The Advantage360 PRO Contoured Keyboard from Kinesis takes the proven fusion of performance and ergonomics of the 3-dimensional concave keywell design and adds in additional ergonomic capabilities. This design now incorporates established ergonomic concepts of customizable tent, angle and separation that Kinesis has featured for many years in their well-known Freestyle line of keyboards. This version of the Kinesis Contoured Keyboard family can now deliver unparalleled levels of comfort and productivity for touch typists of all body types and builds while offering advanced ergonomic features and the added versatility of cordless Bluetooth connectivity. The Advantage360 serves as a neutral ergonomic data input interface for all touch typists. Anyone who considers their keyboard a core tool for their workstation should consider this keyboard. The contoured keyboard family is the only keyboard that addresses ergonomics down to the level of the fingertips. It does this by intelligently redistributing the repetitive activity associated with typing to minimize the potential of fatigue. Advantage Contoured keyboards are especially popular with those who perform keyboard intensive work, including programmers, transcriptionists, writers, and web content developers.
The Advantage360 Contoured Keyboard has several improvements over prior Advantage models. The new separated design affords the individual nearly infinite freedom to position the keyboard modules to create the optimal keyboard solution for the workspace. In addition, the new 3 position tent available in each module aids in further reducing pronation and the associated risk of repetitive strain that can occur with intensive and long-term keyboarding. In order to minimize the keyboard size and reduce unnecessary finger reach the function row has been eliminated with those functions now accessible via a FN layer in the primary keys. The 10-key numeric keypad embedded in the right-hand module continues to provide instant access for numeric entry, without moving the hand out of home position.
The Advantage360 employs Gateron Brown low-force tactile mechanical keyswitches with an activation force of 45 grams and a maximum force of 55 grams. These responsive switches offer the tactile feedback that is necessary for intense and rapid data entry. In order to take advantage of the global white backlighting on the PRO model the switches are topped with shine-through ABS plastic keycaps. For those who are willing to sacrifice the shine-through feature for higher quality PBT keycaps there are optional QWERTY, DVORAK and Blank sets of opaque PBT keycaps available.
The Advantage360 PRO version offers almost unlimited programmability through the open-source ZMK Programming Engine, available online through GitHub. This advanced programming interface, which is designed for those with at least some degree of programming knowledge, can accommodate an exceptional degree of customization for the Advantage360 PRO. Because of the programming knowledge required to perform customization on the Advatage360 PRO model it is recommended that prior to purchasing this model purchasers should acquaint themselves with the ZMK platform and determine its suitability for their knowledge level.
For individuals who may not be comfortable with the advanced programming requirements for customizing the Advantage360 PRO, the corded Advantage360 comes preloaded with the highly-functional and much more intuitive SmartSet Programming Engine which facilitates the development and storage of up to nine custom keyboard layouts. Further reduction in repetitive or awkward keystrokes and maximizing productivity can now be achieved as far more and longer macros of up to 300 characters, sufficient to satisfy even the most rigorous productivity and exacting customization demands, are now supported. The Advantage360 is PC and Mac compatible, and includes additional hard-wired features such as unlimited custom key remapping, macro playback speed, and keyboard status reports. The corded Advantage360 is also equipped with high quality opaque PBT keycaps.
Note: If a lower force switch is preferred the Advantage 360 Pro Linear Quiet Contoured Keyboard offers all of the same features but is equipped with Kailh Pink Box Linear Quiet switches with an activation force of just 35 grams.
Based upon years of research and design refinement the Kinesis Advantage360 Contoured Keyboard was designed to not only reduce the known risk factors associated with repetitive stress injuries but also to provide a more comfortable and productive interface than other keyboards. Its unique contoured design reduces the force and stressful postures that contribute to discomfort and limit productivity. First introduced in 1992, this design has undergone extensive independent testing and has proven superior in both comfort and productivity when compared to traditional and many other alternative keyboards. The new Advantage360 is the next step forward in ergonomic design, adding the freedom of independent keyboard modules and adjustable tenting angles to this advanced keyboard design.
Kinesis Advantage360 Contoured Keyboards let typists retain their familiar QWERTY layout while incorporating a comprehensive collection of ergonomic features as indicated below:
Separate Thumb Keypads - The thumb keypads include high frequency keys, such as "Enter", "Space", "Backspace", "Delete", and modifier keys, such as "Control" and "Alt" on the PC ("Command" and "Option" on the Macintosh). This redistributes the workload from the relatively weaker and overused 4th and 5th fingers to stronger thumbs. Combination keystrokes are effortlessly generated without the requirement to leave the home row with either hand.
Separated Keyboard Modules - The fully separated keyboard modules minimize strain and stretching by permitting the arms to be positioned naturally at shoulder width, eliminating the need to twist the wrists while keyboarding. This fully separated design can eliminate both elbow abduction as well as ulnar deviation (twisting out) at the wrist by elimination of the requirement for reaching in to the midline of the torso to the keyboard. It also largely reduces radial deviation (twisting in) at the wrist when reaching for the mouse as the mouse can be located immediately to the left or right of the home row (unlike on traditional keyboards). These non-neutral postures have been shown to lead to repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, which is why addressing them is an obvious ergonomic benefit. Learn More About Ulnar Deviation
Concave Keywells - The keys are located within curved depressions that vary in depth for each finger, reducing and usually eliminating hand and finger extension. The non-neutral posture of extension occurs when the joints in the fingers curl up and extend forward from the hands rather than relaxing down slightly in the direction of the palms. A flat typing surface assumes that all fingers are of the same length, forcing the longer fingers to arch up over the keys, which inclines the hands up at the wrist. The positive incline of standard keyboards forces the hands to incline upwards at the wrist, resulting in further wrist extension. The result is wrist (and finger) extension which adversely impacts and can result in inflammation in muscles and tendons. The fingers are then prevented from operating at maximum efficiency and this will generally lead to more rapid fatigue, discomfort and pain. Concave keywells reduce extension by accommodating the various lengths of fingers and placing the hands and fingers in a more relaxed and neutral position. Learn More About Wrist Extension
3-Dimensional Layout - Keys on a conventional keyboard are arranged on a flat 2-dimensional surface, resulting in the same piston-like firing action by each finger every time a key is actuated. The only variance is the position of the hand over the keyboard; the muscle action and orientation of the fingers is unchanged regardless of the key being targeted. The 3-dimensional layout of this keyboard encourages distinct key travel movement (i.e. angle and orientation) for the finger when pressing each key. Consequently, different muscles and tendon sheaths in the fingers are used with every keystroke. Instead of a repetitive action that soon fatigues muscles and leads to strain, the fingers get a mini-calisthenics workout, increasing circulation and eliminating actual repetitive actions.
Vertical Key Layout - Keys are arranged orthogonally in vertical columns to better align with the natural motions of the fingers and reduce the reach between keys. Traditional keyboards use rows offset from each other, resulting in unequal finger travel and unnecessary hand and wrist movement. This orthogonal matrix layout increases typing accuracy and decreases the wrist distortion. Of course, the embedded numeric keypad is also in a familiar grid pattern and benefits from the same 3-dimensional concave design noted above.
F-Key Functions Accessible with Reduced Reach Requirement - The F-key actions are accessed as a second-layer function via the upper rank numeric keys. The keyboard is equipped with a Function key on the lower outer corner of each keyboard module. This key provides momentary access to the F-key actions while it is activated. With this location now being closer to the alphanumeric keys, awkward motions and reach are now limited, particularly for key combinations involving thumb keys (Control and Alt, for example).
3 Position Lateral Tilt Design - The Advantage360 modules can be tented to one of three angled tenting elevations that are changeable with the click of a button. The lowest setting replicates the approximately 20° angle offered by the original Advantage Contour keyboards, with additional Medium and High settings for those who wish to move further away from pronation of their hands and forearms. The tenting elevates the thumbs higher than the pinky fingers, helping to minimize stresses associated with pronation and static muscle tension while enabling maximum keying productivity. Learn More About Pronation
Integrated Palm Support - The keyboard modules have integrated palm supports to prevents wrist extension by providing a place to rest the palms during periods of inactivity. Optional cushioned faux leather palm pads that attach magnetically can be purchased to provide enhanced comfort.
Low-Force, Tactile Mechanical Keyswitches - The Advantage360 is equipped with low-force (45 grams) Gateron Brown KS-9 tactile mechanical keyswitches. Engineered to provide both tactile and audible feedback these switches are rated for 50 million keystrokes. They are full travel (4.1 mm) and activate at approximately 2 mm. This reduces the likelihood of experiencing regular jarring impacts when "bottoming out" at the end of every keystroke since the final 2 mm of key travel can be used as a braking area for the fingers. The peak force (55 grams) prior to activation provides a subtle tactile indication of the fire point, serving as a clear indication of how much force and travel is required to generate keystrokes.
Embedded 10-Key Layout - A traditional numeric (10-key) keypad is embedded into the right alphanumeric keywell, providing ergonomic advantages for number-intensive operations. The 10-key legends are located at the top of the front facing edge of the key caps. The 10-key can also be manually programmed to operate from the left keywell.
Reduced Reach for Mouse - This keyboard is narrower than a traditional keyboard, just 15.25" with the modules adjacent to each other. This smaller footprint reduces the reach for the mouse by allowing the pointing device to be located much closer. While on traditional keyboards the reach from the right hand home row to the mouse is closer to 12", with the Advantage360 it is reduced to just 5".
Fully Programmable - The Advantage360 Pro is designed for power users who either have existing advanced programming skills or are open to learning them. The open source ZMK firmware can be used to add layers, customize actions, and configure basic macros using the web-based configurator or simple test syntax. Power users can access the code on GitHub to build and share their own features.Learn more about ZMK and how to set up a GitHub account on the Advantage360 Pro Support Page. Note: Those who wish to do onboard programming should consider the basic Advantage360 Contoured Keyboard which includes the powerful but easy-to-use SmartSet Programming Engine.
Advanced Programmability: The Advantage360 PRO model is designed to be used with the open-source ZMK Programming Engine. This powerful programming interface, available via GitHub, is designed to provide those with advanced programming knowledge the freedom to customize each and every aspect of their Advanatage360 PRO Contoured Keyboard. Those looking for a more intuitive and easily programmed keyboard should opt for the wired Advantage360 with its included SmartSet Programming Engine.
Backlighting: The Advantage360 PRO model is equipped with Global White backlighting, and shine-through ABS Plastic Keycaps.
Bluetooth Convenience: The Advantage360 PRO Contoured Keyboard offers 100% wire-free connection - even between the modules. Through innovative application of Bluetooth connectivity Kinesis offers the first completely wireless separated keyboard.
5-Device Pairing: The Advantage360 PRO is able to support pairing with up to 5 different bluetooth devices.
Embedded Keypad: The embedded keypad offers maximum productivity and comfort for those who make regular use of the 10-key
Cupped Home Row Keys: The home row keys are cupped with a special sculpting to aid in finger locating and positioning.
Thumb Keys: Advantage360 keyboards transfer high-use functions such as Backspace, Enter, Delete and Page Navigation from the weaker pinkies to the thumbs. This can also work to increase typing speeds as there is no need to reach and stretch the pinkie to access these functions that are now conveniently located for instant access by the thumbs.
Orthagonal Vertical Layout: Advantage360 keyboards employ an orthagonal vertically-aligned layout that lets the fingers move naturally, curling and extending to access the keys. This eliminates the awkward diagonal movements required by traditional keyboard layouts. This features, combined with the concave keywells, helps to reduce the travel distance between keys and can lead to improved input speed.
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Kinesis Advantage360 PRO Contoured Keyboard
Kinesis Advantage360 PRO Contoured Keyboard - 100% Wireless Bluetooth Convenience
Center Separation: Wireless Bluetooth Connection between modules - therefore limited only by Bluetooth signal
Lateral Tent: Low (~20°), Medium, High
Keycaps: Shine-through ABS
Backlighting: Global White
Keyswitch Type: Low Force Mechanical Brown Switches (Gateron KS-9)
Actuation Force: 45 grams (1.59 oz)
Peak Force: 55 grams (1.94 oz)
Pre-travel: 2 mm
Total Travel: 4 mm
Keyswitch Rating: 50 million actuations
Number of Keys: 76 key layout with thumb clusters
Function Keys reside in new "Fn" Layer 10-Key Numeric Keyboard embedded in Right-hand module, accessed via the "Kp" Layer
Embedded Key Actions:
Numeric Keypad Actions: 18 FN Key Actions
Compatibility: Instant configuration for Windows No drivers required, only requirement is a Bluetooth Connection or a free USB-A port
PC: Windows 7-11 Mac: Mac OS X Other: Supports non-Windows PC operating environments (e.g. LINUX, Android, Chrome, etc.)
Interface:
Bluetooth: Multi-Device Capability supports pairing with up to 5 devices USB-A
Power Source: 2 x 1500 mAh Lithium-Ion Batteries (1 per module)
Battery Charge Expectancy:
With Backlighting Active: Should last for a workday With Backlighting OFF: Several months
Will vary with usage.
Custom Layouts: Because the Advantage360 PRO is fully programmable it is possible to customize all keys using the open-source ZMK Programming Engine. Note: At least some degree of programming skills is recommended if selecting the PRO model due to the more advanced requirements of the ZMK interface).
Fully Programmable: The Advantage360 PRO is fully programmable using the open-source ZMK Programming Engine, a web-based configurator available via GitHub. This method of programming requires some degree of programming skills, making the PRO model of the Advantage360 more suited to those with more advanced skills.Note: The Advantage360 PRO does not come with the SmartSet Programming Engine. Non-programmers or those with limited programming knowledge may wish to consider the corded model of the Advantage360 which features the SmartSet Programming Engine.
Embedded Numeric Keypad: The embedded keypad offers maximum productivity and comfort for 10-key users.
Function Keys: Unlike other models of the Advantage keyboard, the Advantage360 has eliminated the Function row but has retained access via a "FN" Layer.
