FWIW I've been quite happy with the ZSA Moonlander
https://www.zsa.io/moonlander
That said, I'm not sure I can justify another keyboard.
On a flat keyboard, hitting that top row (especially edge keys like the 5 and 6) required either moving my entire hand or doing some weird reaching motion. And I wear a 4XL glove so I don't even know how other people deal with the top row at all. Being able to not move your hands as much doesn't sound like a big thing but it helped a lot with my wrist issues because I can find a comfortable position when I get started and never leave it until I stand up.
I'm currently on a scooped and fully split KB from bastardkb.com which is kind of the best of both worlds (scooped for reach, split for my shoulders, and custom firmware so I can use less keys overall). But if Kinesis offers that out-of-the-box it's a pretty easy choice for my next keyboard.
- QMK is second to none. With the moonlander specifically I can flash my keyboard from any OS with nothing but a browser and a paperclip.
- Tenting is easy, adjustable, and feels good to use. I liked the thumb cluster tenting (over the ergodox) because it felt more natural.
- Excellent build quality, wrist rests are comfy, and it's pretty portable (it's in my carryon bag right now).
- High quality switch and cap choices (mostly, the custom thumb buttons are obviously nonstandard. But I strongly disliked the rubber function key row of the advantage 2)
- I occasionally play FPS games, and like that I can disconnect the right half of the keyboard and gain more mousepad real estate.
Kinesis pros:
- Mainly the shape. I think the kinesis is probably the most natural device to type on. The moonlander is comfy, but I think the kinesis is still more natural overall. The sculpted key-well is ideal, IMHO.
Both keyboards have eliminated my carpal tunnel symptoms, so I don't have any issues recommending either. If you're going to travel with a keyboard, definitely get the moonlander. But I think from a pure ergonomic standpoint - the kinesis wins.
If I ever switch jobs and have a keyboard stipend, I'll purchase the Advantage 360 and write a full review. But I'm very happy with my present position :)
I agree; I can't justify yet another keyboard. But there's the continuous itch to go ham and design my own split contour keyboard with QMK...
(For anyone reading this, you literally can't go wrong with either of these keyboards and they'll last 10+ years, so get one if you can.)
https://i.imgur.com/6H3vZoY.jpg
Thinking about getting on the Dactyl or similar train eventually, maybe in around a decade or so :)
I want that but curved a bit and tented, without a change in layout.
Despite the gaming moniker, it's actually their best professional-grade keyboard, with better support for macros and backlighting.
As a bonus it doesn’t look like a science-lab on your desk, like a lot of other ergonomic keyboards do. Got to say this new Advantage 360 has a really nice look though.
1. <http://xahlee.info/kbd/dactyl_keyboard.html>
2. <https://ohkeycaps.com/products/built-to-order-dactyl-manufor...>
Anyone made that switch that can compare/contrast?
(I'm still using it every day for work, but want to try something else soon, probably a Kyria).
The Ergodox has 1.5U keys between the hands (like to the right of T,G,B, and to the left of Y,H,N), while the moonlander just has 1U keys next to T,G and Y,H. I found the 1.5U keys much easier to press than the 1U keys. (Try typing "RGB" on a QWERTY keyboard; it's really not that easy to make your pointer finger responsible for 12 equally-sized keys.) As a result, I moved backspace from the 1.5U key next to H,N to a thumb key. The thumb isn't as fast for rapid motions as the pointer finger is, so I notice backspace being a little more cumbersome than necessary. But, I don't really think about it anymore, so it's not a big deal. (I do see my usage of the 1U keys falling off, though. I used have _- and =+ on them, and I find myself going for shift-= instead of the dedicated + key. I think that's because my Ergodox didn't have a + key, that was backspace, and I never learned it.)
Both the Ergodox EZ and Moonlander have godawful tenting. But the Moonlander lets you fix it because it has an array of threaded inserts on the back that you can screw a proper tent to. I use this thing https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4769961 and love it.
Generally the Moonlander is quite appealing. I use it every day and it's great. (I did replace the switches with Zilents. I always use weird switches on my keyboards.) But I'm looking at the Advantage 360 and think they've done a really job, so it's definitely a third option to consider.
Finally, I've experimented with other designs. I made a 107 key keyboard (I call it the Ergorocks 107) that is Ergodox-like, but has 3 1U switches for the thumb clusters, a number pad in the middle, and F keys above the number keys. I fucked up the angle of the thumb keys, and found the numpad in the middle hard to use. I made it take a standard keyset, though, so you don't have to hunt for "Ergo" keysets. You can use any normal keyset! If this is interesting to anyone, I might make a second iteration with the bugs fixed. (It's entirely 3D printed. Don't let people tell you 3D printed keyboards are bad, they're great. PLA is honestly a great keyboard material; very rigid and pretty quiet.)
Still worth it though
Still totally worth it.
e: also switches are hotswappable on the Moonlander, they are fixed (soldered)on the Ergodox iirc.
e2: They are hotswappable on the EZ :)