I don’t know where I got this number from but with my ErgoDox EZ, it’s definitely outdated: I’ll need to change my typing speed from 120 WPM to 90WPM. I may have put in my Personal Best from when I used to play typing games in high school, but texting and nights of MSN Messenger ruined that (albeit thinking it would improve my typing speed but nah)
Why did I get the ErgoDox EZ?
Before the pandemic, I left my house more. I used to leave the house at least once a day, and now I would be surprised if I went out once a week to get myself some groceries. We went into full lockdown in March of 2020, and by June of 2020 I figured that since we’re looking at the long haul, I would invest in a more ergonomic setup.
Prior to my Ergo, my main layout would be a 65% layout — Specifically the Drop ALT. With smaller keyboards, you may be prone to hunching over your board if you’re not conscious of it. I don’t exactly have this habit, but I don’t have the best position at my desk. (Sometimes I end up putting my feet up, and typing on one side, it’s weird and probably bad.)
So, I picked up the ErgoDox EZ as it was trusted by so many makers and creatives in tech that I admired. It was also hot swap, which means I could change the switches easily without any need for soldering. I purchased the following:
- Ergodox EZ Shine (underglow, as opposed to board glow) in White
- Cherry Clear switches
- Printed keycaps
- Tilt/tent kit in White
- ErgoDox EZ wings aka “The Wing”
The buying experience was flawless. Literally the nicest customer service, and the fastest I’ve ever had something arrive.
The first month was full of regret.
It’s a personal preference (I mean, literally everything about mechanical keyboards is personal preference) but I did not like “The Wing” at all. So much as I reluctantly called it “The Wing” when I listed all the parts I purchased above.
It had the worst smell for probably two weeks: it smelled like a really stanky rubbery school eraser. It didn’t feel that great on my wrists either and I ended up ditching them after two months of trying. I can’t recommend them. I prefer the cheap “beans” that act as mouse wrist rests that come in packs of two on Amazon. I may or may not have them in three different colours.(I have them in Pink, Purple, and Green.)
The default layout for the ErgoDox will take some time to get used to. If you’ve been typing on a conventional layout for years, it’ll be pretty strange and foreign at first. Some big changes:
- Backspace is on the left wing beside A
- Delete is on the left wing beside Q
- Space is on the left thumb cluster
- Enter is on the right thumb cluster
- Tab is beside Enter on the right thumb cluster
You can actually change all of this in the Oryx configurator but I couldn’t figure out a more usable layout that would suit my transition from a conventional QWERTY. To this day, I still switch from Ergo to conventional a couple of days a week, but when I go back to the latter I use my right thumb for Space on the Spacebar. (Old habits die hard I guess.)
I regret not trying out the Cherry Clear switches that came with my ErgoDox. Instead of using them, I removed them immediately with my usual switch puller that came with my Drop ALT. Another note here: Use the switch puller that comes with the ErgoDox. I ended up pretty much accidentally opening 20% of the switches because of the clearance between the case and the switch placement. Sucked. The switch puller that comes with the ErgoDox is designed in a way where you can tuck in the tool from the edge and remove quite easily. It’s pretty much become my fave switch puller and my keycap puller even though it seems cheaply made. Surprisingly reliable in my experience!
I’ve gone through the following switches:
- C3 x TKC Tangerine Switches in 62g
- Kailh Speed Pinks
- C3 x TKC Banana Splits
My favourite switches are the Banana Splits, a colourful linear switch with a light yet sturdy spring at 62g weight. I didn’t ever think I would leave my tactile and clicky ways but here we are.
It works for me now, instead of the other way around.
Like I mentioned before, I thought I was going to give up on the thing because the learning curve to relearn how to type was pretty challenging for me. I’m thankful I persevered because I really love this keyboard and it’s a workstation staple for me.
I setup macros to help me work faster. Some of these macros include:
- Copy and paste functions
- Special Lightroom shortcuts
- Emdash
I love having these macros setup, and I love the thumb cluster concept because it makes so much sense to build functionality at your thumbs since your fingertips are mostly doing the bulk of the typing work.
Aesthetically, the ErgoDox EZ Shine with the mood lighting is a lovely way to add brightness and warm to your desktop. I work in darker environments due to the nature of colour correcting, etc. so having a bit of colour in the space at my keyboard is a wonderful addition to my desk space.
So, eight months later, where am I at with the ErgoDox EZ?
Are you kidding me with this timing?
I should mention that literally in the same month that I received my ErgoDox EZ, they went ahead and announced the Moonlander, an updated version of the Ergo (sorta).
Some noteworthy differences between the ErgoDox EZ and the Moonlander:
- USB-C connection
- Good-bye 1.5u keys, hello 1u keys
- More compact thumb clusters
- More portable
- Tilt/tent is built onto the board design
- Ability to plug in just the left wing of of the board
So, if I had to be honest: I’m tempted to purchase the Moonlander because of its portability and USB-C connections. The Moonlander does not come in a “Shine” variant of lighting setups, and only comes in “Glow”: backlit keys.
I personally don’t use backlit keys so this would be a complete waste to me, and I would definitely want the mood lighting that the ErgoDox EZ Shine has to offer my space. (Also have you seen the Moonlander? It looks like a giant mitten and I cannot unsee.)
My other struggles
FPS gaming on the ErgoDox EZ is NOT fun. You’ll definitely need to remap your mobility actions like run, crouch, and jump. By default, your hand can cramp easily so finding something that works for you will take time. I still haven’t found what this is yet for me, so I typically just swap out my Ergo for a conventional board. (Again we are talking about preferences.)
Unlike the new Moonlander, you can’t just have the left wing available as a gaming macropad and you’ll need to have both wings which can take up deskmat real estate for those who use low sensitivity with their mice.
Finding keycaps for the ErgoDox can be challenging. Often most just opt to make blank keycaps or novelties available but it’s hard to find a set that really work perfectly for it. I have two sets of choice for the Ergo: Astrolokeys and Vilebloom, both in DSA and manufactured by Signature Plastics. I’m pretty partial to Signature Plastic keycaps because the colour vibrancy is top shelf and I love the feel and build of the caps. Many argue that it looks a little sloppy how there are unfinished edges but, you won’t be able to see it when it’s mounted on the board and personally, I don’t think it’s a big deal at all. I haven’t used sculpted keycaps for it yet but it’s definitely something I want to try.
The default cables are not cute. I have some custom made TRRS cables from a custom cable maker, but recently I’ve also seen the left wing power off and I’m having to troubleshoot and unplugging/replugging. It also uses USB-Mini, which isn’t popular these days so finding some unique and fun options can be a challenge, especially on a budget. (Custom cables often start at $50.)
Would I do it again?
If I had to start all over again and needed to choose between the ErgoDox EZ or the Moonlander, I would probably select the Moonlander. Here’s why:
- The entire re-training of my typing skills could probably adapt to the Moonlander’s 1u keys, but now I will need to train from conventional to ErgoDox default to Moonlander default (just another step!)
- I wouldn’t know how pretty the mood lighting is on the ErgoDox EZ and therefore wouldn’t miss it; I’d probably be OK with the backlit glow on the keys even though I don’t use shine-through caps
- I have a ton of cute USB-C cables and wouldn’t need to worry about the aesthetics on my desk since USB-Mini custom cables are harder to come by
- The portability definitely has appeal and gives me hope of bringing it to Starbucks (haha) when I am able to work in a coffee shop again (haha, yeah right)
But I’m pretty happy with my current ErgoDox EZ, which is why I haven’t quite impulse bought a Moonlander just yet… But if they add a Shine mood lighting option, I may be shallow and in-need of retail therapy (hi pandemic, go away thanks) enough to give it a try.
I wrote this for my own leisure and for informational purposes. This is my personal opinion from my own personal experience, and others’ experience may (probably will) vary! I purchased the ErgoDox EZ myself, along with most of the products shown in photos. If you found this little write-up useful, let me know! You can reach me at @comfythinkies on Twitter, or the same username at Gmail via email.
