ErgoMechKeyboards
Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards
Rules
Keep it ergo
Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)
i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²
¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid
No Spam
No excessive posting/"shilling" for commercial purposes. Vendors are permitted to promote their products/services but keep it to a minimum and use the [vendor] flair. Posts that appear to be marketing without being transparent about it will be removed.
No Buy/Sell/Trade
This subreddit is not a marketplace, please post on r/mechmarket or other relevant marketplace.
Some useful links
- EMK wiki
- Split keyboard compare tool
- Compare keycap profiles Looking for another set of keycaps - check this site to compare the different keycap profiles https://www.keycaps.info/
- Keymap database A database with all kinds of keymap layouts - some of them fits ergo keyboards - get inspired https://keymapdb.com/
view the rest of the comments
I'm not quite sure if I ever had "real" RSI, but I switched to a split ortholinear keyboard 4-5 years ago and I never have any pain/numbness/etc in my wrists anymore, despite programming all day.
I would say that a split keyboard is absolutely 100% mandatory for everyone who uses a computer. Your wrists are not meant to bend the way they do with a slab keyboard. Anytime I see someone post an expensive slab mech keyboard I cringe so hard - such a waste of money.
Ortholinear doesn't seem like it has that much impact on RSI but I appreciate it still, and I would go for it if an ortholinear keyboard doesn't cost too much extra.
I also use linear switches and replaced the springs on them to like 30g or something super light. I think it's more comfortable to tap and type quickly with but I guess you have to be more confident with keystrokes or you'll mistype stuff. I don't know if I've seen anyone else do this in the name of RSI, and IDK if it actually helps that much.
Also as a semi-related tangent, I wouldn't recommend switching from QWERTY to Dvorak/Workman/Colemak unless you're a big nerd. I did it a long time ago and I think those layouts are objectively superior and more comfortable, but I don't think they really do that much for RSI. I type the same speed as I did on QWERTY, it's just a lot more "zen" now, and my fingers don't move very much. QWERTY finger movements are so chaotic in comparison. The problem is it took me about 2-3 months of practice to get to ~40 WPM on a new layout, after which I switched full time and my WPM quickly grew back to around 140. I used to have issues with QWERTY muscle memory acting up every once in a while but it doesn't happen anymore. I still type QWERTY on my phone - seems to be different muscle memory.
Thanks for sharing and nice to hear the argument that " a split keyboard is absolutely 100% mandatory"
Yeah, part of the reason I'm asking is because I was originally set on a rather subtle design (split monoblock with a bit of angle, not much space in-between). I had some slight pain on occasion but largely viewed many users on here doing more 'preventative' setups.
The recent pain has been making me ask myself again whether to do that approach or go for a more complicated sparatable split design. I've used fully split setups before but they weren't travel-friendly.
There are two major benefits in ergonomics with fully-splits. They are that, 1, they acknowledge that one size does not fit all in that they offer a way to move them around and find the right angles and positions for you and your hands; and, 2, "the best posture is the best posture" - i.e. the ability to move and adjust your setup throughout the day/session is itself an ergonomic benefit, staying in one posture is one of the roots of RSI.
Another thing that full splits offer that you may find beneficial is tenting, especially (again) adjustable tenting. Monoblocks don't tend to be tented and when they are they are stuck at a fixed angle, if that's not the right angle for you then it's a problem, and adjustability is king for the aforementioned reasons.
Now, there are many factors, split keyboards are not a panacea. Mouses/pointing devices play a role, as do chairs, desks and maybe most importantly habits! Take regular breaks, move around, etc. Again, the best posture is the next posture.
Also don't listen to people on the Internet and consult a doctor/physiotherapist.
I use a fully-separated split keyboard, but I imagine a keyboard that has a reasonable angle in the middle will still give most of the benefits. I used to travel with my split keyboard a lot and it wasn't really an issue with a proper carrying case of some kind. If you are really concerned about RSI I would put that worry as first priority, before considering things like ease of portability etc. I'd rather be annoyed with a travel setup than need wrist surgery later.