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

When I first received I was none to happy to have to buy a tilt kit for this board. It should have been included. I almost sent it back one day one because of this. I was really upset when the v3 tilts came in and only worked if you took the wrist cushions off. Since Ive received the proper cushions in and have had time behind the wheel, I have to confess my knee jerk to return everything was misplaced. Yes, its expensive. Yes, it needs tilt kit included at this price. Yes, Im likely the only one of my friends or family that would buy this product. But if asked I would recommend it to each of them. great keys, great feel to the board. Programming is very easy. I dont miss the 10 keys or have alot of use for them. But great board all in all. And yes, Im afraid to say I am now likely to buy one for my other computer too.

I have been using a Microsoft Sculpt which I have liked but they always crap out on me. My latest MS Scuplt keyboard crapped out after just 4 months. I was in the middle of a meeting where I needed to be typing into a document that I was sharing and it was awkward to have to switch out the keyboard in the middle the meeting. This keyboard had high marks for ergonomics and thought I would give it i shot. I like the idea of having my arms out straight in front of me as opposed to scrunched and huddled over a single integrated keyboard. It feels much more natural. However, flip side, it is messing with my brain a little trying to get used to remembering which keyboard to hit, if that makes sense. I actually play piano and am a touch typist so the notion of hands operating independently isnt a foreign concept. But still -- for typing, it is still a little discombobulating. However, Im confident Ill adapt. I went with the brown switches because the red were unavailable and it seemed based on my typing style, that these might be more akin to what Im used to -- typing with purpose! However, these are loud... much louder than I expected. So loud, in fact that Im going to have to go back to wearing a headset during conference calls so as not to cause interference with the speaker. I do like the wrist rest -- very comfortable. However, after spending so much on the keyboard itself, would it have killed the manufacturer to throw in the riser system? I guess that will be my next purchase. The cables are heavy braided cord and build quality feels solid. Wish it was bluetooth so that I didnt need to have a cord on my desk but thats life. I dont game so not really going to be using those capabilities too much. Also, the funky technicolor backlighting is not really my taste. Hopefully I can make it just a regular color. My touch-typing accuracy has gone down -- getting my fingers lined up on the home row is critical. However, once again, hopefully, this will bounce back once I have more hours with the keyboard. [LCAR]

Ive done a lot of research to find an ergonomic setup that fits my lifestyle. I do a lot of typing and gaming on my computer, and I needed a keyboard that could transition from both seamlessly. I was using a cheap mechanical keyboard before that left my hands useless. I love mechanical keyboards and wanted to find an ergonomic version that also had a backlight. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB keyboard was my answer, but it might not be yours. The split design allows for more natural hand placement, ideally relieving unnecessary strain from your hands and wrists. I have wide shoulders, and the split design allows for a more ideal placement that better fits my frame. As far as mechanical keyboards go, the Edge is on the quieter side. I did opt for the quieter brown switches because I wanted softer key presses, but you can get one with the louder and more tactile blue switches if that fits your style better. The brown switches arent completely quiet, and you do get some sound, but it isnt as loud as some of the cheaper mechanical keyboards out there. This keyboard comes with nine programable macro keys that can be easily adjusted on the keyboard or through the official software. You can save two different profiles, which is nice if you share a computer with someone else or if you need nine extra macro keys. I dont have much use for the macros except for media keys at the moment, but setting them up was very simple. The RGB profile can also be adjusted easily through the software. Any changes you make to this keyboard whether it be macros, profiles, or RGB is saved to the keyboard directly. If you switch to a different computer, all your profiles and macros transfer with the keyboard. Its nice to not have to have another account to access your preferences or lose them if your computer wipes. I love this keyboard and have been daily driving it for nearly three years without any issues. My only complaint with this keyboard is that it doesnt come with the lift kit. Kineses offers a separate kit which isnt necessary, but I do recommend it getting one. I used the keyboard without the kit for about a week before giving in and buying one. There was nothing wrong with the flat setup of the keyboard, but I use my computer too much and needed the additional ergonomics. The lift kit offers a more natural position for your hands, and I honestly cant go back to using anything else. The keycaps are nice. They are very soft to the touch, but you can customize your keyboard with third-party caps if they fit MX switches. Be mindful of the measurements. You might have trouble finding spacebars that fit this board. If you have a mac, Kinesis offers a separate kit to change your command keys. Unfortunately, the kit is an additional $28, and you have to install it yourself. The installation is very easy, even if you have no prior experience. The Freestyle Edge is an adequate keyboard for gaming. The keys are responsive and easy to press, but the function keys are a bit out of reach for me. I often had to stretch to hit these keys, and my performance suffered. Games where I needed to press these keys more often would also tire my hands out more quickly. This is possibly a personal problem for my short stubby fingers, but it is something to keep in mind. Games that dont require the function keys are fine. I could play for a lot longer before feeling any discomfort. I still recommend taking regular breaks and doing stretches keyboard this wont fix the issues completely. For people who play and work a healthy amount, the Freestyle Edge is a fantastic solution. So is it worth it? Honestly, this keyboard is a bit pricey for what you get. I bought it because I liked the style and the RGB and didnt mind the tax for both options. But if you are on a budget and only need the ergonomics, there are better options. The Kenisis Freestyle Edge has made a huge difference in my setup, and I do not regret my purchase. I understand that this keyboard isnt for everyone, but for those interested, you can buy it on Amazon.

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)

I recently needed to replace my Microsoft ergonomic keyboard, which was pretty old and the keys had started to stick. After a bit of online study, I decided my poor arthritic fingers deserved the best care I could provide, and this keyboard seemed a likely candidate. I have had it now for two days, and I just *love* it...the return to a mechanical feel is welcome, but the mechanics on this board are the best yet, at least in my experience. I use my computer for data science work, writing papers, and all the other usual correspondence and so on, so I spend a LOT of time typing, and it is so much more efficient than that Microsoft board was; responsive, comfy, and highly configurable. Indeed, I find I move the two halves around periodically to minimize repetitive motion, something I would not have even thought of if the board design didnt allow it! And all this before Ive even gotten the tenting add-on, which should increase comfort even more (I accidentally ordered the wrong kit the first time; Amazon suggested buying it with the board, and I did not look closely enough to see that it wasnt the correct type--watch out for this!). Anyway I have no idea how it might be for gaming, but even for standard keyboarding application, its an exceptional gadget. Spendy, no doubt about that, but so far Id have to say it was worth every penny. And, in perspective, much cheaper than carpal tunnel rehab...right? One additional point: I was concerned that the layout would be hard to get accustomed to. Its not. All the keys are right where my fingers expect them to be, and I just had to get used to the distances, which are a bit different than the old Microsoft Ergo. But Im now typing even faster than before, thanks to the new boards responsiveness and feel. After just two days of not especially heavy use. Everyone probably experiences this a little differently, but I can say that for me, its a non-issue.

There are not very many options for an ergonomic keyboard that has tenting, mechanical switches, and backlighting, but so far I am very happy with this one. I think the price is too high, and the tenting solution should be included, but the end result is one Im happy with. There are a few other nitpicks with key placements, and secondary functions being printed lower on the keys, but those are minor and the pros definitely outweigh the cons for me.

I love this keyboard. I bought it to use for home office and for gaming. I dont use a 10-key so I was happy to find one without 10 key that also has on the fly macro keys. The main reason I bought this was for the macro keys. Im always looking for shortcuts to repetitive keystrokes. I had a keyboard with cut, copy, past which was good but wanted to add even more. I do a lot of excel and programming so I often use random keys like CTRL+LETTER... My company is also very restrictive about software so the fact that this keyboard doesnt require software install is great. Having different macro (and color) profiles is great too so I can switch between games or programs. If you do install the software you can customize your key colors individually if you want, and it has some other cool effects. I didnt but it for colors (you can turn them off) but its a nice aesthetician anyway. I dont use the keyboard much separated at all as I thought I might (keyboard tray too small) but its nice to have the flexibility. Having the tented add on (separate purchase) is also great for ergonomics. Highly recommend.

Glad to see these are now available. For months at the beginning of 2021 they were unavailable. I have two of these; a cherry brown at home (my first one) and a cherry red at work. For an expensive keyboard like this, its tough choosing the right cherry switches without being able to try them out. Many reviewers of mechanical keyboards advise getting the cherry brown switches for the subtle tactile feedback and relatively quieter key presses compared to the louder cherry blue switches. The Reds are recommended for gamers. After getting the cherry brown keyboard, I liked it so much I wanted one for work. At the beginning of 2021, when there was no supply, Amazon had one used cherry red version and I ordered it. Being used it was unfortunately missing the normally included palm rests which are very necessary when using the tent kit. Before returning it, I was able to try it out to asses the cherry red switches before ordering a new one when they became available. For me, I like the cherry reds better and heres why. Cherry browns. Coming from a conventional membrane keyboard, you probably dont realize it but you normally push the keys all the way down until they bottom out. Fortunately you bottom out into a soft squishy rubbery material (the membrane). When you first type on a mechanical keyboard, youll do the same and bottom out your key presses. This is part of the clackiness of a mechanical keyboard. The key is literally physically contacting the board, plastic on plastic with no soft cushion. The cherry brown switches provide tactile feedback or a bump towards the end of the key travel so you can actually stop pressing down when you feel the bump and before the key bottoms out on the board. Its kind of cool to realize you dont have to press so hard and so far down to actuate the key press and this should allow you type faster and lighter since you can be more efficient, but you have to train yourself not to type so hard. If you are a hard typer and bottom out the keys anyway, you may not even notice the subtle feedback of the cherry browns because the bottom out feel is much stronger. There is a crispness when typing with the browns similar to the cherry blues that you dont get with the cherry reds or any standard membrane keyboard. Cherry reds. Nice and smooth. When transitioning from the cherry browns to the cherry reds, the first thing you notice is that the keys seem easier to press. Second, you immedeately realize the difference in the tactile feedback the browns provide. There is certainly no issue typing with the cherry reds and it feels more like a traditional non mechanical keyboard. I appreciate what the cherry browns have taught me that I dont have to push down so hard or so far, but the main reason I prefer the reds over the browns is that I feel less tired typing on the reds. They claim its the same actuation force between the reds and the browns, but to me typing on the reds just feels easier. The tactile bump of the browns is like a small percussive force on your fingers joints that adds up over time and you can feel it. If youre young and virile and want the feedback, the browns are great. Or go for the blues and strut your stuff and let everyone around you know you are a mechanical keyboard aficionado and they should respect your authority. But Im glad I made the choice of cherry reds for work where I do most of my typing. I just dont need the extra percussive force on my fingers. I dont think there is any downside to the cherry reds, I can type just fine. The browns and blues just let you know that you have a mechanical keyboard and give you a different feel than what a traidtional keyboard or laptop can provide and you may enjoy that. The KINESIS GAMING Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Keyboard itself is great. One of the main reasons I chose this keyboard is to remove the number pad on the right so my mouse can be closer to the midline for better ergonomics. I am much more comfortable working with this configuration. I do miss the number pad at times, but the trade off is worth it. I do have the second layer programmed as a number pad, but every number pad is ortho-linear where the keys are directly above each other. Even color coding the keys and extinguishing the lights on surrounding keys is still not the same. Most people will choose 7, 8, and 9 to stay the same which makes u, i, o = 4, 5, 6 and j, k, l = 1, 2, 3. But to match a number pad, 0 (to the right of 9) becomes your plus key, and for me this is hard to get used (the key says 0 and there is a plus key two more keys over) and space or M (or both) becomes 0. The fact that the keys below 7,8,9 are diagonal and to the right just isnt quite the same. And the j key has the bump, which is now the number 1 key vs the bump on the number pad is the on the 5 key. If you can get used to the layout without looking its better. At home I dont have space for a number pad, but at I work I do and I place it above the keyboard. Ive just started using the real number row above the letters more and more. The second reason I wanted this keyboard is for the illuminated keys. If the microsoft natural 4000 keyboard had back lit keys, you wouldnt be reading this review and I would have right arm pain with my hand further out to the side. Nothing is better in a low light environment than back lit keys. And Ive really enjoyed color coding the keys to my liking. You can soften the brightness of the keys by choosing a softer color. I use browns, oranges, and reds so the keyboard is easy to look at in low light. The third reason I wanted a keyboard like this is for on the fly macro programming. Back in the late 90s I had a keyboard that let you program extra keys on the keyboard and it was awesome for short term repetitive tasks. This keyboard shines in this area. While you can put a macro on any key, this keyboard gives you 8 keys on the left side for easy programming and easy access. You press the macro button at the top above the fn keys, press the key you want to program, type whatever you want including spaces, returns, multi key presses (ctrl-shft-end), etc. then press the macro key again to finish. Then bam you have a repeatable set of key strokes for editing that spreadsheet youre working on. Its great! Dont want to accidentally press that macro key and have that complex macro do all kinds of crazy stuff on another important document or spreadsheet? Press macro, the key you just programed, and macro again... macro erased. I did have to burn one of the macro keys for the function layer (fn) toggle (press it once and release to toggle to the function layer, press it again to toggle back vs the built in FN button that only toggles to the funciton layer while your holding the key down). There is an oversized Kinesis key in the upper left next to ESC, the perfect location for fn toggle, but strangely enough, fn toggle is the one thing you cant program that key for. You can but it prevents you from programming macros with the macro button. Its a bug in the software they dont care to fix. So I just programmed the big kenesis button as another ESC key and I used the macro 7 key as fn toggle just above the fn key. I also reprogrammed F2 and F3, which I never use, with volume up and down, which is already printed on the key. F2 and F3 are then on the function layer if I need them. ## edit 12/9/2022. I still use macros all the time, but sometimes the macros are too fast for the program you are using. For example your macro involves entering info into a popup dialog box, that delay for the dialog box to appear takes time and the macro can speed past and now you are out of sync. You can fix this by slowing the macro down or by adding delays, but you have launch VDRIVE and edit the macro in the keyboard gui keyboard application. Its not that big of a deal, and you can change the settings to globally slow down macros, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it does take time to deal with. The palm rests are super comfy and coming from a microsoft ergonomic keyboard the tent kit is a requirement. Im happy with the middle setting of 10 degrees and I spread the keyboard out until its comfortable. Last thing, I did O-ring both keyboards. I bought these silicone O rings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HMMGHL4 and this key puller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TAUJDJK and it very noticeably reduced the clackiness of the keyboards. So it becomes quite the investment of keyboard, tent kit, O ring kit and a little time to install the O rings, getting used to the layout, programming the lights and other layers. But in the end, I think its worth it. Keyboard, Monitors, and Mouse are your main interfaces to the machine. Make them count. ## edit 12/9/2022. I still love both keyboards and use them daily without issue. While it could be valuable using keyboard layer switching for particular software like gaming, adobe, or video editing, I find myself never using the fn layer toggle. At home I use a KVM switch to switch between several computers. I cant launch the VDRIVE (F8) when plugged into the dedicated keyboard port on my KVM switch (because the VDRIVE button turns the keyboard into a USB key and the KVM switch only wants to see a keyboard). But I can access VDRIVE if I plug the keyboard into the shared usb port on the KVM switch, but then I cant use the keyboard commands to change computers because the KVM switch is looking for those commands on the keyboard port. So fast macro tuning using the VDRIVE keyboard app is out when using a KVM switch (and I would imagine most KVM switches operate this way). In order to change keyboard settings or edit a macro, I have to be determined and change USB ports on the KVM switch, launch VDRIVE, make the changes and change back the USB port. You dont have to shutdown the computer to change ports but its painful enough that it prevents me from making changes at times. I dont do this very often and havent for months. But in the beginning, you will probably be making frequent tweaks to your setup to dial it in. Just wanted to share my experience with the KVM switch Im using. Siig SIIG CEKV0612S1 4x1 USB HDMI KVM Switch https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G88PRUK/

I have several wrist/thumb issues and this keyboard has been tremendous. I havent fully explored everything it can do, just added the lifts to get the right tilt angle for me (order them separately - not expensive) to angle the keyboard for me and I was good to go. So much less pain and discomfort. Highly recommend

Overall like the keyboard. You can, in theory, move keys around. The reprogramming software works fine. But the keys themselves are different heights per row. So if you move a key from one row to another then both keys you swapped are the wrong height for their new position.