When comparing ErgoDox EZ vs Filco Majestouch-2, the Slant community recommends ErgoDox EZ for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards for programming?” ErgoDox EZ is ranked 3rd while Filco Majestouch-2 is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose ErgoDox EZ is:
You can map any key to any position easily using a simple GUI, including making hardware key layers. And, since the firmware is open source, you can modify it to do anything you want. Many of the hardware components can also be altered/replaced by equivalent parts.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Ultimate customizability
You can map any key to any position easily using a simple GUI, including making hardware key layers. And, since the firmware is open source, you can modify it to do anything you want. Many of the hardware components can also be altered/replaced by equivalent parts.
Pro Split design lets you optimize positioning
You can arrange each side of the keyboard to match your hand positions. Helps keep your body straight and improve your posture.
Pro Comfortable for those with broad shoulders and large hands
Because of its split design, the ErgoDox lets you optimize the positioning of its halves according to what's best for your body shape, even if you have broad shoulders and large hands.
Pro Open source
The ErgoDox has an open design, so if you want to modify anything at all, you can fork the Github repository.
Pro Many easily accessible keys for touch typists
There are more keys which are easily accessible for touch typists than on common keyboards.
Pro More actions for the thumb
Unlike other keyboards, like the Lexmark M15 and Cherry G80-5000, where the only action performable by the thumbs is punching the spacebar, ErgoDox has extra keys placed near the spacebar, within thumb reach. This prevents the thumbs from being a bit redundant.
Pro Key rows are aligned
Almost all the keyboards have a small row offset (for example, on a standard QWERTY keyboard, the A key is not directly below the Q key. On the ErgoDox, this isn't the case: keys form straight columns. Together with the movability of the two parts you can stretch your fingers straight on, not slightly sidewards. This helps with touch typing, since you just need to stretch your fingers straight onward to reach the key above, rather than stretching it onwards and sideways.
Pro Firmware updates
Because of the nature of ErgoDox, within an open source community, there are advancements in firmware being made continuously.
Pro Customization settings saved on the keyboard
With most programmable keyboards, you have to use their software in order to save and reuse your customizations. Using such keyboards on other systems "degrades" them to their default setting. Since with the ErgoDox the settings are saved directly on the keyboard, no matter the system where you're using it, your macros, tap dances and layers are always available.
Pro Split design forces correct hand position
The Ergodox doesn't allow you to reach over the centerline to hit T and H with a single finger, or whatever other bad habits you might have. The split design forces you to keep your hands in the right position.
Pro ErgoDox EZ offers a 2-year warranty
The pre-assembled version offers an extensive 2-year warranty, provided you haven't taken it apart or physically broken it.
Pro Small to carry
You can put the keyboards together, making it very easy to carry around.
Pro Great build quality
Filco keyboards are renowned for their fantastic build quality. The keyboard weighs nearly 3 pounds and is built like a tank with virtually no flex in the backplate.
Pro Compact and simple design
The overall aesthetics of this keyboard are very clean and simple. The finish is not prone to fingerprints and the printing of the key labels on the side of the keycaps (on the ninja version) makes the keyboard look minimalistic while still being easy to see which keys are where.
Pro Uses Costar stabilizers
Filcos use Costar stabilizers, which are generally preferable for people who prefer a "snappy" feel to their keyboards.
Pro Key labels don't fade out
The ninja version has the key labels printed on the front of the keys to avoid them fading out over time.
Pro Highly moddable
There are a lot of mods available for this keyboard, including rounded keycaps or colored cases.
Cons
Con Expensive
Getting a complete kit from Massdrop costs about $400. Sourcing each part individually ends up a bit under $200.
You can get a preassembled keyboard from ergodox-ez.com from 270$ with 2 year warranty
Con Firmware has some hiccups sometimes
Usually this doesn't get in your way, but sometimes it does.
The repository is actively developed, so errors should be resolved within no time, or at least you get decent help.
Con Needs to be assembled
This can be fun, but some people just want a working keyboard without having to spend three hours with a soldering iron. It's tricky to find pre-assembled ErgoDoxes, and they're not mass-produced. It is also possible to commission an enthusiast to build one up as well. Some Massdrops of the ErgoDox kit did came with an option allowing one to choose whether to have it pre-made or not.
However, you can order and ErgoDox EZ preassembled here.
Con Tends to move around during use
Due to its split structure and lack of sturdiness, it tends to move during use.
Con Difficult to source individual components
You have to either source the individual components and build it yourself or wait for a Massdrop group purchase.
However, you can order it preassembled here.
Con Hard to use with small hands
Because of its size, it's hard to use for those who have small hands.
Con Not backlit
The Filco does not come with key backlighting. This makes it harder to use in the dark (especially when hunting for special characters) and also isn't as flashy as RGB models.
Con ABS keycaps aren't as durable as other materials
Some alternative keyboards have keycaps made from PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) which are more durable, have a nicer texture and generally are of better quality. Many Filco keyboard users switch out the default ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) keycaps for PBT caps, but this is going to cost you an extra ~$60.
Con Has no number pad
Some users require a number pad as it makes number crunching in spreadsheets much quicker, easier, as well as more accurate.
Con No calculator button
Unlike some other keyboards, the Majestouch-2 doesn't have a calculator shortcut button.