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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Auk on Sun, 16 July 2017, 06:54:49

Title: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: Auk on Sun, 16 July 2017, 06:54:49
Is anyone aware of any keyboards or custom cases that allow the tilt angle to be set at less than 0° ? most interested in conventional layout 60% up to TKL sizes, but any suggestions are welcome.

So far the only one I've noticed with this feature is the GMK's retail product, the UNIQEY Q100 (https://uniqey.net/en/detail/index/sArticle/13/sCategory/10) which has flip out feet front and back:

Quote from: UNIQEY Q100
  • Adjustable tilt angle (3 different levels), including the option of a negative angle

[attach=1]

N.B. This is thread is intended to be a fishing expedition to find out what products exist, I didn't intend for this to turn into a discussion which may be better suited to the ergonomics sub forum. The TLDR rationale: typically keyboards are angled with a positive incline, which may be a hangover from the limitations of mechanical typewriter design, and a flat or negative tilt may be more natural and easier on the wrists.
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: rioc on Sun, 16 July 2017, 07:00:59
Kinesis has a model, forgot the name though

Sent from my sofa using lazy-stuff...

Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: hoggy on Sun, 16 July 2017, 07:31:22
The cherry mx5000 and IBM M15, also Microsoft sculpt and some of their natural models spring to mind.
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: sysfury on Sun, 16 July 2017, 17:52:26
Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic is a great keyboard, albeit not mechanical.

https://imgur.com/LZ6sPTz
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 16 July 2017, 18:14:53
You can put a wedge under any keyboard in the front.

Alternatively, the keyboard can be put on an adjustable tray (such as those from Ergotron).
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: Hyde on Wed, 19 July 2017, 15:43:38
http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

It has 4 legs per "half" and each legs is adjustable.  In the middle there are also screw holes for tripod so you can mount them on stuff too.
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: badchad on Wed, 19 July 2017, 22:01:03
I heard its more ergonomical for your wrists to type at this type of angle. Any truth behind this? I personally prefer typing on flat low profile boards rather than ones with a positive tilt. 


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Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 19 July 2017, 22:06:18
you could always just put a piece of wood under the bottom or something
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: ideus on Wed, 19 July 2017, 22:21:08
you could always just put a piece of wood under the bottom or something

+1, simplicity wins, always.
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 19 July 2017, 23:37:56
you could always just put a piece of wood under the bottom or something

+1, simplicity wins, always.

occam's razor
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: ɔiɈɘʜɈƨ∍∀ on Thu, 20 July 2017, 00:12:45
I use a very aggresive angle on my boards,To get the angle I like I use a piece of wood cut and clearcoated with resin at a angle so I can adjust it as needed for all my board. Might be worth looking into
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: ɔiɈɘʜɈƨ∍∀ on Thu, 20 July 2017, 00:15:23
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/307754525526065154/337462275021602817/20170608_051921.jpg)
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: ɔiɈɘʜɈƨ∍∀ on Thu, 20 July 2017, 00:16:39
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/307754525526065154/337462750974443520/20170720_011622.jpg)
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: Auk on Thu, 20 July 2017, 08:44:53
Interesting replies so far, thanks   :thumb:

As I suspected, not much to get excited about in the mechanical realm. The few flat profile cases like Ryan Norbauer's designs, and the Retro60 (for BananaSplit60) are the best options I've seen amongst the customs showcased on GH.


I heard its...

This is what got me interested. I use a G80-1800 which is relatively shallow with the Cherry keycaps, and not too steeply inclined vs a lot of other keyboards. However I often wished it could be lower profile and flatter. Then I thought more about wrist angles and ergonomics.

There is an example of the theory on the Cornell University website: typing posture (http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/AHTutorials/typingposture.html)


I use a piece of wood...

The objection I have to this is that it raises the front of the keyboard up considerably, the more positive incline is integrated in the keyboard case the higher it has to be raised to counteract. Keeping the keyboard low profile can be its' own ergonomic benefit.

N.B. You look like a post count spammer! I guess you just wanted to add the multiple images, but rather than triple post next time, see the attachments section in reply to post and you can add multiple images at once, and as thumbnails. It's more user friendly for everyone:

[attach=1]
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: badchad on Thu, 20 July 2017, 09:08:09
Interesting replies so far, thanks   :thumb:

As I suspected, not much to get excited about in the mechanical realm. The few flat profile cases like Ryan Norbauer's designs, and the Retro60 (for BananaSplit60) are the best options I've seen amongst the customs showcased on GH.


I heard its...

This is what got me interested. I use a G80-1800 which is relatively shallow with the Cherry keycaps, and not too steeply inclined vs a lot of other keyboards. However I often wished it could be lower profile and flatter. Then I thought more about wrist angles and ergonomics.

There is an example of the theory on the Cornell University website: typing posture (http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/AHTutorials/typingposture.html)


(Attachment Link)

This article is perfect and even looking at the 'ideal posture' I already feel more comfortable lmao. I wonder, though if you can achieve that angle with a regular desk.


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Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: ideus on Thu, 20 July 2017, 09:08:51
The easiest solution to this is to "float" your hands over the keyboard, no leaning on your palms. That is the technique recommended for touch typing and your wrist can be kept at the most confortable and natural angle against your forearms, provided that your chair height is at the appropriated position.
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: Auk on Thu, 20 July 2017, 09:52:38
One of the things these ergonomic theories rarely talk about is how individuals vary so much, not just in height but in arm and leg length proportions, and also hand size. I often wonder if the science is good, pushing any one solution as 'best practice' may not be right for everybody.

I like the general principle that muscles and joints should be relaxed as far as possible, and moving frequently to avoid holding static positions for long periods is probably helpful in most cases.
Title: Re: negative tilt keyboards, is there anything other than GMK UNIQEY?
Post by: redbanshee on Thu, 20 July 2017, 09:54:37
Clueboard acrylic case will let you do this.... https://clueboard.co/parts/clueboard-66-case-acrylic-bottom-plate