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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: parabum on Tue, 27 August 2013, 08:25:29
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Hi
I started to develop pain in my wrists, even though my posture and other things are ok. I figure its the cheap keyboards I have been tryping over the years, especially past 1 year when I was basically coding 8-10 hrs/day. I have used only rubber dome keyboards so far. Coming September, I will be writing a thesis and I need my hands to be in good shape. Currently, there is pain after some typing, though its not so severe to seek medical attention.
I figure buying a mechanical keyboard will do some good. I will be travelling to the States this year end and I want to get a Kinesis advantage LF. However, for the time being, especially September, I need something quick and cheap.
Do you guys have any recommendations for a cheaper mechanical keyboard? I live in Germany and it should be available here.
BTW I am a heavy Emacs user (part of the culprit and also reasoning behind future Kinesis purchase) & 75% touch-typing non-gamer. My price bracket is within 80 euros/100 USD. And this will be my first mechanical keyboard.
Here are some choices online:
1) http://www.amazon.de/Cherry-G80-3000LSCDE-2-Tastatur-deutsches-Tastaturlayout/dp/B000NDD524 (http://www.amazon.de/Cherry-G80-3000LSCDE-2-Tastatur-deutsches-Tastaturlayout/dp/B000NDD524)
From one of the reviewers, it seems it uses MX blue switches. Though I am surprised Cherry itself is not marketing it as such.
Q = soft = MX Clears
S = klick = MX Blues
P = linear = MX Blacks
G80-3000L(X)C(YY)-(Z)
X = click type (P = linear/black, Q = soft/clear, S = click/blue)
YY = layout (DE = german, EU = US with euro, GB = UK etc)
Z = colour (0 =' white, 2 = black)
2) http://www.amazon.de/Corsair-Vengeance-Mechanical-Tastatur-Deutsch/dp/B005Y294UG (http://www.amazon.de/Corsair-Vengeance-Mechanical-Tastatur-Deutsch/dp/B005Y294UG)
Thanks a lot!
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This could also be an option perhaps:
3) http://www.amazon.de/CM-Storm-Quickfire-Gaming-Tastatur-Deutsch/dp/B006EB4J10 (http://www.amazon.de/CM-Storm-Quickfire-Gaming-Tastatur-Deutsch/dp/B006EB4J10)
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In 60% keyboards you can get a kbt pure pro in azerty if you want
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Just buy the kinesis, it will be cheaper overall. :D
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Hi
thanks for the responses.
I think I will go ahead with Quickfire rapid as they have red switches which are said to be very quite. I am currently homeless but living at my girlfriend's dorm. At least she won't kick me out of here :cool:
@Oka Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't know of that brand. But they sell about 110 euros here. Is investing those extra euros worth it? 80 euros for the quick fire is already at the edge of my budget.
@hoggy soon...very soon :)
Currently, I am tying on a Cherry RS 6000 and my hands are paining after 4 hours. :mad:
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In that case, grab a goldtouch from ebay. They go for cheap as most people will try them, but won't give it long enough for them to get used to it.
Get one from ebay UK if you can't find a decent deal in Germany, I can proxy for you if they don't want to ship to directly.
They seem to last pretty well. I've passed on (to friends) several keyboards that I've bought from ebay. All have been pleasant enough for rubbber domes (better than a lot of other RDs).
...Then get the Kinesis when you're back on your feet.
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Hi Hoggy
Thanks a lot for the proxy offer. I will keep it in mind. At the moment, I do not have much time left to get used to a split keyboard. November-December I will be on vacation and so I could spend some time adapting to new things. Also I'd like to feel a mechanical keyboard for a change and know what the fuss is all about. ;) The Goldtouch looks nice though.
BR
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are your wrists straight when you type and flat/lower than your elbows? is your keyboard on a negative slope?
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/dea6510/dea6512k/ergo12tips.html
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http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/AHTutorials/typingposture.html (http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/AHTutorials/typingposture.html)
The link is interesting. I wasn't aware that keyboard height lower than elbow height is more ergonomic. This is the first time I see this negative keyboard tilt suggestion. I tried typing with keyboard on my lap...It does help is all I can say at the moment. I was under the impression that my hands should be parallel to the floor. Atleast most of the images depicting ergonomic workstations did. Oh well, I need to learn more from the right sources. Thanks!
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While generally nice to type on, a mechanical keyboard isn't going to help with wrist pains (I have the same problem). Your choice of a Kinesis Advantage is a move in the right direction.
For the time being, if your only problem is the wrist pains, what you need is something that allows you to reduce ulnar deviation. you could consider a microsoft natural ergonomic keyboard for something temporary (a travesty of a recommendation, I know), but the slightly angled design will likely provide more comfort than a mechanical switch change.
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Probably don't want to get in on this drop, but an ErgoDox might be an alternative you want to explore since they are currently offering complete assembly:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox
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Actually I did try the natural 4000 couple of months back (when I didn't have much pain) but somehow I wasn't very fond of it. I found the keys, particularly the spacebar, more stiff than my current keyboard. For the modifier keys, I use the lower part of my palm but due to curved nature of those on 4000, it wasnt pleasant. With the split design and the fact you can have negative tilt, perhaps my wrists will be in a better position. My fingers, especially left ring finger, and the dorsal side between knuckles and wrist, also hurt actually. So I presume a mech keyboard will reduce some strain on the fingers. for the dorsal side, I think negative tilting of the keyboard will help.
ergodox yes please!..but not now. I already ordered a quick fire rapid.
Now I need to figure out how to accomplish this negative tilt without incurring additional costs. any ideas? For now, I put my wallet beneath the keyboard and not resting my wrist on the table. There are lot of coins in there, so it gives a good tilt. My dorsal part feels better.
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If you're a heavy Emacs user you're probably going to want something that is able to swap your Caps Lock and Control keys. Topre boards (Realforce 87U or 104 come to mind). If you want something more compact then HHKB Pro 2 would be good. I'm assuming most of the wrist pain is from having to slightly twist your hand to reach the Ctrl key in the lower left of the board. The Caps Lock position for Ctrl would eliminate that completely so you can keep your fingers at home row.
I know there are other boards out there that can swap Ctrl and Caps lock, so others can chime in. Those are the two that I own that I can vouch for - they're great boards. I know they're not cheaper, but you really should increase your price bracket and get something that will do the job. You'll never have to buy another keyboard again. It's a solid investment.