KINESIS GAMING Freestyle Edge RGB Split Keyboard With Cherry MX Mechanical Switches (MX Brown - Low Force, Tactile Feedback)

Ergonomics/Comfort:The wrist rests are divine. And the split is very comfortable - much better for my wrists. It also makes gaming more comfortable too, because I can move the right half aside and put the mouse there.Learning curve:I had never used an ergonomic keyboard before this one, so I was pleased to discover that it is easy to get the hang of. I am not much of a touch-typer, but I got used to the split very quickly.Software:SmartSet is a great piece of software. It is very easy to use. It could look a little more fancy, but it looks fairly good. The software is pretty powerful in terms of what it can do. My one wish would be the ability to assign any key to shift/toggle profile. But all-round very good software.RGB:Lovely. Nice and smooth. Plenty bright.Verdict:It's a high price, but I would say it's worth it if you are any of the following- feeling pain/discomfort from typing- using your home office most weekdays- have computer-heavy hobbiesIf you are in the US and you are looking for the last keyboard you will ever buy, then either get the Dygma Raise, or the Moonlander if you have big hands, or the Dygma Defy when it comes out.If you are outside the US or are just beginning your ergonomic journey, then this is a smashing device.

Had a nasty pain on my right arm due to prolonged typing sessions. As soon as I started using it I was relieved of the pain. Kinda makes you think how cheap it is when you start valueing your tendon health.

This is my first split keyboard and I'm very happy with it after using it to code and type every day. It's a feature-rich board with solid build quality and lots of customisability. My typing experience has improved and I look forward to reaping the ergonomic benefits over time. One of the first things I noticed was the typeface on the keys, which is clean and only barely towards the gaming end of the font spectrum. Interestingly the secondary characters (@, #, $, etc.) are printed below the main characters but it didn't take too long to get used to. These secondary characters do let light through (unlike some cheaper boards) but it's not as bright as the main character, which is a nice touch.PROS- split layout with arrow keys and function row- long braided cable- programmable (9 profiles x 2 layers each)- premium feel, doesn't pick up fingerprints- powerful software (but not QMK) inc. ability to edit layout and lighting files in Notepad- wrist rest and tenting kit enhance the experienceCONS- ABS keycaps- lighting effects are tied to the layout profiles- LED brightness can't be dimmed (they are very bright) except using RGB but that's not completely effective- 3.5u space bars, for which there are no 3rd party replacement options (make it 2u or 2.5u and add more buttons!)- not everything about the software is intuitive (you have to read the manual, which is actually very helpful)- somewhat difficult to adjust the middle cable and the cover doesn't fit back on easily with the cable extendedWish list- extra button between right alt & ctrl for menu, fn or win- more pronounced bumps on the home (J & F) and up arrow keys- "base" colour for breathe mode so it could be two-tone- function key pre-programmed to tap-and-hold mode for toggling function layer- rotary volume controller- QMK supportOverall I am very impressed with this keyboard and would heartily recommend it to anyone wanting a split mechanical keyboard - gamer or not.

TLDR: Cheap build quality vs. proper high end keyboards. This makes for a bad typing experience and wasn't ideal for gaming. For the price, I expected a *lot* more.If you are a typing enthusiast, this is not the keyboard for you. I can type over 85wpm at the moment, am in high 90's when not in pain. I am looking for ergo options to help fix my RSI hand and back strain. I am on my computer quite a lot due to running a web design company and gaming is a big hobby. I like having a properly nice keyboard as as I am on it so much.This is on me for not looking at it closer, but I also thought that this came with built in tenting, but nope...that's an extra £26 pounds-ish plus shipping, which added to the price with the current build quality, is horribly over priced in my opinion.The cable between the two, while long enough, was a pain to get to 'tuck into' the hidden compartments, which have a cheap plastic cover like the back of a remote. It seems like a design flaw that I have seen other splits handle in better ways.I am coming from a DasKeyboard 4Q. It has a magnificent build quality with nice tactile and slightly clicky switches. This Kinesis said it was 'tactile', and this supposedly has Cherry MX switches in it like my Das, but the Kinesis keys feel squishy like a cheap membrane keyboard.I also have a low profile wireless Logitech TKL, which is very small and light that I use for travel. I don't love it, but it is still a much better typing experience than this Kinesis.It also felt very clunky for gaming. Because there are all of these extra keys on the left side...out of reach from a pinky...they are not of much use for gamers on the fly. These extra rows of keys also made it feel off balance while I tried this thing in a few games of COD. Plus the escape key isn't in the upper left, it is some weird large key.The only good thing I can say is that the software seemed to be decent. It was easy to program the lighting. Didn't go further than that with macros, etc, so cannot comment on anything but the lighting portion of the software, but it looked intuitive.I wanted to get a split keyboard due to pain between my shoulders and a split was recommended to me. After a lot of searching I went with these as they seemed like the best option available in the UK. I tried using this today for work and for COD. After my third round of multiplayer, I gave up as it just felt so cheap. I can't get over how bad the quality is, how cheap everything feels. It is *horrible* to type on vs. my DasKeyboard. I'm sadly returning this and hoping that Das comes out with a split of their own with a proper build quality.