2mo ago

Pondering my orb

Got my trackball today.

61 comments

People who use setups like this scare me
- The split keyboard part is incredible for ergonomics. So comfy to just put your hands on my desk at shoulder width and just have my keyboard right there. The trackball I sold, though, came back to a Deathadder... How scary am I?
  
  If I go down that route of ergonomic controls and weird keyboards and such I'm eventually going to build myself this whole HOTAS cockpit with controls at the ends of the armrests, foot pedals, the works. I'll need some bedsore cream.
  
  I've never even considered "ergonomics" unless I'm playing video games like every hour of the day which only happened when I first discovered Deep Rock Galactic. Maybe I got lucky genetics? Whats it like for you?
  
  Not scary at all.
- No trackball for me, but I use a vertical mouse and have my Glove80 mapped to a Colemak layout, so it probably balances out.

Do you use your tongue on the trackball? Or your member?
- I actually cast Mage Hand when I need to use it while typing.

Glove80?
- Yep! Having a great time with it.
  
  I've been meaning to move on up from mechs to ergomechs but the analysis paralysis is real lmao This one seems like a top contender though. You ever try anything else like the Dygma Defy or the Moonlander or anything?

Dave.
- Open the pod Bay doors, HAL...
  HAL, open the pod bay doors!
  
  I'm sorry Dave...

I'm sorry Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.

Great title.
Definitely could not do this setup myself.
- It's sweet looking for sure but agreed, anything other than a traditional keyboard breaks my brain

SlimBlade Pro gang. It really is superior.

I tried so many trackballs before settling on the Elecom Huge. I really wanted to like the Kensington, but I think it would be infinitely more useful if it had both a thumb scroll and the orbital scroll.
My current setup for reference:
- A fellow dygma defy owner! I just gave up my trackball for a magic trackpad.
- Looking good!

How do you like your Glove80? I never got used to mine, and went back to my tkl. I gotta give it another shot. I love the look, and the dual design eases my shoulder pain significantly. But my typing speed and accuracy took such a huge hit...
- I've had one for about a year and a half and I love it! It took me a few weeks to adjust but then my typing speed quickly got back to normal. I did play around with rearranging a few keys too, which really helped. I haven't had any other ergonomic keyboards to compare to, but to me the thumb clusters and concave design are game changers!
  
  If you don't mind, what's your layout?
- How long did you try it? It took me a good two months to get back to full speed.
  
  About two weeks. I had to get the speed back up, as work was starting to suffer. Two months? Worth the effort. I'll set it back up and give it a longer go.
- I like it a lot, but as you say it takes a lot of getting used to and practice. I don't think my WPM is near what it is on a regular keyboard, but we're talking a few weeks of use versus 30 years of muscle memory ... I'm gradually switching over to the Glove. Funnily enough I write better on it when I'm not thinking about it at all.
  
  I'm in the same boat with the muscle memory. Never tested my official speed, but I've had several people comment that it sounds like I'm just smashing the keys down, but I'm actually typing. Don't really want to give that speed up, but I don't want that shoulder pain more...
- The default keycaps are terrible. I can't wait for the imminent LDSA keycap batch!
  
  Ohhhhh ldsa would be amazing!

I love...orb.

you're inspiring me with the trackball. i'm on mac for work though, so i have a trackpad between my halves for gestures... maybe one day
- It's really nice being able to scroll by twisting the trackball!
  
  that sounds so cool 🥺
- As a trackpad lover I think it is the best of both worlds. Wireless, easy to transport, can be positioned between keyboard split.
  
  but is it a sphere 🤔

Enjoy!

YouTube started recommending me keyboard reviewers who have been showing glove80 and now here? Am I being manipulated by astute marketing??
- 2025 is the year of the ~~Linux desktop~~ ergomech keyboard
  
  I think I'd be in to try at $200.
  I'll just have to wait I guess until the prices aren't "enthusiast only"

Setup is very similar to mine in shape, but different makes and arrangement.
Did you previously use your mouse in the middle pre trackball?
I'm on Elcom huge + hand wired scylla :)
- Yes, or, I've had the mouse to the right, too. But I think it makes the most sense in the middle.
  The Scylla looks pretty nice too!
  
  Are you a vim junkie? Do you find your wrist is still a bit "cocked" when using mouse in the middle?( its what I was trying to avoid)

61 comments