Wednesday, December 19th 2012

Truly Ergonomic 209 En-QWERTY Keyboard Launched

Japanese peripherals maker Truly Ergonomic, which designs stuff that lives up to its namesake, launched the 209 mechanical keyboard with an English-QWERTY layout (model: TECK209). The keyboard splits the alphabet keyset into two parts optimized for the way your two hands should be positioned for maximum ergonomic-comfort. The portion between the two halves are used to fill important formatting keys, each half has its own little space-bar. The Truly Ergonomic 209 uses Cherry MX Brown mechanical switches, which are known to provide good tactile feedback, and are durable for up to 20 million key presses. Backing the keys is a controller that supports N-key rollover with USB, letting you press any number of keys simultaneously. Measuring 333 × 238 mm (WxD), including its palm cushions, the keyboard weighs about 1.2 kg. It is priced around 19,800 JPY (US $235).
Source: Hermitage Akihabara
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24 Comments on Truly Ergonomic 209 En-QWERTY Keyboard Launched

#1
erixx
Good to see ideas with ergonomy in mind. But pic 4 is a marketing diagram, nothing in it is real, specially body proportions and arms.
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#2
SIGSEGV
James Bond said "Sometimes, the old ways are the best"
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#3
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
SIGSEGVJames Bond said "Sometimes, the old ways are the best"
His idea of "old ways," I'm sure is using typewriters.
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#4
Rowsol
It looks nice for sure.
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#5
kroks
it even shrinks your arms
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#7
SpookyWillow
kroksit even shrinks your arms
It depicts your arms are by your side with just your forearms raised, not shrunk ;)

Either way this keyboard would do nothing for my pain in my wrists/forearms, I have RSI due to keystrokes and mouse clicking. They need to fix that too!
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#8
WhiteLotus
Microsoft have these keyboards for some time now.
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#9
PLAfiller
I have never tried one those. I wonder if this side-oriented stuff really works. I'd love to give a spin on one of those.
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#10
LAN_deRf_HA
Funny yesterday I was forced to type in a position similar to the first diagram due to cat circumstances and it screwed my wrist up so bad I couldn't move it without extreme pain. Sorted itself out overnight though. So they're right it's bad but that's not really a position anyone would normally type in.
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#11
a_ump
everytime i see one of these keyboards i just can't imagine using one since i'm so used to an original keyboard that i was taught on. never have developed any wrist/hand pain, though only 21 so maybe in 10-20yrs XD
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#12
3870x2
It looks like some actual research went into this.

Although it might take some getting used to, it looks like it would work quite well.
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#13
sc
Nobody types with their hands perpendicular on a normal keyboard like the 4th pic depicts.
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#14
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
scNobody types with their hands perpendicular on a normal keyboard like the 4th pic depicts.
I do.
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#15
a111087
it's pretty much this:

only smaller.
I'm have been using this MS keyboard for about a year or longer.
It takes sometime to get used to it, but I don't really feel any difference anymore.
I can still go back and forth between this and normal keyboards - really don't feel much of a difference.
Only one thing - it separates the keys in the middle encouraging you to use a proper hand to press each key for proper typing technique.
I still like MS keyboard though... If it broke today, I would buy exact same keyboard again. They are relatively cheap on eBay.
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#16
INSTG8R
Vanguard Beta Tester
Never wrapped my head around the Ergo layout. I mean I'm sure I easily could. I already bounce back forth between the Nordic Layout on my Laptop to my US Layout on my Desktop.
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#17
RejZoR
erixxGood to see ideas with ergonomy in mind. But pic 4 is a marketing diagram, nothing in it is real, specially body proportions and arms.
No, it's real, but on pic 4, desk is very high so the elbows are positioned like that and in the case of pic 5, the desk is very low. In reality, hands position is very similar in both cases if the desk is low enough (or the chair high enough).
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#18
lyndonguitar
I play games
Looks like a QWERTY phone's keypad
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#19
a_ump
scNobody types with their hands perpendicular on a normal keyboard like the 4th pic depicts.
FrickI do.
as do i....i didn't know there was another way to type besides chicken pecking.
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#20
pjladyfox
a111087I'm have been using this MS keyboard for about a year or longer.
It takes sometime to get used to it, but I don't really feel any difference anymore.
I can still go back and forth between this and normal keyboards - really don't feel much of a difference.
Only one thing - it separates the keys in the middle encouraging you to use a proper hand to press each key for proper typing technique.
I still like MS keyboard though... If it broke today, I would buy exact same keyboard again. They are relatively cheap on eBay.
I actually tried to use one of the Microsoft ones several times and just could not get adapted well enough to it without it causing me pain and discomfort. The one in the news post looks MUCH better and it does'nt have your arms so wide apart like the Microsoft one does 'tho the price is a bit much.

If this ever drops below the $100 mark I'll get one in a heartbeat otherwise I'll stick with my CM Storm mechanical without numpad which is as close as I've been able to get to an ideal keyboard here of late.
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#22
Bo$$
Lab Extraordinaire
Who the hell uses a keyboard with the elbows that far out?!

Clearly sitting too close to it!
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#23
Kreij
Senior Monkey Moderator
I've used ergonomic, split-key keyboards for years and currently have the same one that a111 posted above at home. At work I use a Logitech one.
Once you get used to them you will find them more comfortable and the correct hand placement will improve your typing speed as it prevents you from "cheating".
I would never go back to a straight keyboard on any machine I use regularly.

The one in the OP looks nice but not having a standard keypad is a deal breaker for me. I use it the keypad a lot. Some of the different key positions would take a bit of getting used to also.
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#24
evulmunk33
BitFenix Rep
might be nice once you get used to... but man, that sounds like itll take a while... :/
i tried that microsoft keyboard a while ago and while it felt comfortable it was frustrating to use...
i guess kids in school should work on ergonomic keyboards like this so they get used to it right away... im affraid its too late for me ^^
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