At a look

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Very snug typing expertise
• Hugely customisable
• Great software program
• Takes stress off of arms, wrists and shoulders

Cons

• Expensive
• Sharp inclined positions aren’t snug
• Takes time to relearn typing positions

Our Verdict

The Dygma Raise is a powerful achievement each by way of design and value. Yes, it’s a severe funding, however should 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 arms aren’t screaming at you. The solely downside is that it’s going to in all probability break you for utilizing some other keyboard.

Price When Reviewed

$349

Best Prices Today: Dygma Raise

Most of us spend a variety of time on our keyboards, however they won’t be serving to us by way of posture or hand well being. Dygma is an organization that focuses on unorthodox typing units designed to maintain your digits working, even when your typing calls for are excessive.

One such product is the brand new Raise, 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 arms pain-free or will it induce complications from having to relearn the fundamental ideas of utilizing a keyboard? 

Further studying: The best mechanical keyboards: Top picks for every need

Design & Build

• High high quality parts
• Many configuration choices
• Split building and tilting stands
• Mechanical keyboard with programmable backlights

As any good chef will let you know, the primary chew 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 comprise the elevating package that you just screw into the underside of the Raise, an enhancement package with keycap removers, ‘O’ rings you should use on every key, plus a cleansing fabric. Then there’s the beautiful padded and fur-lined case by which the precise keyboard itself resides, together with the braided cables and ‘Neuron’ adapter you must connect it to your laptop. It all appears to be like and feels premium.

Martyn Casserly

The Raise presents an attention-grabbing design, with two separate halves of the keyboard you could plug into one another to make a extra commonplace structure. The halves aren’t precisely the identical dimension, with the left aspect measuring 153.8mm and the best a barely bigger 177.3mm. This is principally because of the H and Y keys jutting out a bit bit, on account of the truth that keyboards aren’t 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 anodized aluminum key plate holds all the pieces in place, with prolonged palm rests to make issues comfortable. Mine is Atlantis Blue, however there are a selection of different colours accessible: Daredevil Red, 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 you could stick onto the areas beneath the keyboard, which provides to the relaxed really feel you get when utilizing the Dygma Raise.

The pads can 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 two halves of the keyboard lay flat on a desk, with no changes to tilt them upwards. Obviously, the elevating package presents some elevation, however solely sideways, so the typing floor can really feel a bit low should 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 alter this manually. 

You’ll must screw the elevating package onto the bottom plates of the keyboard (all the pieces is included), which then provides 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 underneath the PTB double shot keycaps, all of which will be configured when ordering the Dygma Raise. My assessment pattern got here with Kailh Speed Copper switches, however there are one other eight you possibly can select from together with numerous Cherry MX variants and Gateron GT Pro 2.0, with solely a most of $26 added to the price typically.

If you favor to make use of your personal or have a favourite set, then the Raise is hot-swappable with any switches that use 3- or 5-pin switches with an MX stem. 

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Illumination comes from RGB lights and LED strips underneath the keys and key plate that shine brightly and in a spread of colours. These will be configured through the accompanying software program (extra on that later) with the flexibility for particular person keys to be highlighted in several tones. 

The two halves join by slotting them into one another with the assistance of inner magnets, it’s an excellent match and really straightforward to shortly repair in place or take aside. Due to the separate sections, there are USB-C ports on each, with the included cabling permitting you to route them via the Neuron connector so that they solely take up one port in your laptop. 

Keyboard really feel and typing expertise

• 60% structure with programmable thumb keys
• Split keyboard helps with arm and chest alignment
• Tilted place takes a variety of getting used to

Looking on the keyboard it’s instantly obvious that there are some things lacking. As this can be a brief structure, you gained’t discover a number-pad on the Raise, nor (extra sadly) are there arrow keys. At least, not devoted ones. Beneath the break up space-bar there are two ‘layer’ keys that let you entry the particular characters and options which can be defaulted to the second and third layers (sort of like superior Shift keys), though extra layers will be arrange within the software program.

So, urgent down and holding one will immediately make the ESDF keys glow, reworking them into a short lived set of arrow keys. While that is initially fairly off-putting (I exploit arrow keys lots it seems), you’ll be able to shortly alter to the function, with the added bonus that you just don’t have to vary your hand place to navigate via paperwork. 

Martyn Casserly

This is vital, as a lot of the design ethos behind the Raise is for environment friendly and ergonomic typing or common keyboard use. As a regular keyboard, it’s responsive and comfy to make use of. The suggestions from the keys is strong with out being too clacky, and the journey feels sufficient in order that you realize you’ve pressed the important thing however don’t discover your fingers sitting too excessive.

If you’re a touch-typist like myself, it’s possible you’ll 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. Stick with it although and it is best to discover that you just get again as much as full pace very quickly in any respect. 

Of course, as soon as familiarity with the structure is achieved, it’s time to drag the keyboard aside! 

The break up mode is the primary main change on the subject of typing positions. The precept is that your shoulders are extra open whenever 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 shocked how shortly I adjusted to the brand new angles and was in a position to 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 can 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 muscular tissues had been getting used. Thankfully, the positioning can simply be tailor-made to your private desire, making it a simple strategy of testing orientations to see which is essentially the most snug to make use of.

There’s positively some trial and error right here, however it’s fairly enjoyable experimenting.

Martyn Casserly

As somebody who suffers with a group of typing associated maladies, I did discover that utilizing the Raise within the break up configuration was in all probability my favourite and seen that my shoulders didn’t ache as a lot as they normally 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 in order for you 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.

Of course, with a reputation like Raise, there’s the final mode to discover the place the 2 sides are tilted upwards to kind a sort of tent. This is achieved through the 4 legs beneath. You pull these out from their fundamental flat setting, then unfold the arms and push them within the notches within the base. Sounds a bit difficult, however it’s extremely easy and solely takes a couple 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 a bit stress off my wrists. This modified although as I elevated to the upper angles, the place I discovered it uncomfortable to carry my arms up, even with the help of the palm rests. I do have a couple 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 fairly than the keyboard. 

Software and programmable options

• Bazecor software program suite
• Create completely different layouts and colour schemes
• Programmable macros
• Superkey function

Alongside the spectacular variety of methods you’ll be able to bodily adapt the Raise to your preferences, the software program that accompanies the keyboard is the place you’ll be able to actually tweak issues to an nearly 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. Once it’s downloaded and put in in your PC or Mac you’re taken by the hand via the assorted methods you’ll be able to configure the keyboard. 

Everything is specified by a logical method, with visible cues making it clear tips on how to familiarize yourself with the instruments on supply. There can be a spread of superb tutorial movies on the Dygma web site that take you thru the capabilities of the Raise. 

Martyn Casserly

First up there’s the important thing enhancing part. Here you see a map of the board with all the present keys. You can choose from completely different layers, of which there is usually 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 just wish to set off whenever 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 occasion, I seemed 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 selected colour to remind me. Then, at any time when I switched to layer two, the important thing would mild up pink and instantly take a screenshot when pressed. Very helpful. 

For extra complicated duties there’s the macro choice. In this menu, you’ll be able to configure or stay file macros that may paste in a preset textual content to a doc or full a sequence of instructions to perform a job. Again, 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. As an instance, you possibly can map a macro to a key, however it would solely set off should you faucet the important thing then instantly faucet once more and maintain it down.

There are 5 attainable actions you should use to set off the important thing, and whereas they could take a bit studying, the smart implementation by Dygma signifies that it’s not exhausting to grasp them shortly. You can at all times consult 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 lets you improve the firmware for the keyboard, in addition to tweak all the overall settings to a powerful diploma. 

Price & Availability

If you’re used to selecting up any outdated keyboard as long as it’s low-cost, then the Dygma Raise in all probability isn’t for you. This is a premium product via and thru, and that’s not solely mirrored in its high quality but in addition the value. 

On the Dygma site, the baseline configuration begins at $419 (approx £345) and you’ll improve numerous options for added prices. It must be famous although that the choice switches and different upgrades are all affordable, with the costliest 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 prime to get the configuration you need.

Out of the field, the Dygma Raise is able to go and has all of the options talked about on this assessment. 

In the mechanical keyboard world, there are additionally different choices, such because the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro, 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. If you simply desire a fundamental 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 Truly Ergonomic Cleave keyboard, which doesn’t break up or increase however does function an angled positioning of all of the keys which might take stress off your wrists. It’s totally mechanical and configurable and can set you again $299 (approx £247).

Martyn Casserly

Should you purchase the Dygma Raise?

Paying prime greenback for a keyboard won’t be excessive on lots of people’s listing of priorities, however in an age the place shelling out practically a grand on a cellphone isn’t uncommon, I’d say investing in a top quality keyboard that you possibly can use on daily basis for years is one thing value severe consideration.

The sheer degree of flexibility and customization accessible within the {hardware} and software program makes the Dygma Raise one of the versatile and attention-grabbing merchandise I’ve reviewed in a very long time. Even after a couple of weeks with it, I stored discovering new issues it may do to make my typing life a bit simpler.

It does really feel a bit intimidating at first, and relearning to kind can fry your mind for a couple 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 structure, nice software program expertise and tutorial movies imply that fairly than being overloaded with options you’ll by no means use, the Raise is sort of a precision device that may flip the common-or-garden keyboard right into a powerhouse management middle in your laptop. More importantly, my arms felt much less painful than they normally do after I use my conventional outdated keyboard for a full day’s work. And you’ll be able to’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 ​​Neuron Microcontroller
• Splittable chassis
• Raising package for angling two keyboard sections (between 10 and 40 levels)
• USB-C
• Neuron interface solely requires single USB-C slot on PC
• Programmable through Bazecor software program suite
• 315.63 mm x 201.76 mm x 33.6 mm.
• 895g

This assessment initially appeared on techadvisor.com.