geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dyrdevil on Tue, 07 April 2015, 01:09:18
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I've been planning a custom Gon MX build for a while (going to put the TA caps on when I get them from Massdrop). I'm super pumped but now I'm having a few second thoughts:
I imagine, if not immediately, then soon that I will want to buy a HHKB. I really like the look and am curious about Topre, but I like the idea of having several boards in several flavors.
Do those of you that have HHKB and other boards find switching between the different layouts difficult?
The reason I'm asking is because I could technically plan my custom MX board (and other future boards) around the HHKB layout and never have to deal with multiple layouts. However, it's harder to find MX caps with the right profiles for that layout and to be honest I really like the look of a standard layout.
Essesntially, I'm trying to avoid spending ~$400 on a custom Korean, then buying a HHKB and loving the layout and wishing I had planned my custom differently.
Thoughts?
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Overall I don't really find any difficulty switching over to other boards when needed. It's not that different that it would impair work on other boards. In my opinion.
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I have more issues when switching between different switches, particularly when going from F buckling springs to the ghost blacks in my rosewill. I don't have any issues with layouts I have become familiar with. I switch between standard 104 key full size, F AT, and F XT, fairly often with no issues.
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If you're switching between them frequently and keep doing it, you'll find it easy to switch back and forth..that's what I do today...At first you'll have a lot of extra \\ (which is the main difference)...At some point it was frustrating enough for me to think I needed to get rid of my HHKB...but it eventually clicks...just like driving on the right and left side of the road...you get used to switching back and forth if you do it enough..
That said, the HHKB layout as far as backspace and CTRL is far better IMO....It just makes more sense and it is better use of the key positions...Why Capslock has such a prime space is beyond me....but as you said, finding keycaps in that layout is a bit of a pain..
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That said, the HHKB layout as far as backspace and CTRL is far better IMO....It just makes more sense and it is better use of the key positions...Why Capslock has such a prime space is beyond me....but as you said, finding keycaps in that layout is a bit of a pain..
HHKB layout ruined the normal layout for me. I now rebind my other boards to HHKBish. The lack of keycap availability is one of the reasons I prefer blanks now. If Unicomp would just do 1.5U with a Backspace legend...
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Initially, you'll have some problems when switching from HHKB layout to normal one with Capslock, especially if you use the CTRL shortcuts alot and depending on how you change certain keys by the dipswitches of HHKB
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I have no problems switching between hhkb and my other layouts...I do occasionally have the accidental "\" rather than backspace though.
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For a couple months now, been switching daily between two stock current-gen Mac keyboards (on my Air and the Mini at my office) and this HHKB.
For the first 2 weeks or so, maybe longer, I was struggling to adjust to the location of the Delete key in particular, and also getting used to the arrows. But mind you, I wasn't using the HHKB anywhere near as often as my work keyboard, so I bet the adjustment would have gone faster if I was going home and typing on this for hours at a time.
Anyway, at this point, I can switch freely without any issues. And I'm really starting to pick up the HHKB FN arrow keys as well -- definitely not looking down or hesitating at all at this point. You don't use CTRL as much on a Mac anyway, so that isn't as much of an adjustment as I bet it would be for a PC user.
The key feel of the Mac keyboards is of course a huge disappointment every time I go back, but not much to be done about that I'm afraid, without blowing another $250 to put one of these on my work desk.