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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: yensteel on Wed, 22 August 2018, 04:29:53

Title: Ergodox - Different height keycaps to improve thumb position?
Post by: yensteel on Wed, 22 August 2018, 04:29:53

I was thinking about the old complaint of the ergodox keyboard having an uncomfortable thumb positioning, and that tenting the keyboard helps with the comfort. This was due to the keyboard having all keys on the same plane and angle.

I suddenly had an idea. Is it possible to use a different key cap profile or brand to either increase the height of the other keys, or lower the thumb keys to make the keyboard more comfortable?

I'm currently using the Ergodox EZ, so the default keycaps seem to be pretty low as they are DCS. I'm currently thinking of trying out SA key caps as they are also curved and seem taller.

Any suggestions?

Title: Re: Ergodox - Different height keycaps to improve thumb position?
Post by: algernon on Wed, 22 August 2018, 06:06:06

In my experience, tenting helps because it makes the movement easier: if you tent the keyboard high enough, reaching the lower keys is as easy as relaxing your thumb. Different keycap heights will not have the same effect, because you'll have to move your thumb sideways, instead of up or down. Granted, it's nearly the same motion, but... only nearly.

Title: Re: Ergodox - Different height keycaps to improve thumb position?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 22 August 2018, 08:31:56

When the ergodox is layed flat..  Because the thumb cluster's distance,  the wrist has to Rotate DEEPLY to engage the cluster..

This deep rotation is why most people complain. THEY are the ones using the ergodox improperly.

If you TENT the ergodox, (as it was Designed for).  This problem disappears..


Tp4 recommends 55 degrees of tenting, 


What keycaps you use for the ergodox is thoroughly inconsequential to its Ergonomic-Capacity.