geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: LifeIsGooD2 on Thu, 28 March 2013, 13:45:14
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I really really love the keyboard overall but I just hate the spacebar it digs into my finger ... any alternatives ?
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Nope.
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Would turning it around work like some people do on cherry mx? Never taken the space bar off my HHKB to see how topre spacebars connect
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tilting the keyboard helps with that a bit...
this is a good question on the flipping, because I had my board for only a short time before I decided it was $300 worth of rape. so I never did got around to flipping the space bar...
Looking at the picture, I think you can do it though.. might have to "break off" the middle thing in the slider though.
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You can flip the spacebar, no breaking required. At first the topre spacebar was pretty sharp for me but i either got used to it or i started pressing the spacebar differently so that it wouldnt be as sharp.
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ah right... i didn't see that the peg is on both side, so it is reversible
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What's wrong with the topre space keys?
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What's wrong with the topre space keys?
It's more about the fact that "what's wrong with spacebars" IN GENERAL....
the contour of the space bar does not fit the hand... which is why the reverse orientation is more ideal...
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What's wrong with the topre space keys?
It's ABS, whereas the rest of the keys are PBT. Also, it's quite a bit sharper than most Cherry-based space bars. I don't even notice it anymore after switching to a wrist rest.
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What's wrong with the topre space keys?
It's ABS, whereas the rest of the keys are PBT. Also, it's quite a bit sharper than most Cherry-based space bars. I don't even notice it anymore after switching to a wrist rest.
Don't all PBT sets come with ABS spacebars? Excuse the noob.
Sharper, I could see that being uncomfortable :S
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No some companies manage to produce un/minimally-warped pbt space bars just fine.
and ie: realforce space bar angle, look at the pictures in this classified; http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41573.0
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the contour of the space bar does not fit the hand... which is why the reverse orientation is more ideal...
perhaps not your hand. i've never had a problem with spacebar angles. are you typing without your wrists elevated?
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What's wrong with the topre space keys?
It's more about the fact that "what's wrong with spacebars" IN GENERAL....
the contour of the space bar does not fit the hand... which is why the reverse orientation is more ideal...
what.
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i dont see anything wrong with my hhkb/realforece space bar. feels quite nice in fact.
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What's wrong with the topre space keys?
It's ABS, whereas the rest of the keys are PBT. Also, it's quite a bit sharper than most Cherry-based space bars. I don't even notice it anymore after switching to a wrist rest.
Don't all PBT sets come with ABS spacebars? Excuse the noob.
Sharper, I could see that being uncomfortable :S
lol generally yes, though there are a few companies that manage to make straight PBT spacebar now. For example I got 3 thick PBT sets from imsto recently and all 3 sets have perfectly straight spacebar :D
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What's wrong with the topre space keys?
It's more about the fact that "what's wrong with spacebars" IN GENERAL....
the contour of the space bar does not fit the hand... which is why the reverse orientation is more ideal...
what.
Exactly.
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At least the topre spacebars feel better than SP's.
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Someone should just make an IC for a space bar straightener (just the top mold) for the hot bowl of water method.
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hot bowl of water method?
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hot bowl of water method is not good... you're much better off with the blow dryer method..
because you don't want to heat the WHOLE thing... just where it needs to bend...
Heating up the whole space bar makes it more likely to warp in other places.
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When it was being warped, the "whole" thing was being warped. The intent is to reverse that process. You will see - it came out nicely. (I recently used the "hot bowl of water trick" on the thick PBT vortex from feng.)
hot bowl of water method?
See below;
The particular bowl I used was a concave, very rotund bowl.
My space bar happened to be bowed end-up... meaning it bent like a u shape kind of, either end of it sticking up.
See diagram below.
(Attachment Link)
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oddly enough flipping the spacebar completely solved the problem ...thanks
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oddly enough flipping the spacebar completely solved the problem ...thanks
it's not ODD at all...
I'm right... and those other hacks are WRONG.... AS usual.... :D
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I flipped the spacebar on mine. I think reason why we do this on cherry / topre keyboads is because their profiles are higher than regular domes. If you can find a wrist rest that is about the same height as the base of the keyboard it should work as well.
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I flipped the spacebar on mine. I think reason why we do this on cherry / topre keyboads is because their profiles are higher than regular domes. If you can find a wrist rest that is about the same height as the base of the keyboard it should work as well.
hate to be pedantic but a wrist rest is supposed to be used when you are not typing (hence 'rest'). your wrists should ideally be raised while you're typing which would probably help with the angle at which you hit the spacebar.
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I flipped the spacebar on mine. I think reason why we do this on cherry / topre keyboads is because their profiles are higher than regular domes. If you can find a wrist rest that is about the same height as the base of the keyboard it should work as well.
hate to be pedantic but a wrist rest is supposed to be used when you are not typing (hence 'rest'). your wrists should ideally be raised while you're typing which would probably help with the angle at which you hit the spacebar.
You're absolutely correct. I was making the assumption that the OP probably had their wrist closer to the table than what would be "optimal" for a typist. For whatever reason that may be, I think people use their keyboards for more than just typing so I thought i'd mention he could rest his wrist on something slightly higher.
Some of his / her previous posts suggested that they were also a gamer so now it makes kind of sense to me why the default spacebar is a bit sharp / annoying. I don't think gamers would want to float their hands for 1-2 hrs consistently while playing, that's pretty tiring.
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I'm typing this with my hands raised up and wow, it's very strange. I've ALWAYS had my arms or wrists resting while typing.
Ducky sells PBT sets with perfectly straight space bars....
Edit;
current typing speed with elevated wrists = ~70wpm
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I'm typing this with my hands raised up and wow, it's very strange. I've ALWAYS had my arms or wrists resting while typing.
I think you'll notice your speed increase as well. Try keeping your wrists up, hands straight and give it a few days. Let us know...I'm curious if you find it to be true. It helped my wpm.
If you're going to adopt an elevated wrist typing style, it really helps to have to have a chair with adjustable height arm rests. Prevents shoulder fatigue. Your elbows and upper forearms rest on the armrests in a neutral position.
I still have a wrist rest, but only set my wrists on it between typing. Just raise them a half inch and type. Quite comfortable actually. And of course, there's much less risk of wrist problems down the road.
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How can you work for 8 hours a day (assuming full-time work by a pc) elevating your wrists everytime you type? That sounds very exhausting.
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How can you work for 8 hours a day (assuming full-time work by a pc) elevating your wrists everytime you type? That sounds very exhausting.
given the right workspace setup it's like driving a car -- yes your arms are elevated but you have some extra support so you're not just holding your arms out in front of you.
it's not too hard and it actually gets more comfortable as you get used to it. it helps to have arms on your chair that are worth a damn.
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How can you work for 8 hours a day (assuming full-time work by a pc) elevating your wrists everytime you type? That sounds very exhausting.
given the right workspace setup it's like driving a car -- yes your arms are elevated but you have some extra support so you're not just holding your arms out in front of you.
it's not too hard and it actually gets more comfortable as you get used to it. it helps to have arms on your chair that are worth a damn.
Exactly. When looking for a work chair, the arm rests are just as important as the seat. They should at least adjust in height. Adjustment in and out is a plus. But you need to raise the arm rests so that your elbows rest on them in a neutral position. This eliminates having to hold your arms up with your shoulders.
The below link is to Bodybilt chairs. Probably overpriced for what you're looking for, but they're a great example of what arm rests 'should' do...
http://www.ergogenesis.com/products/ergonomic-seating/task-chairs/high-back-task
I had a custom Bodybilt chair built for me about 20 years ago. Cost me $1,800 in leather. I still use it to this day, and I consider it one of the best office equipment purchases I have ever made. All these years and no back, shoulder or neck problems. A good chair is a good investment if you work at a desk all day. 20 years ago, there weren't that many ergonomic chair options. Today you can pick something up that will accomplish the same thing for a lot less.
We are all into keyboards on this forum, and we understand the importance of quality input devices. We all have buddies who have gaming computers and buy $500 graphics cards, yet can't see the value in spending over $30 for a keyboard. Keyboards are one thing most people don't even consider, yet are one of the most important pieces of your computing environment.
My point is...a good chair is just as important as a good keyboard. Your body will thank you for it years down the road.
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Amen. After sitting in this Aeron for two days my lower back feels better than it has in years.
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Amen. After sitting in this Aeron for two days my lower back feels better than it has in years.
i just tweaked my neck really bad a few days ago but i decided to come to work this week because my aeron is nicer and better for my back than anything i have at home :P
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I'm thinking of picking up a Mirra for my second desk, actually... I hear those are damned comfy too
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i am also going to buy this aeron eventually. probably it will help my broken back feel better.
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Check out these arm options, especially the 'Linear Tracking Arm' at the bottom of the page...
http://www.backbenimble.com/bodybilt/closeups/closeup_all_arms.htm
Interesting, but would probably drive you nuts when not actually working. I've been thinking about getting the 'Pivot! Arm' option. My current arms are shaped like that, but don't swing in. I have wide shoulders. With a straight keyboard, I like my arms close to my body so my wrists don't twist out so much.