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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SqrtofPi on Sat, 24 September 2016, 18:28:36
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Hello, I'm a new user who is looking to purchase a new keyboard for my mother, who is currently using a keyboard that she found in the trash at her work (I know, it's pretty bad). Money isn't really a problem to a reasonable extent (No solid gold or stuff), although her current keyboard might suggest otherwise. She really wants a keyboard that is small, around 67 keys, I think, but does have a delete key. She has issues with ergonomics on larger or full sized keyboards, even the 87 key ones. We were looking at one on Massdrop called the "Redscarf II+ Ver. C" that was over 50% off and looked like something that she would like, but we couldn't quite decode the language being used to describe the options. She was looking around at switches, and the MX Browns looked good, but anything would be an improvement. If anyone has any suggestions for a keyboard that sounds like this, please tell me.
Thank you.
(Link to the keyboard on Mass drop: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/red-scarf-ii-68-key-custom-keyboard-kit (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/red-scarf-ii-68-key-custom-keyboard-kit) )
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She has issues with ergonomics on larger or full sized keyboards, even the 87 key ones.
That is a real stumbling block, the "TKL" or ~87 is the go-to small size for conventional users.
Anything smaller is a specialty item.
MX brown switches with O-rings might make her very happy.
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The one on Massdrop is a kit. You'd need to build it or find someone to do it for you.
How about this?
http://matias.ca/miniquietpro/pc/
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What are the ergonomic difficulties she has with the larger keyboards? Is it to do with mouse placement?
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What are the ergonomic difficulties she has with the larger keyboards? Is it to do with mouse placement?
Yes, the issues with ergonomics are due to mouse placement, and as the keyboard is for a small fold out keyboard tray under a desk, it can't be too large. The main limiting factor is that not only does her keyboard have to be on the tray, but also her mouse pad and mouse.
The one on Massdrop is a kit. You'd need to build it or find someone to do it for you.
How about this?
http://matias.ca/miniquietpro/pc/
That looks like it would work, I'll ask her when she gets home from work
Thanks for the suggestion!
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Perhaps an orthodox idea, but a split keyboard, like the ErgoDox EZ (https://ergodox-ez.com/), and a trackball between the halves? (or at the side). The EZ is reasonably compact, and the trackball has the advantage that she wouldn't have to move it, thus, it needs less space too.
On the other hand, this setup may be a change too big, all at once. So... a Planck, or similar, perhaps? Though, that may not be the easiest thing to find, especially if you don't want to assemble it yourself.
(Brown are nice, btw)
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Perhaps an orthodox idea, but a split keyboard, like the ErgoDox EZ (https://ergodox-ez.com/), and a trackball between the halves? (or at the side). The EZ is reasonably compact, and the trackball has the advantage that she wouldn't have to move it, thus, it needs less space too.
On the other hand, this setup may be a change too big, all at once. So... a Planck, or similar, perhaps? Though, that may not be the easiest thing to find, especially if you don't want to assemble it yourself.
(Brown are nice, btw)
It's gonna depend on how old --Mother-- is.
Because older people fall into a rhythm they're reluctant to change..
Ergodox is most likely be too progressive..
Even for the majority of the kids on GH, they simply arn't ready to go Ergo.
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What about one of those sculpted keyboards?
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Perhaps an orthodox idea, but a split keyboard, like the ErgoDox EZ (https://ergodox-ez.com/), and a trackball between the halves? (or at the side). The EZ is reasonably compact, and the trackball has the advantage that she wouldn't have to move it, thus, it needs less space too.
On the other hand, this setup may be a change too big, all at once. So... a Planck, or similar, perhaps? Though, that may not be the easiest thing to find, especially if you don't want to assemble it yourself.
(Brown are nice, btw)
It's gonna depend on how old --Mother-- is.
Because older people fall into a rhythm they're reluctant to change..
Ergodox is most likely be too progressive..
Even for the majority of the kids on GH, they simply arn't ready to go Ergo.
I am not a kid, and I resemble that remark. :p ANSI for me please!
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The first keyboard that came to mind was the Leopold FC660M. It's a 60%, but it has a dedicated delete key and arrow keys. https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1496
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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^^ +1 what about a topre version of the board?
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Because older people fall into a rhythm they're reluctant to change.
I am not a kid, and I resemble that remark. ANSI for me please!
Muscle memory is powerful.
One day, if I break away from working with numbers and needing a numpad, I may give Colemak a go, but that's it.
I have a laptop and maintain laptops for 3 other people - all with different keyboard layouts. It is very annoying.
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Actually, the FC660M is the board that came to mind here. Also the FC750R. This one doe not require the use of function keys for the F key row or for the arrows, among others. This would be a TKL board. I think the browns would be a good choice because they do not differ too much from the standard rubber dome keys as far as resistance and tactility. If you got her a board with something like cherry black or cherry blue, it may be too awkward for her.
Who says it has to be mechanical, although once she gets used to it she will probably prefer it....
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Thanks for all the help in choosing a keyboard! This forum is really welcoming. We're pretty sure we'll end up choosing the Matias Mini Quiet Pro, as it has page up and down keys, and the delete key is in a similar spot to her current keyboard. Does anyone have one of them or have used one? If so, what do the switches feel like? If no one has any experience, then I'll assume they are like MX Browns because of the quietness...
Thanks again for all the help, and thanks to Tactile for the suggestion.
:thumb:
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Thanks for all the help in choosing a keyboard! This forum is really welcoming. We're pretty sure we'll end up choosing the Matias Mini Quiet Pro, as it has page up and down keys, and the delete key is in a similar spot to her current keyboard. Does anyone have one of them or have used one? If so, what do the switches feel like? If no one has any experience, then I'll assume they are like MX Browns because of the quietness...
Thanks again for all the help, and thanks to Tactile for the suggestion.
:thumb:
The Quiet Pro uses Matias Quiet Click. They are pretty good switches. They're reasonably smooth, very tactile, and quiet. The dampening also makes them a little easier on the fingers as tactile Alps usually bottom out quite hard.
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Magicforce/Qisan 68-key is another option if you want a cheap keyboard.
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Quiet Clicks are nicer than browns, smoother with a bigger tactile bump. The extra nav keys are handy too - good choice!