Spherical cursor key profile - The Poll!

[7bit]

[Muirium]

Cruciform arrow keys > Inverted T > slumming it in vi, so I'm all over that one.

[Daniel]

How was this in round 4?

[kvad]

Took pictures of my Round 4 caps (using alpha keys as substitutes) in profile so you can get an idea how your fingers would rest on the up/down keys with the different options.



Then tested the feel of them - surprisingly (to me at least) option 7 was by far the best, it both feels comfortable, and looks nice since the left/right arrow is the same as CTRL next to it.
Option 6 was also alright, while the rest of them just didn't reach up (and again, I was a bit surprised that option 2 didn't feel better, since that's what I've been using with my Round 4 caps for a while now without any complaints).
Option 5 was truly horrible.

So my clear recommendation would be option 7 (UP row 2, LEFT, RIGHT row 3, DOWN row 4).

Edit: Typo in image.

[7bit]

Option 7 only makes sense when you have a keyboard with cursor + instead of T.
Option 5, that is what I use. It is the best because I use the thumb for LEFT DOWN RIGHT.

row 1 for UP and 2 for the rest is also nice ...

[Halvar]

I guess there aren't that many people who use their thumbs on the cursor keys. I might be mistaken. So I guess all row 3 might really be the best compromise for the standard packs.

What about the num pad? Is anyone using their thumbs for 0 or dot, too?

[7bit]

I already changed them to row 3.

Numpad: No thumbs.

[kvad]

Hehe, not going to be easy is it?! I didn't figure on using thumbs for the cursors : )
The tests I did was with t-shape on a Filco (which was why it surprised me, that I didn't prefer the same row for left,right and down). Three middle fingers resting on them, switching the middle finger between up and down.

Row 1 for UP and row 2 for the rest is very comfortable, but aesthetics takes a bit of a hit from that tall row 1 key.

Numpad - most definitely use thumbs for the zero when typing - so the current setup looks great to me.
Row 3 as standard does seem like an ok compromise if thumbing is a normal thing to do : ) but option 6 and 7 is so much more comfortable if you rest your middle fingers on them.

[facetsesame]

Option 7 only makes sense when you have a keyboard with cursor + instead of T.

Hmm... with this in mind, how about a row 3 deep dish HOME key?

[Belfong]

So the arrow keys doesn't have to align with all the keys on rows to the left of it? Wouldn't it be odd if viewed from the side if they are not aligned?

[Halvar]

TIL you actually should use your thumb for 0 when touch typing on the num pad, thanks kvad! So using the same rows as for the main area makes sense.

I don't care how the arrow keys look from the side. Form follows function.

[nerdvana]

I'll use my first post to be contrarian! (and then suggest a workaround)

When using the cursor keys (inverted-T) I tend to rest the middle 3 fingers on the base of the T, and extend my middle finger to the up-arrow. Consequently my preferred layout would be: ^ R2 | < R4 | v R4 | > R4

So, unless 7bit is feeling particularly magnanimous between now and buy-time, I plan to go for 2 of the HONEY/CURSOR/R4 (/BLACK, if we're being specific). Then I'll take the v from one of the sets and invert it!

[Muirium]

So, unless 7bit is feeling particularly magnanimous between now and buy-time, I plan to go for 2 of the HONEY/CURSOR/R4 (/BLACK, if we're being specific). Then I'll take the v from one of the sets and invert it!

The way to talk 7bit into making a kit for you is to say you'll buy more keys if he does it your way, not less. But I'm sure he'll appreciate your new approach!

[nerdvana]

The way to talk 7bit into making a kit for you is to say you'll buy more keys if he does it your way, not less. But I'm sure he'll appreciate your new approach!

Fair enough! In that case, throw an R2 "^" and "Up" into the HONEY/CURSORS* sets and I'll buy 1 in grey and 1 in black. I calculate that to be a 600% increase in qty over my previous suggestion, and should cover all potential desired configurations to boot.