ErgoDox - Custom split ergo keyboard.

[damorgue]

If interest is still high in this and progress is still being made, I'd be willing to buy one for about $500, assuming the price includes everything needed to get it working and a set of blank keycaps.

The case will determine if it ends up costing more or less than $500 I believe. A milled aluminium case will ofc make it cost quite a bit, but there are other options in the works.

[The_Beast]

I thought I registered interest in a PCB



Anyways, I'm interested in a pcb

[TheProfosist]

Interested

[Ian S]

I've not read the whole 29 pages.  Is there an option for Topre switches?

[damorgue]

I've not read the whole 29 pages.  Is there an option for Topre switches?

Not a chance.

This is only for Cherry MX. Making one for alps wouldn't be that difficult, but it would require a new pcb to be made. Topre is just way to different unfortunately.

[Ian S]

Would that be related to a controller to work with the capacitive switches?  Oh well.   I anyway half expected all that and the switches too would be propriety and not for third party products.

Thanks for your reply 

[dirge]

Making one for alps wouldn't be that difficult, but it would require a new pcb to be made.

ALPS!!!! make it happen! just moar ALPS!

[sordna]

For a split ergonomic keyboard with topre switches, there is the μTron / uTron ... here, Amazon-Japan has it:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/Personal-Media-Media-%E3%83%9E%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%ADTRON%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89-U01C0240-01-%E5%B7%A6%E5%8F%B3%E5%88%86%E9%9B%A2%E5%9E%8B%E9%9D%99%E9%9B%BB%E5%AE%B9%E9%87%8F%E7%84%A1%E6%8E%A5%E7%82%B9%E6%96%B9%E5%BC%8F%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%EF%BC%88%E3%83%86%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9%EF%BC%89/dp/B004BZ2TOA

Would that be related to a controller to work with the capacitive switches?  Oh well.   I anyway half expected all that and the switches too would be propriety and not for third party products.

Thanks for your reply 

[Icarium]

If you can't figure out what it costs from that page: Be glad.

[docomoz]

I'm in. No matter the cost.

[Pyrolistical]

I'm in. No matter the cost.

Boy, do I have a keyboard for you sir!

[Ian S]

For a split ergonomic keyboard with topre switches, there is the μTron

Ah, thanks, yes I saw that a little while ago together with a video and that board seemed to be 'wrong' in a couple or so ways, not least, the price, but I recall the slope and angle looked wrong, maybe had too few keys, either way, unlike docomoz above, alas or me price is a factor.

[kta]

This is really promising, it looks like the perfect input device to me:)

if the price is in the 500$ range, I am interested for at least one set.

[litster]

anyone interested in pooling together to print some ergodox cases?

[litster]

bpiphany enlisted me as his beta tester. I soldered diodes and a teensy on to the right hand PCB (no connectors or resistors). After I flashed the firmware from github on to the teensy, the keyboard is not recognized by Windows at all when I plug it in.

Do I need to connect the two halves together in order for the teensy to boot correctly? Do I need to flash both .hex and .eep files onto the teensy? the 1.06 loader doesn't seem to know how to flash the .eep file.

[alaricljs]

yeah... the .eep is in the same exact format as .hex, if you rename it then it'll load... I just don't know how the teensy loader determines where to load it to.  The file should tell it, but does it listen?

[bisl]

anyone interested in pooling together to print some ergodox cases?

Absolutely. If you haven't seen it though you might want to check out JesuswasaZombie's GB IC thread as I think there are also moves being made there to coordinate this. Either way, I'm in! I'd like to see this happen as soon as possible.

bpiphany enlisted me as his beta tester.

AWESOME. I'm really excited to get the kind of info from the field that you're providing. Hope you keep the thread posted!

[alaricljs]

Maybe some clues here:  see updates to rev 1.05

http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/loader.html

and more here: 

Hi guys!  Here's the EEPROM-writing asm code the GUI-based Teensy Loader
uses.  Actually, a binary copy of this is built into the Teensy Loader.   
When opening the .hex file, the Teensy Loader checks if there's an .elf
file which matches the .hex file, and if so the .eeprom section is
extracted from the .elf and appended to the binary data from of tiny
program.  Once downloaded and run, it just writes to the eeprom and then
jumps back to the bootloader.


Seems you need the original elf, or a way to put them back together.

[sordna]

Why does deskthority get all the nice pictures ??

Copying couple of ic07's pics here, it looks sooooo nice

[Sifo]

Looking good

[wiredPANDA]

Thanks for cross-posting those from DT. =D

[tiarnachutch]

What's the current ETA on having final designs and beginning production? The mock-ups look amazing.

[Sinzz]

hmmm.. interested.. but will have to see the final designs first.

[OrangeJewce]

Prototypes are out in the field and are being beta-tested right now. The last remaining hurdle is the case, and even I still have no idea when we can expect that to be completed. You can always check out this thread on Deskthority for engineering related info.

Cheers,

[bisl]

The last remaining hurdle is the case

I'd beta test on a yoga mat case like ic07 if it meant getting this thing sooner. Function over form! Case important, but less important; not sure if I'm alone in this opinion though.

Also I'm in between contracts right now so I've got a bunch of time I could dump into this. And a nice camera to indulge forum readers!

[Matias]

Why does deskthority get all the nice pictures ??

Copying couple of ic07's pics here, it looks sooooo nice

Prototypes are out in the field and are being beta-tested right now. The last remaining hurdle is the case, and even I still have no idea when we can expect that to be completed. You can always check out this thread on Deskthority for engineering related info.

This is VERY cool.  Nice work!

[OrangeJewce]

The last remaining hurdle is the case

I'd beta test on a yoga mat case like ic07 if it meant getting this thing sooner. Function over form! Case important, but less important; not sure if I'm alone in this opinion though.

Also I'm in between contracts right now so I've got a bunch of time I could dump into this. And a nice camera to indulge forum readers!

Hah, I am one to disagree with you, because IMO it holds the greatest design and production challenge of the entire keyboard!

Cheers,

[ironman31]

yeah, without the case where is the 'ergo'?

[bisl]

yeah, without the case where is the 'ergo'?

Respectfully: without the case, the keys are still laid out the same. If I were to guess, you'd opt for one of the sloped bottom designs? Personally, I'm going flat, so the keyboard will be just as ergo for me without the case as it will be with it.

Hah, I am one to disagree with you, because IMO it holds the greatest design and production challenge of the entire keyboard!

Totally conceded! I'd be interested to know if there is anything that can be done to help this challenge progress.

[jwaz]

yeah, without the case where is the 'ergo'?

The staggering of the keys? The split between sections? I'm sure you could do a tent design without a case...

[sordna]

I haven't heard anything about this case being "ergo", so unless they can make it adjustable (which would be very difficult), it should be as flat and low profile as possible!

Then it would be up to each of us to prop/tilt/tent it as we please. I'll probably build a stand out of cardboard, or out of a coat-hanger or something, that can prop the keyboard halves to an angle of at least 45°

[bisl]

I haven't heard anything about this case being "ergo", so unless they can make it adjustable (which would be very difficult), it should be as flat and low profile as possible!

The diagrams for the case parts are on the ergodox website--there is one case top, and case bottoms of three different types:

flat:


sloped (vertical)


double-sloped (horizontal and vertical).


So while not being adjustable per se, it does appear as though there are options in the works. Not sure about 45° though.

[ironman31]

yeah, I was referring to the angled bottoms

[Workoft]

Hi,
This looks really good. Unfortunately, I didn't see this any earlier and now 30 pages are a lot to work through.
I have a few questions about the design.
What's the motivation for those extra keys on the bottom? I find keys like Alt, Ctrl and Alt-Gr on a conventional keyboard hard to reach with my fingers when my hands are in normal typing position, so I would think on an ergonomic keyboard there shouldn't be an extra row on the bottom.
Also the center keys are relatively hard to reach because it requires reaching over two columns.
Those who tried the prototype should know best, what's you experience with these?

[litster]

Here it is.  A couple of mistakes like the 3.5mm opening is too narrow, forgot the make room for the USB connector on the layers that sandwich the acrylic plate.  I want to have a built-in wrist rest to the case as well.  I will have to make all those changes for the next prototype.



Top view:


BTW, to use this case, you will need to solder SMD diodes or through-hole diodes on the bottom of the PCB.  SMD diodes on the bottom is better as you would not need to worry about the diode legs sticking up from the bottom.

[dirge]

Outstanding work litster!

[The_Beast]

Nice to see some progress being made on this. Hopfully too many custom boards don't come out at once, sounds dumb but I don't want to have to pick between custom boards. I WANT THEM ALL ^___^

[bebuxe]

You have officially have me bought. No matter the price. I'll buy a one, and any others for my friends. Need money now for more materials and stuff?

I am wondering if we can process these for bulk orders. Nah, thinking way too ahead.

Better yet, want some server space to host your stuff? Or you got it covered?

[OrangeJewce]

Nice to see some progress being made on this. Hopfully too many custom boards don't come out at once, sounds dumb but I don't want to have to pick between custom boards. I WANT THEM ALL ^___^

Honestly, the eDox is too unique compared to all the other custom boards. I think owning one really will make you special compared to the numerous custom TKLs.

Cheers,

[The_Beast]

Nice to see some progress being made on this. Hopfully too many custom boards don't come out at once, sounds dumb but I don't want to have to pick between custom boards. I WANT THEM ALL ^___^

Honestly, the eDox is too unique compared to all the other custom boards. I think owning one really will make you special compared to the numerous custom TKLs.

Cheers,

Your right, but I'm not even sure I'll like an ergo keyboard yet. Plus I'm really like the GH60

[jwaz]

Looks good Lit, will similar colors be available as the filco/ Phantom acrylic cases?

Definitely hope the aluminum ones are reasonable. That design looks great.

[funkymeeba]

I tend to agree, litster. That case is funky, and I definitely liked what I saw of the Phantom cases.

[litster]

I have added a built-in wrist rest.  Also now I have a proper top layer thanks to DOX. 



click the picture to see the larger version that is not weird :-)

[wiredPANDA]

Nice idea, litster.  Interested to see the new prototype case with wrist rest.

[tiarnachutch]

I have added a built-in wrist rest.  Also now I have a proper top layer thanks to DOX. 

Show Image

click the picture to see the larger version that is not weird :-)

Excellent!

[bisl]

I have added a built-in wrist rest.

I like the idea of a built-in wrist rest, but I'd be worried about disagreements stemming from details surrounding it (padding/firmness, surface texture, wrist rest dimensions for different hand sizes, etc), and potential setbacks surrounding the discussion. Is this just for the prototype that you've been testing or are you suggesting this for the full run of cases? Is there a plan for people who don't want it?

[OrangeJewce]

I have added a built-in wrist rest.

I like the idea of a built-in wrist rest, but I'd be worried about disagreements stemming from details surrounding it (padding/firmness, surface texture, wrist rest dimensions for different hand sizes, etc), and potential setbacks surrounding the discussion. Is this just for the prototype that you've been testing or are you suggesting this for the full run of cases? Is there a plan for people who don't want it?

Yeah I would rather not have a builtin wrist rest, not only for the materials cost increase, but also because it'll take a lot of space. Cool though, and to each their own.

Cheers,

[litster]

Now with wrist rest:


And a view of the encased Teensy and other parts:

[Sifo]

Wow litster that is beautiful. Great work !

[TheProfosist]

I agree looking good.