Vertical Mechanical Keyboard?

[simplisity]

Hi Everyone:

First post here.  I currently use the SafeType http://safetype.com/ keyboard, which I really like for its ergonomic design.  However, I was hoping to find something similar, but with mechanical keyswitches.  Does anyone know if that exists?  If not, does anyone know where I could get one custom made?

[Linkbane]

Take a look at the YogiType.
Here it is.

[C5Allroad]

What's the point of printing the caps? You can't see the thing anyway.

[Ghetto Caps]

Try ergodox. its kinda at an angle

[jeffgran]

Take a look at the YogiType.
Here it is.

Does it have mechanical switches? I thought it was some kind of weird capacitive touch-switches or scissor switches or something. It's hard to tell from their site...

[Oobly]

Both that one and Yogitype are angled vertical and neither use mechanical switches. Interesting design, what's with the backward printed number and functions? Are you supposed to use a mirror to see them? And the left thumb "space bar" is probably more useful as a Shift than Backspace, but at least it has a different function! It's irritating to me that the strongest digits do the least work on a "normal" keyboard.

ErgoDox or the unreleased Nexus (AcidFire's current project) would be your best bet, IMHO. You can make mounts to get them vertical if you want, although it's probably best to use them at a lesser angle in terms of optimal ergonomics. They both use mechanical switches and thumb keys. They also use vertically staggered columns which is much more ergonomic than horizontal stagger.

Another option would be one of the contoured Kinesis models. They have keywells and thumb keys, but are closer to flat than vertical.

Vertical is too close to maximum supination, just as flat on the table is too close to maximum pronation. Somewhere in between is best IMHO.

[kmiller8]

DIY it OuO

http://www.thecraftstudio.com/bcboy/keyboard.html

[simplisity]

Both that one and Yogitype are angled vertical and neither use mechanical switches. Interesting design, what's with the backward printed number and functions? Are you supposed to use a mirror to see them? And the left thumb "space bar" is probably more useful as a Shift than Backspace, but at least it has a different function! It's irritating to me that the strongest digits do the least work on a "normal" keyboard.

ErgoDox or the unreleased Nexus (AcidFire's current project) would be your best bet, IMHO. You can make mounts to get them vertical if you want, although it's probably best to use them at a lesser angle in terms of optimal ergonomics. They both use mechanical switches and thumb keys. They also use vertically staggered columns which is much more ergonomic than horizontal stagger.

Another option would be one of the contoured Kinesis models. They have keywells and thumb keys, but are closer to flat than vertical.

Vertical is too close to maximum supination, just as flat on the table is too close to maximum pronation. Somewhere in between is best IMHO.

The Nexus from AcidFire looks perfect.  I will wait to see how that goes.  Thank you.

[Linkbane]

Oobly, are you sure that the Yogi doesn't use mechanical switches? According to an April 2011 thread, PCB mount Cherry switches were being used, but perhaps it changed in production?

[hoggy]

I'm pretty sure the prototype had cherry mx, but the production model looks very different, the estimates I've seen for the force required rule out cherry switches.  Looks like it might use scissor switches.

[Travellerr]

Take a look at the YogiType.
Here it is.

Is that yogi type with a type of mechanical switch, and holy cow that is so unique and different for a keyboard. I wonder how it is as far as typing experience goes..anyways have you even used it Link?

[Linkbane]

Take a look at the YogiType.
Here it is.

Is that yogi type with a type of mechanical switch, and holy cow that is so unique and different for a keyboard. I wonder how it is as far as typing experience goes..anyways have you even used it Link?

Haha, I haven't. I plan on getting an ergonomic keyboard at hopefully a reasonable price the next time it comes around, but it's most likely going to be an Ergodox. My mother even gave me $100 towards it specifically during Christmas, so hopefully I can get my hands on one (heh).

[wiz]

Vertical is too close to maximum supination, just as flat on the table is too close to maximum pronation. Somewhere in between is best IMHO.

Maximum supination is with the palms facing the ceiling, +/- 10 degrees. Vertical, palms facing each other, is actually body neutral. Dang hard position to type from, though, which is why you have rearview mirrors on Safe Type, or that complicated LED "x-ray" mechanism on Yogi.

[Oobly]

Vertical is too close to maximum supination, just as flat on the table is too close to maximum pronation. Somewhere in between is best IMHO.

Maximum supination is with the palms facing the ceiling, +/- 10 degrees. Vertical, palms facing each other, is actually body neutral. Dang hard position to type from, though, which is why you have rearview mirrors on Safe Type, or that complicated LED "x-ray" mechanism on Yogi.

It depends on the positions of the other joints, too.

At the position I would type at, my hands go out to max 45 degrees beyond vertical and the same amount or a little less beyond flat. So in the middle is 45 degrees up from flat / down from vertical. Even 15 degrees up from flat provides great relief for the wrists and forearms and a "flatter" board is a lot easier to type on since you can see the keys more easily and are still pressing slightly "downwards" on the keys.

I don't think the production units have MX switches. I can't confirm that, though, as I don't own one.