Kinesis Freestyle FAQ's

· Is the Freestyle only for people with wide shoulders?
· What options are available?
· Where is the 10-key?
· What was the idea behind the driverless hot keys?
· What is the key force?
· Why aren't there pop-up feet to raise the back of the keyboard?
· Was the Freestyle designed with any particular pointing device in mind?
· What is the warranty?
· What support do you offer during setup as well as follow-up?

1. Is the Freestyle only for people with wide shoulders?
No. The Freestyle is designed to accommodate a wide range of body types from petite to large framed individuals. When both modules are attached the foot print of the keyboard is only 15 3/8 inches wide but allows for unlimited splaying catering to smaller body types. For larger individuals the two keying modules can be unattached allowing up to 9 inches of complete separation. For users requiring more than 9 inches we offer a version with up to 20 inches of separation.

Petite frame with splay and larger frame with separation

For a complete list of the features for the Freestyle2 keyboard please refer to the following Feature pages:

Features of the Freestyle2 for PC
Features of the Freestyle2 for Mac
View Flash demo

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2. What options are available?
The idea behind the Freestyle was to create a flexible, yet easy to configure modular family of products. The Freestyle keyboard offers everything you need except tenting. For tenting needs we offer three simple accessories that can be used with keyboard modules attached or separated for full flexibility.

Freestyle2 VIP3 - provides adjustable slope (5, 10 and 15 degrees). Includes clip-on padded palm supports that must be attached in order to use V-lifters. Can be used with keyboard modules attached or separated. Compatible only with the Freestyle2.

Freestyle V3 - offers adjustable slope setting of 5, 10 and 15 degrees without the use of integrated palm supports (note: use the VIP3 accessory if palm supports are desired with tenting). Compatible with original Freestyle and Freestyle2.

Freestyle Ascent - offers more progressive slope settings between 20 and 90 degrees (in ten degree increments). Compatible with Freestyle and Freestyle2.

Each accessory enhances the core feature set of the Freestyle keyboard and attaches easily to its underside.

As an additional accessory, Palm Supports can be purchased and used when typing with the keyboard flat to promote neutral wrist posture. Replaceable palm pads included.

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3. Where is the 10-key?
(PC Only) The 10-key is embedded into the right key well of the keyboard (just like you would find on a laptop). This reduces the overall length of the keyboard allowing for closer placement of any pointing device, thereby, reducing over reach issues. A separate numeric keypad is available for intensive number crunchers.

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4. What was the idea behind the driverless hot keys?
The main objective behind creating these unique left-hand hot keys was to reduce mouse clicking and awkward key combinations for commonly used actions. Since its plug n’ play NO special drivers are required to utilize the hot keys. This makes IT departments very happy!

Hot Keys for the PC: Cut, Copy, Paste, Home, Undo and Internet Page Forward & Page Back.

Hot Keys for the Mac: Cut, Paste, Undo, Select All, Internet Page Forward & Back. Plus most of the special top-row functions the emulate the new iMac keyboard as well as some additional legended actions (Exposé action for "Show desktop," plus "Show/hide dock”).

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5. What is the key force?
We devoted extensive effort to developing a low-force yet tactile key switch. Most traditional keyboards, including Microsoft’s latest ergonomic keyboard, utilize key switches with an activation force of approximately 60 grams.

Because keyboarding is an intensely repetitive task, any reduction in key force can improve comfort and reduce the likelihood of injury. We were able to design a key switch for the Freestyle with a typical average key force of 45 grams, approximately 25% less than most other keyboards. The key switch is also very quiet and tactile.

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6. Why aren't there pop-up feet to raise the back of the keyboard?
Raising the back of the keyboard encourages wrist extension which can lead to injury. Moreover most traditional and many ergonomic keyboards have a 10 degree slope from front to back that also increases wrist extension. Several design features are incorporated into the Freestyle2 to reduce or completely eliminate wrist extension. These include::

The Freestyle2 has a zero degree slope which minimizes the height, effectively creating negative slope and reducing wrist extension.
Optional clip-on, palm supports are available to promote neutral wrist posture.
No pop-up feet that raise the back of the keyboard.

We also recommend utilizing an adjustable keyboard platform such as the Kinesis Solution Platform System which properly positions the keyboard and other input devices at the correct height as well as offering adjustable negative tilt of the keyboard tray.

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7. Was the Freestyle2 designed with any particular pointing device in mind?
We did not design the Freestyle2 with any specific pointing device in mind, though we did eliminate the number keypad in order to reduce over-reach issues for any mouse with right handed use. Some users find it convenient to place a touchpad or trackball between the two split keying modules, but most users prefer a conventional mouse used in the normal (but closer, more comfortable) location. Click on the following links to view the Freestyle2 with different peripheral configurations.

Freestyle2 with trackball
Freestyle2 with touchpad
Freestyle2 with RollerMouse Free2
Freestyle2 with Low-force Keypad

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8. What is the warranty?
All of our keyboards come with a two-year limited warranty to the original purchaser. All accessories have a one year limited warranty unless otherwise noted.

For purchases direct from Kinesis we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee less shipping and handling. Return policies differ among our dealers so customers should inquire as to their specific return policy.

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9. What support do you offer during setup as well as follow-up?
Each Freestyle product includes detailed printed instructions as well as installation instructions labeled on each accessory. The user guides also can be found on the manual page of our website.

As a valuable supplement to the user guide we also provide online instructional videos located on the Freestyle pages of our website showing how to attach and use the Freestyle accessories. These video links are also listed in the user guide.

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