ErgoDox round 3 GB is ON at Massdrop!

[SubGothius]

[crossposting here for those who don't check the geekhack marketplace > great finds subforum]

Massdrop is now rerunning the ErgoDox kit group buy for round 3! Same URL as round 1 this time:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox/

Here's the original thread where ErgoDox was developed and build/customization discussions are ongoing:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=22780

FWIW, here's mine that I just finished building from round 1:

[linziyi]

.

[dadgh]

Cool, signed up. I hope the price goes down.

[daerid]

I might actually have to pick up a second one of these

[grips]

Dammit. No money now.

[vun]

Would so want one of those, but I have neither the equipment or skills necessary to build one nor a convenient source of caps.

Might be a good place to start learning how to solder and stuff though.

[vivalarevolución]

Gosh another one of these is tempting.

[Jagriff]

Would so want one of those, but I have neither the equipment or skills necessary to build one nor a convenient source of caps.

Might be a good place to start learning how to solder and stuff though.

I learned how to solder to prepare for building my round 2 ErgoDox. It's definitely worth it!

You can add on blank black PBT DSA keycaps for $37.

[daerid]

That's exactly what I did (got the blank DSA).

Hopefully they'll run the DCS caps too, pretty sure a DCS/DSA combination is the best way to go

[agodinhost]

Gosh - wrong time again ...

[tp4tissue]

what I say... what I say..... Inebbbitableeee.

[vun]

Would so want one of those, but I have neither the equipment or skills necessary to build one nor a convenient source of caps.

Might be a good place to start learning how to solder and stuff though.

I learned how to solder to prepare for building my round 2 ErgoDox. It's definitely worth it!

You can add on blank black PBT DSA keycaps for $37.

Oh, so when you sign up you get the option to add caps?

I might just go for it, I sorta know how to solder already as I did a teensy bit at school several years ago, so it's not completely foreign to me.

Hmm... Decisions...

[tp4tissue]

Would so want one of those, but I have neither the equipment or skills necessary to build one nor a convenient source of caps.

Might be a good place to start learning how to solder and stuff though.

I learned how to solder to prepare for building my round 2 ErgoDox. It's definitely worth it!

You can add on blank black PBT DSA keycaps for $37.

Oh, so when you sign up you get the option to add caps?

I might just go for it, I sorta know how to solder already as I did a teensy bit at school several years ago, so it's not completely foreign to me.

Hmm... Decisions...

you just can't help yourself..... )

[SubGothius]

I might just go for it, I sorta know how to solder already as I did a teensy bit at school several years ago, so it's not completely foreign to me.

FWIW, I hadn't soldered anything to a PCB since I built a transistor radio kit in high school shop class 25 years ago, and I had no trouble building this kit. I did spring for a decent used temp-controlled soldering station off eBay, spent about the same for that ($~45) as what TheProfosist was charging for a full assembly service in the first round. Now for the same price, I've got the satisfaction of having built it myself, and a good soldering station I can use for further projects. I can recommend using the .022" 62/36/2 rosin-core solder from Radio Shack; it melts and flows real easy, and it's fine-gauge enough to apply in controlled amounts.

[linziyi]

I might just go for it, I sorta know how to solder already as I did a teensy bit at school several years ago, so it's not completely foreign to me.

FWIW, I hadn't soldered anything to a PCB since I built a transistor radio kit in high school shop class 25 years ago, and I had no trouble building this kit. I did spring for a decent used temp-controlled soldering station off eBay, spent about the same for that ($~45) as what TheProfosist was charging for a full assembly service in the first round. Now for the same price, I've got the satisfaction of having built it myself, and a good soldering station I can use for further projects. I can recommend using the .022" 62/36/2 rosin-core solder from Radio Shack; it melts and flows real easy, and it's fine-gauge enough to apply in controlled amounts.

I think I know how to solder... just built a function generator at schol couple days ago, vut that’s light work

[IvanIvanovich]

This may be answered somewhere, but there is many threads and such about these now...
It's possible to only use one half, specifically the left half by itself? I was thinking left side only would be a nice gaming pad.

[Photekq]

This may be answered somewhere, but there is many threads and such about these now...
It's possible to only use one half, specifically the left half by itself? I was thinking left side only would be a nice gaming pad.

I was also wondering this.

[Larken]

This may be answered somewhere, but there is many threads and such about these now...
It's possible to only use one half, specifically the left half by itself? I was thinking left side only would be a nice gaming pad.

I was also wondering this.

possible, but I assume it's not easily done. there have been talk of this before, but no news of an operational model. see:

http://65.111.241.205/index.php?topic=42088.0

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=22780.msg844259#msg844259

[daerid]

Can the side with the teensy be used without the other side plugged in? If so, you could just flip the plates and wire everything up on the left side. You'd have to be careful though as the printing  on the PCB would be backwards.

[tp4tissue]

Can the side with the teensy be used without the other side plugged in? If so, you could just flip the plates and wire everything up on the left side. You'd have to be careful though as the printing  on the PCB would be backwards.

I think the argument moot.

2 reasons.

Even IF it were possible, why would you want to do it.

The ergo dox is superior in every way to traditional staggered

Secondly, you have a tkl, and just half the dox,, then you now have all this unnecessary stuff on your desk space as opposed to just using the ergodox, WHICH CAN DO IT ALL.

Had there been any limitation to the ergodox's functionality , then perhaps you'd keep a second keyboard, but this is not the case..

[nubbinator]

Can the side with the teensy be used without the other side plugged in? If so, you could just flip the plates and wire everything up on the left side. You'd have to be careful though as the printing  on the PCB would be backwards.

I think the argument moot.

2 reasons.

Even IF it were possible, why would you want to do it.

The ergo dox is superior in every way to traditional staggered

Secondly, you have a tkl, and just half the dox,, then you now have all this unnecessary stuff on your desk space as opposed to just using the ergodox, WHICH CAN DO IT ALL.

Had there been any limitation to the ergodox's functionality , then perhaps you'd keep a second keyboard, but this is not the case..

[daerid]

I think the argument moot.

2 reasons.

Even IF it were possible, why would you want to do it.

The ergo dox is superior in every way to traditional staggered

Secondly, you have a tkl, and just half the dox,, then you now have all this unnecessary stuff on your desk space as opposed to just using the ergodox, WHICH CAN DO IT ALL.

Had there been any limitation to the ergodox's functionality , then perhaps you'd keep a second keyboard, but this is not the case..

Actually, it IS possible. Personally I think that the 'Dox should have been flipped anyways, because then you could use it as a normal every day board, and then unplug the right-hand side when it comes to game time, and have a dedicated gaming layout on the left side. It would actually give the 'Dox more flexibility/usefulness IMO.

[linziyi]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

[tp4tissue]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

No the dsa caps from sp that are $37 are not thick pbt, they are regular DSA profile regular thickness pbt.

There are 2 type of layer switching..

You can either Toggle layer, which means, hold down toggle layer button, and press the corresponding key to trigger.

OR, you can Push Layer, which means you press the layer button, it holds that layer until you POP layer which returns you to Normal, Or alternatively, You can setup links from any layer to any layer within any layer.

The layers are very powerful, and you can pretty much do whatever you like.

And if you know C, well, then, there's actually no limitations to what you can do, just limitations on how much time you have.

OMG, the teensy also supports overclocking.. i just found out.

[linziyi]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

No the dsa caps from sp that are $37 are not thick pbt, they are regular DSA profile regular thickness pbt.

There are 2 type of layer switching..

You can either Toggle layer, which means, hold down toggle layer button, and press the corresponding key to trigger.

OR, you can Push Layer, which means you press the layer button, it holds that layer until you POP layer which returns you to Normal, Or alternatively, You can setup links from any layer to any layer within any layer.

The layers are very powerful, and you can pretty much do whatever you like.

And if you know C, well, then, there's actually no limitations to what you can do, just limitations on how much time you have.

OMG, the teensy also supports overclocking.. i just found out.

Thanks a lot for the fast respond!

[daerid]

OMG, the teensy also supports overclocking.. i just found out.

What would you need to OC it for?

[tp4tissue]

OMG, the teensy also supports overclocking.. i just found out.

What would you need to OC it for?

I got a bunch of extra vrm heatsinks from other stuff.

[linziyi]

Kind’a feel bad because I keep asking questions... Are the switches plate mounted or PCB mounted? I think I’ll buy green switches from the DT groupbuy if the 199 price of ergodox is reached

[Jagriff]

The ErgoDox supports plate and pcb mounted switches afaik. You will probably want to mount on the acrylic plate, though, so get the plate mounted switches if possible.

[Larken]

its non-exclusive. You can use pcb mounted switches along with the acrylic plate - best of both worlds when it comes to stability and alignment.

[linziyi]

I notice that the PCB has LED holes on it, is it possible to make it a backlit keyboard?

[daerid]

I notice that the PCB has LED holes on it, is it possible to make it a backlit keyboard?

I'm fairly certain yes you can.

[Larken]

except for the three inside modifiers on the right side of the board, there aren't holes for leds on the rest of the board.

unless you're willing to do your own hacking and wiring, you can't.

[daerid]

Dorpe. My bad. I was mistaking the non-SM diode holes for LED holes. Larken is correct.

[bbl]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

No the dsa caps from sp that are $37 are not thick pbt, they are regular DSA profile regular thickness pbt.

There are 2 type of layer switching..

You can either Toggle layer, which means, hold down toggle layer button, and press the corresponding key to trigger.

OR, you can Push Layer, which means you press the layer button, it holds that layer until you POP layer which returns you to Normal, Or alternatively, You can setup links from any layer to any layer within any layer.

The layers are very powerful, and you can pretty much do whatever you like.

And if you know C, well, then, there's actually no limitations to what you can do, just limitations on how much time you have.

OMG, the teensy also supports overclocking.. i just found out.

How do you toggle between and push to different layers on a ErgoDox using the standard layout?  I am considering joining round 3.

[tp4tissue]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

No the dsa caps from sp that are $37 are not thick pbt, they are regular DSA profile regular thickness pbt.

There are 2 type of layer switching..

You can either Toggle layer, which means, hold down toggle layer button, and press the corresponding key to trigger.

OR, you can Push Layer, which means you press the layer button, it holds that layer until you POP layer which returns you to Normal, Or alternatively, You can setup links from any layer to any layer within any layer.

The layers are very powerful, and you can pretty much do whatever you like.

And if you know C, well, then, there's actually no limitations to what you can do, just limitations on how much time you have.

OMG, the teensy also supports overclocking.. i just found out.

How do you toggle between and push to different layers on a ErgoDox using the standard layout?  I am considering joining round 3.

you can assign a button for toggle. or you can assign a button to push..

Once in Push, you can assign another button to pop, or another button to push to another layer higher, like a sequential shifter.

It's unlikely that you'd have more than 3-4 layers, but should that happen, then that is how you would do it.


For example, you pick any 1 button on the ergodox in layer 0 to push layer 1, now you press it, now in this layer 1, you can assign that button separately to do anything, including push layer 2.. now you press that, and assign the same button in layer 2 to push layer 3. and so on.

Now alternatively, if you know what layer you're going to be in, you can set it to directly go there.

[TD22057]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

Do they have the keycaps up for purchase?  All I see are inactive buys for the caps...

[Jagriff]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

Do they have the keycaps up for purchase?  All I see are inactive buys for the caps...

When you go to order, you can add keycaps for $37.

[TD22057]

Two small questions: are the keycaps "thick" PBT? And how do the different layers work? Can I switch and stay in a particular layer?

Do they have the keycaps up for purchase?  All I see are inactive buys for the caps...

When you go to order, you can add keycaps for $37.

Thanks. 

[linziyi]

they won't let me drop the case

[Grim Fandango]

I know I will catch some flack for this , but it does not seem all that comfortable for me to use.

I would like to try it out, but the price is a little too high for something I only half expect to like. It does look interesting though, and I have been a big fan of ergonomic keyboards that I have tried in the past.

[tp4tissue]

I know I will catch some flack for this , but it does not seem all that comfortable for me to use.

I would like to try it out, but the price is a little too high for something I only half expect to like. It does look interesting though, and I have been a big fan of ergonomic keyboards that I have tried in the past.

You're right to be suspicious.  but the design philosophies are well tested and carried out in numerous other keyboard iterations.. All of the best features have been combined to create the ergodox.

The straight column key layout, great success on the truly ergonomic

The thumb buttons/cluster,  kinesis
 
The splitting down the middle,  needs no introduction.


Ontop of that, it's fully programmable and cheap to buy...

easy mod plate for any conceivable spring/stem combination...

[SpAmRaY]

So what's the time frame on these once the sale is over. From reading on the mass drop site, sounds like they are having issues sourcing switches.

[tp4tissue]

So what's the time frame on these once the sale is over. From reading on the mass drop site, sounds like they are having issues sourcing switches.

yea... if we had any other place to buy an ergodox.. this would be a lively discussion.. , 

[tricheboars]

i dont like split keyboards. i hate soldering diodes. so why do i still want to buy this?

[Glod]

i dont like split keyboards. i hate soldering diodes. so why do i still want to buy this?

an expensive educating keyboard building experience?

[tp4tissue]

i dont like split keyboards. i hate soldering diodes. so why do i still want to buy this?

an expensive educating keyboard building experience?

get yourself some "solder paste" for the smds..

I didn't want to wait 3 days so I built mine without it, but if I were to do another one i'd try to save a little time with solder paste.

[bbl]

MassDrop is offering only blank keycaps this time round.  As the learning curve of switching to blank is going to be rather steep, what GB I should join for legend keycaps?
- Will probably use the "standard" layout on Layer 0 provided at MassDrop.  (So much time/effort has put into it, got to be good.)
- Other GH participants have suggested harvesting keycaps from used keyboards offered at eBay.  However, the shipping cost is 3-4 times that of the used keyboard.  May as well buy new.
- Thick PBT is highly recommended here.  Nice to find out how good they are with this opportunity.  However, I do like the color scheme of the RED ALERT design.

Given the unique layout, it seems I need to join a keycap GB of a TKL keyboard.  Throw away the spacebar and, may be, buy one or two 1u or 1.5u for the thumb cluster.  (The thumb cluster seems to have more keys than a standard TKL.) 

Any advice?

[tp4tissue]

MassDrop is offering only blank keycaps this time round.  As the learning curve of switching to blank is going to be rather steep, what GB I should join for legend keycaps?
- Will probably use the "standard" layout on Layer 0 provided at MassDrop.  (So much time/effort has put into it, got to be good.)
- Other GH participants have suggested harvesting keycaps from used keyboards offered at eBay.  However, the shipping cost is 3-4 times that of the used keyboard.  May as well buy new.
- Thick PBT is highly recommended here.  Nice to find out how good they are with this opportunity.  However, I do like the color scheme of the RED ALERT design.

Given the unique layout, it seems I need to join a keycap GB of a TKL keyboard.  Throw away the spacebar and, may be, buy one or two 1u or 1.5u for the thumb cluster.  (The thumb cluster seems to have more keys than a standard TKL.) 

Any advice?

The "THICK" part of the thick pbt makes very little difference.. I think for most people that are reviewing the thick pbt, they are feeling the difference of cherry profile vs oem rather than anything to do with the THICKness

The shorter cherry profile will feel smoother because the shorter keycap generates less torque as it pivots the switch stem against the switch housing. This reduces the friction of the keypress

I recommend getting the DCS instead of the DSA profile keys from ergodox.

It is similar to the cherry profile.

It really doesn't make sense to buy a thick pbt set just for the ergodox, because you wouldn't use half the caps, and again, people are not correctly attributing the Advantage/ difference they are perceiving.


The default layout on massdrop is a good starting point.. but def don't be LIMITED by it or your own familiarity with qwerty.

Built the layout to Your specifications.

[CommunistWitchDr]

MassDrop is offering only blank keycaps this time round.  As the learning curve of switching to blank is going to be rather steep, what GB I should join for legend keycaps?

If you're not touch typing the edox is useless, and if you are the curve shouldn't be too bad.