X-Keys 128: Layouts, thoughts, and opinions

[Ghallo]

So I just ordered the X-Keys 128. My thought was that I would build a 2 tier mount (keyboard on top, X-Keys below). For normal play my hand would stay nearly 100% on the X-Keys - and only move off for chatting on the keyboard mounted above (Any advice on a nice Keyboard "stack" system would be great, but I am thinking I'll just have to build one).
Anyway, I was thinking about possible layouts for my crew (while still being easily playable solo). My team consists of 4 classes, which so far has made certain elements challenging, but honestly I like the abilities it gives me - though it consumes a ton of mappings. I am sure if I was only playing 2 or 3 classes I wouldn't really need the realestate of the X-Keys 128. Anyway, my configuration right now is:
http://www.rogueclan.net/images/ScreenLayout.JPG
And my proposed Key layout is this:

http://www.rogueclan.net/images/XKeys128Layout.jpg
So, thoughts? Ideas? Anyone else out there used a 128 yet?

If you'd like a .xls of this layout let me know and I'll post it.

[Xzin]

Why not use a toggle layer (built in or alt/ctrl) and an X-keys Pro?

[Ghallo]

Well, I thought about it for a while and eventually decided that the Pro didn't have the layout of keys I wanted. Playing 4 classes gets really hairy sometimes, and I wanted the ability to have a 2x3 grid * 4 ... which ultimately takes up so much realestate that I couldn't squeeze that onto a Pro and still have space for everything else. If there was a "Alt-Lock, Ctrl-Lock, and Shift-Lock" key, I might have been able to do it, but even then there would be a second of thought before I'd get to move the specific toon. As it is, I'll just reach down to the corner and run them around to wherever I need them. I can make due with my G11 - I'd certainly recommend it to anyone who asked - but I have wanted a "grid" keyboard for a while - and for more than just WoW. At 14"x9" it actually will fit right into my normal Keyboard's spot. If I could setup a method for sliding it in and out of place it would be ideal.

[Xzin]

http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?pagenum=2953

Sliders :) Or Home Depot / Lowes.

This is still A LOT of keys to memorize. Why a truncated qwerty on it?

Chording isn't as slow as you may think. Faster than moving your hand I would imagine. More accurate too.

[Ghallo]

The "truncated" qwerty is mostly due to my current muscle memory. I currently home there right now, and with it setup that way I think I'll get used to the new style better. Just like the left side has groups of 2x3... just like the G11... because I am used to that right now. I wouldn't expect someone to be able to just walk up to this and use it, but the keys are actually pretty well grouped to be as close to how I use them now. The only real changes are actually good ones (for example: F1-F6 are my "Heal Party" buttons ... with modifiers to cast Renew/PW: S/Bubble. The problem with my current F keys is the distance between the modifiers... so I stuck more mod keys up top to make it so my hands don't have to stretch - and I can now heal with my mouse hand - which means I can DPS and heal at the same time). Everyone would probably choose a different layout - I certainly don't think mine is the best, but with the lack of responses I get the feeling that I am the only person to order this keyboard. I guess I'll know once I get it how good/bad it is.

[bryanc]

Chording isn't as slow as you may think. Faster than moving your hand I would imagine. More accurate too.

When you say chording, are you refering to just combinations with the standard modifier keys? Or is there some magic way to make that work with arbitrary key combos? (e.g. pressing '1' does one action, '2' does another, and pressing '12' simetaneously does a third action?). Or can X-Keys be programmed that way?

[Ghallo]

I believe chording is using modifiers (or multiple modifiers) with a single non-mod key. If that is what chording is, I use it extensively in the "truncated qwerty" section. That's partly why it has no labels - it would be silly. Shift-'x' is Mage1 counterspell for instance, while Shift-'c' is Mage2 counterspell. I think chording is, generally, great when it allows you to keep your hand in the "home" position ... but if you look at a regular keyboard and think about hitting Ctrl-Shift-8 I cannot imagine a less comfortable way to contort my hand. Any modifier+ those middle keys gets pretty nasty :)