Datahand Who? Meet the Svalboard

In this video, I share my journey through the world of ergonomic keyboards, leading up to my experience with the Svalboard—a fully customizable keyboard that fits my hands perfectly. Over the past six months, the Svalboard has transformed the way I work, helping alleviate my neck and shoulder issues by allowing me to type without strain. I explore its unique features from the perspective of an ergonomic keyboard enthusiast, like magnetically held key switches, adjustable actuation force, and built-in trackballs, comparing it to other keyboards like the Datahand. I also show how mounting the Svalboard to my chair and even using it with a VR headset has created the ultimate ergonomic setup. Join me as I explore why the Svalboard isn’t just another keyboard—it’s a game-changer for comfort and productivity.

[PHrkr]

Get better soon man. Great video. <3

[jamtart]

man this is insane in the best way. i wish i never saw this video because now i need to buy one

[EdLrandom]

Ok I'm revisiting this video over and over again, you sold me I'm getting the damn thing...

[tillbaks]

I'm currently waiting for the charachorder master forge but this makes me think I should try the svalboard as well because of the possible adjustments. Thanks for the very detailed review!

[tyrisnolam]

@00:06 that was such a BOSS thing. Both to have them installed on your arm rests, and to reveal by zooming out. Thanks for the video!

[animatedastronaut]

it's a huge bummer, as someone who has been often taken out of work by chronic pain in the hands/arms/back due to disease, that this type of adaptive equipment is so expensive. understandably so but the way my heart sank at the price was real deflating. i hope someone manages to make truly ergonomic peripherals accessible to everyone

[stoicfloor]

This is incredible! I'm using a Chocofi and I thought Charybdis is the end-game. I guess not. Definitely will try the DIY kit once I'm more comfortable building my own keyboards. Get well soon Jan! Wishing you all the best!

[PavelYudichev]

Two ways of being «into keyboards»: "double lubed indigo metatron switches, brass inlays on timascus body (still 65% qwerty)" vs "writing own firmware, using modern Datahand w\ Dual Trackballs (in VR)"
How comfortable is it to press two keys w\ single finger (center/up, not up/down obv)?

[LiterallyHifumi]

I had a friend I showed a picture of this board to say that it looks like it's part of a mecha cockpit, and 13:55 really shows that lol

[kellymoses]

Fun bit of trivia is that the datahand keyboard was used as the control input on the spaceship in the movie Contact.

[averymorin]

❤ the world needs more svalboard content

[mdotmertens]

This video sold me. I was intrigued by the original post on the subreddit but this has shown me that it is practical and beneficial.

One question though. Coming from a 34 key keyboard how do you use the side buttons on your fingers? Are they awkward? Intuitively I would use them for layers.

[WinchesterxNL]

While the price is a bit steep, and not something that someone with issues but not a deep pocket is able to get all that easily. It does look incredibly interesting.

And I'm also quite interested in seeing this being used for gaming

[FrankPloegman]

Thanks for this video. I had never heard about the Svalboard before. It looks like elite level ergonomics. The compact location of the switches leaves room for a large finger trackball in near-perfect position. Although you can significantly reduce the need for a mouse with Vim motions, the Vimium browser plugin, and tiling window managers, tasks like video editing will inevitably require some kind of cursor manipulation.

The integrated trackball makes it possible to mount the unit to your chair and lean back. (I lean back all the time.) This is not possible with a regular mouse, because then it would slide off. I did some experiments with a Logitech thumb trackball. Although it works reasonably well, I found it significantly less pleasant than even a cheap mouse.

What I really like about the Svalboard is the relatively short learning curve, since nearly all the keys are in the location your are used to, especially if you are already using a columnar keyboard. I also like the potential of the CharaChorder, but that has a long learning curve. Additionally, although the CharaChorder has an optional trackball, it cannot have a large finger trackball in near-perfect position.

For now I’m very happy with my Dygma Defy, but if I ever want to upgrade, the Svalboard would definitely be on my shortlist.

Wishing you a complete and speedy recovery of your health, Jan!

[narex]

This is the first time I've seen a Patreon scroll with just a single patron and it was abolutely hilarious. "All the thanks in the world to my only *real* fan, Chris"

[WyvernDotRed]

The demonstration at the end reminded me of operating my Steam Deck as a tablet in Desktop Mode.
Its virtual keyboard is more limited on special characters, but otherwise the ergonomics of using it are great after enabling Trigger Clicks.
Operating the rest of the system is ever so slightly more awkward than a standard M+KB setup, but by far the best I tried for a controller like grip.
That is not even covering FlickStick in first person games, which feels plain better than standard M+KB input but is slightly less accurate.
Though large swipes on the horizontal axis are more accurate again, due to the direct nature of the FlickStick mapping.

[EdLrandom]

13:23 I was using one large 1080p monitor anyway, so I'm trying to replace it with Viture Pro XR "AR" glasses. They're pretty good so far for a lot of reasons. Yes, the corners are a little blurry for me, but a lot of tasks are working out great. There is a way to enable tracking so it stays pinned like a real monitor, but I haven't yet because you need Gnome, not KDE, for it. It's fine to wear these all day long, it's no fun to wear a VR headset all day long. I can also see my hands and stuff in them.

[deltapi]

This thing is awesome. I would like to try it first though, before making a purchase. Because resting my palm on the supports sometimes creates even more problems for my carpal.

[Chloe-ylyy]

gosh as someone with really arthritic hands and wrists, and a reliance on keyboards for work, I will definitely be saving up for one of these. dreaming of the day i can throw my crappy and mostly ineffective wrist rest away

[evanjrowley]

I recently got a trackball-equipped keyboard with a corne-layout. I totally get the need for an integrated pointing device! For me, it's the holy grail of ergonomic keyboards. Unfortunately, mine arrived damaged and I don't have the ability to 3D print one. Hopefully more accessible options will be available in the future. Svalboard is amazing, but the price keeps me from getting one for now.