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Alphagrip AG-5
Posted: 19 May 2011, 00:52
by appie747
Hello, does anyone here use the Alphagrip?
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Posted: 19 May 2011, 02:01
by Crazy9000
I can't say I'd care to use it. I guess I just don't see the point. Having to physically hold the keyboard up like a game controller seems like a backwards step to me :p.
Posted: 19 May 2011, 02:20
by webwit
True, but the advantage would be that you don't have to move your hands, only wriggle your fingers.
Posted: 19 May 2011, 06:41
by hoggy
I've got one. I don't use it as I find it a bit too small (have large hands).
I think it's got a lot of things going for it. The trackball is excellent and very comfortable to use. It's quite easy to get up to around 30 words a minute - at which point you could start using it at work. You can type with the thing in your lap, or hold it up a bit. If you're having problems maintaining a set posture, it really comes into it's own as you could easily use it standing up or reclining back.
I'd like to see a few changes to the design though, it would be nice to be able to just plonk it down on the desk (cable gets in the way - and gets bent and creates pressure on the socket). I'd like the sides to be a bit more grippy (when you start you end up squeezing it hard until you learn to relax with it) and I'd like a bit of adjustability for hand size.
The hands do move around the unit a little bit, but nothing compared to using a keyboard and mouse.
It's pretty cheap and it's on the market.
I like the fact that the company had the guts to release a product that radically different from the usual keyboard design - I wish more companies would man up to do the same.
Posted: 20 May 2011, 08:46
by Input Nirvana
No secret I got 3 and think they are nifty.
I agree with Hoggy, I thing it's a little small for my large hands, and I would also like to angle the two angled hand-holds a few more degrees. LOVE the trackball!
-One is a wireless mod-to-be and possibly a split in the middle to angle the unit more
-One is a standard issue unit for use
-Need to sell the third one
Posted: 20 May 2011, 19:48
by Input Nirvana
Posted: 24 May 2011, 18:45
by Input Nirvana
Posted: 24 May 2011, 19:55
by ripster
#4 in the Weirdest Keyboards List. Sounds about right.
http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech ... -keyboards
Posted: 24 May 2011, 20:14
by Input Nirvana
Heh heh....
It works so well as an RSI option that it qualifies being on a lot of different lists. I think it should be marketed in that area. I noticed a huge difference in wrist angle and feel that I hadn't anticipated.
Posted: 25 May 2011, 22:03
by appie747
I'm typing at about 90-100 characters a minute now.
Posted: 27 May 2011, 05:51
by Input Nirvana
I don't know if you have posted on the Alphagrips forum...but you may want to, or leave info on your thoughts for them, it helps with the evolution of the very unique product, and there doesn't seem to be anything out there like it.
My mod is going to:
1) wireless
2) variable grip angle
3) make progammable
Posted: 27 May 2011, 06:56
by sordna
Are there multiple versions of the alphagrip ?
On the website here
http://www.alphagrips.com/store/shopping.html it says about a NEW version with optical trackball.
Does this mean that the version I see on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Alphagrip-AG-5-1- ... 000O8AOO0/ is the old version, without the trackball being optical ?
Posted: 27 May 2011, 07:58
by Input Nirvana
The AG-5 is the 5th generation Alphagrip, and the first to produced and sold to the public. They all have had a mechanical trackball. That version has been sold out/out of stock for quite a while (maybe 2 years?).
The latest version that has been made now has an optical trackball. That is what you see on the Alphagrip website and Amazon. Although I really like the version I have, I am going to get an optical trackball version and sell one of my mechanicals. Just because.
Posted: 28 May 2011, 04:09
by sordna
ripster wrote:#4 in the Weirdest Keyboards List. Sounds about right.
Ripster, what do you think of the alphagrip demonstration in this video?
http://easylink.playstream.com/alphagri ... 0_baud.wvx
Posted: 29 May 2011, 00:06
by appie747
It depends on what you define as 'wierd'... this video shows it's not such a bad idea!
Posted: 21 Jun 2011, 23:14
by arcyonline
cool items that you got there!