With its left and right halves connected by an articulating ball joint, the Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard by Key Ovation is designed to help aid individuals in preventing or addressing soft tissue injuries that can arise from pronation, ulnar deviation, or wrist extension. The two halves of the keyboard can be configured to tent up to 30° along the centre, allowing typing with the palms slightly facing each other at an anatomically neutral angle; to splay up to 33° outwards, allowing the hands, wrists and shoulders to be positioned for optimal posture; or to both tent and splay. The compact design, achieved by the elimination of a built-in numeric keypad, also helps to prevent strain in the shoulder and neck muscles that can be caused by overreaching for the mouse.
The Goldtouch V2 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.
There are 3 models of the Goldtouch V2 keyboard currently available. The GTN-0099 is legended in US English exclusively for PC, is native USB and comes with a USB to PS/2 adapter. The GTN99-FC is the same interface but is solely legended for the "Canadian French" uni-lingual layout (not "Canadian Multi-Lingual") in Windows. The GTU-0088 is USB and compatible with both PC and Macs, and legended for both (Mac legending is in gold in the bottom third of the keycaps).
Warning: Those who use the Goldtouch Numeric Keypad for PC or Mac with a Goldtouch V2 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.
Note: See Usage Tips on the Detailed Specifications page for a comparison of the differences between the earlier version of the Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard and the Goldtouch V2.
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 V2 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 V2 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 V2 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 Risk of Injury to the Fingers - The low force membrane key switches require less force to actuate - but provide minimal tactile feedback. This can benefit those who do not have to rely on tactility to reduce the amount of force they exert when typing.
Reduces Strain on the Shoulder and Neck - At only 16.25” wide, and without a numeric keypad impeding access to the mouse, the Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard reduces the risk of overreach injuries to the tissues and structures of the shoulder and neck.
Variable Tenting: Customized tenting, to a maximum angle of 30°, 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 33°; 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 Adjustable Keyboard. This mechanism 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. A sturdy lever locks the chosen configuration into place. Note: Some precise adjustments may be necessary to ensure the two halves are symmetrical before the lock is secured.
Adjustable Incline: When not tented, the Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard has a slight positive incline. To create the recommended negative incline, two feet beneath the space bars can be deployed, along with the Goldtouch Gel Wrist Rests (GT7-0017) or the Goldtouch SlimLine Wrist Rest (GT8-0017) to prevent inadvertent wrist extension that could increase the risk of injury to the wrists. Note: Those who need a greater degree of negative incline might wish to consider installing a tilt-adjustable keyboard arm and keyboard tray.
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.
Compact Design: At only 16.25” wide, the Goldtouch V2 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.
Light Touch Keys: The membrane keys of the Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard are full size, full travel and low force.
Images (Click on any thumbnail to view larger image)
Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard (tented and splayed)
Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard (flat)
Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard (splayed)
Goldtouch V2 PC & MAC Keyboard
Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard - French Canadian Layout
If you purchased the GTU-0088 PC/Mac Keyboard remember to adjust the slide switch on the underside to match the type of computer (PC or Mac) you are attaching it 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 V2 Adjustable Keyboard. It only takes a few seconds to make the necessary adjustments and the potential benefits are well worth it. The latch is easily released 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 USB Numeric Keypad, as these ports are intended only for low power devices, such as mice or USB storage drivers. Doing so will cause the keyboard and keypad to malfunction.
Consider purchasing optional wrist supports such as the Goldtouch Gel Wrist Rests to help avoid wrist extension when the keyboard is tented.
Below are some of the differences between the Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard (GTN-0099, GTU-0088, GTN99-FC) and the previous model (GTU-0077/GTN-0077):
Larger footprint. The Goldtouch V2 is 16.25” wide; the earlier model was 15.25" wide.
Improved stability when tented. The Goldtouch V2 includes rubberized edges that were not present on the earlier model.
Reduced key force. The key force on the V2 is rated at 39 ± 3 grams; the earlier model was rated at 50 ± 20 grams. This lack of tactility, or more spongy feel, makes it more difficult for users to properly gauge the amount of force required to press each key. The result is that users tend to exert more actual effort to generate keystrokes. (Users who were familiar with the previous version of the keyboard have noted that their fingers fatigue much faster.)
Modified layout. The Shift and Ctrl keys on the right module of the V2, along with the Caps Lock key, have been reduced in size. The space bars on the V2 are narrower and are no longer curved as they were on the earlier model. The Insert and Delete keys have been slightly increased in size, and moved to the upper right corner of the keyboard.
New Hot Keys. The Goldtouch V2 Adjustable Keyboard includes new hot keys for accessing multimedia controls and the Internet. These blue-legended keys are activated by pressing and holding the Fn key in the lower left corner of the keyboard.
