At a lookKnowledgeable’s Ranking
Professionals
- Very snug typing expertise
- Massively customisable
- Nice software program
- Takes stress off of palms, wrists and shoulders
Cons
- Costly
- Sharp inclined positions usually are not snug
- Takes time to relearn typing positions
Our Verdict
The Dygma Increase is a formidable achievement each by way of design and usefulness. Sure, it’s a critical funding, however when you use it on a regular basis for the following few years I’m certain it would really feel prefer it’s paid for itself when your palms aren’t screaming at you. The one downside is that it’s going to in all probability spoil you for utilizing some other keyboard.
Worth When Reviewed
$419
Greatest Costs Right now: Dygma Increase
Most of us spend a number of time on our keyboards, however they may not be serving to us by way of posture or hand well being. Dygma is an organization that specialises in unorthodox typing units designed to maintain your digits working, even when your typing calls for are excessive.
One such product is the brand new Increase, which not solely splits in half but in addition tilts at a pointy angle to vary the stress in your wrists. So, is it one thing that may assist preserve your palms pain-free or will it induce complications from having to relearn the essential ideas of utilizing a keyboard?
Design & Construct
- Top quality elements
- Many configuration choices
- Break up building and tilting stands
- Mechanical keyboard with programmable backlights
As any good chef will inform you, the primary chunk is with the attention. With that in thoughts, Dygma lays out a veritable feast earlier than you even get to the keyboard itself.
Opening the packaging reveals a group of bins that include the elevating package that you simply screw into the underside of the Increase, an enhancement package with keycap removers, ‘O’ rings you should utilize on every key, plus a cleansing fabric. Then there’s the attractive padded and fur-lined case through which the precise keyboard itself resides, together with the braided cables and ‘Neuron’ adapter you should connect it to your pc. All of it seems and feels premium.
The Increase presents an fascinating design, with two separate halves of the keyboard which you can plug into one another to make a extra customary format
Martyn Casserly
The Increase presents an fascinating design, with two separate halves of the keyboard which you can plug into one another to make a extra customary format. The halves usually are not precisely the identical dimension, with the left aspect measuring 153.8mm and the correct a barely bigger 177.3mm. That is primarily as a result of H and Y keys jutting out just a little bit, because of the truth that keyboards usually are not designed to be precisely symmetrical. Go on, take a look at yours now, you’ll see that the keys don’t line up above one another, they’re staggered.
An anodised aluminium key plate holds all the pieces in place, with prolonged palm rests to make issues comfortable. Mine is Atlantis Blue, however there are a number of different colors accessible: Daredevil Pink, Egyptian Gold and Royal Purple every with the selection of black or white key caps and palm pads. You get two pads within the field which you can stick onto the areas beneath the keyboard, which provides to the relaxed really feel you get when utilizing the Dygma Increase.
The pads will also be eliminated, washed and caught again on, so that you don’t want to fret in regards to the aesthetic changing into tatty after some use.
The 2 halves of the keyboard lay flat on a desk, with no changes to tilt them upwards. Clearly, the elevating package gives some elevation, however solely sideways, so the typing floor can really feel just a little low when you’re used to tilting up the again of a keyboard. It’s a small factor, however I want to have had a strategy to modify this manually.
You’ll must screw the elevating package onto the bottom plates of the keyboard (all the pieces is included), which then offers you the choice to tilt the separate items to angles that fit your most well-liked typing place.
As this can be a mechanical keyboard, there are switches beneath the PTB double shot keycaps, all of which might be configured when ordering the Dygma Increase. My evaluation pattern got here with Kailh Pace Copper switches, however there are one other eight you may select from together with varied Cherry MX variants and Gateron GT Professional 2.0, with solely a most of $26 added to the price most often.
For those who want to make use of your individual or have a favorite set, then the Increase is hot-swappable with any switches that use 3- or 5-pin switches with an MX stem.
Martyn Casserly
Illumination comes from RGB lights and LED strips beneath the keys and key plate that shine brightly and in a spread of colours. These might be configured by way of the accompanying software program (extra on that later) with the flexibility for particular person keys to be highlighted in several tones.
The 2 halves join by slotting them into one another with the assistance of inner magnets, it’s a superb match and really simple to shortly repair in place or take aside. Because of the separate sections, there are USB-C ports on each, with the included cabling permitting you to route them by the Neuron connector in order that they solely take up one port in your pc.
Keyboard really feel and typing expertise
- 60% format with programmable thumb keys
- Break up keyboard helps with arm and chest alignment
- Tilted place takes a number of getting used to
Wanting on the keyboard it’s instantly obvious that there are some things lacking. As this can be a brief format, you gained’t discover a number-pad on the Increase, nor (extra sadly) are there arrow keys. At the least, not devoted ones. Beneath the break up space-bar there are two ‘layer’ keys that assist you to entry the particular characters and options which are defaulted to the second and third layers (form of like superior Shift keys), though extra layers might be arrange within the software program.
So, urgent down and holding one will immediately make the ESDF keys glow, remodeling them into a brief set of arrow keys. Whereas that is initially fairly off-putting (I take advantage of arrow keys quite a bit it seems), you’ll be able to shortly modify to the function, with the added bonus that you simply don’t have to vary your hand place to navigate by paperwork.
Admittedly it does really feel bizarre at first, however I used to be stunned how shortly I adjusted to the brand new angles and was capable of kind at a quick pace as soon as extra
Martyn Casserly
That is necessary, as a lot of the design ethos behind the Increase is for environment friendly and ergonomic typing or common keyboard use. As an ordinary keyboard, it’s responsive and cozy to make use of. The suggestions from the keys is stable with out being too clacky, and the journey feels sufficient in order that you recognize you’ve pressed the important thing however don’t discover your fingers sitting too excessive.
For those who’re a touch-typist like myself, you could discover the primary few hours a bit disorientating, as you attempt to hit the space-bar or different keys in that area with various success. Keep it up although and you must discover that you simply get again as much as full pace very quickly in any respect.
In fact, as soon as familiarity with the format is achieved, it’s time to tug the keyboard aside!
The break up mode is the primary main change with regards to typing positions. The precept is that your shoulders are extra open once you separate the completely different sections, which ought to assist with pains in that area in addition to with the neck. Admittedly it does really feel bizarre at first, however I used to be stunned how shortly I adjusted to the brand new angles and was capable of kind at a quick pace as soon as extra.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to attempt angling the halves in order that they don’t sit within the conventional straight line {that a} regular keyboard calls for. This could take stress off of your wrists and loosen up the again and shoulders. It was curious how instantly I felt a distinction in how the muscle tissue have been getting used. Fortunately, the positioning can simply be tailor-made to your private desire, making it a simple means of testing orientations to see which is probably the most snug to make use of.
There’s undoubtedly some trial and error right here, nevertheless it’s fairly enjoyable experimenting.
I did discover that utilizing the Increase within the break up configuration was in all probability my favorite and seen that my shoulders didn’t ache as a lot as they often do after a protracted day
Martyn Casserly
As somebody who suffers with a group of typing associated maladies, I did discover that utilizing the Increase within the break up configuration was in all probability my favorite and seen that my shoulders didn’t ache as a lot as they often do after a protracted day. There’s additionally numerous scope by way of how far aside you’ll be able to place the 2 segments, due to the beneficiant size of the cables. So if you’d like you’ll be able to place a mouse or trackpad within the hole you’ll be able to. Cups of tea are additionally an choice, simply don’t spill them on the keyboard.
In fact, with a reputation like Increase, there’s the final mode to discover the place the 2 sides are tilted upwards to type a form of tent. That is achieved by way of the 4 legs beneath. You pull these out from their primary flat setting, then unfold the arms and push them within the notches within the base. Sounds a bit difficult, nevertheless it’s extremely easy and solely takes a number of seconds. There are 4 notch choices, every one growing the angle of the lean. These go from a slight 10-degree slope as much as a pointy 40-degree incline.
Martyn Casserly
I discovered the decrease settings fairly snug to make use of, with the angle seemingly taking just a little stress off my wrists. This modified although as I elevated to the upper angles, the place I discovered it uncomfortable to carry my palms up, even with the help of the palm rests. I do have a number of points on this space although, with a protracted historical past of shoulder issues and arthritis, so this might simply be my very own private alignment quite than the keyboard.
Software program and programmable options
- Bazecor software program suite
- Create completely different layouts and coloration schemes
- Programmable macros
- Superkey function
Alongside the spectacular variety of methods you’ll be able to bodily adapt the Increase to your preferences, the software program that accompanies the keyboard is the place you’ll be able to actually tweak issues to an virtually ridiculous diploma.
The Bazecor identify of the suite would possibly sound like a villain from the Wheel of Time, however there’s nothing monstrous about it. As soon as it’s downloaded and put in in your PC or Mac you’re taken by the hand by the assorted methods you’ll be able to configure the keyboard.
All the things is specified by a logical method, with visible cues making it clear how one can familiarize yourself with the instruments on supply. There’s additionally a spread of superb tutorial movies on the Dygma web site that take you thru the capabilities of the Increase.
Martyn Casserly
the software program that accompanies the keyboard is the place you’ll be able to actually tweak issues to an virtually ridiculous diploma
First up there’s the important thing enhancing part. Right here you see a map of the board with the entire present keys. You possibly can choose from completely different layers, of which there could be a most of 10! If you wish to add particular options to any key then simply click on on it and also you’ll then have the ability to choose the assorted combos of keys that you simply need to set off once you hit it.
Alternatively, if there’s one you don’t use very a lot, you’ll be able to map it to a different one from the complete sized keyboard displayed on the web page. For example, I regarded on the second layer of my setup and located a key that wasn’t assigned. So I chosen it, then put within the mixture for a screenshot and assigned the important thing a particular coloration to remind me. Then, every time I switched to layer two, the important thing would gentle up purple and instantly take a screenshot when pressed. Very helpful.
For extra advanced duties there’s the macro choice. On this menu, you’ll be able to configure or stay report macros that can paste in a preset textual content to a doc or full a collection of instructions to perform a job. Once more, the programming is visible and easy to familiarize yourself with, making this a really highly effective and usable function.
Martyn Casserly
There’s additionally one thing known as Superkeys the place you’ll be able to assign as much as 5 instructions to any key. These are then accessed by a mixture of faucets and holding down that exact key. For example, you may map a macro to a key, however it would solely set off when you faucet the important thing then instantly faucet once more and maintain it down.
There are 5 attainable actions you should utilize to set off the important thing, and whereas they could take just a little studying, the wise implementation by Dygma signifies that it’s not exhausting to grasp them shortly. You possibly can at all times discuss with the Bazecor software program to remind your self which keys are mapped and what instructions they are going to execute.
Alongside this, the software program permits you to improve the firmware for the keyboard, in addition to tweak all the overall settings to a formidable diploma.
Worth & Availability
For those who’re used to choosing up any outdated keyboard as long as it’s low cost, then the Dygma Increase in all probability isn’t for you. This can be a premium product by and thru, and that’s not solely mirrored in its high quality but in addition the worth.
On the Dygma web site, the baseline configuration begins at $419 (approx £345) and you may improve varied options for extra prices. It needs to be famous although that the choice switches and different upgrades are all cheap, with the most costly variant solely including $26 (approx £21) to the ultimate invoice, so that you’re not being inspired so as to add a great deal of extras on high to get the configuration you need.
Out of the field, the Dygma Increase is able to go and has all of the options talked about on this evaluation.
Within the mechanical keyboard world, there are additionally different choices, such because the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Professional, though that lacks any backlighting, can’t be break up and doesn’t include palm rests. It does price much less, at $219/£249, in order that’s one thing to think about. For those who simply need a primary ergonomic keyboard with a curved typing floor, then the Logitech Wave Keys can do the job for $59.99/£69.99.
There’s additionally the Really Ergonomic Cleave keyboard, which doesn’t break up or increase however does function an angled positioning of all of the keys which may take stress off your wrists. It’s totally mechanical and configurable and can set you again $299 (approx £247).
Martyn Casserly
Do you have to purchase the Dygma Increase?
Paying high greenback for a keyboard won’t be excessive on lots of people’s record of priorities, however in an age the place shelling out almost a grand on a telephone isn’t uncommon, I’d say investing in a top quality keyboard that you may use each day for years is one thing value critical consideration.
The sheer degree of flexibility and customisation accessible within the {hardware} and software program makes the Dygma Increase probably the most versatile and fascinating merchandise I’ve reviewed in a very long time. Even after a number of weeks with it, I stored discovering new issues it might do to make my typing life a bit simpler.
It does really feel just a little intimidating at first, and relearning to kind can fry your mind for a number of days. I additionally didn’t get on that nicely with the steeper inclines within the tent place however you would possibly.
I’ve discovered the format, nice software program expertise and tutorial movies imply that quite than being overloaded with options you’ll by no means use, the Increase is sort of a precision device that may flip the standard keyboard right into a powerhouse management centre in your pc. Extra importantly, my palms felt much less painful than they often do once I use my conventional outdated keyboard for a full day’s work. And you’ll’t put a value on that.
Specs
- 64(ANSI model) / 65(ISO model) mechanical switches and 4x low-profile mechanical switches (hot-swap sockets for Mx switches and 4x Kailh hot-swap sockets for Choc switches.)
- PBT double-shot keycaps (English US and UK) and high-end laser-etched ABS OEM profile keycaps for sprint and non-English languages.
- Customizable RGB LEDs on the keycaps and 60 LEDs for the underglow.
- Atmel tiny 88 U-CN Keyscanner Microcontroller
- Sonix Sled 1735 LEDs Microcontroller
- Annodized aluminum Key plate
- Atmel ATS AMD 21G18A-U ââNeuron Microcontroller
- Splittable chassis
- Elevating package for angling two keyboard sections (between 10 and 40 levels)
- USB-C
- Neuron interface solely requires single USB-C slot on PC
- Programmable by way of Bazecor software program suite
- 315.63 mm x 201.76 mm x 33.6 mm.
- 895g
