The only Cons to the ergodox, that I can think of is that the first thumb button is 1 centimeter too far inwards..
It is superior to every keyboard in every way outside of that.Show Image(http://s1.postimage.org/15vsws9tw/160.gif)
I have tried nearly every ergo keyboard currently on the market except the µTron, which is a split Topre board for all those not familiar. http://deskthority.net/wiki/%CE%9CTRONbuy datahand(http://i.imgur.com/yQo41hm.gif)
My usage is not the size of some of the other members on this board, but I have gotten a good feel for the different styles of ergo out there. Here are the ergo keyboards I have tried/owned:
- Kinesis Freestyle
- Kinesis Advantage
- Maltron Dual Handed 3D
- Truly Ergonomic
- Goldtouch Split Adjustable
- Ergodox
- tried the Cherry split keyboard at a meetup
Generally, I find the keyboards that are most ridiculously, like Maltron and Ergodox, to be the best keyboards to use. The best layout I have used is the Maltron. I like the layout so much that I have no desire to change the location of any key, except maybe quotation marks key. The redesign to what a keyboard should be are the finest designs. They take some time and effort to make the transition, but a normal keyboard is like an ancient machine after getting adjusted to an ergo keyboard.
I have tried nearly every ergo keyboard currently on the market except the µTron, which is a split Topre board for all those not familiar. http://deskthority.net/wiki/%CE%9CTRONbuy datahand
My usage is not the size of some of the other members on this board, but I have gotten a good feel for the different styles of ergo out there. Here are the ergo keyboards I have tried/owned:
- Kinesis Freestyle
- Kinesis Advantage
- Maltron Dual Handed 3D
- Truly Ergonomic
- Goldtouch Split Adjustable
- Ergodox
- tried the Cherry split keyboard at a meetup
Generally, I find the keyboards that are most ridiculously, like Maltron and Ergodox, to be the best keyboards to use. The best layout I have used is the Maltron. I like the layout so much that I have no desire to change the location of any key, except maybe quotation marks key. The redesign to what a keyboard should be are the finest designs. They take some time and effort to make the transition, but a normal keyboard is like an ancient machine after getting adjusted to an ergo keyboard.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/yQo41hm.gif)
DATAHAND:I think datahand better than all :) apparently..
I had a Datahand new, and I didn't have the time to get into it. Sold it summer 2012 during my "trauma time" for $1000 just as they started to skyrocket in price. Very, very neat item but I didn't care for the side-to-side movements of the fingers. But again, I never really got into it or 'past the learning curve'. I would not buy one from ebay.
The Dodohand project is fascinating on several levels, and I'll probably kick in some $ to the project this summer if it's requested (just to be a good guy and further things along), and also maybe contribute if possible in the project. Depending on the final outcome and the price I may purchase a unit as well. I'd push for a couple small improvements over Datahand.
KINESIS ADVANTAGE:
Kurplop and I briefly discussed having the thumb cluster adjustable. This was over 6 months ago and I've been quite a bit flakey, but if the thumb cluster were to be adjustable on Kinesis, Maltron, Ergodox, the ergo aspect would be near 100%. Think about it. I have an older Kinesis that's ready to be shipped if this were to be a project to be worked on.
ALPHAGRIP:
I mention this because of the "gripping" aspect. With a next generation design the WPM could increase and could also drastically reduce movement for RSI/carpal tunnel victims. It's an idea waiting to happen. Big time.
I have tried nearly every ergo keyboard currently on the market except the µTron, which is a split Topre board for all those not familiar. http://deskthority.net/wiki/%CE%9CTRONbuy datahand
My usage is not the size of some of the other members on this board, but I have gotten a good feel for the different styles of ergo out there. Here are the ergo keyboards I have tried/owned:
- Kinesis Freestyle
- Kinesis Advantage
- Maltron Dual Handed 3D
- Truly Ergonomic
- Goldtouch Split Adjustable
- Ergodox
- tried the Cherry split keyboard at a meetup
Generally, I find the keyboards that are most ridiculously, like Maltron and Ergodox, to be the best keyboards to use. The best layout I have used is the Maltron. I like the layout so much that I have no desire to change the location of any key, except maybe quotation marks key. The redesign to what a keyboard should be are the finest designs. They take some time and effort to make the transition, but a normal keyboard is like an ancient machine after getting adjusted to an ergo keyboard.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/yQo41hm.gif)
yeah,true datahand for lazy fingers :)) RSI maybeI have tried nearly every ergo keyboard currently on the market except the µTron, which is a split Topre board for all those not familiar. http://deskthority.net/wiki/%CE%9CTRONbuy datahand
My usage is not the size of some of the other members on this board, but I have gotten a good feel for the different styles of ergo out there. Here are the ergo keyboards I have tried/owned:
- Kinesis Freestyle
- Kinesis Advantage
- Maltron Dual Handed 3D
- Truly Ergonomic
- Goldtouch Split Adjustable
- Ergodox
- tried the Cherry split keyboard at a meetup
Generally, I find the keyboards that are most ridiculously, like Maltron and Ergodox, to be the best keyboards to use. The best layout I have used is the Maltron. I like the layout so much that I have no desire to change the location of any key, except maybe quotation marks key. The redesign to what a keyboard should be are the finest designs. They take some time and effort to make the transition, but a normal keyboard is like an ancient machine after getting adjusted to an ergo keyboard.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/yQo41hm.gif)
The problem with the data hand is the horizontal finger movement.
You can do this in 1 of 2 ways.. and they are all bad.
stiffen finger, move wrist
stiffen wrist, move finger
they could've fixed this a bit by using 3x pads at the bottom, one at -45*, -90*, -135*
instead of the side ways pad @ 0* and -180*
nonetheless fingers do not have enough horizontal freedom.
tried the Cherry split keyboard at a meetup
maybe,you suit with symm sggtried the Cherry split keyboard at a meetup
Just in case someone reads this later and doesn't know what it is, prdlm2009 is referring to the Cherry G80-5000 ErgoPlus keyboard (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_G80-5000).
For me personally, it was the closest mechanical equivalent to the Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 which I loved. The angle and tenting fit my hands very nicely.
I've tried a Kinesis Advantage and a Maltron, owned by prdlm2009, which I didn't like since they layouts and actual physical setup didn't make sense to me. I've also tried an ErgoDox which I did like. The layout made much more sense to me, and I liked the two split halves so I can adjust them to each of my hands.
ALPHAGRIP:
I mention this because of the "gripping" aspect. With a next generation design the WPM could increase and could also drastically reduce movement for RSI/carpal tunnel victims. It's an idea waiting to happen. Big time.
Looks like this got resurrected.I've seen quite some mice before. Vertical mice, rolling bar mice, trackballs, trackpoint etc. Lots of choices nowadays.
I would just add that consider the mouse you are using as well. That affects the wear and tear on your hand, fingers, and wrists. Heck, the mouse can have effects all the way up to your shoulder.
Personally, I found that the mouse actually was the cause of more of my RSI problems than the keyboard. I just keep the keyboards around as a sort of RSI insurance.
Looks like this got resurrected.I've seen quite some mice before. Vertical mice, rolling bar mice, trackballs, trackpoint etc. Lots of choices nowadays.
I would just add that consider the mouse you are using as well. That affects the wear and tear on your hand, fingers, and wrists. Heck, the mouse can have effects all the way up to your shoulder.
Personally, I found that the mouse actually was the cause of more of my RSI problems than the keyboard. I just keep the keyboards around as a sort of RSI insurance.