I kinda went through the same path but i loved it. I had a 60% staggered and wanted to try an ortho. I bought the ID75 because it was way cheaper than a planck and i loved that i could have a numpad in the middle of the keyboard. This numpad allowed my typing stance to be wider. When i realised that about my posture, i got a split keyboard.
@@DygmaLab Oh, i got my split keyboard a year ago. It was a cheap option from aliexpress but i love it. I'm now in the process of making my own split keyboard.
Good podcast style video guys. You guys sound like you really know what you are doing. I loved the approach of taking things slow and really personalizing your own ergonomic journey. Looks like the key is to start with touch typing and then getting annoyed with all the things that are wrong with a standard keyboard. That way you will be more open to making unconventional changes.
Thank you for your words! We're glad you like it 😊 Exactly, a big step is to know touchtyping, then it's just taking steps until you reach the ergonomic journey nirvana😜
I disagree a bit with this notion of "correct" and wrong/bad typing habits, when you mention stuff like hitting B with the wrong finger etc. Try typing the word "my" - on a standard keyboard you can hit M with your right index and Y with your left index, vs the "correct" way of using your right index for both. In this case the so-called wrong way is much faster, and even more comfortable imo. I think those kind of combos are why you'll still see the fastest typists on non-split KBs (apart from new stuff like the charachorder). To me the only reason to learn the "correct" way is if your goal is to get good with a split keyboard. I often hear it presented the other way around, as if using the split keyboard will fix these bad habits which are inherently/universally wrong.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I understand what you mean, you are right that in the case of "my" it is easier in the “wrong” way or on an non split keyboard, compared to another, but it is also true that there are many more advantages to using a split keyboard than disadvantages, which is not the case with an non split or standard keyboard
@@DygmaLab thanks for taking the time, and on that point I agree! I've been using a split/columnar keyboard for about 1.5 months and recently hit 100wpm on monkeytype :) so the disadvantages are pretty minimal I'd say
The advice to learn touch typing first is the exact opposite of what I did; I got the defy in order to learn touch typing, and although I'm still not a fast typist it did work. Took me only 8 days to be faster on the defy then I was on a conventional keyboard (I did have muscle pains a bunch of those days from the amount of practice needed).
I started with the MS Natural 30 years ago. Last fall I was fed up with the space my 3rd MS Natural took up on my desk, the lack of programmability, the switches, and the lack of RGB since I work in the dark. I wanted a true split, layers, and staggered columnar layout. Been a happy Defy user since. Now my Wacom sits in the middle of my shoulder width 35 degree tented Defy always ready instead rearranging every time . The mouse is closer to my right hand and thanks to layers and programmability my M13 is off my desk. It took me a couple weeks to adjust.
That's awesome! Thank you for sharing your story with us! We are so glad the Defy helped you, specially organizing your desk so you can use all the items you need 💪
Other than row stagger, I'd say the ~2u size keys are the biggest support for bad typing habits (i.e. shift keys). You rarely hit/hold down these keys with just single finger and consequently you tend to slide between two ends of the keycaps when holding them with just 1 finger, shifting your finger away from the proper column.
You are right, then maybe that could be fixed with thumbkeys or extra keys so you don't have to move your hand that much and lose the home row, because you can have, for example the shift key, on one of your thumbkeys and if you press it with your thumb you don't have to move the other fingers from the home row 😊
Yes, like this podcast I'm making architectural drawings. The only brand for keyboards etc. for this occupation is 3Dconnexion, but I don't use their stuff. A fully programmable keyboard with thumb keys is better. When I'm drawing my hand must be continuously on the mouse. So I want my right hand as close as possible to the letters. My numpad is on the left, while I'm right handed. And I also got a small macropad for the most frequent commands. That's why I love the Raise.
I like 40%s but I feel they are niche. But the main thing I like is that only having basically 3 typing rows if I curve my fingers I don't feel the columnar as being an issue. Fingers curved align. Is when I need to reach upper keys I feel columnar makes sense. But since I like to bring everything to home row instead of stretching... I don't feel columnar needed. Also I have very petite hands so your mileage may vary
Maybe you can try a keyboard with thumbkeys, I do have small hands too and the thumbkeys of my Dygma Defy really helps me to arrive to some keys that I would normally have to move my wrists more than needed, for example the backspace, shift or enter, so maybe you could try a keyboard with thumbkeys and programmable to avoid those movements and also to make your typing easier and more comfortable 😊
That depends on your needs and what you are looking for in a keyboard, but yes, an ergonomic keyboard like the ones you mention I think would also be a better choice 😅
What was your first ergonomic keyboard? 🧐
Alice layout, now I have fully split and there is no go back
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro, which I'm still using.
On MT3 profile the F and J keys are shaped slightly different, so replacing your hands in the home position is an instant feeling.
I kinda went through the same path but i loved it. I had a 60% staggered and wanted to try an ortho. I bought the ID75 because it was way cheaper than a planck and i loved that i could have a numpad in the middle of the keyboard. This numpad allowed my typing stance to be wider. When i realised that about my posture, i got a split keyboard.
Nice, thank you for sharing your experience! Tell us how it goes when you make the transition to split 🙌
@@DygmaLab Oh, i got my split keyboard a year ago. It was a cheap option from aliexpress but i love it. I'm now in the process of making my own split keyboard.
After getting the dygma defy, I never even want to touch another keyboard ever again. I love you guys
I agree, it's a pain every time I'm forced to use a traditional keyboard now.
Woow we are so glad you like it that much and that it helped you! 🫶
Thank you for your words! It's weird to go back to a traditional keyboard now, right? 🤔
Good podcast style video guys. You guys sound like you really know what you are doing. I loved the approach of taking things slow and really personalizing your own ergonomic journey.
Looks like the key is to start with touch typing and then getting annoyed with all the things that are wrong with a standard keyboard. That way you will be more open to making unconventional changes.
Thank you for your words! We're glad you like it 😊 Exactly, a big step is to know touchtyping, then it's just taking steps until you reach the ergonomic journey nirvana😜
I disagree a bit with this notion of "correct" and wrong/bad typing habits, when you mention stuff like hitting B with the wrong finger etc.
Try typing the word "my" - on a standard keyboard you can hit M with your right index and Y with your left index, vs the "correct" way of using your right index for both. In this case the so-called wrong way is much faster, and even more comfortable imo. I think those kind of combos are why you'll still see the fastest typists on non-split KBs (apart from new stuff like the charachorder).
To me the only reason to learn the "correct" way is if your goal is to get good with a split keyboard. I often hear it presented the other way around, as if using the split keyboard will fix these bad habits which are inherently/universally wrong.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I understand what you mean, you are right that in the case of "my" it is easier in the “wrong” way or on an non split keyboard, compared to another, but it is also true that there are many more advantages to using a split keyboard than disadvantages, which is not the case with an non split or standard keyboard
@@DygmaLab thanks for taking the time, and on that point I agree! I've been using a split/columnar keyboard for about 1.5 months and recently hit 100wpm on monkeytype :) so the disadvantages are pretty minimal I'd say
That's awesome! Keep improving 🙌
The advice to learn touch typing first is the exact opposite of what I did; I got the defy in order to learn touch typing, and although I'm still not a fast typist it did work. Took me only 8 days to be faster on the defy then I was on a conventional keyboard (I did have muscle pains a bunch of those days from the amount of practice needed).
That's a valid approach too. Other people use the transition to an ergonomic keyboard to learn a new layout like DVORAK or COLEMAK 😊
I got a split columnar and it felt like coming home after using the normal staggered keyboard
Split columnar are the best 😍
8:04 bro the most difficult thing is when you get your pcb and case from a pcb / case manufacturer and the pcb doesn't fit
Building custom ergo mechanical keyboards can be a pain 😅
I started with the MS Natural 30 years ago. Last fall I was fed up with the space my 3rd MS Natural took up on my desk, the lack of programmability, the switches, and the lack of RGB since I work in the dark. I wanted a true split, layers, and staggered columnar layout. Been a happy Defy user since. Now my Wacom sits in the middle of my shoulder width 35 degree tented Defy always ready instead rearranging every time . The mouse is closer to my right hand and thanks to layers and programmability my M13 is off my desk. It took me a couple weeks to adjust.
That's awesome! Thank you for sharing your story with us! We are so glad the Defy helped you, specially organizing your desk so you can use all the items you need 💪
Other than row stagger, I'd say the ~2u size keys are the biggest support for bad typing habits (i.e. shift keys). You rarely hit/hold down these keys with just single finger and consequently you tend to slide between two ends of the keycaps when holding them with just 1 finger, shifting your finger away from the proper column.
You are right, then maybe that could be fixed with thumbkeys or extra keys so you don't have to move your hand that much and lose the home row, because you can have, for example the shift key, on one of your thumbkeys and if you press it with your thumb you don't have to move the other fingers from the home row 😊
I got an Alice yesterday and loving it
Next time try a total split keyboard 😜
Yes, like this podcast
I'm making architectural drawings. The only brand for keyboards etc. for this occupation is 3Dconnexion, but I don't use their stuff.
A fully programmable keyboard with thumb keys is better. When I'm drawing my hand must be continuously on the mouse.
So I want my right hand as close as possible to the letters.
My numpad is on the left, while I'm right handed. And I also got a small macropad for the most frequent commands.
That's why I love the Raise.
We are glad you like it and that the Raise helped you! Thank you very much for sharing your experience 😊
I like 40%s but I feel they are niche. But the main thing I like is that only having basically 3 typing rows if I curve my fingers I don't feel the columnar as being an issue. Fingers curved align. Is when I need to reach upper keys I feel columnar makes sense. But since I like to bring everything to home row instead of stretching... I don't feel columnar needed. Also I have very petite hands so your mileage may vary
Maybe you can try a keyboard with thumbkeys, I do have small hands too and the thumbkeys of my Dygma Defy really helps me to arrive to some keys that I would normally have to move my wrists more than needed, for example the backspace, shift or enter, so maybe you could try a keyboard with thumbkeys and programmable to avoid those movements and also to make your typing easier and more comfortable 😊
my 40% ortho never gave me any hand or wrist problem, the only thing I had to do was map ctrl to escape in order to save my left wrist.
Where did you move CTRL to?
@@DygmaLab ESC for tap, CTRL when holding
I prefer the ergonomics led rgb keyboard or Logitech or Microsoft ones rather than the standard small ones
That depends on your needs and what you are looking for in a keyboard, but yes, an ergonomic keyboard like the ones you mention I think would also be a better choice 😅
@@DygmaLab exactly