KINESIS Gaming Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Keyboard | Cherry MX Linear Red Switches | RGB | Ergonomic | Detachable Palm Support | Fully Programmable | TKL | Available Tenting

This was one of the highest rated keyboards for ergonomics from Wirecutter and some other sites. I appreciate the split style and key action, but the number pad is in an unusual configuration on the left hand side of the keyboard, which makes my default left hand position feel unnatural. Also tenting is extra, I didnt think I needed this add-on, but the keyboard itself almost seems to slope inward uncomfortably. Perhaps it is because I formerly had a one piece ergonomic that was slightly raised in the center. Ive currently just stuck a notebook under the middle bit of the keyboard. long-term, I might return this keyboard, but will utilize for some time before deciding.

I ordered the version with Cherry MX Silver keys/switches. It feels great and not clicky like the number pad I ordered to go with it. It was awkward at first because I have muscle memory with my old keyboard. The missing number pad is both nice because my mouse is closer and hard because I used it all the time. Now I have a separate number pad with more functionality, and Im liking it too. Build quality is great. I really like that I could remap keys. I quickly remapped the PG UP, PG DN, and END keys to match my laptop keyboard, so I didnt have to relearn everything. The macro keys on the left are handy too. I want to be able to map applications to keys, not just record keystroke patterns, though. Hoping this is possible with the software. I miss having a button for the calculator, notepad, etc.

Im 33 years old and i started to game again about 2 years ago - but when I picked up some of my more favorite games, twitch shooters, i was getting a lot of pain in my wrists. I was using a Corsair K95 and a SteelSeries mouse. Switching to this keyboard and my new mouse alleviated most of the stress and it makes sense because my desk is really non-negotiable in terms of changing. Its a bit pricey but its also good for FPS gaming because you can put aside the other half of the keyboard and you dont have to go purchase a smaller form factor keyboard, i have huge fingers and i dont need a tiny little keyboard. I recommend this to both people looking for relief as well as enthusiasts as it has solid RGB lighting, a sidearea on the left hand of extra keys to program - super cool and handy, easily customizable and programmable macros... onboard software - which is great when you are like me and utilizing a switch between two computers - the preferences are onboard so it works across platforms. As I write this review I realize there are more and more things I like about this keyboard, if you have the extra cash - go for it - you will not regret it. I will retract a few stars because of the premium aspect of the niche product id like a steel body option. It just makes sense especially if you are going to travel with it. I do appreciate the thick woven cable insulation but definitely do not particularly like all the plastic material for the body.

Although I am a gamer and would have purchased this keyboard for home, the price point was too high. I purchased this keyboard for software development at work because I need a ergo keyboard with reliable keys that can take lots of typing. This is my 3rd keyboard in 4 years and hoping its the last. PROS: Cherry brown key switches are a joy to type on. The control software does NOT require admin privileges so I got the software installed without an IT ticket. The software runs like a USB application, copy the files anywhere on C: and run. The adjustable height, with the optional legs, work pretty well, even though I think for this price point they should have been included. Macro keys are great for small snipets of code like DOxygen comments, etc. I also like the fact that the keyboard itself stores the color profiles and macros internally and allows the end user to manually edit them. This comes in handy because the software option to record a macro is a bit clumsy for anything more than a few characters. The light affects can also be manually adjusted in a text file which is handy. CONS: I really dont like the position of the DEL key in the upper right corner even though I am getting used to it now. I would have preferred a wider foot print with the standard 2x6 (INS,DEL,HOME,END,PGUP,PGDWN) above the cursor keys to the left of the 10 key. The only real issue is with a weird key repeat problem I had with the original firmware(or the previous FW to Decs 2020 release). Several times an hour, a single key would just start repeating forever, even though I removed my hands from the key. I had to type another key to stop it, then delete the string of chars. That was getting old fast. Luckily the latest firmware seems to have addressed most of this issue, so now it only happens once or twice a day. If I were using this in a game however, I suspect it would caused multiple deaths during gameplay. NOT REALLY A CON but: Configuring the keyboard requires a strange procedure that I have never seen in any Windows device. Using a key combination the user basically takes the keyboard offline so that Windows will then see the internal flash drive where all the configs and settings are. Then it checks to see if the configuation utilty is running. Once the app is running the keyboard is not really a keyboard anymore but a flash drive instead. While in the app you can set macros and change the keycap colors / schemes. When done, you do the same key combination to exit the configuration setup and return the device to a keyboard. Its weird, but it works.

I bought this to replace a Kinesis Freestyle Edge (non-RGB with blue keys) that met an unfortunate accident. Ive been using Kinesis split keyboards for years as they are the most comfortable for my wrists and shoulders. Standard keyboards force my arms to angle inward in a way that is not quite natural, and causes some fatigue. Though you mostly get used to the standard keyboard arrangement, it is always so much better to be in control of the angle as you can when your keyboard is split in half. The older Kinesis split keyboards were membrane keyboards, so I had switched to a standard mechanical once mechanicals were available, as I prefer the feeling. Also, I like backlit keys as I tend to keep my office dark to reduce glar. When Kinesis started offering mechanical, backlit, split keyboards, that was excellent as they combine the three main features I look for in a keyboard. This RGB has a bit different layout to the previous Freestyle, so if you are switching there will be some learning as the ESC key is now small and placed next to the F keys instead of being big at the top of the macro keys (though you can reprogram that top large macro key to be ESC if you want, but youll have to avoid accidentally hitting the real ESC key when you reach for F1). Also 7 is now moved to the other side. Overall, they are very similar. Some points of interest: -when the keyboard is in FN mode, by default, there are no LEDs. This is normal. You can use the configuration utility to assign LEDS (I recommend a different color scheme so you can easily see if your keyboard is in FN mode or normal mode). -the keys themselves have a slightly dusty coating on top for better traction. My previous Freestyle either didnt have that (or maybe it had but wore off over years of use) -this keyboard comes with a wristrest, so you do not need to buy it separately. It is detachable should you not want to use it or use a different one. This wristrest has cushions built in instead of the flat plastic Kinesis ones. They feel nice, though it took a little adjustment as I switched from my old keyboard due to it raising my hands just a little. -You can turn LED backlighting on/off with a toggle switch -The arrow keys are in proper inverted-T layout and have a raised bump on the up arrow for touch placement. This is a small but nice feature; no keyboards Ive used before have had the touch bump on these keys. This keyboard is great not just for gaming but for general computer usage and typing when you want something that is easier on your wrists and shoulders, and has mechanical switches for accuracy.

Key feel is really atrocious for a mechanical keyboard. Feels mushy and cheap.

As someone who uses a keyboard all day for work, I kinda new in the back of my mind that I should really look at getting a more ergonomic set-up and invest in my long term health. However, it took a badly broken wrist for me to make it a priority, as I was struggling to go back to using my old, non-ergonomic keyboard. The Kinesis keyboard is expensive, but its turned out to be a great investment. When I ordered it, I figured it would probably take me a few weeks, maybe months, to get used to the split layout, but that the state of my wrist meant it was a good time to take the hit and relearn, as Id reap the rewards in the years to come. In actuality, the transition was seamless. After about 5 minutes of test typing, I felt confident I could use the keyboard and achieve the same (or maybe better) speeds that I had done before my accident. The wrist strain after prolonged use is nil, and the ability move each keypad independently means I can get a setup thats just right for me. The split design means I can also easily take the keyboard with me when traveling for work. I went with the MX brown switches, which have given me the desired balance between audible feedback whilst not being too loud (important when Im doing a lot of typing on video calls etc). My only gripe is that the top left corner of the right wrist support started coming away within days (the vinyl covering is not well attached to the base). I tried gluing it back on, but to no avail. For such an expensive keyboard, youd expect better. Other than that, I do miss having a number pad, but not quite enough to purchase one separately. I also purchased the optional lift kit at the same time, but I havent used it, as I prefer a flat setup. So, Id suggest trying the keyboard first and maybe testing different inclines using some blocks etc to see if you like the incline before spending extra on the lift kit.

No soy gamer asi que no puedo opinar al respecto, pero siendo programador y pasando muchas horas en el computador y despues de unos 6 meses de uso puedo decir que este teclado ha complido con mis espectativas, no tengo ninguna queja y en general me ha parecido muy agradable, comodo y creo que no he vuelto sentir esas leves molestias en las manos que ya empezaba a sentir al usar teclados tradicionales. Aunque este mi primer teclado mecanico (solo habia usado teclados de membrana) para mi la calidad del producto es buena. (Ahora trabajo desde casa pero si tuviera que volver a la oficina sin duda compraria otro para tener uno en casa y otro en la oficina) -------------- No soy gamer asi que no puedo opinar al respecto, pero siendo programador y pasando muchas horas en el computador y despues de unos 6 meses de uso puedo decir que este teclado ha complido con mis espectativas, no tengo ninguna queja y en general me ha parecido muy agradable, comodo y creo que no he vuelto sentir esas leves molestias en las manos que ya empezaba a sentir mientras usaba teclados tradicionales. Aunque este mi primer teclado mecanico (solo habia usado teclados de membrana) para mi la calidad del producto es buena. (Ahora trabajo desde casa pero si tuviera que volver a la oficina sin duda compraria otro para tener uno en casa y otro en la oficina)

It is a configuration heaven. It is really a good idea that it has an internal drive that can be reached only if you initiate it from the keyboard. Then you can configure every key as you like. The split design makes it very comfortable, and the LEDs are good help with the different configurations to recognize.

So 3 stars seems about right, theres a lot that i love about this keyboard, Ive bought this one as well as the original version that was blue backlit only. I compare this keyboard to the Dygma Raise, Ergodox EZ as they are all split mechanical keyboards. The good: I love that its a standard layout, the extra bulk doesnt bother me as i like having a 75% or TKL keyboard. The macro keys dont get much use but there are times when i just need some more keys whether it be in games or for work purposes. The palm rests are perfect and much better than the fabric ones that came optional on the original. Arrow keys are often left out of some custom split keyboards, and while you can use layers on the Dygma and ergodox I tend to just prefer the standard arrow keys Things to improve it to my ideal keyboard. 1. Detachable USB-C cables to connect it to my computer as well as the 2 halves. I have custom cables that Id rather use and being tethered to this keyboard can be a bit frustrating as i tend to swap every so often. 2. Hot-swappable key switches. Id love to be able to change my key-switches with basically anything I want but would have to de-solder and re-solder every key, something Id rather not have to do. 3. The non standard key cap sizing makes it incredibly difficult to find key cap sets that I can use the only real issue here is what is listed within the second image. group buy key cap sets are amazing but most the time the bottom row is a pain. 4. Finally the overall construction. I understand that injected plastic is infinitely cheaper than say aluminum but it makes the typing feel a bit hollow. Having a premium option would be amazing, and Id love to mod the keyboard with dampening foam as well. If the above changes were to be made it would honestly be my endgame split mech keyboard, as for now the search continues.