Which layout do you prefer? (60% users)

[grav3serker]

What layout do you prefer most?

-HHKB style with backspace in place of \ and |

-Standard ANSI or ISO with a normal 2x backspace

For those who prefer option A, how long did it take you to get used to having the BS there, and how do you feel when you use a standard layout board?

Just looking to hear your guys' opinions on this!

Cheers!

[inanis]

Between the two, HHKB layout is better. It takes almost no getting used to. If the backspace was 1u and on the top row, yeah, it would mess me up for weeks. But in the spot of \| it makes a lot of sense.

Get an hhkb.

[alexjd99]

I prefer HHKB over any by far. Layout takes very little adjusting, and when switching from board to board, the swap to a normal backspace is instant.

Also, control on any key other than caps is a mistake. all of my boards have control and caps swapped.

[BlueNalgene]

I'm using a modified hacker infiniti layout.  I have a 1u backspace in the top right of the board. 

It has been about a month that I've been using this board, and I'm still not used to it.  My pinky is so used to hitting the left side of the standard 2u backspace, I keep accidentally pressing the key next to my 1u backspace.  It is worth noting that I touch type, so it is very dependent on my muscle memory.

I'm getting used to it though.  I expect my error count will taper off slowly over the next few months.  I think by then I will prefer this layout.

[raymogi]

HHKB all day.

I got a Duck Eagle with the normal 60% layout and fn, but somehow it feels more natural to do the fn stuff in HHKB. Maybe I'm just biased.

[whmeltonjr]

HHKB

[grav3serker]

Between the two, HHKB layout is better. It takes almost no getting used to. If the backspace was 1u and on the top row, yeah, it would mess me up for weeks. But in the spot of \| it makes a lot of sense.

Get an hhkb.

Sounds good! I was leaning towards that layout, I just wanted to hear some other people's opinions on the layout before I commit. I am going to order a B.face with LeandreN's HHKB plate in the GB he's about to run, so I just wanted some reassurance before I ordered something and ended up regretting it. I know it's all personal preference in the end, but at the same time, with all of the HHKB users here, I can't imagine it being bad, as I've never really heard any negatives about the layout. Thanks for your input!

I prefer HHKB over any by far. Layout takes very little adjusting, and when switching from board to board, the swap to a normal backspace is instant.

Also, control on any key other than caps is a mistake. all of my boards have control and caps swapped.

Thanks! I definitely agree about the ctrl / caps swap. I have my V60's set up that way and I can't stand using boards that aren't set up like that anymore haha. Cheers! 

[Jin]

Tkl

[nathanrosspowell]

All my boards run HHKB layout,  even the ones bigger than 60% (Compact SQ and KUL ES-87). The 1.75u capslock and the 1.5u backslash just make no sense to me anymore...

[demik]

HHKB MASTER RACE

[grav3serker]

HHKB MASTER RACE

I will soon be a part of this

[demik]

HHKB MASTER RACE

I will soon be a part of this

i got the juice and cookies waiting!

[grav3serker]

HHKB MASTER RACE

I will soon be a part of this

i got the juice and cookies waiting!

[demik]

HHKB MASTER RACE

I will soon be a part of this

i got the juice and cookies waiting!

Show Image

[rxc92]

TBH I really like the HHKB layout enough to swap it to my larger boards! It took only a few hours to get used to and it just makes so much sense. However, it would be nice to have some extra keys in the side space, despite its sexy looks.

[grav3serker]

TBH I really like the HHKB layout enough to swap it to my larger boards! It took only a few hours to get used to and it just makes so much sense. However, it would be nice to have some extra keys in the side space, despite its sexy looks.

Yeah it also gives you two extra keys for artisans! Haha. I swapped the layout using Karabiner and I'm really digging it

[njbair]

Late to the party, but I'll chime in that HHKB layout is the best. I personally have no trouble switching between HHKB and ANSI 60%, and I do so daily (AEKII 60% at home and Infinity 60% at work). I may have one or two "misfires" when I first sit down, but within minutes I'm back to cruising speed with no errors.

In fact, I would use HHKB/Infinity layout exclusively, if not for the fact that my two best-feeling 60% boards are ANSI with blue Alps and AEKII with orange Alps.

[TalkingTree]

This, and eventually a short right Shift too.

[ajx]

Modified HHKB Layout with Hasu/TMK firmware
No-one could beat this thing, i could implement whatever layout you wish 

[jcoffin1981]

Like standard backspace and shift, even though I often use the left shift to shift left handed characters also.  I like to have the possibility of a function key on the left side as well.

I was looking at Poker 3's and I prefer the black case and grey key cap color, however all that is left now is UK-ISO.  That odd shaped enter key scared me and the oddly placed @ sympbol, so I decided against it.  So yes, ANSI.

[Bucake]

hands down hhkb. dat backspace is so sexy. should be the standard imo, not joking.
actually can't remember how long it took me to get used to it - maybe a few days until i stopped making miss-presses.

doesn't take me very long to get used to a regular 2U backspace when i switch between keyboard. but now i'm used to the hhkb-backspace i just think the normal 2U one is stupid.
at least, for my use. i rarely use that \ key so it's just dumb to have it there.

[suicidal_orange]

I tried a HHKB and couldn't get used to the ANSI enter, then I tried an ISOised HHKB layout with enter where HHKB backspace is and backspace below (small key due to bonus ISO key) and that was great - until I got to work and had a full size ISO enter again so kept inputting wrong things...

Currently learning to use Colemak backspace (caps lock) which is promising and I can always rip the cap off at work if I keep doing it wrong.

[ajx]

Whats wrong with ANSI Enter?

[suicidal_orange]

Whats wrong with ANSI Enter?

Nothing, if that's what you've grown up using.  I've always had an ISO enter and usually hit the top of it, it's a hard habit to break

[TalkingTree]

I've always had an ISO enter and usually hit the top of it, it's a hard habit to break

Trust me, if you go for ANSI enter with backslash assigned to the Pipe key you won't go back.

[suicidal_orange]

I've always had an ISO enter and usually hit the top of it, it's a hard habit to break

Trust me, if you go for ANSI enter with backslash assigned to the Pipe key you won't go back.

My HHKB is for sale for the third and final time, I cannot switch between having enter and backspace in the same position whether that is HHKB layout or my preferred inverted version.  If you accidentally type a \  you can delete it along with your mistake when you find backspace, if you press enter when you've made a mistake bad things happen

[TalkingTree]

I cannot switch between having enter and backspace in the same position whether that is HHKB layout or my preferred inverted version.  If you accidentally type a \  you can delete it along with your mistake when you find backspace, if you press enter when you've made a mistake bad things happen

I made a few mistakes a few times at the beginning, but you get used in no time. I can switch from my custom 60% to a standard ISO without any problem at all.

[jcoffin1981]

Actually, of every board I've seen I think the Leopold FC660 ANSI has the best layout.  It's a 60% form factor but doesn't sacrifice any of the shift keys or have a mini backspace, and it still has dedicated arrows.  I'm actually kicking myself that I didn't replace my Poker 3 with this board.  It's 20% cheaper too.  Shoot! I screwed up. 

Can anybody comment on the quality comparison of these two boards?  I really do like the solid feel of the Poker though.... and the programability.

[ajx]

Its Topre, so it must be better than your Pok3r
However programability is a nice feature
In the best world, get HHKB and Hasu, you can tweak whatever layout you want
I have dedicated arrows (toggled), i dont' miss anything
The thing is TMK/Hasu let you program absolutely anything

e.g

Momentary Switch with Tap Toggle means i can use secondary functions (dedicated arrows on wasd) by holding a key (ideal place for fn on the left cmd, perfectly aligned under wasd)
That's mean i can holding fn/right cmd and use wasd as dedicated arrows, if i want to use permanent secondary functions, several taps on fn/left cmd (define your own number, for example, 2)

Do you get it?
See how powerful Hasu's controller it is


Now my HHKB is perfect allrounder layout, i can use for anything (gaming, desktop use) without bothering me at all
HHKB physical layout its close to the perfection, with programability feature, its among one of best keyboard i ever try when it comes about ergonomic and layout

My advice: get HHKB and Hasu's controller instead of FC660C
And adding Hasu's controller means wireless ability as well (bluetooth, just buy lipo battery)
This guy is genius, long life to the King Hasu 

[Polymer]

For me..

HHKB Backspace-CTRL = Awesome, makes sense..easy to switch back and forth but should really be the standard layout for all keyboards IMO..

Only thing I'd change with the HHKB is the arrow keys to IJKL and FN on the left side...which still lets you expand out all of the other functions(pgu pgdn, etc)..You get used to the HHKB arrows but it isn't as fast as you arrow key now with two fingers rather than three...

[njbair]

Its Topre, so it must be better than your Pok3r
However programability is a nice feature
In the best world, get HHKB and Hasu, you can tweak whatever layout you want
I have dedicated arrows (toggled), i dont' miss anything
The thing is TMK/Hasu let you program absolutely anything

e.g

Momentary Switch with Tap Toggle means i can use secondary functions (dedicated arrows on wasd) by holding a key (ideal place for fn on the left cmd, perfectly aligned under wasd)
That's mean i can holding fn/right cmd and use wasd as dedicated arrows, if i want to use permanent secondary functions, several taps on fn/left cmd (define your own number, for example, 2)

Do you get it?
See how powerful Hasu's controller it is


Now my HHKB is perfect allrounder layout, i can use for anything (gaming, desktop use) without bothering me at all
HHKB physical layout its close to the perfection, with programability feature, its among one of best keyboard i ever try when it comes about ergonomic and layout

My advice: get HHKB and Hasu's controller instead of FC660C
And adding Hasu's controller means wireless ability as well (bluetooth, just buy lipo battery)
This guy is genius, long life to the King Hasu 

For fans of the FC660 layout who also want TMK programmability, now we have skullydazed's Clueboard PCB. I'm most likely going to be picking one up soon.

[ddot]

Question for those who do the HHKB remap of the backspace to above the enter on a standard ANSI keyboard.  Where do you map the now homeless backslash key?

[grav3serker]

Question for those who do the HHKB remap of the backspace to above the enter on a standard ANSI keyboard.  Where do you map the now homeless backslash key?

To backspace. I just swap the two.

[lootbag]

HHKB layout only.
Didn't take really long to adjust.
Used the layout for over 5 years now and do not want to use any other layout.
Everything just makes sense for what I use a computer for and I do not even code.

[TalkingTree]

Question for those who do the HHKB remap of the backspace to above the enter on a standard ANSI keyboard.  Where do you map the now homeless backslash key?

I split the backspace in two 1u keys and I use the one on the left.

[ddot]

I split the backspace in two 1u keys and I use the one on the left.

But what if you're using a standard ANSI layout, ie a Poker without the split keys?

To backspace. I just swap the two.

That was my first thought too, but have you ever seen a 2u backslash keycap?  I looked at a few keycap sets, including granite and retro (which seem to try and provide nearly every possible combination), but no luck with any of them.  With repeated rumblings about the HHKB layout and the remapping of the backspace/delete key, it appears to have a bit of a following.  At least some of those people must be trying to do it on a standard ANSI layout, so you'd think there'd be at least some demand for a 2u backslash keycap.  But without that keycap anywhere to be found, I got to thinking  that maybe the top right 2u key wasn't the preferred spot for the backslash and maybe I was missing something.

[TalkingTree]

I split the backspace in two 1u keys and I use the one on the left.

But what if you're using a standard ANSI layout, ie a Poker without the split keys?

I move the pipe to a secondary layer in that case. But I usually prefer custom 60%.