Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Keyboard USB QWERTY

Layout: US Amerikanisch (ANSI) Kurz: Wählbare Switches, Layout- und Macro-Anpassungen ohne Software, Anti-Ghosting Allgemein: Es handelt sich hierbei um eine konzeptionelle Weiterentwicklung der Kinesis FreeStyle Reihe, für Gamer aufbereitet. Verglichen mit anderen Tastaturen fällt sofort auf, dass die Tastatur zweigeteilt ist. Dadurch lassen sich diverse ergonomische oder anwendungsspezifische Konstellationen realisieren. Lift-Kit: Ich würde empfehlen, das Lift-KIT dazu zu bestellen, um die Seiten mittig aufzustellen und nach außen du lehnen. Dadurch liegen die Handgelenke natürlicher. Leider muss es schon genau das passende Lift-Kit sein. Entgegen der naheliegenden Kaufvorschläge hier auf Amazon passt das VIP Kit für die FreeStyle2 nicht auf diese Tastatur, obwohl sie sehr ähnlich aussehen. Auf der Seite des Herstellers sind Reseller angegeben, die das Lift-Kit auch nach/aus Deutschland liefern. Tasten: Die Switches sind je nach Auswahl verbaut und insgesamt haptisch deutlich ansprechender als zumindest die der FreeStyle2. Für Spieler interessant ist die Anti-Ghosting-Funktion, deren Fehlen bei der FreeStyle2 noch zu Problemen geführt hat. Diese Funktion sorgt dafür, dass man deutlich mehr (alle?) Tasten gleichzeitig drücken kann, ohne dass Tastenanschläge "verloren" gehen. Programmierbarkeit: Remapping und Macros können zu jeder Zeit ohne jede Software angepasst werden. Die Tastatur hat entsprechende Tasten. Die Tastatur unterstützt drei Profile, zwischen denen man mit einem Tastendruck wechseln kann, und 6 weitere, die eine Tastenkombination erfordern. Anpassung der LED-Beleuchtung erfordert allerdings das Herunterladen einer entsprechenden Software vom Hersteller. Unterschiede zur FreeStyle 2: Die Tastatur ist sehr ähnlich aber nicht identisch. Die Escape-Taste wurde in die F-Tasten-Zeile reintegriert (wie bei anderen Tastaturen), was bedeutet, dass alle F-Tasten eins nach rechts gerutscht sind. Die große Taste oben links (die ursprünglich Escape war) ist jetzt von sich aus funktionsfrei und frei belegbar. Man kann sie auch weiterhin als Escape verwenden. Die Reihenfolge der Print-, Pause- und Del-Tasten wurden getauscht, die Del-Taste ist jetzt so groß wie alle anderen Tasten auch. Die LED-Beleuchtung ist natürlich auch neu. Fazit: Die wahrscheinlich beste Tastatur, die ich je gekauft habe. Ergonomisch, für Spieler und Vieltipper geeignet. Der Preis ist allerdings Kinesis-typisch recht gehoben.

There is a slight adjustment period to the split style, but if you are already a strong typist, this will barely slow you down. However, the ability to place the keys at the perfect width for your body and shoulders is unparalleled - HIGHLY recommended for anyone with broad shoulders or struggling with a hunched over posture. I could feel my back stretching and posture improving within the first hour of use, and the relief from discomfort was wonderful. The wrist rests are also very comfortable, but can be removed as desired. Take the time to decide which key style is best for you, and then enjoy your new keyboard! Worth every penny.

This keyboard is a life saver. I had horrible pain in my wrists from years of working behind a computer. This keyboard along with a good wireless mouse has reduced the pain by 90%. Definitely worth the price to not be in pain at work.

Ergonomics/Comfort: The wrist rests are divine. And the split is very comfortable - much better for my wrists. It also makes gaming more comfortable too, because I can move the right half aside and put the mouse there. Learning curve: I had never used an ergonomic keyboard before this one, so I was pleased to discover that it is easy to get the hang of. I am not much of a touch-typer, but I got used to the split very quickly. Software: SmartSet is a great piece of software. It is very easy to use. It could look a little more fancy, but it looks fairly good. The software is pretty powerful in terms of what it can do. My one wish would be the ability to assign any key to shift/toggle profile. But all-round very good software. RGB: Lovely. Nice and smooth. Plenty bright. Verdict: It's a high price, but I would say it's worth it if you are any of the following - feeling pain/discomfort from typing - using your home office most weekdays - have computer-heavy hobbies If you are in the US and you are looking for the last keyboard you will ever buy, then either get the Dygma Raise, or the Moonlander if you have big hands, or the Dygma Defy when it comes out. If you are outside the US or are just beginning your ergonomic journey, then this is a smashing device.

I barely use the programming on it. I have a couple macros to make screenshotting quicker etc.. but for the most part i use it for the design. i program and like the split keys and ability to tilt both sides differently. MUST have the lift kit. Otherwise its kinda not super ergo. Lift kit with keyboard puts the price range pretty crazy high for a keyboard. Esp for Canadians. For 400bucks.. I expect the keyboard to last more than a year. But the first one I got was DOA... it came on but pressing the keys would give gibberish outputs. Contacted Kinesis and they wouldn't send a replacement because I'm in Canada and said I had to go through the Amazon reseller directly. Since I couldn't return through Amazon it was a pain. Luckily Support at Kinesis decided to help me and facilitate the return thru the reseller for me. This made things very smooth from my perspective. Though I don't see them doing that on a regular basis. So the support guys are nice and accommodating but I don't expect that treatment for Canadians all the time. Now that my keyboard is 3 weeks past its warranty lets see how accommodating they are. Several of my keys are doing the random gibberish when you press them. Pressing 4 types rev/w21 and then closes the current window... for example. Have re-firmwared it and still happens. Tho it sometimes does go away. As such I can't say I recommend it, unless you're ok with potentially replacing it every year. Kind of expensive yearly fee. Which sucks because physically its the best design I've used. UPDATE: I talked to support about the latest issue and they're handling it it in record speed, no hassles. So long as the support remains good and they stand by their product. I'd recommend.