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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ndrwlmd on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:40:05

Title: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: ndrwlmd on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:40:05
Hi all,

Does anybody know of any Left-Handed Mechanical Keyboards with Cherry MX Browns (or even Topre?). I'm aware of the ones by DSI and KeyboardCo, but unfortunately they're Cherry Blacks. There used to be other Left-Handed Keyboards sold in Asia (Filco DFK-901LF, KB-8861XPL/KB-8862XPL, SeJin SKM-1040, 2040), but sadly, it seems like they've all been discontinued. Does anybody have any knowledge of a keyboard that meets my criteria?
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 07 November 2013, 19:51:16
If you are okay with the arrowkeys on the right and the tenkey on the left, both sprit's a87 ex pcb and Team Redline's Trik X count.

Other than that, I just finished an ergoDOX left hand (for gaming. Forget the orbweaver)
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: ndrwlmd on Thu, 07 November 2013, 22:08:04
I'm going to have to confess my ignorance here - from what I can gather, these are PCB bases that you put your own keys on and case around? I did some googling and it looks like they're TKL though. I really don't want to go with a TKL + Numpad, it's just a completely inelegant solution.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 07 November 2013, 23:31:59
MX blue (http://www.fentek-ind.com/modular.htm#kblhusbsb)

I know, not brown, but at least an alternative to black.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: terran5992 on Fri, 08 November 2013, 01:16:48
Hmm , im lefthanded but the standard layout feels right to me
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: quake4mhg on Fri, 08 November 2013, 01:32:09
We can waiting for Ducky
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45685.0
and Vortex
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44662.0

I'm using the one on The Keyboard Company, MX black @ office. Race + filco numpad @ home.
Sadly true, just a few choice for us  :(
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 01:38:52
http://lzlife.tistory.com/category/TRiK
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: ndrwlmd on Fri, 08 November 2013, 11:17:33
http://lzlife.tistory.com/category/TRiK
That looks pretty cool, but I'm unfamiliar with the whole custom keyboard thing. If I understand correctly, I'd need a PCB, a case, plate, switches, and keycaps? And apart from assembly, I'd also need to solder the switches onto the board? Typically, what would this all cost?
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 12:27:15
http://lzlife.tistory.com/category/TRiK
That looks pretty cool, but I'm unfamiliar with the whole custom keyboard thing. If I understand correctly, I'd need a PCB, a case, plate, switches, and keycaps? And apart from assembly, I'd also need to solder the switches onto the board? Typically, what would this all cost?
I was just posting that for ****s n giggles.  That was a one off keyboard that LifeZone made for his wife I think.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: ndrwlmd on Fri, 08 November 2013, 13:39:55
That looks pretty cool, but I'm unfamiliar with the whole custom keyboard thing. If I understand correctly, I'd need a PCB, a case, plate, switches, and keycaps? And apart from assembly, I'd also need to solder the switches onto the board? Typically, what would this all cost?
I was just posting that for ****s n giggles.  That was a one off keyboard that LifeZone made for his wife I think.
Yeah, I noticed it was listed under "Gift"... but I looked into the group buys forum and saw the SPRIT 110%, which has the tenkeys on the left. I'd still prefer the arrow keys on the left as well, but that would be acceptable, I think.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: RabRhee on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:04:00
For a few months there was someone on uk eBay listing left handed keyboards with grey alps they referred to as tactile with an audible click (like MX blues maybe?) but they haven't listed one for about 8 weeks now. they were £25+11 postage to the UK. It was a regular listing for a few months but they may have sold out. Here is the last listing they did. Maybe not much like browns but better than blacks perhaps, if they still have any stock.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanical-Left-Handed-Keyboard-Black-PS-2-USB-Alps-Switch-New-/321203905784?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice&hash=item4ac93ea4f8&nma=true&si=akjeYOI8PySUAAB6queMfVlA%252Bis%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: JPG on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:09:31
Get a 100% configurable 60% keyboard, solve this problem!  :p
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 09 November 2013, 01:21:41
These were the two keyboards I referenced. When the redline trik came out, we noticed that there were pictures of a few LH versions of the cases.
Trik x topic: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44319.0
$445 for the kit, + $75 shipping = $520
Then you need to add your own switches ($50 or so), stabilizers ($10 tops I think), LED's ($10 ish), keycaps (anywhere from $20-$100 or more), etc. all told about $600 or more, depending on options. Cheaper if you salvage parts from a donor keybaord. More expensive if you have aftermarket springs, stickers, expensive keycaps, etc.

There were two in this image that were set up as left hand keypads
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44319.msg994968#msg994968

The ergoDOX doesnt have a tenkey per-se. It's a fully split mechanical keyboard designed mainly on GH here. Here's the website showing an early rendering of it
http://ergodox.org/
 
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: davkol on Sat, 09 November 2013, 11:50:38
I guess a symmetrical layout is required, ErgoDox seems to be the best choice.

Why not standard staggered QWERTY?
Therefore, the layout would have to be completely mirrored. It's easier to go with one that is symmetrical by design.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: zig_ziglar on Tue, 18 March 2014, 19:08:06
Are there any developments on the Ducky Legend?
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: tricheboars on Tue, 18 March 2014, 20:08:19
stay away from redline.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: zig_ziglar on Tue, 18 March 2014, 22:18:13
I thought I had posted here before, but it seems that I haven't! Probably just read a lot of threads and never commented as I'm usually over at overclock.

Anyway, I want a reverse TLK! (><)
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 19 March 2014, 11:20:22
Hmm , im lefthanded but the standard layout feels right to me

Qwerty Standard layout is actually better for left handers. For one, mouse is closer to keyboard. For another, left hand does about 56% of all the typing according to some Dvorak propaganda site I've seen.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: kansas city shuffle on Wed, 19 March 2014, 14:21:42
Really wish they'd make more mice for lefties.
Title: Re: Left-Handed Keyboards
Post by: davkol on Wed, 19 March 2014, 15:23:48
Hmm , im lefthanded but the standard layout feels right to me

Qwerty Standard layout is actually better for left handers. For one, mouse is closer to keyboard. For another, left hand does about 56% of all the typing according to some Dvorak propaganda site I've seen.

I wouldn't call it better. I'm left-handed and my left hand was simply overloaded on QWERTY. I did sooo much work with my left index finger.