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Kinesis Freestyle Pro is a split and programmable keyboard. The FreeStyle Pro keyboard offers the same ergonomic benefits as the Freestyle2 and is enhanced with the added benefits of full programmability and very comfortable keystroke. The user can choose between "Cherry MX brown" or "Cherry MX Red".
Suitable for both various layouts such as Dvorak and operating systems such as Windows and MAC.
This split and flat ergonomic keyboard from Kinesis offers ultimate comfort and freedom of choice as it can be put together to suit your needs with ergonomic accessories. By splitting the 2 parts of the keyboard, use leads to an ergonomically sound working posture. Simple adjustments in width and tilt angle provide more personal comfort and reduced muscle tension in the neck and shoulder area. Ergonomics and professionalism finally go together! The full programmability of this keyboard allows even the most demanding computer user to relax.
The FreeStyle Pro keyboard has the ability to split the keyboard halves to adjust to the personal width of the user so that hands, wrists and arms are always in the correct position relative to the shoulders. This prevents unnecessary bending of the wrist outward relative to the forearm. One can work within the "comfort zone" of the body, which prevents unnecessary neck and shoulder complaints.
In the ordering process for the Freestyle Pro ergonomic keyboard, you can choose the "Cherry MX Brown low-force" mechanical keys. This choice of key mechanics is a very important one from an ergonomic point of view, as the keystroke provides instant positive feedback to your fingers, requiring little force to press a key.
The key mechanism was designed to Kinesis specifications in 1992. "Tactility" is a slightly increased force around the center of the keystroke that lets you (your fingers) know the key is being pressed. A difficult phenomenon to explain because it involves more than the relative force that must be applied to press the key. Many users of the Kinesis keyboards prefer the soft tactile response of the keys. The peak (tactile) force is ~55 gm, followed by the force to press the key of ~45 gm.
The "Cherry MX Red" keys have a very quiet keystroke. This key mechanism has patented noise cancellation, making the switch noticeably quieter than the typical loud clicking noise of a standard key and even an MX Brown keyboard. The Cherry MX "Quiet" Red is the ideal choice in open work environments, where ambient noise is a point of irritation or undesirable. There is consistent force throughout the keystroke (45 grams), so there is no tactile feedback until the switch comes back up. Many gamers and typists prefer the Cherry Red's because of their "comfortable feel and quiet nature."
The Freestyle Pro keyboard is divided in two and is connected by a 20-inch (approx. 50 cm) connecting cable, which can be adjusted according to your preferences and body type. The basic cable length allows up to 12 inches (about 30 cm) of separation. If you want to split even more, remove the cover of the cable compartment on the back the left section and pull out the rest of the cable stored in it until you find the desired width between the two sections.
As with the Freestyle2, the FreeStyle Pro maintains a key inclination of zero degrees. By comparison, most keyboards, including ergonomic models, have a positive inclination of 10 degrees. This slope causes your wrists to flex while typing, causing unnecessary muscle strain especially in the forearm. The zero degree inclination of the FreeStyle Pro keyboard ensures that the wrist does not have to reach out as much and therefore less tension is experienced in the forearm.
For those experiencing pain in the forearm(s), two accessories are available to reduce forearm pronation. The VIP3 Pro (with palm rests) and V3 Pro (without palm rests). These easily attach to the bottom of the Pro keyboard and offer 3 easily adjustable inclination settings of 5, 10 and 15 degrees. These accessories do not come standard with the keyboard and must be ordered separately.
The FreeStyle Pro features eight pre-programmed keyboard shortcuts designed to reduce mouse clicks and tricky key combinations, namely:
The fully programmable Freestyle Pro keyboard features Kinesis' brand new SmartSet app. It allows you to customize the keyboard layout without having to install any special software or drivers. Connection to the Internet is also not required. Instantly use macros, reassign keys and much more. SmartSet works on all major operating systems and allows users to easily create, view, edit, share and backup their keyboard layouts. And thanks to its built-in 4 MB storage, you can take all your custom settings with the keyboard and use them on another PC or in another location.
The Freestyle Pro keyboard comes standard with 3 pre-configured layouts for Windows, Mac and Windows Dvorak. There are 6 additional layouts available to create your own custom layout, and if you need more than 6 layouts, you can replace any of the 3 pre-configured layouts with your own.
Note for MAC users: 4 Mac "legended keycaps" and a "keycap puller" are included to change keys without damage.
Macros are ideal for eliminating awkward key combinations or repetitive keystrokes. Each layout can store 24 macros, each up to 300 characters long.
When a separate numeric part to the keyboard is still desirable.
A good ergonomic keyboard will ensure better posture and reduce unwanted muscle tension while typing. Not sure about your posture? Take advantage of the simple advice tool on backshop.co.uk to select the best-fit keyboard for you.
Do you have questions about the keyboard, matching items or alternatives? Then please contact us at 010-470 26 11. Our ergonomic advisors are at your service and will think along with you about the best solution for your situation.
| Brand | Kinesis |
|---|---|
| Complaint Resolution | Elbow, Neck, Forearm, Wrist, Preventive, Shoulder, Fingers |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Returnable | Yes |
Download the manuals here:
On average, mice take up 30% to as much as 70% of working time behind a monitor. These percentages depend on the work tasks, but there is no denying that they are substantial. Thus, the mouse is still gaining ground on the keyboard, especially with the increasing use of online applications. Still, the mouse has to settle for a marginal place, somewhere to the right of the keyboard. The mouse is even almost out of reach when there is too much "clutter" on the desk or when the desk is too narrow.
Research into causes of RSI complaints
Research by Peper and Harvey (1997) at San Francisco State University demonstrated the relationship between keyboard width and muscle tension in the neck, back, arms and wrists. Mouse users especially report tension complaints of neck, back and arms. These complaints are compounded by chronic tension caused when the cursor must be moved accurately.
Many mouse users hold the index finger still just above the mouse surface, in tense anticipation of the next mouse click. This is another cause of chronic tension in the hand, wrist joint, all the way to the shoulder area.
The effect goes even further, as it also results in high chest breathing. A better working method is to include micro and macro pauses every time we have to wait. Use the waiting time to drop the hands in the lap to rest for a while. Thus, the time spent holding the mouse in the hand can be shortened considerably in favor of recovery time.
Over time, "mouse abuse" can lead to irritation of muscles and tendons and reduced blood flow to the tissues in the hand, arm and shoulder. Before we know it, we are suffering from the chronic overuse condition also known as "mouse arm.
It need not come to this, if we take an ergonomic mouse, appropriate to hand size and work, and take a few simple precautions in terms of posture and behavior.
Prolonged work behind the monitor is low-movement and any variety is mental rather than physical. Progress has advanced to the point where we send emails to colleagues working in the same room. Thus, the body remains statically tethered to the chair and the muscles remain tense at a low, yet unconsciously too high, level while working.
Because we don't notice that relatively low level of tension, because the tension is only 5-10 percent of the level of maximum tightening. That seems almost nothing, but continuous low muscle tension is actually harmful. This is because the muscles are not given a chance to move smoothly and then relax and recover. This, in turn, contributes to the development of mouse arm and carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is therefore important to move around as much as possible and to alternate the work. Even if you have the most ergonomic mouse and the desk is so ergonomically designed, the responsibility for correct use, behavior and frequent change of position lies with you as the user and "owner of your body".
Movable and relaxed neck and shoulder muscles
Many screen users complain of pain in the neck and shoulders. Most probably because the attention is concentrated on the screen and not on the body. The unconscious and slow raising of the shoulders is not noticed. Until it starts to hurt. Also, the neck is often stretched forward to see better. This too strains the muscles unnecessarily. Simple exercises make the tension conscious and only then can the tension be consciously released.
1.Dangle
Let the arms dangle along the body. Draw the shoulders up toward the ears and hold the tension for a moment. Release the shoulders. Pull the shoulders up a little further and release again. Rotate the shoulders around and feel the relaxation. Keep breathing calmly.
2.As a turkey
Pull your neck back as if someone were pulling a string attached to the back of your neck. Just keep your head straight or look down slightly. Keep your shoulders, jaws and tongue relaxed. Continue to breathe easily and relaxed. Stay in this turkey pose for about 5 seconds. Do this exercise 10 times a day.
3.Write with your shoulders
Imagine a very long pencil strapped to the head of your right shoulder. The pencil reaches up to the wall. Write your first name on the wall and do so by moving your shoulder. Now write your last name on the wall with your left shoulder. Repeat this exercise a few times with different texts.
4.Reach for the ceiling
Bring both your arms above your head with your fingers pointing to the ceiling. Breathe with the stretching. Reach toward the ceiling with your left hand, release slightly, then reach toward the ceiling again with the right hand. Go back and forth like this for one minute. As you stretch your right arm upward turn your head to slightly to the left. As your left arm stretches upward you turn your head to the right. Experiment with the direction of the head and arms.
5.The upside-down world of the chair
The wrist is a delicate joint. Muscles, tendons, blood vessels and nerves run through a narrow, fragile tunnel there. Therefore, keep your wrists straight so that nerves are not pinched and blood flow, and thus recovery, is not unnecessarily disrupted. Your hand, just below your little finger, makes an angle with the forearm when you bend your hands outward. This often happens unconsciously when you type or when you mouse. Eventually, a persistent condition called "carpal tunnel syndrome" can develop. Working with bent wrists can also cause discomfort in the neck, shoulders and arms. Therefore, avoid working with bent wrists as much as possible.
Exercises you can do yourself to prevent RSI
Spread the fingers of both hands as far apart as you can. Do this for five seconds while keeping your shoulders and jaws relaxed. Now ball the hands into fists. Do that again for five seconds while keeping your shoulders and jaws relaxed.
Repeat the exercise three times.
Place the palms together and then press the hands down. Keep the palms flat and press them together.
Hold your hands behind your back. Straighten your arms and your elbows. Now push your arms away from your back as far as possible while continuing to breathe calmly and keeping your shoulders relaxed. Then return to the starting position. Relax again.
Repeat the exercise five times.
