Ergodox questions

[cruzin]

The Ergodox kit is finally back on Massdrop, and I'm in for one. I have some questions though for those who already have one:

Which case shape did you get, classic or full hand? And do you wish you had bought the other?

Is it worth it to get the aluminum top plate?

[AKmalamute]

I sorta piece-meal'd mine so I'm not sure if this counts, but I couldn't imagine the full-hand would be comfortable. Even "soft" acrylic is pretty hard to be resting your hands on; better to get a classic, and something spongy (or hey a Noko rest if you're flush with spending cash) to put the palms of your hands on.

 Of course, type with the keyboard in my lap, and that has extra considerations where you've got two separate small keyboards ... I'm using a keyswitch plate from a donor-ALPS-board but a plank of 2x4 would work too ...

 Honestly, a top-plate of *just* aluminum? If I had the top plate be different, it'd be made of nothing (I still consider this route)

I'll be running another set of aluminum or stainless cases, if you want to have an all-metal case. I'm really glad I pulled the strings to make my ergodox weigh five pounds of I-could-kill-a-man metal so it's something you may want to give consideration to.

 answered in approximately the order you asked them; possibly without any preamble between answers. Good luck, and welcome to the Ergodoxen crowd (err, once your kit gets here...)

[cruzin]

I might eventually be interested in getting an all-metal case for mine, but I'm not exactly rolling in money at the moment. Especially after plunking down on this kit.

I ended up going with the classic case, and getting a pair of the Grifiti rests for it. I may build my own Ergodock for it at some point too.

[ddot]

I got the full hand.  So far I think it's been the right call.  A classic case with a something like a Noko leather wrist rest would have been an interesting option too, but if you ever want to do any tilting, a classic case and the wrist rest would require come coordination.

I got the aluminum plate as I was concerned about how the acrylic top plate would hold up over time.  I had some reservations about the aluminum plate being cold to the touch, but so far I haven't found it a problem.  Maybe my opinion will change once winter hits.

[davkol]

I have a compact case. For two reasons: (1) it's portable and (2) resting makes my palms hurt (and I can use external soft rests anyway).

I don't use the Massdrop's acrylic litster-style case anymore, because it was rather **** quality (I hear they've improved in later batches though). czarek's PVC case FTW!

[SonOfSonOfSpock]

I have a full hand case on my Ergodox. I like having an integrated palm wrest on my keyboards.

With the full hand case, you can add foam palm pads like the ones Grifiti makes: http://www.amazon.com/GRIFITI-Notebook-Silicone-Reposition-Travelling/dp/B00897D3OQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=laptop+grifiti+palm+pads

I don't have the aluminum plate so I can't comment on it.

[cruzin]

I have a compact case. For two reasons: (1) it's portable and (2) resting makes my palms hurt (and I can use external soft rests anyway).

I don't use the Massdrop's acrylic litster-style case anymore, because it was rather **** quality (I hear they've improved in later batches though). czarek's PVC case FTW!

I am leaning towards a full hand case now since it seems like it would be easier to tent.

I'm also unsure how comfortable DSA caps would be vs DCS. My Kinesis Advantage has DCS and I've gotten used to them. It looks like DSA would make it slightly harder to reach keys on the bottom rows.

I can't figure out where to buy a PVC case from czarek. Are they a member here?

[madik]

I have a compact case. For two reasons: (1) it's portable and (2) resting makes my palms hurt (and I can use external soft rests anyway).

I don't use the Massdrop's acrylic litster-style case anymore, because it was rather **** quality (I hear they've improved in later batches though). czarek's PVC case FTW!

Well I have the Czarek PVC case too. But I ain't very impressed with it.
- Its made from two pieces and the parting plane is quite visible.
- The inner radiuses were poorly finished and I had to brush it with sandpapers.
- The used screws are for a metal and therefor they doesn't hold well in the PVC. Gonna have to replace it with something more suitable for soft materials.
- Screw holes doesnt have a chamfer for the screw heads. So the screw heads are sticking out (ugly as hell). Will have to drill those champers and use different types of screw heads so the screws will hide in the bottom part of the case.

Anyway I will probably try to make my own custom Ergodox case from aluminium. We have some CNC machines in the company. But I dont know how to operate them so this will be tricky to get someone to aid me:)

[davkol]

I'm also unsure how comfortable DSA caps would be vs DCS. My Kinesis Advantage has DCS and I've gotten used to them. It looks like DSA would make it slightly harder to reach keys on the bottom rows.

Not a problem IME, although mixed profiles (angles/heights) can improve comfort quite a bit… they definitely do on my other keyboard with two rows of modifiers at the bottom. Note that I float my hands a lot, which is something that probably isn't expected on full-size cases.

My problem with DSA is different: very tight fit (especially on clears) and only medium thickness.

I can't figure out where to buy a PVC case from czarek. Are they a member here?

FalbaTech.pl

Well I have the Czarek PVC case too. But I ain't very impressed with it.
- Its made from two pieces and the parting plane is quite visible.
- The inner radiuses were poorly finished and I had to brush it with sandpapers.
- The used screws are for a metal and therefor they doesn't hold well in the PVC. Gonna have to replace it with something more suitable for soft materials.
- Screw holes doesnt have a chamfer for the screw heads. So the screw heads are sticking out (ugly as hell). Will have to drill those champers and use different types of screw heads so the screws will hide in the bottom part of the case.

I had all these problems with the layered acrylic case as well, and the screws provided by Massdrop tended to scratch/tear anything&everything in sight. It didn't work too well without a plate either (I want a configuration with more keys). Oh, and glossy acrylic is easy to scratch, attracts fingerprints and each layer is kinda prone to snapping (this is true only for the weird protrusion between key clusters on czarek's design).

I avoid metal, because it's cold and heavy and I'm worried about damaging the electronics.

[Data]

Metal is superior.  It's not cold it just conducts heat differently.  You should be touching the keys, not the case, anyway.  Right?

Heavy is good.  A light keyboard drifts after hours of use.  Why are you worried about damaging the electronics with it?

[davkol]

I carry the keyboard on my back 12 km and 700 stairs a week. I often use it in relatively cold environments. I don't see how metal could be superior under these circumstances (or any other, thinking about it).

I don't see how heavy could be good either. If it slides around, your rubber feet probably suck. If it's dropped to the floor, lighter is better.

Also, conductivity.

[dorkvader]

I avoid metal, because it's cold and heavy and I'm worried about damaging the electronics.

Heavy is good.  A light keyboard drifts after hours of use.  Why are you worried about damaging the electronics with it?

Metal is conductive. If he is worried about that, he is right to do so. I would be worried about it as well, if I hadn't already taken the necessary precautions with my own metal case.

Although I still need to add a proper grounding wire for the shield. I'll do that later.

[tp4tissue]

I avoid metal, because it's cold and heavy and I'm worried about damaging the electronics.

Heavy is good.  A light keyboard drifts after hours of use.  Why are you worried about damaging the electronics with it?

Metal is conductive. If he is worried about that, he is right to do so. I would be worried about it as well, if I hadn't already taken the necessary precautions with my own metal case.

Although I still need to add a proper grounding wire for the shield. I'll do that later.

this hassle is specifically why I didn't get the aluminum top plate..  if they had steel or something, that'd be easier..

[Data]

I carry the keyboard on my back 12 km and 700 stairs a week.

This is the most valid of all your arguments.  I don't agree with the rest of your post.

But hey, it's your keyboard.  Do whatever you want.

[tp4tissue]

I carry the keyboard on my back 12 km and 700 stairs a week. I often use it in relatively cold environments. I don't see how metal could be superior under these circumstances (or any other, thinking about it).

I don't see how heavy could be good either. If it slides around, your rubber feet probably suck. If it's dropped to the floor, lighter is better.

Also, conductivity.

there was a thread about static sparks shorting out the dox a while back due to the aluminum top piece..

so.. ya'll make sure to tape the bottom of the aluminum above the controller.. for safeness.


also.. I don't think the aluminum top is heavier than the acrylic top

[davkol]

The compact acrylic case is 570 g by itself. A *complete* ErgoDox with the compact PVC case is about 620 g.

[AKmalamute]

The compact acrylic case is 570 g by itself. A *complete* ErgoDox with the compact PVC case is about 620 g.

In stainless steel, I happen to know, it's north of 2250g; possibly as high as 2500g I don't have an accurate scale.

I suppose I'd want something lighter if I walked to work, and carried my keyboard back & forth every day. ... but I might not, too.

[davkol]

O_o

[tbc]

we're not disagreeing that metal is MUCH classier than pvc and acrylic are we?