The ErgoDox EZ - The Ridiculous, Incredible Mechanical Keyboard DistroTube
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Date: 2022-03-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Josh
I've been using my ErgoDox for just about four days now. I'm curious what your thoughts are after months of use. So far, I'm beyond impressed.
I dunno if it's because I spent my entire weekend practicing or what, but I'm nearly fully adjusted to all my layers now. I'm pretty much back to my normal typing speed while writing normal text. Programming, I'm probably at 60% my speed.
One part that has unexpectedly impressed me is the mouse control layer. I honestly and predictably expected the mouse control to be a gimmick and useless. However, even after just four days of use, I have completely become used to and dependent on using the ErgoDox EZ for my mouse control, and I use two, 24 inch, 1440p monitors. The acceleration traverses it with no issue, and with a little bit of rebinding of mouse wheel movements, I haven't touched my mouse in over two days other than for playing video games. I'm not exaggerating. I have not used my mouse once for any amount of time other than for playing video games! In fact, my mouse is bluetooth, and I leave it turned off and in the drawer until I need it to game. I'm amazed, honestly. I feel like a commander at the helm of his spaceship. I never have to articulate my shoulders.
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I've been using my ErgoDox for just about four days now. I'm curious what your thoughts are after months of use. So far, I'm beyond impressed.
I dunno if it's because I spent my entire weekend practicing or what, but I'm nearly fully adjusted to all my layers now. I'm pretty much back to my normal typing speed while writing normal text. Programming, I'm probably at 60% my speed.
One part that has unexpectedly impressed me is the mouse control layer. I honestly and predictably expected the mouse control to be a gimmick and useless. However, even after just four days of use, I have completely become used to and dependent on using the ErgoDox EZ for my mouse control, and I use two, 24 inch, 1440p monitors. The acceleration traverses it with no issue, and with a little bit of rebinding of mouse wheel movements, I haven't touched my mouse in over two days other than for playing video games. I'm not exaggerating. I have not used my mouse once for any amount of time other than for playing video games! In fact, my mouse is bluetooth, and I leave it turned off and in the drawer until I need it to game. I'm amazed, honestly. I feel like a commander at the helm of his spaceship. I never have to articulate my shoulders.
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Tom
I have this keyboard, and the Planck. I enjoy them. I would be curious to see an update with your current layout.
I have six unmapped keys on my layer zero, and another five or so that aren't actually used.
You've probably figured this out already, but you can add a reset button to a key so you don't have to use the pinhole button. Also, zsa has -wally- on their site which is a binary to flash the firmware. It's prettier than teensy.
You mentioned switching layouts when switching to the Ergodox, that is exactly what I did. I switched to Colemak and love it. I bought the Planck to use Colemak while on the road, as going back to a laptop keyboard after experiencing a programmable keyboard seems silly.
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I have this keyboard, and the Planck. I enjoy them. I would be curious to see an update with your current layout.
I have six unmapped keys on my layer zero, and another five or so that aren't actually used.
You've probably figured this out already, but you can add a reset button to a key so you don't have to use the pinhole button. Also, zsa has -wally- on their site which is a binary to flash the firmware. It's prettier than teensy.
You mentioned switching layouts when switching to the Ergodox, that is exactly what I did. I switched to Colemak and love it. I bought the Planck to use Colemak while on the road, as going back to a laptop keyboard after experiencing a programmable keyboard seems silly.
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Kevin
SuperKey? bah. I went with Super's, Hyper, and single-tapping Hyper via xcape for Menu. Opens up all the options and lets me all-hands-on without mouse manage multiple VM's across OS's without a problem as I run Win VM's as whole workspaces screens via Looking Glass. Works great and is exactly why firmware customization is a must. :D
Menu I just use as a differntiator for tapping Hyper key rather than chording it. Allows me to attach different keymaps to it without confusing others. Xcape is a really good app for more keys.
Otherwise.. no VM mixup of keys overlapping.
Ramble ramble ramble. I could go on.
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SuperKey? bah. I went with Super's, Hyper, and single-tapping Hyper via xcape for Menu. Opens up all the options and lets me all-hands-on without mouse manage multiple VM's across OS's without a problem as I run Win VM's as whole workspaces screens via Looking Glass. Works great and is exactly why firmware customization is a must. :D
Menu I just use as a differntiator for tapping Hyper key rather than chording it. Allows me to attach different keymaps to it without confusing others. Xcape is a really good app for more keys.
Otherwise.. no VM mixup of keys overlapping.
Ramble ramble ramble. I could go on.
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Jeffrey
Clearly this is an EMACS Keyboard. Where else would you have the Control Alt Meta Coke-Bottle keys actually built in. Seriously, I cannot touch type. I can see this keyboard making sense for many text, code or numeric entry tasks. It has no numeric pad, but often numeric entry requires more than a number pad. I can see spreadsheet or database keymaps being very handy for those who live in those applications. For those willing to configure and learn a new entry system , this unit will produce amazing results. Thanks!
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Clearly this is an EMACS Keyboard. Where else would you have the Control Alt Meta Coke-Bottle keys actually built in. Seriously, I cannot touch type. I can see this keyboard making sense for many text, code or numeric entry tasks. It has no numeric pad, but often numeric entry requires more than a number pad. I can see spreadsheet or database keymaps being very handy for those who live in those applications. For those willing to configure and learn a new entry system , this unit will produce amazing results. Thanks!
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Amir
For your information, this keyboard without the -tilt kit- is NOT ergonomic. A keyboard that is not tilting looses its
ergonomic- feature. There is no good reason to use any keyboard without using it in tilted mode. Its like playing a piano without a piano sound... Healthy hand posture = tilted position with nice keyboard seperation. Both of these feature must happen or sooner or later you will start feeling pain and fatigue again. Companies should sell the tilt kit with the keyboard itself...
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For your information, this keyboard without the -tilt kit- is NOT ergonomic. A keyboard that is not tilting looses its
ergonomic- feature. There is no good reason to use any keyboard without using it in tilted mode. Its like playing a piano without a piano sound... Healthy hand posture = tilted position with nice keyboard seperation. Both of these feature must happen or sooner or later you will start feeling pain and fatigue again. Companies should sell the tilt kit with the keyboard itself...
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Finn
I have RSI and almost chose ErgoDox, but often need to use a standard keyboard/have other people use mine, and also travel quite a bit.
I ended up choosing the great (badly-named) UHK (Ultimate Hacking Keyboard), which keeps a standard-ish, compact layout, but has layers, splitting, tenting, customisability, etc.
If someone needs to use it, then the two halves go back together and I change from Dvorak to QWERTY.
I now only feel pained when people ask what it's called...
reply
I have RSI and almost chose ErgoDox, but often need to use a standard keyboard/have other people use mine, and also travel quite a bit.
I ended up choosing the great (badly-named) UHK (Ultimate Hacking Keyboard), which keeps a standard-ish, compact layout, but has layers, splitting, tenting, customisability, etc.
If someone needs to use it, then the two halves go back together and I change from Dvorak to QWERTY.
I now only feel pained when people ask what it's called...
reply
Kevin
Usefill hint to get more usable keys for heavy custom mapping is to use a layer buttom overlayed on arrows keys for changing them to home/end/pageup/pagedown. Using the layer key chorded with them can free up 4 keys on your keyboard.
Mine are all on my thumb clusters and my old arrow keys on the main keyboard are 2x2 versions of Hyper and Super. One for each hand for chording of key combos.
Few other tricks out there I likely can't recall. It's late. Pardon my spam. ;)
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Usefill hint to get more usable keys for heavy custom mapping is to use a layer buttom overlayed on arrows keys for changing them to home/end/pageup/pagedown. Using the layer key chorded with them can free up 4 keys on your keyboard.
Mine are all on my thumb clusters and my old arrow keys on the main keyboard are 2x2 versions of Hyper and Super. One for each hand for chording of key combos.
Few other tricks out there I likely can't recall. It's late. Pardon my spam. ;)
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faux
I-ve used the Ergodox EZ for years. I use it at work where I-m a software engineer.
Great keyboard. Probably the best you can buy pre-assembled. Sometimes I wish I had a Dactyl Manuform but I-d have to build it myself and I don-t have that kind of time.
Very happy to keep using the Ergodox for years to come.
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I-ve used the Ergodox EZ for years. I use it at work where I-m a software engineer.
Great keyboard. Probably the best you can buy pre-assembled. Sometimes I wish I had a Dactyl Manuform but I-d have to build it myself and I don-t have that kind of time.
Very happy to keep using the Ergodox for years to come.
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Dale
I like the EZ a lot, it gives a better entry point into non standard keybords like this, compared to building it yourself. A lot, if not most people build their ergodox themselves from what I've seen. Always been interested, but never wanted to pull the trigger on the time investment to learn the layout.
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I like the EZ a lot, it gives a better entry point into non standard keybords like this, compared to building it yourself. A lot, if not most people build their ergodox themselves from what I've seen. Always been interested, but never wanted to pull the trigger on the time investment to learn the layout.
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phizix
I've been using mine for 4 years now. I have the black version with all blank keycaps. Unfortunately, I don't have the benefits of the newer version with hot swap switches and such, but it still works great. I really can't type on anything else anymore. Worth every penny
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I've been using mine for 4 years now. I have the black version with all blank keycaps. Unfortunately, I don't have the benefits of the newer version with hot swap switches and such, but it still works great. I really can't type on anything else anymore. Worth every penny
reply
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