ErgoDox on Massdrop AGAIN! 1/27/14

[tricheboars]

'ello Gentlemen,

   The lovely ErgoDox is once again on sale on Massdrop.  I already ordered one. I expect you Sirs to do the same.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox

Next:  When are we going to get another group buy for ErgoDox caps.  I would really like a set with legends somehow.  But they cant be boring colors.

I went with:

Full Hand with Aluminum Top Layer
Clear Switches
PBT Caps


The blanks are going to be rough to learn with.  I have an order of Dolch DSA caps with REDLINE but i dont know if i will ever see those caps (dont get me started on this rant).

things to discuss as we wait for our hardware:

1.  Is there value in making clear switches ergo style for the ergo dox?
2.  Learning on blanks?  Christ i have never liked a split board so what is this going to be like?
3.  Is the ergo dox really worth the hype?  are people kidding themselves about their stress on hand joints? 
4.  Keycaps for my board
5.  Who has some crazy mod ideas for their ergo dox?
6.  Whats the deal with airline food?

[katushkin]

This has come at literally the worst time. Why can't it be when I'm not trying to sort my budget out? Sigh...

But I too would be interested in these questions being answered if I do lean towards the ultimate in ergonomic mechanical ness.

[LONGZILLA]

Man, that's steep. There's some discussion on reddit about it being cheaper to just source the parts yourself, anyone with experience doing this?

[tricheboars]

Yea that reddit post is wrong cause no teensy included in its calculations.

Furthermore it doesn't include a case. massdrop's case options make it worth it in my opinion.

[tricheboars]

should i be nervous about soldering 1N4148W-7-F diodes?  I have never soldered something so small.  I have a Hakko 888-d with the tip it came with.  Should i procur a small tip for this work? if so what tip?

[WRXChris]

It isn't that bad, I used a helping hands magnifier and a tip similar to hakko's i shaped tip. See this page for reference: http://www.hakko.com/english/tip_selection/series_t18.html

Tweezers are also a necessity. There are some helpful videos somewhere. Good luck!

[daerid]

They are also offering MX Green switches this time, and also you can also opt to get no switches, which I might actually do and try out the Matias switches instead.

[tbc]

I'm confused.

I might be blind or something, but it looks like the PCB has a square and round slot/pad for every switch?  for LEDs?

[Pacifist]

I'd rather wait for acidfire's board.

How long does it take md to get your ergodox to your door?

[tbc]

someone on reddit said the nov 15 or so drop left massdrop on jan 24 for them.

[tricheboars]

They are also offering MX Green switches this time, and also you can also opt to get no switches, which I might actually do and try out the Matias switches instead.

i was under the impression that alps switches are not doable on the ergo dox's current PCB.

[tricheboars]

I'd rather wait for acidfire's board.

How long does it take md to get your ergodox to your door?

mid march is what a massdrop employee said on the forum on the drop page.

[Pacifist]

They are also offering MX Green switches this time, and also you can also opt to get no switches, which I might actually do and try out the Matias switches instead.

i was under the impression that alps switches are not doable on the ergo dox's current PCB.

Because its double sided, you could mount alps on it. It wasn't designed to be like that but it just turned out that they barely fit

[tbc]

bought it.  classic acrylic case with clear switches but no caps.  I hope to actually get into AK's groupbuy and get a metal case though.

first time learning how to solder, so I'd rather get some sort of support and not screw myself over by missing some little piece.

now to wait 6 months  for it to get here    and to wait 4 days to hopefully see the lowest tier has been hit lol.

EDIT:

i hope the tissue man is proud of me

[Linkbane]

Right after I bought a board for $170. WHY, MASSDROP?

[tricheboars]

bought it.  classic acrylic case with clear switches but no caps.  I hope to actually get into AK's groupbuy and get a metal case though.

first time learning how to solder, so I'd rather get some sort of support and not screw myself over by missing some little piece.

now to wait 6 months  for it to get here    and to wait 4 days to hopefully see the lowest tier has been hit lol.

EDIT:

i hope the tissue man is proud of me

TBC what are you doing for caps?

[tbc]

oh sorry lol

i already have a 87 DSA kit for my current work board and plan on transplanting it.  Then I will use SP inventory stock to fill up all the ergo-only keys.

[luis911]

I just got one with Brown switches. Anyone think thats a good combo? I've only used Blues and whites, but I like the Whites better.

[tbc]

you should have gone for green if you like whites.  blues + browns are light cherry switches; greens + whites are heavy cherry switches.

[tricheboars]

I find greens very tiring though. Which I don't think would be desirable on an ergo board. But to each their own. Greens are great for space and backspace on a blue board though.

[kod]

Buyer beware.

I ordered a built ergodox through massdrop at the end of August.

My order is (supposedly) going to arrive this wednesday.

I understand delays, but 5 months?

[tricheboars]

Buyer beware.

I ordered a built ergodox through massdrop at the end of August.

My order is (supposedly) going to arrive this wednesday.

I understand delays, but 5 months?

i was born with delays. REDLINE, GH60, 7-Bit buys.... massdrop doesnt scare me in the least. **** on most my buys these days i would love only 5 month wait.  but perfection takes time i guess.

speaking of 7-bit buys what do people think of SA/SPH sets on an ergo dox. i got the R4 SPH Space Cadet set but i like it on my pink QFR.  plus i have my doubts that SA and its intense row based profiles might make typing on a dox hell. can someone comment?  I was thinking DSA is the way to go.

[Pacifist]

Buyer beware.

I ordered a built ergodox through massdrop at the end of August.

My order is (supposedly) going to arrive this wednesday.

I understand delays, but 5 months?

i was born with delays. REDLINE, GH60, 7-Bit buys.... massdrop doesnt scare me in the least.

speaking of 7-bit buys what do people think of SA/SPH sets on an ergo dox. i got the R4 SPH Space Cadet set but i like it on my pink QFR.  plus i have my doubts that SA and its intense row based profiles might make typing on a dox hell. can someone comment?

At least MD will respond to pms

[tricheboars]

i know right. try buying from REDLINE.

sidenote: i am not complaining about GH60 wait. i am fine with that.

[reziak]

Buyer beware.

I ordered a built ergodox through massdrop at the end of August.

My order is (supposedly) going to arrive this wednesday.

I understand delays, but 5 months?

Welcome to every groupbuy that's not run by Bunny and the gang 

[tbc]

Buyer beware.

I ordered a built ergodox through massdrop at the end of August.

My order is (supposedly) going to arrive this wednesday.

I understand delays, but 5 months?

i was born with delays. REDLINE, GH60, 7-Bit buys.... massdrop doesnt scare me in the least. **** on most my buys these days i would love only 5 month wait.  but perfection takes time i guess.

speaking of 7-bit buys what do people think of SA/SPH sets on an ergo dox. i got the R4 SPH Space Cadet set but i like it on my pink QFR.  plus i have my doubts that SA and its intense row based profiles might make typing on a dox hell. can someone comment?  I was thinking DSA is the way to go.

this is ENTIRELY my personal opinion and not based on facts of any sort.  it just seems that high profile keys are unergonomic, raising your fingers adds tension to your wrist/hands; seems to defeat the point of ergo to me.

[clickclack123]

bought it.  classic acrylic case with clear switches but no caps.  I hope to actually get into AK's groupbuy and get a metal case though.

Can someone link me to this groupbuy for a metal ergodox case please?

[tbc]

^ not a GB yet, just an IC since he needs to confirm with the manufacturer

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53013.0

[luis911]

I find greens very tiring though. Which I don't think would be desirable on an ergo board. But to each their own. Greens are great for space and backspace on a blue board though.

Yea ill probably Just go with clear switches. Seems like a happy medium.

[Internet Friend]

Buyer beware.

I ordered a built ergodox through massdrop at the end of August.

My order is (supposedly) going to arrive this wednesday.

I understand delays, but 5 months?

I don't think they offer the pre-built option any more for exactly this reason.

[SpAmRaY]

Buyer beware.

I ordered a built ergodox through massdrop at the end of August.

My order is (supposedly) going to arrive this wednesday.

I understand delays, but 5 months?

I'm curios who built them for them...

[angelic_sedition]

Perfect timing. I'm going to order one tomorrow. I can't wait to remap it to hell. How much of a pain are they to put together? I don't even have a soldering iron.

[tjcaustin]

Perfect timing. I'm going to order one tomorrow. I can't wait to remap it to hell. How much of a pain are they to put together? I don't even have a soldering iron.

Probably impossible for you at this time.

[angelic_sedition]

Perfect timing. I'm going to order one tomorrow. I can't wait to remap it to hell. How much of a pain are they to put together? I don't even have a soldering iron.

Probably impossible for you at this time.

Well obviously I'm going to buy what I need.

[clickclack123]

Perfect timing. I'm going to order one tomorrow. I can't wait to remap it to hell. How much of a pain are they to put together? I don't even have a soldering iron.

It would be a major pain to put together without a soldering iron... 

With one, fairly easy. I'd have a bit of a practice soldering on something cheap first to learn though. It takes a little while to get used to how long solder takes to melt, and if you heat the components for too long you can kill them. I'd recommend having a watch of some youtube videos on soldering first as well.

I'm not sure if the Massdrop kit comes with surface mount or through hole diodes, but surface mount stuff can be fiddly for a beginner. I wouldn't worry too much though, diodes are super cheap. If you did kill one, it might be hard to troubleshoot where the dead one is though.

There's only one way to learn! Have a go!

[tbc]

i plan on practicing on techkeys cards

[clickclack123]

i plan on practicing on techkeys cards

Where do you get those from? Do they come with the controller pre-soldered? That controller would be very fiddly for a beginner to solder, I'd venture to say impossible.

[tbc]

being sold on techkeys.us now.  pretty sure everything is presoldered except for the switches + leds

[SpAmRaY]

i plan on practicing on techkeys cards

Where do you get those from? Do they come with the controller pre-soldered? That controller would be very fiddly for a beginner to solder, I'd venture to say impossible.

(Attachment Link)

http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/techkeys-keyboard-business-card

a link to help you find it

[clickclack123]

5.  Who has some crazy mod ideas for their ergo dox?

5. I want to try to transplant the mouse wheel with hyperscroll from my Logitech MX Revolution mouse into mine. It might be hard because the mouse has to sense the speed the wheel is moving at to turn the clutch off so it can free spin though. I might have to use my own controller to do this, which might be beyond the amount of effort that I'm willing to put into it though...

I'm still waiting on my ergodox but I think I'll also wait to see what AcidFire comes up with before I attempt anything though.

[plainbriny]

5.  Who has some crazy mod ideas for their ergo dox?

Extra two button extension using RJ11 connection, detachable and can extend several meters. Handy for reading web pages.
Will try to attach pedals later for other uses, modifiers, perhaps?

[tricheboars]

where would you put the two button extension?

[daerid]

i was under the impression that alps switches are not doable on the ergo dox's current PCB.

So was I, but apparently that's not correct:




From here

[tricheboars]

alps are overrated anyway. they are cherished simply because they are hard to acquire. cherry mx and topre are much better switches. 

[Pacifist]

alps are overrated anyway. they are cherished simply because they are hard to acquire. cherry mx and topre are much better switches.

imo matias quiet is pretty awesome

[tricheboars]

alps are overrated anyway. they are cherished simply because they are hard to acquire. cherry mx and topre are much better switches.

imo matias quiet is pretty awesome

matias is alps that is true. and the two times i have gotten to touch a matias board i was impressed. with that said i still wouldnt go to the effort to try and "jimmy-rig" a MX board to fit alps, simply because it isnt worth the effort.  not to hate on alps. i just feel indifferent about them.

[daerid]

alps are overrated anyway. they are cherished simply because they are hard to acquire. cherry mx and topre are much better switches. 

Negative. I actually like the feel better than Cherry. And normally I wouldn't go the effort either, but since the Ergodox requires assembly anyways, it's actually no more difficult than installing Cherries.

[tricheboars]

alps are overrated anyway. they are cherished simply because they are hard to acquire. cherry mx and topre are much better switches. 

Negative. I actually like the feel better than Cherry. And normally I wouldn't go the effort either, but since the Ergodox requires assembly anyways, it's actually no more difficult than installing Cherries.

i always thought you were a topre guy?! like a hardcore topre guy. 55g realforce if my memory serves me.

[jacobolus]

should i be nervous about soldering 1N4148W-7-F diodes?  I have never soldered something so small.  I have a Hakko 888-d with the tip it came with.  Should i procur a small tip for this work? if so what tip?

I did it with the Hakko 888D and its original included tip. The first half was tough (as in time consuming and fiddly, because I was a newbie, not difficult per se), the second half went much easier. You’ll need some good small tweezers (the smaller the better).

The way I did it was: (0) Add a bunch of liquid flux over the area you’ll be soldering [this might not be strictly necessary, but can’t hurt]. (1) Add a drop of solder to one pad each diode is going to sit on. Do these at least 5-10 at a time to save time. (2) Hold the diode next to the now solder-blobbed pad with your tweezers in one hand. Heat the solder with your iron and quickly but carefully push the diode into alignment. When you pull the iron away the solder will quickly harden sticking your diode firmly in place. (3) Hold your solder wire near the pad on the other side of the diode, use your iron to heat that pad / end of the diode for a second or two, then push the solder in to make the connection on that side.

I used thicker solder than would be ideal for this, I think. If I did it again I’d maybe use .02" thick stuff. Though for the through-hole parts, the .031" solder was great.

[jacobolus]

i was under the impression that alps switches are not doable on the ergo dox's current PCB.

So was I, but apparently that's not correct:

Note that the plate isn’t going to work, so you’ll need to cut a new plate.

Also, has anyone seen a picture of a whole ergodox put together with Alps switches? That picture only shows 2 soldered in.

alps are overrated anyway. they are cherished simply because they are hard to acquire. cherry mx and topre are much better switches.

Which Alps switches have you tried? Some old Alps keyboards have suffered for their age (just like some old MX keyboards) and don’t feel like they should.

But IMO, Alps complicated white/blue/orange/brown (and probably also taxi yellow) switches are nicer feeling than MX blue/clear/brown, and Alps complicated yellow/green are nicer than MX red/black. The Matias quiet switches are also quite nice. Various other switches compatible w/ Alps keycaps are also interesting, like the orange Omrons and the SMKs.