geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: akaibukai on Mon, 28 May 2018, 21:50:55

Title: Truly Ergonomic Perfected ? Or...
Post by: akaibukai on Mon, 28 May 2018, 21:50:55
..sabotaged !!?

I was looking for ergonomic keyboards..
And I remembered that there was that "Truly" Ergonomic keyboard..
I remembered how they were advertising about the layout (aligned, column staggered, split parts etc..)
But they seem to start a new "Perfected" (really?) keyboard..
All their speech about the ergonomic features has gone in the dedicated webpage (https://www.trulyergonomic.com/store/truly-ergonomic-mechanical-ergonomic-keyboard)..
And look at that "Truly" Ergonomic ""Perfected"" keyboard (https://www.trulyergonomic.com/store/truly-ergonomic-perfected-tkl-keyboard) !!
It's just a yask*

What do you think about that 180° turn?

*Yet another standard keyboard
Title: Re: Truly Ergonomic Perfected ? Or...
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 28 May 2018, 22:46:32
It looks kinda cheap, like something a teenager or a first-time posting Chinese company would post on Geekhack ... ;-þ
And "Perfected" as a total regression from their ergonomic keyboards of the past... Bad for the brand, both the idea, the execution and the name. That's pretty obvious.

It being a staggered keyboard, I find lots of things to criticise — not necessarily flaws for everybody, but if you are going to design something for mass-market appeal:
More
* The Windows key is often used as a modifier, so it belongs on the bottom row.
* So does the Fn key, or at least close.
* They mention Mac support... but then they would definitely need another modifier on the bottom row. Or would they disable Alt or Ctrl?
* If the Ctrl key belongs on the bottom row, it belongs next to the left Arrow.
* Inverse-T would have been a better layout for the cursor keys. Because the middle finger is longer, the neutral position for the middle finger tip is in-between Up and Down on inverse-T. An ergonomic improvement would have been to raise it a row.
* People have muscle-memory for the function key row. Spacing is significant for finding them visually. The Escape key can still be enlarged to make it easier to hit (Fitt's law) but it does not need to be 2u.
* That is not DCS profile. It looks like OEM. ("Nano coating"... made by Tai-Hao?)

Things I think they did right:
* The modifier keys on the bottom row are convex.
* 2×1 Delete key.
* Modifier layer: Cursor keys on IJKL, Delete on D, Escape on E, Tab on T.
* Choice of space bar to reconfigure. Not just the left one.
* That they have macros.

I think I have seen that switch before... Gateron or something else?
Title: Re: Truly Ergonomic Perfected ? Or...
Post by: akaibukai on Mon, 28 May 2018, 22:55:44
You're so right... I don't believe that..
And all the pos you listed are actually something existing in any keyboards that is even not related to the layout..
So it seems that this layout really s*cks!
I mean it's no longer an ergonomic keyboard at all!
Title: Re: Truly Ergonomic Perfected ? Or...
Post by: Techno Trousers on Mon, 28 May 2018, 22:57:36
The only thing I'm okay with in all those changes is getting rid of the mostly useless insert key. But everything else would suck getting used to, for little to no benefit. Plus, it's not worth losing compatibility with all aftermarket key sets.
Title: Re: Truly Ergonomic Perfected ? Or...
Post by: daerid on Mon, 28 May 2018, 23:52:37
I think I have seen that switch before... Gateron or something else?

Looks like the Kailh box switches. But the whole "optical" thing reminds me of the the Bloody keyboards

The only thing I'm okay with in all those changes is getting rid of the mostly useless insert key. But everything else would suck getting used to, for little to no benefit. Plus, it's not worth losing compatibility with all aftermarket key sets.

Lack of insert key is a deal breaker for me, personally. I use it quite frequently day to day.
Title: Re: Truly Ergonomic Perfected ? Or...
Post by: Tom_Kazansky on Tue, 29 May 2018, 04:05:32
I guess... everyone's definition of "Ergonomic" are different.

I'm not convinced that this board is "Ergonomic"
and surely it's not "Perfect"

*Yet another standard keyboard

yeah, *Yet another standard keyboard with weird keycap size

Title: Re: Truly Ergonomic Perfected ? Or...
Post by: kurplop on Tue, 29 May 2018, 18:39:53
I’m not sure that being associated with the TE name is good marketing strategy; especially when they divorced themselves from the very features which, in the past, attracted those looking for a comfortable keyboard.  It’s like an admission that they knew nothing about keyboard ergonomics in the past but now have “truly” found the answer. The irony here is that most of their former ergonomic considerations were valid. Staggered columns, split layout, and narrow footprint: all sound and proven ideas.

What remains is a reputation of not responding to customer concerns, not meeting delivery timelines, firmware issues, and silence. It is sad because the TECK had a lot going for it. I don’t see much to be excited about with this new design. Maybe the IR switches? Who knows? I don’t think I’d ever trust them again.