Tag: ergonomic keyboard

  • Keychron V10 Ultra 75% Mechanical Keyboard: 660-Hour Battery Life

    Keychron V10 Ultra 75% Mechanical Keyboard: 660-Hour Battery Life

    Key Takeaways

    1. Keychron launched the V10 Ultra ergonomic mechanical keyboard for $124.99, featuring a 75% Alice layout designed to reduce wrist strain.
    2. The keyboard offers three connectivity options: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, and wired mode, with an 8,000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
    3. Battery life can last up to 660 hours on a single charge without backlight, allowing for about four months of use with five hours of daily typing.
    4. The V10 Ultra supports customization through ZMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping keys and setting macros.
    5. A separate wireless number pad, the V0 Ultra, is also available for $69.99.

    Keychron has launched a new ergonomic mechanical keyboard known as the Keychron V10 Ultra, which is priced at $124.99. This keyboard features a 75% wireless custom design, emphasizing comfort, long battery life, and high performance. Additionally, Keychron has introduced a separate wireless number pad dubbed the V0 Ultra, available for $69.99.

    Design and Layout

    Differing from the recently released Keychron K3 HE and K3 Ultra, the V10 Ultra showcases a 75% Alice layout. This design features a slightly angled and split appearance, which aligns more naturally with the position of your hands. This design is intended to help minimize wrist strain during extended periods of typing or gaming.

    Connection Options

    Furthermore, the keyboard provides three connection methods: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, and a wired mode. In both the wired setup and 2.4 GHz wireless mode, it achieves an impressive polling rate of 8,000 Hz. Over Bluetooth, users can connect to up to three devices simultaneously, making transitions between a PC, tablet, or phone effortless.

    Battery Life and Customization

    Regarding battery life, Keychron asserts that the V10 Ultra can last up to 660 hours on a single charge with the backlight switched off, similar to the Keychron Q3. If you utilize the keyboard for about five hours each day, this amounts to roughly four months of use before it requires recharging.

    The keyboard is powered by ZMK firmware, allowing for customization via the Keychron Launcher web app. Users can remap keys, set up macros, and modify shortcuts according to their preferences. Internally, it features a robust MCU with 1MB of flash memory and comes equipped with Keychron Silk POM switches right out of the box.

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  • Compact Ergo Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad for Comfortable Travel

    Compact Ergo Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad for Comfortable Travel

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Toucan is a lightweight, wireless, low-profile split ergonomic keyboard designed for portability and comfort, improving on the previous Piantor model.
    2. It features a unique 42-key columnar stagger layout and includes a 40mm Cirque GlidePoint trackpad for easy mouse navigation without leaving the keyboard.
    3. The keyboard has a memory-in-pixel display for efficient energy use and boasts impressive battery life with ZMK firmware, lasting up to 4,000 hours on a 1,500 mAh battery.
    4. The Toucan’s construction combines an aluminum plate with a 3D-printed lower section, balancing weight and strength, and is priced between $189 and $352 depending on the model and additional components.
    5. It offers low-profile Kailh Choc V1 switches with tactile, linear, and clicky options, and is compatible with Choc V2 switches, but users should be cautious with aftermarket keycap choices due to tighter spacing.

    A well-designed ergonomic keyboard can significantly improve your workspace or gaming environment, as we discussed in our review of the Keychron Q13 Max. However, the Alice-layout mechanical keyboard mentioned earlier is bulky and heavy, making it unsuitable for travel. A small keyboard maker and online retailer called Beekeeb has introduced the Toucan, a new wireless low-profile split ergonomic keyboard that is much lighter and smaller than traditional mechanical keyboards while offering the same ergonomic advantages as the Q13 Max (currently priced at $249.99 on Amazon) and more.

    Upgrades from Previous Models

    The Toucan builds on an earlier model, the Piantor, which was inspired by the open-source Cantor split ergonomic keyboard. However, the Toucan features several enhancements that make it a great choice for anyone in need of a portable ergonomic keyboard.

    Innovative Design Features

    This 42-key split keyboard uses a columnar stagger layout, where the keys are arranged vertically rather than the typical horizontal layout found on most keyboards. This design is quite common in split ergonomic keyboards, but the Toucan sets itself apart by including a 40mm circular Cirque GlidePoint trackpad on the right side of the keyboard for mouse control. This feature allows users to keep their hands on the keyboard while still navigating, condensing essential input devices into a compact, travel-friendly format.

    On the left side of the Toucan wireless keyboard, there’s a memory-in-pixel display, which is energy-efficient and usually seen in smartwatches. This low-power display works with ZMK firmware, known for its impressive battery life, allowing up to 4,000 hours on just 1,500 mAh. In contrast, the Epomaker Galaxy100 we reviewed achieved only 580 hours on an 8,000 mAh battery with QMK firmware.

    Construction and Pricing

    The keyboard’s casing combines an aluminum plate with a 3D-printed lower section, designed to provide a good balance between weight and strength.

    As of now, the Toucan can be pre-ordered with a 12% introductory discount, and shipping is set to begin in December. There are two versions available: a DIY model for $189 and a pre-soldered model for $298; however, neither comes with keycaps or switches included by default. If you choose the pre-soldered model and add keycaps and switches to your order, Beekeeb will assemble the keyboard for you. The lowest price with keycaps and switches is a steep $352, but it’s important to mention that similar keyboards, such as the ZSA Voyager, which lack wireless functionality and a pointing device, are priced at $365. Additionally, Beekeeb cannot ship the Toucan with a battery due to shipping restrictions, but you can easily find a standard $9.99 3.7 V Li-ion or Lipo battery from hobby shops or on Amazon.

    Switch Options Available

    The Toucan comes with a selection of low-profile Kailh Choc V1 switches, offering tactile, linear, and clicky choices. While it is compatible with Choc V2 switches, it has a tighter Choc spacing compared to standard MX spacing, so be cautious when choosing aftermarket keycaps.

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    Compact Ergo Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad for Comfortable Travel

     

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  • DS Pixel Pro Keyboard: Hall Sensor Tech, 8000Hz & Displays

    DS Pixel Pro Keyboard: Hall Sensor Tech, 8000Hz & Displays

    Key Takeaways

    1. The DS Pixel Pro keyboard is currently being funded through a crowdfunding project, with a pre-order price of approximately $299.
    2. It features a unique angled design aimed at improving ergonomics, though comfort may vary for users.
    3. The keyboard includes two displays for showcasing images, but the transparent keys may hinder visibility.
    4. It utilizes advanced Hall effect-based switches, allowing customization of activation depth and a high polling rate of up to 8,000 Hz.
    5. Backing crowdfunding projects involves risks, and potential backers should carefully consider these risks before committing to a pre-order.

    The DS Pixel Pro is a newly designed keyboard that is currently being funded through a crowdfunding project. Backers can place a pre-order for the keyboard at a discounted price of approximately $299. However, as with all crowdfunding efforts, there are inherent risks involved. There’s no assurance that the product will arrive as promised in terms of quality or even that it will be delivered at all.

    Unique Design Features

    The DS Pixel Pro stands out with its distinctive design in multiple ways. For one, the keyboard is angled instead of being straight, which aims to enhance ergonomics. Whether this actually makes it more comfortable for users is likely to vary based on individual preferences. Additionally, it includes two displays that can showcase nearly any type of image content. However, the practicality of this feature might be questionable since the transparent keys significantly block the view of the screens.

    Advanced Technology

    As claimed by the manufacturer, the keyboard incorporates Hall effect-based switches, which are a newer technology that allows users to customize the activation depth, among other features. The polling rate can reach up to 8,000 Hz, making it quite responsive. It also supports wireless use, and the 20,000 mAh battery is said to last up to 12 hours, with a charging capability of up to 30 watts.

    Crowdfunding Considerations

    Backing projects on platforms like Kickstarter can be an exciting way to support innovative products, but it comes with uncertainties. It’s essential for potential backers to weigh the risks against the rewards before committing to a pre-order.

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