Difference between revisions of "Kinesis Contoured"

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[[Category:List of all keyboards]]
 
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]
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[[Category:Kinesis keyboards]]
 
[[Category:Keyboards with Cherry MX switches]]
 
[[Category:Keyboards with Cherry MX switches]]
 
[[Category:Ergonomic Keyboards]]
 
[[Category:Ergonomic Keyboards]]

Revision as of 03:32, 14 April 2012

Kinesis Contoured
Part number KB500USB-blk (black), KB-500USB-wht (white), KB500USB-blk-LF (Linear Feel), KB-510USB (Pro)
Manufacturer Kinesis Corporation
Layouts Proprietary 3D shape. QWERTY and Dvorak in hardware
Keyswitches Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Red (LF model only)
Interface USB (two port USB hub included)
Weight 0.96 kg
Years of production 2002 - present
Price $299, $325 (Linear Feel), $359 (Pro)

History

The Advantage is the latest incarnation of Kinesis' Contoured keyboard, first introduced in 1992. Other previous models have been named Classic, Ergo Elan, Essential and Professional.

The feature that most sets the Advantage apart from its predecessors is that it has a USB interface (with a two-port USB hub) while previous keyboards had PS/2.

The design is protected by the US Design patent D370669.

Design and features

The Kinesis is adjusted to short pinky-fingers

Physical Layout

The alphanumeric keys (together with <Shift> and <Caps Lock>) are separated into two dished key-wells where each column has a different depth to account for different lengths of the fingers. The keys are also slanted. The most-often used non-alphanumeric keys are on the thumbs. There is also a fifth row of keys on the main keyboard in front of the others. In those ways, the layout is quite similar to the Maltron's, but there are some differences. For instance, the pinky columns are not just higher but also offset from the others.

Most keys are cylindrical, except for the home keys which are spherical (and blue). The top row, which includes <Escape>, Function Keys and programming keys do not have Cherry MX switches but simple calculator-style rubber buttons.

It is possible to connect proprietary foot switches and use with the keyboard.

Logical Layout

The keyboard can switch between QWERTY and Dvorak in hardware with a special key combination.

Earlier models (the Kinesis Contoured) came with keys that sported both QWERTY and Dvorak legends, but the Advantage has only QWERTY. The keys have different shapes for different rows meaning that you can not move them around to get Dvorak legends without altering the physical layout. Keys with Dvorak legends can be purchased separately from Kinesis.

Aural feedback

The keyboard has a built-in speaker. By default, it will emit a click sound on each key press and a beep when it engages/disengages a locking mode. These audio signals can be switched off with key combinations.

Embedded numpad

There is no separate numeric keypad. Instead there is one embedded in the right key-well that can be activated with the special <Keypad> key. There is an indicator light for this mode.

Configuration and programmability

On the highest level, there are preset modes for "Windows", "Macintosh" and "PC non-windows".

Almost all keys can be remapped using special key combinations.

It is possible to record macros as key sequences mapped to key combinations.

Because all configuration is stored in non-volatile memory inside the keyboard itself it will survive power failure and no special drivers are needed on the host computer.

Variations

The standard Kinesis Advantage MPC USB comes in two colour choices: black (KB500USB-blk) or white (KB500USB-wht). (The home keys are always blue)

Kinesis Advantage Pro

The "Pro" model (KB510USB) has a case that is silver in colour and comes with twice the capacity of on-board memory for programming. It also comes bundled with a foot switch and has a DIP-switch for locking the current programming.

Kinesis Advantage LF

This special model (KB500USB-blk-LF), which was introduced in 2011 comes with linear Cherry MX Red switches. The "LF" in the name stands for "Linear Feel". In all other respects it is just like the Advantage MPC USB.

This model is not shown on Kinesis' web page and has to be ordered specially. It is also possible to order only new key wells to retro-fit an older keyboard with these switches.

The LF comes only in black.

Ordering a set of white keycaps is possible, to the price of $39.

Construction

The Cherry MX switches within each key-well are snapped ("plate-mounted") to a plastic frame and soldered to a flexible circuit board. The switches in the thumb clusters are mounted only on circuit boards - which are rigid. The longer keys do not have stabilizers. The circuit board with the controller sits in the middle.

Most of the Cherry-compatible key caps have the same profile as common third-party Cherry-compatible caps (like Filco/DAS/SS/WASD etc), but there are some notable exceptions. The blue home keys are spherical. The <3> and <8> keys do not have top-row profile, but that of the row under it. The <Windows>/<Command>, <Alt>/<Option> and <Ctrl> keys are unusual in that they are higher than those on the top row

The outermost columns have keys that are all 1.25 unit wide. Only the number row has keys of top-row profile. The others have a profile of a typical home-row key.

See also

Forum Topics

External Links