Maltron 3D alternatives

[nick2253]

In my search for the perfect ergonomic keyboard, I've looked through quite a few keyboards.  However, only one really jumped out at me as a "perfect" keyboard:  the Maltron 3D.  The Maltron has a fairly standard layout, a curved bowl and sunken thumb cluster, real buttons for the F keys, a center cluster, and cherry switches.  Oh, and it comes in black! (I could swoon).

However, Maltron does have one major thing going against it:  cost.  At 375GBP excluding VAT (that comes out to $585 US as of posting), the Maltron 3D is not a cheap keyboard.  In fact, it's not even a cheap keyboard by mechanical keyboard standards.

I have three other niggly problems with the Maltron:  it uses Cherry Black and only Black switches (a choice would be nice; I prefer brown), it doesn't have a key below the L/R shift keys (where the Ctrl key goes on a Win KB), and it's not reprogrammable (but that's not too difficult to fix with a Teensy, ErgoDox style).

I've looked at these keyboards, and they just don't match the Maltron (accept for maybe cost):

• Kinesis Advantage - Pros: cost, switches. Cons: slightly less standard than Maltron, no 10key, wimpy F buttons, raised thumbpads, programmable
• Microsoft Natural 4000 - Pros: cost!!, layout, 10key.  Cons: rubber domes.  *This is my current daily driver
• Ergodox - Pros: programmable, kit flexibility, separable. Cons: flat, thumb clusters, no 10key, layout (too few keys IMO)
• Truly Ergonomic - Pros: programmable, switches.  Cons: flat, not enough keys, hands too close together, no 10key

There are others I've looked at, but they all have the same problem: close, but no cigar.

What else is out there for me? What alternatives are out there for the Maltron 3D?

[vvp]

If you have a lot of free time, an access to an FFF/FDM 3d printer and have a clue about soldering then you can build  this cheaply:
http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/katy-keyboard-or-k80cs-key80-contoured-split-t8524.html
There are even cheaper options (the case model for free):
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71263.0
https://github.com/adereth/dactyl-cave/

I can somewhat understand a desire to have real F-keys (instead of having them only in a layer). Crazy combinations like e.g. Ctrl-Shift-F4 are a bit easier. Though even without dedicated F-keys it is not bad if you have control, layer shift, and shift in thumb cluster.  But I do not see why you want real numpad. The one in keypad layer of Kinesis Advantage works great.

[Snarfangel]

In my search for the perfect ergonomic keyboard, I've looked through quite a few keyboards.  However, only one really jumped out at me as a "perfect" keyboard:  the Maltron 3D.  The Maltron has a fairly standard layout, a curved bowl and sunken thumb cluster, real buttons for the F keys, a center cluster, and cherry switches.  Oh, and it comes in black! (I could swoon).

However, Maltron does have one major thing going against it:  cost.  At 375GBP excluding VAT (that comes out to $585 US as of posting), the Maltron 3D is not a cheap keyboard.  In fact, it's not even a cheap keyboard by mechanical keyboard standards.

I have three other niggly problems with the Maltron:  it uses Cherry Black and only Black switches (a choice would be nice; I prefer brown), it doesn't have a key below the L/R shift keys (where the Ctrl key goes on a Win KB), and it's not reprogrammable (but that's not too difficult to fix with a Teensy, ErgoDox style).

I've looked at these keyboards, and they just don't match the Maltron (accept for maybe cost):

• Kinesis Advantage - Pros: cost, switches. Cons: slightly less standard than Maltron, no 10key, wimpy F buttons, raised thumbpads, programmable
• Microsoft Natural 4000 - Pros: cost!!, layout, 10key.  Cons: rubber domes.  *This is my current daily driver
• Ergodox - Pros: programmable, kit flexibility, separable. Cons: flat, thumb clusters, no 10key, layout (too few keys IMO)
• Truly Ergonomic - Pros: programmable, switches.  Cons: flat, not enough keys, hands too close together, no 10key

There are others I've looked at, but they all have the same problem: close, but no cigar.

What else is out there for me? What alternatives are out there for the Maltron 3D?

I think MX Brown switch switches are an option on the Maltron, because I have a newer left-handed version with that switch.

Also, I just bought an older beige two-handed Maltron (granted, with black switches) from Ebay for $107.50 plus $15 shipping, though since I wanted Soarer's converter I had to add another $39.99. I haven't reprogrammed it yet, since it just arrived yesterday, but it works perfectly so far (I am typing on it now). Orihalcon does really nice work. If you don't mind putting Maltron on an Ebay watch list and waiting a few months, you might pick up a good deal. Mine doesn't have the latest layout (the number pad is 4 high by 5 wide, and it doesn't have the Windows or Multimedia keys), but that's what the converter is for.

The only two drawbacks I see with my Maltron are A) It's too light, so if you press down too hard on the palm rest in front, the back might raise up -- the front legs should be farther forward or the base heavier, and B) Brown or Blue MX switches would be nicer than the blacks I have.

This next week I am getting a set of Granite PBT keycaps with a DSA profile from Signature Plastics via Massdrop, and will replace the current keycaps and add O-rings. So maybe in the end I didn't save a ton of money, but I am getting what I wanted.  )

[nick2253]

If you have a lot of free time, an access to an FFF/FDM 3d printer and have a clue about soldering then you can build  this cheaply:
http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/katy-keyboard-or-k80cs-key80-contoured-split-t8524.html
There are even cheaper options (the case model for free):
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71263.0
https://github.com/adereth/dactyl-cave/

I can somewhat understand a desire to have real F-keys (instead of having them only in a layer). Crazy combinations like e.g. Ctrl-Shift-F4 are a bit easier. Though even without dedicated F-keys it is not bad if you have control, layer shift, and shift in thumb cluster.  But I do not see why you want real numpad. The one in keypad layer of Kinesis Advantage works great.

I've been looking at all those projects, but I don't have access to a 3D printer.  Shapeways and others are just too expensive.  In particular, the Dactyl-cave is an awesome project, but the lack of access to a 3D printer makes me hesitant to print out something without others having messed with it first.

Part of the reason I want a numpad is I'm not a fan of layers.  Some layers, like mapping F1-F12 on 1-+/= makes sense, but putting the numpad in the middle of the keyboard rubs me the wrong way.  Even on a laptop, I could never get comfortable with layer switching for that.  Another part of the reason is to have more buttons for macroing.  Some of the games I play are really macro intensive.

Honestly, the numpad on the Maltron isn't all that great, because it's only four rows.  It would really need to be five rows for me to be happy with it.  And from that perspective, could I adapt to a layered numpad:  sure, especially if I set my mind to it.  I would just rather have it than not.

Also, I just bought an older beige two-handed Maltron (granted, with black switches) from Ebay for $107.50 plus $15 shipping, though since I wanted Soarer's converter I had to add another $39.99. I haven't reprogrammed it yet, since it just arrived yesterday, but it works perfectly so far (I am typing on it now). Orihalcon does really nice work. If you don't mind putting Maltron on an Ebay watch list and waiting a few months, you might pick up a good deal. Mine doesn't have the latest layout (the number pad is 4 high by 5 wide, and it doesn't have the Windows or Multimedia keys), but that's what the converter is for.

The only two drawbacks I see with my Maltron are A) It's too light, so if you press down too hard on the palm rest in front, the back might raise up -- the front legs should be farther forward or the base heavier, and B) Brown or Blue MX switches would be nicer than the blacks I have.

This next week I am getting a set of Granite PBT keycaps with a DSA profile from Signature Plastics via Massdrop, and will replace the current keycaps and add O-rings. So maybe in the end I didn't save a ton of money, but I am getting what I wanted.  )

So you're that bastard that got that keyboard!   I've been watching on eBay for a while, and was excited when I saw that come up, but was busy during the close of the auction, and wasn't able to snipe it from ya.  Congratulations