The Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard is a revised and improved version of the Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard. The new Elite model is equipped with half-height keycaps topping membrane keyswitches rated at 45-55g average force. The lower profile keycaps facilitate a lower profile housing and overall lower height to help reduce the risk of wrist extension while typing. The redesigned "squeeze lever" also makes it easy to ensure that angle and tilt adjustments are retained - once adjustments are made the lever is released and the setting locks in while the hands hold the keyboard in position. As with its predecessors, the Goldtouch Elite offers adjustment of splay and tent. While the 30° splay range is virtually identical to earlier models, it is now possible to adjust the vertical tenting up to a full 60°, double the earlier 30° range of earlier models. With these two adjustments it is possible to adjust the keyboard to address individual concerns and body type to reduce the risks of RSI associated with pronation, ulnar deviation, and wrist extension. The compact design, achieved by the elimination of the traditional discrete numeric keypad, also helps to prevent strain in the shoulder and neck muscles that can be caused by overreaching for the mouse. For those who do more intensive numeric entry there is also a numeric keypad embedded in the right module and if necessary there are also standalone numeric keypads available for both PC and Mac.
The Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard is legended for use in both Windows and Mac environments. A toggle switch on the underside of the keyboard effortlessly switches mode. There is also a second switch that lets individuals change position of the Home/End/Page Up/Page Down and Print Screen/Delete/Pause Break/Back Space keys. A keycap puller can be employed to move keycaps to the new positions (see PDF manual in Additional Resources for more detail on this feature).
The Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard has rubberized feet and edges to prevent slippage on the worksurface, whether flat or tented, and hot keys for quick access to both the internet and multimedia controls.
Warning: Those who use the Goldtouch Numeric Keypads with a Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard should be certain to plug the keyboard directly into the computer, or into an external USB hub. Connecting a keyboard to the computer via any of the ports on the Goldtouch Numeric Keypad can cause both devices to malfunction.
Reduces Risk to the Elbow and Forearm - The fully pronated “palms down” position commonly adopted when typing and mousing puts a considerable strain on the tissues of the elbow and forearm. The result can be fatigue, inflammation and long-term injury. By tenting the keyboard, typing can be accomplished with the palms and forearms in an anatomically neutral position much less likely to injure tissues, even over the long term. Learn More About Pronation
Reduces Risk of Wrist Injury - Typing on a conventional keyboard requires touch typists to twist the wrists outward towards the little finger in order to align the fingers to the keys. This posture, known as “ulnar deviation,” puts considerable strain on the joint and tissues of the wrist. The Goldtouch Elite design permits the two halves of the keyboard to be splayed outward to align the keyboard to the natural finger position. This eliminates the unnatural bend at the wrist, allowing the forearm, wrist and hands to remain in a natural relaxed alignment. Learn More About Ulnar Deviation.
Reduces Potential for Wrist Extension - When used in a tented configuration the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard can encourage a neutral wrist alignment by encouraging typists to elevate their wrists to match the keyboard position while keying. This can also be achieved when the keyboard is placed flat on the desk surface (either splayed or straight) by extending the small feet at the front of the keyboard. Elevating the front creates a negative inclination that can also encourage them to raise their wrists to a similar neutral alignment. Learn More About Wrist Extension.
Reduces Overreaching for the Mouse - The Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard features a compact design that lets individuals position their mouse closer on the right hand. The elimination of the standard keypad keeps the mouse within the comfort zone and can greatly reduce the potential for shoulder, neck and wrist pain to arise from repeatedly reaching over the number pad for the mouse. Learn More About Overreaching.
Reduces Strain on the Shoulder and Neck - At only 15.25” wide, and without a numeric keypad impeding access to the mouse, the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard reduces the risk of overreach injuries to the tissues and structures of the shoulder and neck.
Variable Tenting: Customized tenting, from 0° to a maximum angle of 60°, allows individuals to experiment with a variety of tented heights before choosing the one most beneficial and comfortable for their unique needs.
Variable Splay: Splay is infinitely variable from 0° (fully closed) to a maximum open angle of 30°; allowing gradual adaptation, and for individuals to select the degree of splay most suited to their unique needs and body type.
Locking Ball and Socket Joint: Centrally located at the rear of the keyboard, this joint connects the left and right halves of the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard. Squeezing the release paddle allows the two halves to be tented upwards to address pronation, splayed outward to address ulnar deviation, or to be splayed and tented to address both risk factors. The degree of both tent and splay can be easily configured or reconfigured at will, especially useful where multiple individuals may be using a workstation. The paddle automatically locks the chosen configuration into place upon release.
Low Profile Housing: Customized tenting, from 0° to a maximum angle of 60°, allows individuals to experiment with a variety of tented heights before choosing the one most beneficial and comfortable for their unique needs.
Membrane Keyswitches: The Elite has silicon dome membrane keyswitches, rated at 45-55g average force
Laser-Etched Keycaps: Keycap legends are laser-printed for extended longevity.
Load-Balancing Design: The editing keys are evenly distributed to balance the workload on the hands and fingers. The Home, End, Page Up and Page Down keys are on the left module; the Delete, Print Screen, Pause/Break, and Backspace keys are on the right module. These can be swapped by moving the switch on the underside to the "Alternate" mode. Keycaps can be moved using a Keycap puller. Included are Copy and Paste keycaps to be installed when switching to the "Alternate" mode.
Compact Footprint: At only 15.25” wide, the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard allows individuals to bring the mouse into their Comfort Zone to either the right or left, while also making efficient use of desktop space.
Embedded Numeric Keypad: Those using a Window-based PC and requiring more frequent access to numbers can access the embedded numeric keypad built into the right side of the keyboard. For situations where significant degree of numeric data entry is still required, the purchase of an external Goldtouch Numeric Keypad for PC or Mac might be considered. Note: The embedded keyboard is only accessible on Windows-based PCs.
Images (Click on any thumbnail to view larger image)
Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard (tented and splayed)
Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard (flat)
Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard (splayed)
Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard
Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard - Alternative Layouts
At Home Row: 0.75" (1.9 cm)
Overall: 1.83" (4.65 cm)
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
Maximum Splay: 30°
Maximum Tent: 60°
Key Activation Force: 45g-55g (average)
Key Travel Distance: 3.6 mm +/-.5 mm
USB-A Cable Length: 56" (1.46 m)
Operating System Compatibility:
PC: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000
Mac: OS x 10.4 and later (toggle switch on underside for PC or Mac mode selection)
FN- Function Features:
Windows Only: Email, Calculator, Home Screen, Windows Search, Snip Tool, My Computer
Mac Only: Brightness Down, Brightness Up, Dashboard, Spotlight
Windows and Mac: Rewind, Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Mute, Volume Up, Volume Down
Warranty: 1 Year
Package Contents: Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard, Copy & Paste Keys (for alternative layout), User Manual
Remember to adjust the toggle switch on the underside to match the type of computer (PC or Mac) you are connecting to.
When first connecting the keyboard be sure to connect directly to a USB port on the computer (not on a hub). Power up the computer and allow Windows to detect the device and install the drivers. You may see a window that tells you the hardware is installed and ready for use when installation is completed. Once the installation is completed it is then possible to connect it via a hub if necessary. Note: Do not attempt to install via hub or switch, as the keyboard must be connected directly to the computer for correct driver installation.
Make a point of using the splay and tenting functions on your Goldtouch Elite Adjustable Keyboard. It only takes a few seconds to make the necessary adjustments and the potential benefits are well worth it. Adjustments can be done effortlessly at any time to accommodate regular changes to hand position throughout the day. Changing the angle and splay throughout the day will keep your hands and arms performing work from varying positions, rather than working from a more static position.
Try to ensure that your keyboard is optimized in relation to your hand height. If the keyboard is too low you will find yourself reaching down to the keyboard and putting your wrists into extension. This is much more common than working with the keyboard too high, but that is also a risk. You want to maintain as straight a line as possible through the forearm and wrist, with your elbows bent at approximately 90° (or slightly more than that). If the keyboard is too low, creating a negative angle by slightly elevating the edge of the keyboard closest to you can help to address this.
When keying the keyboard should be positioned so that your elbows are positioned below your shoulders. If you find your elbows more than a couple of inches ahead of your shoulders you need to shorten the distance between yourself and the keyboard. Maintaining a position where your elbows are too far forward can lead to the development of tension across the shoulders, or even more serious shoulder conditions.
If your computer is Windows-based you should familiarize yourself with the embedded numeric keypad. The embedded keypad gives you two additional layers, one for numbers, and one for navigation (should that be desired). If you perform significant numeric data entry, the purchase of an external Goldtouch Numeric Keypad for PC or Mac might be considered. Note: The embedded numeric keypad is not accessible on Mac computers.
If you are connecting a USB numeric keypad in conjunction with a Goldtouch keyboard, be sure to connect it via USB as described above. For correct operation, the numeric keypad must be plugged directly into the computer for installation, but can be connected through a hub once the drivers have been installed.
Warning: Do not attempt to plug the keyboard into one of the USB ports located on the sides of the Goldtouch USB Numeric Keypad, as these ports are intended only for low power devices, such as mice or USB storage drivers. The PC will not recognize the keyboard.
