Comment by lytfyre
2 days ago
I grabbed an alphagrip from the ewaste bin at my local hackspace a few years ago. Gave it a solid week - which was enough for me to get at least marginally competent with the layout. I found it extremely awkward. I think the compact controller style forces your wrists into an awkward angle, so any advantages of minimizing fingers motion is compromised by the awkward neutral position. Sloppy back switch mechanisms and a really bad trackball on top.
Too uncomfortable to use full time, to awkward to hunt and peck for an occasional couch/TV navigation keyboard - It went back in the ewaste bin.
I've been on a kinesis advantage 360 for a few years, after an ergodox and the older fixed size Advantages. Been eyeing the Svalboard, thanks for sharing your experiences!
Nice! I've never managed to try one myself, but I did assume something like that would be the case. To be fair to them, they never really promise hand ergonomics — just the freedom to type while in weird positions. I guess it's kind of the opposite of the Svalboard, in that way. If I had problems sitting in a conventional typing position, maybe that tradeoff would be worth it.
I love the Advantages and I really missed the bowling when I moved to the Ergodox — it remains my only real complaint with that keyboard family.
Glad I could be of help!