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Comment by jjkaczor | Hacker News Reader

Myself, I have been using a Kinesis RGB Edge with the "lift-kit" for about a month.

Have never been a perfect, trained touch-typist - so there has been a learning curve, but it is worth it.

My wrists feel so much better, and I am almost back to full speed. (Previously, I would just use laptop KB's).

The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB noise too loud when I am typing... Lastly, very expensive, but much like my Ergotron monitor arms, this will likely outlast generations of equipment it is currently used with.

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The Kinesis Gaming keyboard is my current go-to deck. The key layout is sane (nobody tried to nerf the "useless" ESC key), there are well-done macro and remapping features for light customization, and the LED lighting is actually something I appreciate for once (it's pretty).

Microsoft lost me in the 2000s with terrible key feel. I remember bouncing over to the company store for an Ergo 4000 and being incredibly disappointed; I could barely type on the thing. They continue to screw up (e.g., decent keyboards, with good feel and layout . . . but only bluetooth).

I have a couple of UHKs. They do not have an ESC key, something I hadn't internalized when I ordered them. I do not recommend them.

Upper left key. Remap it to escape. So mod gives you the tilde / tick mark.

Have you a suggestion how to do this on a Linux box? I'm a heavy VIM user and this sounds like a great idea.

Are you asking about the ultimate hacking keyboard in particular?

You would use their agent software:

https://github.com/UltimateHackingKeyboard/agent

I currently use a Matias Pro. It has an Esc key, but the truth is I'd like Esc as close as possible. I've experimented with CapsLock as Esc but I prefer CapsLock to swap languages, which I also do often.

Ah, the troubles we go through for the perfect HID!

I've been using mine for about a year now. I love it. I'm not really an orthodox touch-typist so there were a few keystrokes that took some time for me to get the hang of. I'm pulling 100 WPM though so I must be doing something sort of right :)

The customization of both the RGB and the keys themselves as well as the ergonomics have been well worth it. I use a USB switch and use the keyboard for both Windows gaming and development on Mac.

One quirk of my typing style is that I use my right index finger for the space bar, so my left space bar effectively went unused when typing. I rebound the left space bar to the Command Key on my Mac profile so I can use my thumb for it like I would on a Mac keyboard.

I use it for gaming too. Sometimes I move the right side completely out of the way so I'm just using the left and my mouse.

I'm not saying these are all features exclusive to this particular keyboard. But a split keyboard was a great investment that I'd recommend.

I too switched the left space bar on the Kinesis to `cmd` on my Mac, shortcuts were literally a pain to execute without it.

> I rebound the left space bar to the Command Key

My left space bar is backspace. I sometimes get confused when I switch to a different keyboard, though.

I am on video calls between 3 and 10 hours every day. Krisp is where it's at, I've been promoting their product for free to hundreds of people since last year. Zero issues with mechanical keyboards and most typical noises. It doesn't work with loud sirens or kids, unfortunately, but it destroys any mech keyboard noise without a trace.

https://krisp.ai/

> It doesn't work with loud sirens or kids, unfortunately

What do you use for a microphone? I have a Shure SM57, bought to record guitar, that I have repurposed into my PC mic, and the reduction of background noise vs laptop/webcam mic is _enormous_. You can't hear my mechanical keyboard at all, and it's sitting about a foot from the mic. The SM57 isn't really a vocal mic, but it works great. I'm sure a more purpose built vocal mic would be even better.

If you are currently using a built-in mic then I think something like that in conjunction with a BG noise reducer would basically get you the rest of the way. You just need to figure out a configuration that works for you and keeps it (at least relatively) out of sight.

It also has the added benefit of hugely improving your audio quality.

Blue Yeti with their "Yeticaster" boom arm + shock mount. I tried feeding its audio back into my headphones with software (as I type this I realize I could've simply connected my headphones to the mic) to play with its settings, but the pick up patterns and gain level made a negligible difference to its mediocre performance at both sound quality and ability to not pick up background noise. My next mic will definitely be condenser/XLR, for now this is fine. I've neglected adding acoustic foam for a long time, I understand that can also help improve the sound.

One suggestion I can give you is to get a dynamic microphone. It won't pick up quite loud keyboards behind/below it (if it does, it'll sound like really soft switches).

I had a kinesis before they did the cool new upgrades with cherry switches and whatnot. I will probably buy one of those, now.

What's particularly great about them is that you can set them up vertically so that your wrists are completely neutral. Same concept as a vertical mouse, and similarly restrictive in its functioning.

Most people probably don't need this level of relief. Idk.

> when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB noise too loud when I am typing

Have you looked into swapping out the switches? It looks like they aren't hot-swappable, but de-soldering switches isn't too difficult and there are a ton of amazing silent switches out right now. Check out Zealios for a great silent tactile switch.

I modded my Kinesis Edge with Holtite sockets to get hotswap capability.

I use Zilents on my daily driver. They're pretty quiet as far as mech switches go, but still a lot noisier than a standard laptop keyboard. No complaints so far.

It's too bad they don't offer them on the Edge, but if RGB lighting isn't essential they have the 'quiet red' switches available on the Freestyle Pro, which is basically the same model without the backlit keys.

I got the brown switches. They are quiet and mushy and I don’t like them.

But they are quit.

Also the arrow keys are mushed up with other keys and it’s hard to differentiate

My solution will be to use a headset, or separate microphone that is further away from the KB.

Same keyboard. Two main issues:

* using it in full vertical is hard because there's two columns of buttons on the left & extra buttons on the right side. i diy but there is a "Ascent" package for some keyboards for full verticle. less arm twisting as you type; it's amazing, keyboard not stellar for it though.

* the stock "split" cable at 18" is pretty skimpy. the used to be an XL cable but even it was not super long and i don't see it on their store right now. RSI is about changing your posture, & when i literally use two keyboards & can put them wherever, i find myself sometimes going into a "butterfly stroke" (from swimming, arms out) position for some variety. and even basic adjustment is pretty limited at 18".

> The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB noise too loud when I am typing...

I was in a similar situation with my pok3r keyboard. I started to lower the microphone volume and people stopped complaining ymmv

Everyone's keyboard is too loud to use unmuted in a call, including and especially MBP built-ins.

It's just that some folks care enough to mute for the sake of others' ears, and some folks, not so much.

Same! and my wpm actually went up almost 30%

I got the Freestyle Pro from them with Silent Red keys and have been happy with it. I was worried about the key noise since my office mate (who is also my wife) has complained that my chair is too loud. No complaints at all about the keyboard.

The Kinesis Freestyle2 is great for me. The adjustability and feel work for my needs. Being able to prop up each side for a standing desk is very useful.

(and the Kinesis KB noise can be mitigated by the choice of switches, I went with "cherry mx brown", but you can choose a quieter option)

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