[Advice Needed] Options for ortholinear keyboards
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- Location: Barna
- DT Pro Member: -
Sorry if this thread doesn't belong here.
I looked through the wiki and ortholinear keyboards caught my eye, splitted ones specially.
As I visited some of the sellers, I had trouble trying to decide which switches, caps or PCB will fit me better.
So I need some kind advice about some questions:
Which switches are the most quietest? (Mechanical. No matter if linear of tactile by now)
It is difficult to build your own? (No experience at soldering at all)
Are Keycaps so determinant in the typing feeling, or is it a combination of both?
Thanks for your advice.
I looked through the wiki and ortholinear keyboards caught my eye, splitted ones specially.
As I visited some of the sellers, I had trouble trying to decide which switches, caps or PCB will fit me better.
So I need some kind advice about some questions:
Which switches are the most quietest? (Mechanical. No matter if linear of tactile by now)
It is difficult to build your own? (No experience at soldering at all)
Are Keycaps so determinant in the typing feeling, or is it a combination of both?
Thanks for your advice.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Research a bit on the ErgoDox. It helped popularise Split Ergos, and other projects followed in its wake. See what strikes you.
As for your direct questions:
Damped Cherry silent switches (pale stems) are probably the best bet. They’re very quiet, I’m told, with the plus that MX is a safe place to go for compatibility with PCBs and plates and caps.
Difficult? Not very, but not the simplest thing. Makers may be able to fill you in on the details. A lot of it comes down to getting the right parts. A full kit is best.
I’d say it’s a mixture. Switches ultimately determine feel, but a good case and caps will make a difference too. You’ll always feel the weakest link in the chain.
As for your direct questions:
Damped Cherry silent switches (pale stems) are probably the best bet. They’re very quiet, I’m told, with the plus that MX is a safe place to go for compatibility with PCBs and plates and caps.
Difficult? Not very, but not the simplest thing. Makers may be able to fill you in on the details. A lot of it comes down to getting the right parts. A full kit is best.
I’d say it’s a mixture. Switches ultimately determine feel, but a good case and caps will make a difference too. You’ll always feel the weakest link in the chain.
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- Location: Barna
- DT Pro Member: -
Ok. I'll plunge onto ErgoDox more deeply, and see what tickles my fancy.
I think it'll be better to stay away from soldering right now and let the pros do the job.
So far my choice has narrowed to:
- Ergodox
- Cherry Switches
- Pre-built
Thanks for your advice, Muirium.
I think it'll be better to stay away from soldering right now and let the pros do the job.
So far my choice has narrowed to:
- Ergodox
- Cherry Switches
- Pre-built
Thanks for your advice, Muirium.
- kbdfr
- The Tiproman
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Main keyboard: Tipro MID-QM-128A + two Tipro matrix modules
- Main mouse: Contour Rollermouse Pro
- Favorite switch: Cherry black
- DT Pro Member: 0010
You could also use two 8x8 matrix Tipro keypads.
They have Cherry black switches, are freely programmable (including macros, Unicode etc.) on 4 layers.
More questions, just ask
They have Cherry black switches, are freely programmable (including macros, Unicode etc.) on 4 layers.
More questions, just ask
- kbdfr
- The Tiproman
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Main keyboard: Tipro MID-QM-128A + two Tipro matrix modules
- Main mouse: Contour Rollermouse Pro
- Favorite switch: Cherry black
- DT Pro Member: 0010
- madrobby
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- DT Pro Member: -
I had a split BFO 9000 with blue Kailh low profile, and I really liked the keyfeel and ergonomic aspect, but I discovered that for my life I can’t type quickly on them, even after a month of using them. Great keyboard otherwise, you can write your firmware etc.
Here is it compared to an Apple wireless keyboard: You can choose how large the sides should be by chopping of rows and columns. This is the largest it can be. Many people choose to build smaller ones!
Here is it compared to an Apple wireless keyboard: You can choose how large the sides should be by chopping of rows and columns. This is the largest it can be. Many people choose to build smaller ones!
- CeeSA
- Location: Westerwald, Germany
- Main keyboard: Deck 82 modded
- Main mouse: MM711
- Favorite switch: Cherry MX Blue
- DT Pro Member: 0016
- Contact:
suka made some really lovely boards:
workshop-f7/my-diy-keyboard-collection- ... t2534.html
workshop-f7/my-diy-keyboard-collection- ... t2534.html
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- Location: Barna
- DT Pro Member: -
Really nice to be able to customize it, but building my own is now out of my skills (and confidence).madrobby wrote: ↑I had a split BFO 9000 with blue Kailh low profile, and I really liked the keyfeel and ergonomic aspect, but I discovered that for my life I can’t type quickly on them, even after a month of using them. Great keyboard otherwise, you can write your firmware etc.
Here is it compared to an Apple wireless keyboard: You can choose how large the sides should be by chopping of rows and columns. This is the largest it can be. Many people choose to build smaller ones!
Wow...Amazing work done hereCeeSA wrote: ↑suka made some really lovely boards:
workshop-f7/my-diy-keyboard-collection- ... t2534.html
I never thought there was so much to choose from ortholinear keyboards.
- abrahamstechnology
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Laser with SMK Cherry mount
- Main mouse: Mitsumi ECM-S3902
- Favorite switch: Alps and Alps clones
- DT Pro Member: 0212
Why not build your own with vintage linear switches?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-White-Keyb ... rk:11:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-White-Keyb ... rk:11:pf:0
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- Location: Barna
- DT Pro Member: -
abrahamstechnology wrote: ↑Why not build your own with vintage linear switches?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-White-Keyb ... rk:11:pf:0
Nice options and builds, but I'll stay away from building one myself for now.Lanrefni wrote: ↑BFO-9000 is really easy to assemble,once built the option to have any layout you want is great. This one is mine-
My skill for handycrafts is close to zero.
Though beign programmable are a plus for this kind of keyboards IMHO.
Thanks for the links and pics.