Mechanic 10 keyless with flat profile.

[nimrod01]

My Kinesis Advantage recently died and I've been hesitant to replace it as 1) I'm not sure if it really helps with my sore wrists which seem to be more mousing related, and 2) as I've recently started using IDEs more then function keys are matter more.  Anyways, post-death I pulled out an older Kinesis Freestyle.  While the separation is cool, I just can't get used to the keys.  A little too mushy.

So I was wondering around a local computer store the other day and bought this keyboard that had some heft to it, as well as keys with a decent feel - the Razer Black Widow Tournament (even though I'm not a gamer).  So far its alright, but its a got a tilt toward which I don't like.  At the last the Kinesis Freestyle can be completely flat.

Can I find something like this that has a flat to the desk profile?  I find it hard to tell from the pictures, and there are no places around here to see many keyboards I'm person.  I'm thinking I'd like to get a CODE keyboard, but depending on the slant, it could be a deal break.

I know I could prop up the front, but I'd rather start with something flat then adjust from there.

Thanks!

Oh, are split keyboard really that much better?  I'm not convinced that they are for me, but only time will tell I suppose.

[Oobly]

AFAIK, all the traditional style boards have a slight positive tilt to them. Many have quite a massive positive angle with the feet extended... yuck.

Another problem is almost all the standard keycap profiles are also slanted away from the user, so if you lay a board flat or tilt it away from you, the keys feel weird. Full contour SA profile is the only one I know of that works really well on flat / very slight tilt boards.

I think you're going to have to either mod the case of a board or place something under the front.

The Code is a good board with nice switch choices.

[Melvang]

AFAIK, all the traditional style boards have a slight positive tilt to them. Many have quite a massive positive angle with the feet extended... yuck.

Another problem is almost all the standard keycap profiles are also slanted away from the user, so if you lay a board flat or tilt it away from you, the keys feel weird. Full contour SA profile is the only one I know of that works really well on flat / very slight tilt boards.

I think you're going to have to either mod the case of a board or place something under the front.

The Code is a good board with nice switch choices.

This, DSA profile also works.  Though DSA is totally flat, and with SA there have been buys with either full contour or all row 3.

[Findecanor]

I don't know of any tenkeyless keyboard that is totally horizontal. I agree and also want mine horizontal.

Is the Razer BlackWidow Tournament's tilt really that acute compared to other keyboards?
You should avoid Ducky, as I think that theirs tilt more than average.

[Melvang]

I don't know of any tenkeyless keyboard that is totally horizontal. I agree and also want mine horizontal.

Is the Razer BlackWidow Tournament's tilt really that acute compared to other keyboards?
You should avoid Ducky, as I think that theirs tilt more than average.

Probably going to have to go with a custom build like a Phantom in a layered or JD40 style case.

Gon might have a TKL, his are flat profile without the feet.

[SonOfSonOfSpock]

For me, a split keyboard is much more comfortable. Having that separation just feels like I am in a more relaxed position.

Does anybody know the angle of the Matias Ergo Pro? The pictures I'm looking at have some sort of scooping on the side of the case, so I can't tell if it flat + sculpted keys or if the base is curved as well.

[Oobly]

...

Gon might have a TKL, his are flat profile without the feet.

Well, yes, there's the GON NerD TKL which is flat if you use it without adding the feet. It's a very expensive option, but it's a custom and a very nice keyboard. There may be some other custom TKL cases out there that are flat.

You could make your own case for a TKL board also....

[qihqi]

I have seen some paddings added to the bottom of microsoft ergonomic keyboard to make it completely flat or even with negative tilt.
Similarly you can probably mod the case by adding rubber feet to the bottom row to make the keyboard flat.

I think Ergodox is also flat.

[tp4tissue]

I have seen some paddings added to the bottom of microsoft ergonomic keyboard to make it completely flat or even with negative tilt.
Similarly you can probably mod the case by adding rubber feet to the bottom row to make the keyboard flat.

I think Ergodox is also flat.

you don't want flat.. flat has always been the problem.

[jacobolus]

Another problem is almost all the standard keycap profiles are also slanted away from the user, so if you lay a board flat or tilt it away from you, the keys feel weird. Full contour SA profile is the only one I know of that works really well on flat / very slight tilt boards.

This, DSA profile also works.  Though DSA is totally flat, and with SA there have been buys with either full contour or all row 3.

YMMV, but I find regular cherry/DCS/Alps/etc. profiles work just fine with a standard keyboard propped up in front so the plate/pcb has a  -5° tilt.

[Oobly]

Another problem is almost all the standard keycap profiles are also slanted away from the user, so if you lay a board flat or tilt it away from you, the keys feel weird. Full contour SA profile is the only one I know of that works really well on flat / very slight tilt boards.

This, DSA profile also works.  Though DSA is totally flat, and with SA there have been buys with either full contour or all row 3.

YMMV, but I find regular cherry/DCS/Alps/etc. profiles work just fine with a standard keyboard propped up in front so the plate/pcb has a  -5° tilt.

Well yes, they work, but they're far from optimal, IMHO. IME, it's not so nice to type on a flat board when the keycaps are all angled away from you.

Many people find DSA awkward to type on, though. I think it has something to do with the small keytops and spacing between keytop edges.

I have seen some paddings added to the bottom of microsoft ergonomic keyboard to make it completely flat or even with negative tilt.
Similarly you can probably mod the case by adding rubber feet to the bottom row to make the keyboard flat.

I think Ergodox is also flat.

you don't want flat.. flat has always been the problem.

Although I agree with you that a tented, split, staggered column board is better, this thread is about standard layout boards and the angle we're talking about is NOT tenting angle. In this case, yes, flat is better.