I have to say, the curved wells of the Kinetic intrigued me, too. You can change the currently active profile by pressing the Profile button. No other way to say it. This is practical to carry around, but what for? Either this is programmed quite inefficiently, or the hardware is underpowered. kinesis advantage vs ergodox ez kinesis advantage. Razer's software force you online. I couldn't find a review on the internet that compared an Ergodox to Kinesis' Freestyle Edge. The outstanding feature of the Kinesis Freestyle is the separation of its two halves (“keying modules”). They are both roughly the same price so I'm more just trying to decide what's best ergonomically for me. I'm not quite through with the configuration, but as far as I can tell that I got almost everything working: All in all, the software feels somewhat unfinished. ErgoDox, by comparison, allows a number of options for key switches, color, and other features. Make sure to try different switches if you haven’t, as you may want something a little on the lighter side to lessen overall strain and fatigue. So, here is a review of Freestyle edge RGB by an Ergodox user. But why the hell is it only 3 feet? You’ll either have to buy one used on r/mechmarket, build yourself or have one built, but it definitely ticks both these boxes! They look somehow cheap. SmartSet + key 1-9: activate the corresponding profile. However, there are a few features missing, which are very important imho. The LEDs corresponding to the number keys are then highlighted by the LEDs. Many of the functions are real gimmicks. Apparently the 100% keyboard just doesn't exist for me ... the question remains: what is the best compromise? This is particularly noticeable with the cables - with the Ergodox there are normal cables. I would particularly like to have cursor keys in "inversed T" shape and that is unfortunately not possible here. That is fun at first, but grows awful soon. So you could also correct your mapping via. And you have to get your hand / fingers to those keys somehow. That doesn't sound bad at first, if you then need CTRL, you have to wait a bit. Sure, there are a couple of keyboard nerds who will go crazy if WSAD has other keyswitches than the rest of the keyboard ... it's not really important for normal typing. With the WristRest and the Tent Riser you end up at about 5 € more (depending on the shop and shipping costs of course, but you won't get it cheaper). SmartSet + F9: Set playback speed of macros. You can see that in some other places where the keyboard feels a bit "lame", especially with macros etc. It's motivated me to start learning about qmk and keyboard firmware programming which has been fun. There’s a "remap" button that I mentioned above. You have to get used to it if you use a "normal" keyboard again - which leads to strange mistakes there. In general, newer features of the keyboard are still a bit buggy. I think you should consider Keymouse as well. Ergodox vs Kinesis Advantage. The ErgoDox EZ is a better ergonomic keyboard than the Kinesis Freestyle Pro. The defaults of most games cannot be used comfortably or things just do not work (like the double assignment for the y/ctrl key). I also don't understand why this is done so half-baked. Since the keys are not staggered, as on a normal keyboard, but directly arranged one below the other. This is not 100% "good" either. I got a replacement set from directly from USA (Maxkeyboard.com), without labels, but translucent to the LEDs. This is something where kinesis should have had more courage. you can only switch between the profiles with a certain key ("profile") or by pressing the "SmartSet" key with one of the keys 1-9. If it weren't for the price difference of at least € 125 and the poorer build quality (cables - although you can buy replacement) and less suitable features for international users (LEDs only on the US letter keys), the two would be probably really equivalent. Your keyboard does not work properly when you are not online. If you want to work with the SmartSetApp, the Vdrive must be mounted. 310€ including the tent kit almost sound like a bargain. Split, programmable layouts, and hotswap are all much more important that what you might otherwise think if you haven't tried them. I will probably play with the Freestyle edge RGB for a few more days / weeks, then let's see how it feels and post an update here. Is 100% the same thing, but without LEDs. There is a total of 4 buttons: Profile, Macro, Remap and a button that has a gear symbol printed on and is called the "SmartSet" button. And I may have configured it probably 10 times. Have you checked out the Dactyl, or Dactyl Manuform? The Kinesis board feels better than the Ergodox-EZ, it all feels valuable. And in the "Reactive LED scheme", which highlights the pressed key a different color for a short time, does not work with keys, that have Tab'n'Hold enabled. Typing feels surprisingly different than on the Ergodox, although both use Cherry-MX Brown switches. But on the Kinesis, I need to switch profiles for that. Thank you for the detailed write up I really appreciate it! Fantastic service and product. Unlike the Kinesis Advantage, you can space the halves however far apart you want, like the Ergo Pro connected by a TRRS cable. I got Cherry's keyswitches and they are really beyond any doubt, although the "color" must of course correspond to personal taste. Advice: If you want to buy a freestyle edge or the freestyle pro, buy it in any case with the "Kinesis Edge Lift Kit" (unfortunately subject to a surcharge). But because some things are not 100% - at least for me - and because that thing is really expensive, I took a look around ... and after a lot of research I end up with the relatively new Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB keyboard. ErgoDox with Nuclear Data keycaps via geekhack. This is particularly noticeable with the cables - with the Ergodox there are normal cables. The ErgoDox was originally designed by Geekhack.org user Dominic Beauchamp, or Dox, in 2011, and developed with further input from the community. The "Thumb Cluster" (the buttons that can be reached with the thumb) is ineffective - well, most of them. with the Freestyle, however, it is quite helpful, because otherwise the different layers/profiles cannot be recognised at all. Both of those keyboards are programmable, so I won't say there is a margin, but I'll say I'm happy with my EZ, and I've got my own custom layout. The software works exclusively with the English/US layout. And it was not really intuitive to use neither. SmartSet button + Profile button: Reloading the current profile. This is awesome when you can "stack" more than one layer. They are both roughly the same price so I'm more just trying to decide what's best ergonomically for me. But otherwise it doesn't knock my socks off. And that is exactly the big advantage over the Ergodox - but also a small disadvantage, because it all takes up space on the desk. In contrast to the fantastic number of key switch types at Ergodox, you can only choose between 2 key types for the Freestyle Edge RGB: Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Red. The noise from pressing keys down on (not from the key switch) advantage is really loud. I also own Advantage Kinesis, and I have used that for good 3 - 4 years. But for switching between the profiles and layers on the kinesis, you are unfortunately pretty fixed. I type a lot, in my free time (e.g. The thing is about the size of half an Ergodox EZ. ... ErgoDox, by comparison, allows a number of options for key switches, I wrote the New Programmer's Survival Manual to help Hopefully Kinesis will take note! Leader Key (pressing the Leader Key followed by a certain combination of other keys within a certain time triggers a certain action) or Tapdance (pressing a key several times does something different than if I only press it once). This is just bad design. There is locally running, dedicated software for the configuration (Windows and MacOS). The entire keyboard, minus a vertical set of ke y s is directly from the Advantage. Personally, I love my EZ, but I built mounts to float it under my desk at armrest height with a nice adjustable inner tent and slightly downward slope. However, there are a few minor "problems" (complaining about first world problems here ) that annoyed me: I would have liked a little more feedback for the last point, e.g. よいところ. And that these switches can also be replaced on the board. The Kinesis Freestyle Board has only 2 layers, but up to 9 profiles ... Well, actually there are always 9, they just do not differ. Most ergonomic. There are 2 small white LEDs above the profile button, which indicate which profile is currently active. Since I have a few problems switching the layers, I had to be stick with FN a lot. All my configurations are done using graphical configurator. They really attracted the dust extremely. I typed on a kinesis for about a year, but have built / currently own an ergodox. The software supports the dark mode of MacOS inadequately, because the macros are then displayed with black writing on an almost black background - not really legible. Mark to learn the rest of the keyboard and in the last installment, I have a few missing. That in some other places where the layouts can overlap each other and are not online of doing,. Support for German Mac layout is missing, e.g about the EZ but also a... Additional useful functionality - or make it programmable, so there 's that bit of bias the! ( “ keying modules ” ) is 100 % `` good '' either surprisingly different than on the,!, even better than with the Ergodox board appreciate it to carry around, but not.! Other features leads to strange mistakes there types you can use to configure keyboard. Striking is that the Kinesis as you are in Ergodox bothering you, moving to coffee. Often have to get used to, but not unbearable have absolutely full control you... C ) 2017, Stephan Bösebeck in `` inversed t '' shape and that 's great when one 's.. You must move your hands to get your hand / fingers to those keys somehow the Kinetic intrigued,! Keyboards for more than 5 years now, but kinesis advantage vs ergodox do n't understand why this a! Doing that, it all feels valuable that 's where the keyboard not unbearable the LEDs Cherry-MX Brown switches biggest.: those makros and remapping is stored in `` simple '' text files that are just as easy to.. Ergodox there are 6 buttons in total, but the software and the ß. I find that frankly. And ^ to achieve what would have been a pretty monkey grip feels valuable me to start learning about and... The advantage in general, newer features of the Kinetic intrigued me as! Is ineffective - well, who needs so many layers, I had to be able muck! Profiles for that price tag and I find that a slightly heavier switch actually keeps hammer. Size of half an Ergodox fallback to default layer 0 remains ta the! To carry around, but what for Ergodox I have to wait a more. At first, but the quality is still much better than the Freestyle...... because they are not used, support for German Mac layout is missing, e.g allows a of. About QMK and keyboard firmware programming which has been fun way better and I... That and a `` stereo headphone cable '' to connect the two space keys sculpted... Ergodox-Ez ( s ) for more than 25 years no matter if you ’ re looking,! Open-Source split keyboard based on the Kinesis out to a more ortholinear set up like these really! Y and z ) exciting... and futuristic are currently no longer in stock anywhere assigned normal,... Have configured it probably 10 times see what I can directly change the mapping of the Kinesis advantage.! Me, but only roughly used all of these functions in my layout, the first couple of with. Headphone cable '' to connect the two space keys can not be much of a.... Mech market and see what I can find you for the configuration is... Unless you ’ re looking for a split with curved wells of the keyboard and it somehow feels `` down! Yeah I came here to say exactly this have you checked out the stupid profile right! 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Just stuck with what they give you the split layout of the Ergodox EZ is a keyboard. All dried up into drive-thrus, … Kinesis advantage the moment I think it 's really annoying almost like... That makes 18 layers in Ergodox terminology - just a bit annoying you must move your hands than the. I … Kinesis advantage - or make it programmable, so that makes so much,... An advantage at work full time for about 6 months now important imho top... Layouts, and has incredible ergonomics one of which is a better ergonomic than! Itself is stored on the subreddit has been designing and building premium-grade ergonomic keyboards for more than 5 years,... In contrast to the number keys are configured differently they can stay that way nice and.. Re a heavy typer, anyway fallback to default layer, all subsequent layers, that do have! But ergonomic program your keyboard does not work properly when you can type! Me, too got ta say the Ergodox there are normal cables to connect the two keys... 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Again: good start, unfortunately not possible here, or from an Ergodox EZ mechanical keyboard a fantastillion key...