Additional Resources Accessories | Product Summary |
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The Kensington Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard features a winglike design that orients the alphanumeric keys at approximately 11° with the navigation and keypad keys being at 0°. This sloping of the keys reduces pronation of the hands and forearm while typing. The left and right key groups are also splayed outwards at 33° to encourage a more neutral alignment and reduce ulnar deviation at the wrists. The integrated palm support on the Pro Fit Wireless Keyboard is just over 3" in depth, and offers cushioning for the palms. It is covered in a leatherette material that is easily cleaned.
The angle and height of the Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard is such that the wrists are supported in a fairly neutral alignment when the elbows are about 1" below the desk surface. For those who would rather sit at a more ergonomic height (i.e. elbows at or just above desk height) and benefit from a slight improvement in wrist alignment there are legs built into the underside of the palm support. When deployed these elevate the front to create a nominal 4° negative slope. When the keyboard is flat the highest point on the keys is 1.4" and with the negative elevation legs deployed the highest point is 1.9".
The island-style keys are fairly quiet but it should be noted that they have a moderately high peak operation force of 55 grams, which over time can cause fatigue and strain on the fingers. As well, the inner columns of keys are wider to create a more appealing look but this can lead to inadvertently striking the keys off-centre. When struck to the edge there is a tendency for these keys to partially bind, thus requiring more force to complete the key activation. This could lead to dropped keystrokes and an overcompensation response of exerting a higher degree of force to ensure activation. With a limited travel distance of just 2.5mm this will likely lead to the fingers impacting at the end of each keystroke.
The Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard is able to connect either via Bluetooth 4.0LE or the included 2.4GHz wireless receiver (replaceable if lost) which employs 128-bit AES government-grade encryption for security. The connection is switchable via a switch on the underside that also serves as a power switch. | Ergonomic Benefits |
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Reduces Risk to the Elbow and Forearm - The fully pronated "palms down" position adopted by the majority of typists puts a considerable strain on the tissues of the elbow and forearm. The result can be fatigue, inflammation and long-term injury. The slight orientation of the keys on Pro Fit Ergo Keyboards can help reduce this strain by slightly rotating the forearm back towards a more natural posture. Learn More About Pronation.
Reduces Risk of Wrist Injury - Typing on a conventional keyboard requires experienced typists to bend the wrists outward towards the little finger in order to keep the fingers in the correct position on the home row. This posture, known as "ulnar deviation", puts considerable strain on the joint and tissues of the wrist. The 36° fixed "splay" on Pro Fit Ergo Keyboards can somewhat reduce this strain by aligning the keys to better match the natural posture of the body and decrease the degree of deviation. Learn More About Ulnar Deviation.
Can Reduce Wrist Extension - The incorporated palm rest can assist in reducing the risk of Wrist Extension by keeping the wrists from dropping down to the desk or keyboard tray surface. The "negative tilt" legs on the wrist rest can address this even further by creating a "negative inclination" that actively directs the wrists towards a more neutral alignment. However care needs to be taken to ensure that other issues are not created (see Usage Tips for more detail regarding this). Learn More About Wrist Extension.
| Features |
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- Preset Fixed "Splay": The keys are arranged with a outward splay of approximately 36° to help reduce ulnar deviation.
- Partially "Tented" Winglike Design: The alpha-numeric keycaps are angled outward at approximately 11°. The navigation and numeric keypad are at 0°.
- Negative Tilt Legs: Small legs on the underside of the palm support can be used elevate the front edge of the keyboard to create "negative inclination". (see notes in Usage Tips)
NOTE: The palm support itself is NOT removable. - Visual Indicators: Indicator lights for Caps Lock, Num Lock, & Battery are included.
- Integrated Fixed Palm Support: Kensington Pro Fit Ergo Keyboards feature a lightly-padded integrated palm support. At just over 3.0" deep it will support the palms of most typists, reducing the potential for Wrist Extension. The leather-like material is quite easily cleaned.
- Spill-Proof Keys: Spill-proof design reduces the risk of downtime.
- Alternate & Special Functions: Specialized Functions ((Media Player/Mute/Vol +/-, Previous Track, Play/Pause/Next Track), Task View, Home, Search, Favourite, & Mail are all supported via F-Key Alternative Functions. There are dedicated keys for Calculator and Screen Lock.
- Replaceable Wireless Receiver: Replacement 2.4GHz receivers can be purchased should a receiver be misplaced or damaged.
- Dual Wireless Connection Options: The Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard can be set to connect via either Bluetooth 4.0LE or the included 2.4GHz wireless receiver. The connected mode is set via a switch on the underside.
- Battery-Saving Switch: The wireless mode switch on the underside also doubles as a power switch to turn the keyboard off to extend battery life.
- 128-bit AES Encryption: When using the 2.4GHz wireless receiver the Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard employs 128-bit AES government-grade encryption for security.
| Images (Click on any thumbnail to view larger image) |
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Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard
| Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard - Fixed Split Layout
| Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard - Padded Wrist Pad
| Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard - Negative Incline Option
| Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard - In Use
| Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard - 2.4GHz RF or Bluetooth
| Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard - Power/RF/Bluetooth Switch
| Pro Fit Ergo Wired Keyboard - Spill-Proof Keys
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| Technical Specifications |
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- Width: 18.23" (46.3 cm)
- Depth (front-to-back): 8.5" (21.6 cm)
Note: The depth of the integrated palm supports (just over 3") is included in the above measurement. - Height:
Keyboard Flat - 1.42" (3.6 cm) Negative Incline -4°: 1.9" (4.8 cm) - Weight: 26.4 oz (747 grams)
- Wireless Interface: Switchable on underside of keyboard
2.4 GHz (receiver included) Bluetooth 4.0 LE - Wireless Range:
2.4 GHz: 33' (10 m) Bluetooth 4.0 LE: 26' (7.9 m) - Power Source: 2xAAA Batteries (included)
- Battery Life: Off Switch to optimize battery life.
2.4GHz - up to 2 years* Bluetooth - up to 30 months* * Will vary with useOff Switch to optimize battery life. - Keyswitch Type: Membrane
- Key Travel Distance:
Pre-Activation: 1.6mm Post-Activation: 0.9mm Total Travel: 2.5mm - Key Activation Force: 33 grams
- Peak Operating Key Force: 55 grams
Note: Some of the wider keys - especially those on the inside row of each half can bind depending on finger placement. This will lead to a high maximum activation force on these keys. - F-Key Alternate Functions: Media keys (Media Player/Mute/Vol +/-, Previous Track, Play/Pause/Next Track), Task View, Home, Search, Favourite, Mail
- Dedicated Hotkeys: Screen Lock, Calculator
- Compatibility:
Windows 7/8/10 Mac OSx (with limited functions) Android (with limited functions) - Encryption (in 2.4GHz Wireless Mode): AES128
- Colour: Black
- Warranty: 3 Year Limited - Manufacturer direct only
- Package Contents: Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard, 2.4GHz USB receiver, 2 x AAA Batteries, Documentation, Warranty Card
| Usage Tips |
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- The depth of the permanently affixed palm rest, just over 3", can potentially move this keyboard too far away from those of smaller build, forcing them to "reach forward" to access the keys. This can lead to unnecessary strain on the shoulders as the arms are no longer able to hang in a neutral position with the elbows below the shoulders. If you find that your elbows are positioned ahead of your keyboard the first thing you should do is to ensure that your keyboard and your body are positioned at appropriate heights. If you still find yourself reaching forward it may be that your forearms are not long enough to comfortably reach across the palm support. In that case you may wish to find a suitable keyboard solution that requires less forward reach.
- The negative inclination legs that this keyboard is equipped with create a negative slope that is generally considered a desirable feature. However this can be a potential concern because the front edge of the keyboard is now elevated. This elevation increases the potential for the edge of the keyboard palm rest to come in contact with the underside of the wrists, creating a potential pressure point. This would be more of a concern for those with smaller hands, especially if they are already sitting too low and having to reach forward and up to access the keyboard. The only ways to address this are by either elevating the chair to compensate for this increase in height (which may request additional adjustments to the workstation) or by lowering the keyboard tray (if used) to where it is sitting directly on the lap.
- Our recommendation is that the Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard be used either on a keyboard tray where the tray is able to be lowered right to the legs or on a height-adjustable desk that can be lowered to provide similar positioning. In this position the shoulders will be able to remain relaxed, with the elbows hanging directly below them. This will also aid in positioning your hands in alignment to the splay of the alpha/numeric keys.Note: If a sit-stand desk is lowered to better position the keyboard to achieve optimal positioning an increase in monitor height may be required due to the desk surface being lower).
- Caution should be exercised when using the Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard with a mouse placed on the right side of the keyboard. Although not as large a reach as some other keyboards, the Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard still requires a reach of almost 10" from the home row "J" to the right edge of the keyboard). For many typists, especially those of smaller frame or with narrower shoulders, this will result in "over-reaching" outside of the Comfort Zone.Learn More About the Risks Associated with Over-Reaching.
| Models |
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| Model # | Description |
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K75401US | Kensington Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard |
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