The Ergonomic Keyboard Showdown: Part 2: Dactyl Manuform VS Ergodox EZ

Part 1 covered: Redox Wireless VS Dactyl VS Ergodox EZ. I chose Ergodox EZ and went over some of the QMK basics and how I use the device.

This part 2 covers a new contender: the Dactyl Manuform, and compares it with the Ergodox EZ. I go over the benefits, and discuss why I personally believe the dactyl manuform wins my keyboard choice.

One topic I forgot to address is non conventional hand positions for certain applications. For example, when gaming, certain games require you to place your hands on different positions in the keyboard to make use of their keymaps. Granted, you can make a layer in QMK specifically for that game if you really want to, to adapt it to work with your keyboard. But without that extra step, the ergodox wins that category because of the greater uniformity in column keywell depths and lack of vertical shifting.

Another topic I didn't cover in the video is a sound comparison. The Dactyl Manuform is MUCH quieter than the ergodox EZ from my experience. Of course, the materials and thickness used to construct the case may cause some variation in this. My experience is that the manuform puts the keys right at your fingertips. I think the momentum your fingers build when travelling to the keys on the Ergodox EZ cause them to slam the keys with a far greater energy. So if you're aiming for an ultra quiet keyboard in an office setting where people are rather noise sensitive, the dactyl manuform is the clear victor, in my opinion.

Build materials:

Case by reddit user crystalhand: https://www.reddit.com/user/crystalhand/comments/d48zhf/sla_hotswap_dactylmanuform_information/

Switches:
Mostly Gateron silent red 55g (linear) https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3008
For the top number row 1-10 I use ZealPC zilent blue v2 62g (tactile)
which is similar to https://zealpc.net/collections/switches/products/aqua-zilents just with a different color I believe

Keycaps: Pimpmykeyboard DSA profile (color BFV) with 2 homing bump keys that almost match the same blue color

Видео The Ergonomic Keyboard Showdown: Part 2: Dactyl Manuform VS Ergodox EZ канала ThatAngularGuy