Advice Regarding Ergodox or Ergodash

[Mr.Thompson]

My Kinesis Freestyle is not working properly (after 12 years) and anyway I never really liked it -- it's not ortho at all.

I am considering now Ergodox or Ergodash, pre-built (I have no interest/time in building it myself). The layouts and reviews are fairly similar. The difference that I see, that no one seems to mention, is that the Ergodox is a "finished" product, but the Ergodash looks like it's a home kit, with the keys attached to a board, but no finish in particular.

I am wondering if it will last as long as the Ergodox. It looks like it also lets in all the dust/dirt as it has no case.

Overall, given that the difference in price (for both with no accessories) is $100, I am uncertain if it's worth it to pay that extra for the Ergodox. I think some folks like the Ergodash more in fact. I am in Israel and I can't go see one, or go try one, and I have never had a keyboard with a thumb cluster, so I don't know how I will end up using it.

Anyhow feedback is appreciated.

[nevin]

ergodox was the original, ergodash was a "redo" of the ergodox (fixing the thumb cluster, moving it closer)
https://falba.tech/?product_cat=&post_type=product&s=ergodash sells a bunch of ergodash stuff.

there is also the "hot dox" another variation of the ergodox (hotswap).
there is a company that sells prebuilt ergodox's, moonlander & planck (pricey) https://ergodox-ez.com/

i've never used an ergodox, but i have a set of ergodash pcb's that i built up.
- my opinions for my own use.... i don't like the thumb clusters, even being moved closer than the ergodash, they are still a farther reach than my keeb.io viterbi for shortcuts & key combinations.
- stacked thumb keys can be difficult.

also, on barebones/skeleton style kits... there is nothing wrong with them. i've had my viterbi since 2018, and still running strong. and this is just the FR4 plates kit, not a 3d printed case.
https://keeb.io/products/viterbi-keyboard-pcbs-5x7-70-split-ortholinear

... again, just my opinion, experience with the various keyboards...

[Mr.Thompson]

Thank you.

[nevin]

if you like the Kinesis brand, there's also the Kinesis Advantage. which is what a lot of the split keyboards are based off of.
https://kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards/advantage2-keyboard/