Kinesis Advantage vs TrulyErgomic for disabled Programmer

Rythh · 24 Feb 2013, 01:12

Having posed a question earlier today on which ergonomic keyboard/layout might be the best for me (as a disabled user with weak hands that grow weaker with time), the two boards which seemed the best are the Advantage and the TrulyErgonomic and I wanted to create a dedicated thread to talk about the comparisons.

Does anyone have any thoughts on which might be better for me as a programmer? The TrulyErgonomic seems like a great choice, but coding usually requires heavy use of the modifier keys and the Advantage seems to move those from the pinky to the thumb, which is my strongest appendage by far and rarely gets tired when coding. The layout on the TrulyErgonomic does seem better overall though, which is just leading me around in circles on which to get.

So, anyone use either of these boards for programming? Both seem great and I don't know what to do! Any and all opinions would be awesome.

Rythh · 24 Feb 2013, 07:54

Perhaps the biggest consideration I have to make is the key these boards use. I need an ergonomic keyboard, which seems to limit me to choosing between Cherry browns and reds. The TrulyErgo only comes with browns, so I have to be SURE that the browns are not more tiring than the reds for extended use. Has any programmer or someone with weak hands out there used both reds and browns and noticed a fatigue difference between them?

fossala · 24 Feb 2013, 10:26

Have you thought about the datahand, you will have to get one second hand but they have the lightest actuation (30g) and you won't have to move your hands at all to use it.

matt3o · 24 Feb 2013, 10:49

I found out that the fatigue comes from the position of the keys more than from the keys actuation point.

After a very long session of coding on an apple keyboard I started to feel pain to the left hand, the position of all those mod keys it atrocious. So my search for a mechanical keyboard started. I took one with MX red and I can tell you that they are very (very) light. I would greatly suggest them to you.

Actually I don't like how they feel and went to MX blue, but that is another story

the bottom line is that after 1 month with MX red hand strain vanished completely. (also I abandoned apple for linux, and that is another another story

)

fossala · 24 Feb 2013, 10:55

matt3o wrote:(also I abandoned apple for linux, and that is another another story )

Good man.

webwit · 24 Feb 2013, 12:36

Required force for the optical/magnetic Datahand switches is between 18 and 22 gram, not 30.

No one can tell you what switch or keyboard is best for you, because it's a very specific injury and you have very specific requirements. You may prefer MX red because it's lighter than MX brown. You may prefer MX brown because MX red bottoms out too hard. Some people need a Fingerworks Touchstream to operate. For others it increases the pain because they are typing on a flat surface. According to Datahand research, most users liked it, but some reported more pain. There is no single answer. You have to buy and try and learn what is best for you. The only thing I can say that your injury looks serious and endangers your profession, so you should spend, otherwise it will cost you more later.

Rythh · 24 Feb 2013, 18:09

That's what I was afraid of webwit haha. My situation means I just have to buy and try, which just sucks for my wallet. It seems the Kinesis advantage with either browns or reds is my choice. I think with my weakness, the reds are probably the best choice since everyone seems to agree that they at least are easier to bottom out. Who has tried both and could give me more insight?!

fossala · 24 Feb 2013, 19:35

Input nirvana has got both.

natas206 · 25 Feb 2013, 19:39

Rythh wrote:That's what I was afraid of webwit haha. My situation means I just have to buy and try, which just sucks for my wallet.

Kinesis offers a 60-day money back guarantee so you can certainly try it for up to 2 months and if you don't like it for whatever reason you can return it for a full refund, just pay shipping. Also if money is an issue Kinesis offers refurbished models for 20% off the list price which come with the same 60-day money back guarantee and 2-year warranty.

HERE is a thread regarding the Advantage vs the TrulyErgonomic with a lot of good info I'm sure you'll be interested in.

Compgeke · 25 Feb 2013, 21:35

One keyboard that's interesting is the space invader keyboards. The one I have will activate a key stroke by simply rubbing a finger across the top of it, just running a piece of paper over the top of the keys will activate most. I'm not sure if it's just mine or all of them, but I don't use mine often as the keys are too sensitive for my liking.

sordna · 25 Feb 2013, 21:45

natas206 wrote: Kinesis offers a 60-day money back guarantee so you can certainly try it for up to 2 months and if you don't like it for whatever reason you can return it for a full refund, just pay shipping.

Just curious, are all models, including the Pro and the Advantage LF, eligible for the 60-day money-back guarantee?

Icarium · 25 Feb 2013, 22:12

Sordna: Is the Kinesis try and forward still alive?

natas206 · 25 Feb 2013, 22:35

sordna wrote:
natas206 wrote: Kinesis offers a 60-day money back guarantee so you can certainly try it for up to 2 months and if you don't like it for whatever reason you can return it for a full refund, just pay shipping.
Just curious, are all models, including the Pro and the Advantage LF, eligible for the 60-day money-back guarantee?

Yes all models (Adv, Adv-LF, and Adv Pro).