Truly Ergonomic Computer Keyboard Review: One Month with the TECK
by Jarred Walton on March 7, 2013 12:35 AM ESTClosing Thoughts: A New Spin on Ergonomics
At this point, I can say that I like much of what has been accomplished with the TECK. Truly Ergonomic claims that they’ve created a “revolution in typing”, but that’s probably a bit too far in my book. On the other hand, I’m not sure most people would be willing to invest in a "true" revolution—for example, I’ve toyed with the idea of trying out the Dvorak layout to see if it would improve my accuracy and speed, but it’s such a massive change from QWERTY that the learning curve is even worse than moving from a standard keyboard layout to the TECK; reportedly, it can take around a month of typing four hours a day to reach your previous QWERTY proficiency. Likewise, as someone who has used a “natural” keyboard for years, the modified layout of the TECK feels like a better take on a split key arrangement—the staggered keys on most keyboards really start to feel taxing once you get used to something else. The thing is, Truly Ergonomic isn’t the only company to “reinvent” the keyboard, and in fact they’re not even close to being the first.
One alternative is to go with keyboards from Kinesis, a company founded clear back in 1991 (when I was still in high school and carpal tunnel was so far in my future that it never even crossed my mind). I don’t know how much Kinesis has changed their design over the years, but the core design of their latest Contoured Advantage looks to be largely the same as the original Contoured introduced in 1992. What’s more, the Cherry MX Brown switches used in the TECK were actually created at the request of Kinesis as an alternative to the clicky MX Blue switches; that’s a pretty strong pedigree. Kinesis also offers their Advantage with Cherry MX Red linear switches for those that prefer a slightly different feel, though I’ve heard (and tend to agree) that reds are designed more for gamers than for typists. Still, I wouldn’t mind seeing TECK or others offer a selection of MX switches as an upgrade option.
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For their part, Truly Ergonomic points to their clearly original design and says they’ve worked to make their keyboard more ergonomic than other options. I haven’t put the Advantage through the paces yet, so I can’t say which is (subjectively) better, but they are certainly different. Pricing is in favor of the TECK, as you can pick one up for $248 compared to $299 for the base Contoured Advantage, but the Kinesis keyboards also include macro functionality which might be worth the additional cost for some. The Advantage also includes USB hub functionality, and the Advantage Pro comes with a foot pedal that can be used to further improve typing performance. (As someone that is in awe of a good pianist or organist, however, I suspect learning to use your foot/feet while typing is not something that everyone will take to.)
Ultimately, I can’t recommend the TECK as a keyboard that is ideal for every user out there, but if you’re suffering from RSI/CTS (or think you might be), I can say that personally I feel like the past month of use has resulted in less discomfort after lengthy typing sessions than the MS Natural I’ve been using for years. That’s a pretty strong recommendation for a subset of users, but it comes with the caveats I’ve mentioned already. The learning curve on the TECK requires a serious commitment to change, and now that I’ve been typing on the TECK for a solid month I’m finding that my typing on regular keyboards has deteriorated somewhat (e.g. 57 WPM on the Rosewill RK-9100 compared to 70 WPM last month). It’s not as bad as what happened when I first switched to the TECK, but it’s definitely something that will take a bit of time to readjust, so if you happen to have multiple PCs that you use regularly (e.g. at work and at home), you might have to purchase two keyboards to avoid disorientation.
Then there’s the price. $248 makes this the type of product that you likely won’t be buying on an impulse, and when you look at other mechanical keyboards that sell for closer to $100 it can feel quite extreme. On the other hand, if you’re suffering from RSI/CTS, all it takes is a quick look at the cost of surgery and rehabilitation to make the TECK look far more enticing. For my part, it’s simple economics: not as many users are willing to commit to an ergonomic keyboard, particularly one like the TECK where there are enough changes that it requires effort to make the switch. When your market is smaller and you have to put more money into R&D to come up with your initial design, prices will be higher. That’s also why you don’t see other extras like a USB hub or keyboard backlighting on the TECK, as both items would take an already expensive keyboard up into the $300 range.
And that’s basically my recommendation right now: if you’re in the market for an ergonomic keyboard and want something more advanced than a simple split key “natural”, the options are quite limited. For ergonomic keyboards with mechanical switches, you have Truly Ergonomic’s TECK, the Kinesis Contoured Advantage, Maltron (the most expensive of the bunch), or if you don’t mind going the DIY route you could try the open source ErgoDox (which you can get for $200 via MassDrop). Depending on personal preference, I would imagine any of those three could end up being the “best”, but it’s a lot like shopping for clothing: there’s no such thing as “one size fits all” when it comes to keyboards. To that end, Truly Ergonomic does offer a 60-day money back guarantee on the TECK. I’m still well within that 60 day period and at this stage I’m more than happy to keep the TECK and continue using it. We’ll have to see if that’s still the case after I spend some time with Kinesis’ Advantage offering.
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lordofthepants - Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - link
The shinning of the keys from one month of use is pretty appalling, I have also had some issues with RSI with my wrists (although likely much less sever than the author), I had been using a microsoft ergo 4000 keyboard for some time. This Christmas I asked for and received a WASD V1 (mx-brown w/ dampers .2mm) keyboard i have been using this along with a GRIFITI wrist pad since and have found that with the better key feel (typing less forcefully than with the membrane 4000) wrist strain issues have actually been reduced since moving from the Microsoft ergo keyboard to the standard WASD mechanical keyboard. I have been banging on this thing for a few months now and while the WASD uses ABS keycaps mine is not showing any shinning of the keycaps so far (including gaming keys ... I have been doing a fair amount of gaming with this keyboard).Even if you have some RSI / Carpal tunnel issues I wouldn't entirely discount moving to a standard layout mechanical keyboard (combined with attention to ergonomics and a suitable wrist wrest.) Before running out to get this TECK thing ...
Seems like the TECK might work well for some but may also be more hassle than it is worth for others ..and involve a lot of learning curve. The Keycap wear seems pretty bad for such a short time of use also... that would put me off that thing pretty quickly, On the upside for me should my WASD keycaps start wearing later on I could replaced them with a new set fairly easily if needed/ Desired.
Azteca - Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - link
Another self-promoting can of SPAM; only overlooking their own website and a coupon.In regard to keycap shinning or glossiness, it happens on all keyboards and varies a lot as it mostly depends on the user's way of typing and how much oily is the users' skin. The TECK keycaps are made out of ABS plastic, same as the majority including wasd's, so they will shine at the same pace with the same user and usage.
What is also beneficial on the TECK, which is not mentioned in the article, is that the letters and symbols are laser printed which last a long time, particularly compared to cheap stickers used in most keyboards that completely fade out within weeks.
I believe that one month of retraining your brain on how to type healthier is a very short time compared to years to come in typing.
Maryon Jeane - Monday, July 8, 2013 - link
My keycaps are shining to some extent (noticeable mainly on the spacebars and the central keys (Enter, Backspace, Tab and whatever the other one was before I remapped it to Delete) but none of the key letters or symbols have become even slightly less legible after over a year of very hard and daily use.onelin - Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - link
Really great read, Jarred! I'm psyched to see reviews on ergonomic keyboards as I'm currently searching for something better than an Ms natural myself blocking forward to your thoughts on the Kinesis keyboard.blackboxbeast - Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - link
Thanks for a great article. It convinced me to find a better alternative to my MS ego. I was going to wait for the Kinesis review but no matter how good it is I can't justify the cost. I went with the Freestyle2 instead. I like the idea of being able to switch the postion we will see if that turns out to be the case.Kraziken - Thursday, March 14, 2013 - link
Hi Jarrad,I don't have any carpal tunnel problems, but found it more comfortable on Ergonomic keyboards. Like you I probably started on the Microsoft style ergnomic keyboard.
I eventually found a somewhat obscure keyboard. Called the Smartboard. They've since gone out of business a few years ago. And as I type this comment, my current Smartboard is about 10 years old. I've had three of them and this of course is the last one.
Like the truly ergonomic, they attempted to re-allign the keys to some extent. The footprint of the keyboard is smaller. And they have the loud clicky microswitch keys (that I actually like).
They still seem to have a web presence, but I wonder if you can even order from them anymore.
In any case. I'm wondering if you have ever tried a smartboard. If so, any similar feel to the Truly Ergonomic?
Thanks
Ken
http://www.datadesktech.com/desktop_sb.html
ksound - Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - link
I bought the TECK about a month ago, getting used to the layout was a pain but it does feel more ergonomic and worth it. I never use the nu pad so I love that my mouse is a lot closer now. I had a lot of issues with the switches, first a and b would often register multiple times than I had the m and arrow keys that would 1 out of 2 times not register at all or multiple times and the alt was extremely flaky. This made editing code a real pain. but after a few days it got way better (hardly ever occurred again) It seems like the keys need to break in but this is an issue that needs to go away and never come back. So I'm really torn now. I love everything about this keyboard expect this issue. Since you're having the same issue it doesn't seem like I just had a lemon so a replacement is not an option and the shipping cost to Europe was insane anyway (I mean really $50!). do I send it back with the money back guaranty of will the issue with the switches go and stay away? Has anyone else had the issue with the switches and did the problem persist?JarredWalton - Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - link
In talking with Truly Ergonomic, it sounds like they just don't have good quality control or are doing something weird with the keys that causes the doubling of characters. I now get occasional problems on multiple keys besides just E and I, but I find if I type with a firm touch I don't get repeats -- which of course is in direct contradiction to using the MX Brown switches as I understand things! I'm going to do a video of me switching to the Kinesis today I hope, and then I'll commence adapting to yet another layout and see if I get any problems with doubling of keystrokes by the time I'm done with the review. At this point, that's all I can contribute; I'd almost like to get a TECK with MX Blue or something other than Brown to see if that helps, but they don't make such a keyboard right now.Tallon - Monday, April 15, 2013 - link
TECK does have a keyboard with MX Red if you're interested http://www.trulyergonomic.com/store/index.php?rout...Maryon Jeane - Monday, July 8, 2013 - link
Hi ksound -Yes, it seems that plenty of other people have come across this problem to a greater or lesser extent (and mine was certainly greater!). If you have a look at my full review below, you will see my answer to the problem and the (welcome) fact that the problem did go away and didn't return.