I can upload to the teensy from windows so the USB is working. When I try to type though I get nothing so I'm guessing it requires the left side to be completed also?

If you already have the right hand, then just solder in the diodes for the left hand. You don't need switches on there for it to work. Just short the pads for the switch pins when you want to test it.

[JmactheAttack]

Keycaps come properly long. The OP has a prototype picture with random keycaps slammed on.
This blog post (good one too) has photos of a finished keyboard with the keycaps that are sold by massdrop:
http://hairysun.com/blog/2013/04/02/oh-ergonomic-keyboard/

Thanks for the heads-up, I updated the pic with your image. I'm sure others will appreciate seeing a realistic picture of the keyboard rather than somewhat of a mock-up.

[sordna]

It's not my image, I wish you didn't include this huge image in your quoted replies folks :-)
Say, since your OP has a classic case, why don't you use the image of this full hand build instead, from this post:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=22780.msg841116#msg841116

I think it's better. Oh and please don't attribute any of these images to me, mine is only the one with the kinesis mix keycaps and blue home row which is not representative of what MD sells :-)

[ElectronicFur]

I don't think the edges are sanded. No sanding is needed in the acrylic case. Here is mine, with a mix of Kinesis and DSA keycaps. You can also see an LED and buzzer (to produce click sounds) I put on the top right:

Hi Sordna,

How does typing on the Ergodox compare to the Kinesis? Do you miss the concave layout at all? And do you find you use a different spacing or angle at all compared to the Kinesis?

[tp4tissue]

Does anyone think we should have maybe "white" keycaps this round?

Cuz black last round seems kinda boring.. now white would look pretty cool.. 

Grey also, but idk if people would all agree on grey...

[sordna]

Hi Sordna,

How does typing on the Ergodox compare to the Kinesis? Do you miss the concave
layout at all? And do you find you use a different spacing or angle at all
compared to the Kinesis?

They are similar, although it's harder for me to find my home position on the Ergodox without looking.  Perhaps it's because it has an extra column of keys in the middle, or because on the Kinesis the middle finger column is quite a bit deeper set than the rest, guiding your hand in place.
But the flat surface of the ergodox requires less effort to type on, because all the keystrokes are downward. I find it easier to type fast on the Ergodox. I change the spacing and angle throughout the day, I like the variability, but I usually use less spacing and more angle, like you see in my photo. Haven't tried really wide spacing because my keyboard tray isn't large enough.
I miss my palm keys though :-) Maybe I'll add some to it!

[metalliqaz]

What function did you assign to palm keys?

[sordna]

To avoid going off topic please see this thread
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=26579.0

and I'll be happy to answer any questions there.

[JmactheAttack]

As of this post, 46 more orders needed for the lowest tier. We're almost there!

[TheQsanity]

Are the keycaps the same profile as the old one?

[tp4tissue]

GDI... just 20 more people... are you guys telling your friends? 

[sordna]

As you probably expect, as soon as the new GB is over, people will come in droves posting "can't believe I missed this again, are they going to do a 3rd one, blah blah".

[Glod]

As you probably expect, as soon as the new GB is over, people will come in droves posting "can't believe I missed this again, are they going to do a 3rd one, blah blah".

haha so true

its so worth getting-- its like my new favorite thing.

hats off to massdrop for the first round, i was pissed off they shipped it ground but it came beautifully packaged and everything about the massdrop transaction was good

also that layout configuration tool they have is awesome.

i wonder if they will be offering case-only purchasing options again once it hits 100, because i think i want to try out the full hand option and do some modding.

[tp4tissue]

As you probably expect, as soon as the new GB is over, people will come in droves posting "can't believe I missed this again, are they going to do a 3rd one, blah blah".

haha so true

its so worth getting-- its like my new favorite thing.

hats off to massdrop for the first round, i was pissed off they shipped it ground but it came beautifully packaged and everything about the massdrop transaction was good

also that layout configuration tool they have is awesome.

i wonder if they will be offering case-only purchasing options again once it hits 100, because i think i want to try out the full hand option and do some modding.

Here's my rational "FOR" the classic. Against' the full hand

For example.. Lets say you buy the classic and want to "add" a wrist rest...

Simple,, you can bolt one on, or just buy 2 small wrist rests for it..


Now, if you got the full hand... and decide that the big piece isn't awesome, wtf would you do, saw off all that plastic? un-possible...

[TheQsanity]

I have yet to try the full hand but I think I would like it more than the short hand.

[Glod]

and what if you dont?

tp4tissue point is pretty valid, its the reason i didnt go full hand on the 2 i bought from round 1. i wouldn't mind having both though but not be stuck with the full hand

[TheQsanity]

My hands are on a weird position when I type. I do need the elevation.

[daerid]

Just committed to buying. Hopefully we can get 17 more people to make that $199 point!

[mashby]

So close to pulling the trigger on this.

I was going to do it if I could order both case types, but apparently that isn't an option. 

I type with my wrists up now, but I've never typed on one of these boards before, so I'm leaning towards a full hand case, but then I waffle back to not pulling the trigger on anything.

#firstworldproblems.

[Glod]

My hands are on a weird position when I type. I do need the elevation.

Then you would use separate wrist rest instead like i did


they come in all shapes and sizes out there

So close to pulling the trigger on this.

I was going to do it if I could order both case types, but apparently that isn't an option. 

I type with my wrists up now, but I've never typed on one of these boards before, so I'm leaning towards a full hand case, but then I waffle back to not pulling the trigger on anything.

#firstworldproblems.

they may offer buying the cases separately when it reaches 100 buyers, thats what happened last time. Or though you could buy two  ) one with full hand and one with classic, you just do two massdrop transactions. then you could sell the one you don't want or sell them both if you end up not liking the ergodox at all lol, im 99% sure someone from GH or DT would buy an unwanted ergodox at the price you paid, especially if you pre-assembled it.

[sordna]

I bought 2, all you need to do is buy them in different transactions. The arrived in the same box.
I like the full hand a lot. I would get the full hand AND add wrist rest on top of it. This would simulate the Kinesis Advantage, where the keys sit lower than the base of the hand which is a very ergonomic position since it prevents the wrist from bending up and keeps it straight with the rest of the arm.

[Larken]

getting a wrist rest the right height for the classic, especially if you intend to tent it, is almost impossible in aftermarket sources without alot of modding. 'bolting' a rest on sounds easy only if you plan to use the ergodox flat, but otherwise, prepare for a lot of work. It is probably easier to just get some thick leather pads and wrap it around the fullhand rests for some extra height if needed.

I bought both the fullhand and a classic (the classic is yet to be assembled), and I can say the fullhand will be better in terms of wrist support. The only reason to get the classic is due to the small size - makes for easy transportation.

@mashby, like glod and sordna said, you can get both by doing 2 transactions, or just talk to the massdrop guys. They'd be able to help you with that if you have any problems.

anyone interested in the ergodox should probably jump in at this second round - while the keyboard is great to use, I just don't see a lot demand for this to get a third round in the very near future.

[Glod]

oh wow this went up like 50 orders in less than a week, i guess a lot of people committed to 199

i just went ahead and purchased a 3rd one (without switches), i'm just too much in love with this thing that i want to keep an extra kit around just in case something happens to the first two. I'm pretty paranoid.

[tp4tissue]

oh wow this went up like 50 orders in less than a week, i guess a lot of people committed to 199

i just went ahead and purchased a 3rd one (without switches), i'm just too much in love with this thing that i want to keep an extra kit around just in case something happens to the first two. I'm pretty paranoid.

dat's love righ... dere'   for all those of you'who've bandon'ed such notions~

[sordna]

oh wow this went up like 50 orders in less than a week, i guess a lot of people committed to 199

i just went ahead and purchased a 3rd one (without switches), i'm just too much in love with this thing that i want to keep an extra kit around just in case something happens to the first two. I'm pretty paranoid.

3rd one! Cool. BTW have you tried a Kinesis Advantage? How do you compare the 2 ?

[Glod]

oh wow this went up like 50 orders in less than a week, i guess a lot of people committed to 199

i just went ahead and purchased a 3rd one (without switches), i'm just too much in love with this thing that i want to keep an extra kit around just in case something happens to the first two. I'm pretty paranoid.

3rd one! Cool. BTW have you tried a Kinesis Advantage? How do you compare the 2 ?

haven't tried the advantage and i feel stupid for not doing so but i feel it's no longer necessary anyway. However, i used a Kinesis freestyle for 2.5 years but the ergonomics on it was a joke because of the staggered layout instead of matrix and it wasnt programmable if i wanted to try colemak. Also of course it was rubber dome and not very high quality rubber dome either. I was better off using a normal keyboard layout or so i thought (after buying like 5 other keyboards including HHKB). The one thing i loved/missed about the Freestyle was the ability to put some distance between the hands, i prefer more than a foot of room between the hands and now with the ergodox i get that ability back. I also loved the slope ability with the fresstyle but bam! solved that problem by re-using parts from freestyle

/longstory TL:DR => no i havent

[Jagriff]

oh wow this went up like 50 orders in less than a week, i guess a lot of people committed to 199

i just went ahead and purchased a 3rd one (without switches), i'm just too much in love with this thing that i want to keep an extra kit around just in case something happens to the first two. I'm pretty paranoid.

Wow! Now that's some true love.

[daerid]

Question for those who got one in the first round: How long after the GB ended did it take to receive your ErgoDox?

[magnific0]

Congrats to all the new Ergodox owners .

Question for those who got one in the first round: How long after the GB ended did it take to receive your ErgoDox?

On the massdrop discussion they said the following about delivery:

It'll be roughly 3-5 weeks after the groupbuy ends. International shipping times will also affect arrival times by an additional 1-4 weeks.

So it will be a while unfortunately .

[daerid]

3 - 5 weeks is fine. I'm moving at the end of the month, so managing all my shipments right now is kinda funky

[spm]

3 - 5 weeks is fine. I'm moving at the end of the month, so managing all my shipments right now is kinda funky

Yeah, the first round was about 2.5 months for me also hope that the second round will be faster - as I found that after writing on my first ergodox I can't type on normal keyboard I had to order second :-D

[tp4tissue]

3 - 5 weeks is fine. I'm moving at the end of the month, so managing all my shipments right now is kinda funky

Yeah, the first round was about 2.5 months for me also hope that the second round will be faster - as I found that after writing on my first ergodox I can't type on normal keyboard I had to order second :-D

what percentage of speed did you drop, and how long before you recovered.

[spm]

3 - 5 weeks is fine. I'm moving at the end of the month, so managing all my shipments right now is kinda funky

Yeah, the first round was about 2.5 months for me also hope that the second round will be faster - as I found that after writing on my first ergodox I can't type on normal keyboard I had to order second :-D

what percentage of speed did you drop, and how long before you recovered.

For typing on ergodox - till now I think I still can't type with same speed but I'm very close to. On regular keyboard on 10fastfingers I can write above 90 wpm when I really want. On Ergodox I'm now above 80 wpm. But I think it is still growing In my work I regularly need some special symbols (@, &, etc) which I'm writing with right alt (because of national specific layout). This is quite problem with ergodox because I map alt to bad position so I'm going to do some changes to my layout ) I'm using ergodox from Tuesday 16th, first two days was quite horibble, then was quite ok.

Related to keyboard switching - I still can write on normal keyboard with same speed but it take some time on start When I get home from office to normal keyboard I'm pressing bad keys for several ten minutes, then it's ok too )

[tp4tissue]

3 - 5 weeks is fine. I'm moving at the end of the month, so managing all my shipments right now is kinda funky

Yeah, the first round was about 2.5 months for me also hope that the second round will be faster - as I found that after writing on my first ergodox I can't type on normal keyboard I had to order second :-D

what percentage of speed did you drop, and how long before you recovered.

For typing on ergodox - till now I think I still can't type with same speed but I'm very close to. On regular keyboard on 10fastfingers I can write above 90 wpm when I really want. On Ergodox I'm now above 80 wpm. But I think it is still growing In my work I regularly need some special symbols (@, &, etc) which I'm writing with right alt (because of national specific layout). This is quite problem with ergodox because I map alt to bad position so I'm going to do some changes to my layout ) I'm using ergodox from Tuesday 16th, first two days was quite horibble, then was quite ok.

Related to keyboard switching - I still can write on normal keyboard with same speed but it take some time on start When I get home from office to normal keyboard I'm pressing bad keys for several ten minutes, then it's ok too )

Hm... you've still got 30wpm more before you hit any sort of barrier... 

[Jagriff]

For typing on ergodox - till now I think I still can't type with same speed but I'm very close to. On regular keyboard on 10fastfingers I can write above 90 wpm when I really want. On Ergodox I'm now above 80 wpm. But I think it is still growing In my work I regularly need some special symbols (@, &, etc) which I'm writing with right alt (because of national specific layout). This is quite problem with ergodox because I map alt to bad position so I'm going to do some changes to my layout ) I'm using ergodox from Tuesday 16th, first two days was quite horibble, then was quite ok.

Perhaps you could try changing the layout a little bit such as putting a layer changer on the thumb buttons. Then you could use the shifted symbols and type them that way, without AltGr.

[martin360]

As you probably expect, as soon as the new GB is over, people will come in droves posting "can't believe I missed this again, are they going to do a 3rd one, blah blah".

So, are they going to do a 3rd round?

[spm]

For typing on ergodox - till now I think I still can't type with same speed but I'm very close to. On regular keyboard on 10fastfingers I can write above 90 wpm when I really want. On Ergodox I'm now above 80 wpm. But I think it is still growing In my work I regularly need some special symbols (@, &, etc) which I'm writing with right alt (because of national specific layout). This is quite problem with ergodox because I map alt to bad position so I'm going to do some changes to my layout ) I'm using ergodox from Tuesday 16th, first two days was quite horibble, then was quite ok.

Perhaps you could try changing the layout a little bit such as putting a layer changer on the thumb buttons. Then you could use the shifted symbols and type them that way, without AltGr.

Yes, only it requires quire more changes to firmware which is hard to do in web configurator I'm going to do this when I will have some time

[sordna]

I used Gimp to add a solder "bridge" on MD's assembly photo, I'll ask them to put it on their website so people from round 2 don't miss that point.

[JustCallMeCrash]

sordna, I didn't jump that and all three of my ErgoDox boards are working great.  One thing I've noticed, using the configurator from the MassDrop site, I can't get my layers to "stick"... they don't toggle, in other words.  Anyone else find that?  I've tried the L1+ and L1- to no avail...

[sordna]

If you don't bridge the pads, the capacitor is actually not connected to any other component. If anyone goes to the trouble of soldering the capacitor, they SHOULD solder the pads, otherwise don't bother soldering the capacitor at all.  It's already mentioned the capacitor is optional; what it does is smooth any voltage spikes but it will only ever operate if you bridge the pads.

What they call "toggle" (~L1) is actually a momentary activation. But +L1 works for me, the top left key in the right keyboard half that you see in my layout engages L1 and leaves it there. Then I press it again (-L1) to return to the default layer (L0).

https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=BY6MGD&hash=8ced300daaee3253c8bf19d038b17cce

[orki]

As you probably expect, as soon as the new GB is over, people will come in droves posting "can't believe I missed this again, are they going to do a 3rd one, blah blah".

So, are they going to do a 3rd round?

Indeed. As a someone new to GH (found GH after trying to find "something better than my Kinesis Freestyle2"), I just became aware of the ErgoDox which looks like it has almost everything I want, with the exception of more modifier keys. It looks like about 25 prople per week have been requesting a GB on Massdrop's ErgoDox second round web page. I know that I am in for at least 2. I'd probably get 3 if Findecanor's changes to bpiphany's PCB layout can be incorporated into the next GB.