After typing on a WASD Code Keyboard with Cherry MX Greens, I finally splurged on a TEK model 229. Last I looked, I think the 209 was current, and I had no idea that a new version was made or that that is what I ordered until it arrived and I found Kailh switches where I expected Cherry MX blues.
I was at first pretty disappointed by this, but the keyboard felt great and the Kailh switches have thus far performed impeccably. Going back to the Code keyboard made me realize that the stiffer Green switches was an exercise in masochism, and I found I really preferred the lighter touch of the blues (which I think is the same between Cherry and Kailh). I was also disappointed to find that the majority of the key switches are installed upside down, though I don't have any good reason for caring about that. I am happy to report that I have had no ghosting issues which many reported with the earlier 207/209 models - they seem to have gotten that fully resolved.
I am not sure what the keycap printing method is, but I really don't like it. I can feel the letters and much preferred the smooth experience of the WASD. The keys also became shiny with wear and the printing somewhat dulled after some use. I touch-type dvorak anyways and have made a custom layout for this keyboard, so I don't really care, but I really don't like the feeling of the letters. The WASD ABS also was shiny from use, but the doubleshot printing was vastly superior. I have ordered some blank black PBT caps that I will try out, although I will not have caps to replace the custom-shaped center column keys, nor the custom spacebars.
Supposedly TEK used to offer blank keycaps as an option though I don't see any mention of it on their current site, and have received no response to inquiry from them. Lack of support is probably the biggest issue with TEK, a shame because the keyboard is otherwise really fantastic!
I transferred the red rubber rings from my WASD keyboard to the TEK, which I prefer for the office. I went through 13 iterations of a custom keymap and am finally pretty happy with the one I am using now, although I hope to get used to using the center column -/_ key in time and change the key on the right to a Control key that's easier to hit than the one on the bottom left. I also currently have backspace mapped in two locations - the default TEK center column position as well as the traditional upper right position - in time I hope to get more acclimated to the center column button but old habits die hard especially with this oft-used key. I am not happy that there is no OS X utility to update the firmware, but both the Windows version and unofficial Linux script work great and suffice. I printed out a screenshot of the function layer and pinned it above my monitor for handy reference.
̄All in all, I really love this keyboard!! It took some getting used to, but the ortholinear design with a gentle arc to match the natural hand shape is brilliant. I much prefer the fixed position design of this keyboard over the ErgoDox, as I never felt there was any advantage to tenting for me personally and do not like that the two halves of a separated keyboard can shift around on their own and not be aligned. I also prefer the center column arrangement with 4 buttons common between each hand rather than 3 unique per hand. I also prefer the simpler thumb key arrangement versus the ErgoDox, although I would prefer thumb keys that fan to match the angle of the thumb when bent to different degrees, which neither keyboard does well. The centered Enter thumb key works well enough to not cause me issue though. I also really like the position of the arrow keys and pageup/down/home/end keys, although I have also mapped these to the main section on the function layer to avoid having to move my hands too much. The dedicated keys are easier to get used to - I am still getting used to the function layer. The fact that this keyboard has the arrow clusters and function keys at the top makes it feel a lot more comfortable than the ErgoDox. While these keys are not as ergonomic to use as a function layer, having more dedicated keys, without increasing the width of the keyboard, is really nice. As they do not get in the way or interfere in any way, I think including them on the keyboard is a very wise design decision. The extra keys positioned really awkwardly around the thumb cluster on the ErgoDox are much less useful. The keyboard is nice and heavy, and feels a lot more solid than, say, the Kinesis. The optional palmrest design is great as when installed it is an integrated part of the keyboard. I removed it for fun, but really like it's design. The only thing that would compel me to remove it again is if I can get a custom-shaped leather wrist rest similar to the one I used with my Code keyboard.
I can currently type about 10wpm faster on this keyboard than I was able to do on the Code, at around 110-115wpm. Of the letter keys, the "X" key took me the longest to get used to and stop mistyping, because it just doesn't get used very often. Because of old habits from the slanted keyboard design, I would hit the backspace key a fair bit at first when trying to hit "X" - I found that ironic since the backspace also has an "X" on it.
The numbers/symbols were also difficult to adjust to, although I am doing pretty well at them now. I expect that this will only continue to improve as I use the keyboard for longer. I have ended up loving the keyboard so much, that I purchased a second one for my home.
One issue I do have is that the numeric keypad mode does not seem to work correctly in all applications on OS X. While it works fine for inputting numbers into a text field in Safari, for instance, it does not work when trying to use a Calculator app. What happens is that the digit appears momentarily, then the calculator registers the "C" or "AC" button being clicked, and resets to zero. Not useful. However I have used a TKL for a long time so it is no big deal to me personally. If I did need to input a lot of numbers, I still think that a standalone numeric keypad device is the way to go.
My wishlist for TEK:
- Respond to customer inquiries. Seriously.
- Fix the numeric keypad issue on OS X.
- Use better keycap printing method.
- Offer a blank keycap option again, and more ideally offer custom-printed caps as WASD does.
- Offer a kit version allowing customers to solder in their own choice of keyswitch.
- Design improvements for the next version:
- Replace the current 3 keys (space, enter, space) with 4 keys, two per thumb, fanned to match the thumb angle.
- Replace the backlit caps lock and numeric lock keys with separate LED's to allow further customization of the keyboard.
- Make all the key switches mount right-side-up. Just because.
Would those stop me from recommending this keyboard or buying another? Absolutely not. The support issue is the worst, but the quality and design of this keyboard are very, very good!
My keymap at present:
I am sure the function layer will continue to evolve more over time.
