Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard (Black)
by GOLDTOUCH
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List Price: Our Price: $105.00 You Save: $24.00 (19%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard (Black)
Customer Review: Good, as expected
Summary: 5 Stars
I first used this keyboard at a "ergo conscious" company I used to work at and really got used to it, It only took a day or so.
I sit in front of the computer/keyboard all day and with a regular keyboard (i.e flat) I get pain in my forearms after a few hours.
Using this keyboard I do not get pain in my hands or arms.
I fold it (half and tilted 'up') as far as it will go (I wish it could actually fold almost in half). (A good way to rest your arm is to let your hand rest loosely on it's 'side', this keyboard helps keep your hands in that sort of position as you type, thereby reducing pain and stress, I believe, although I am not a medical professional ;)
After reading some of these reviews about sticking keys and a decline in quality, I was nervous about purchasing this given the [...]
But since I know the benefit and I do need something to help 'arm fatigue', I took the chance and bought it, I'm glad I did, it works as expected and I have not any seen quality issues, I have owned it about a month.
I like the keys 'action', there is very little resistance and they spring right back after being depressed and they are very 'well defined'.
I'd say the only two things I don't really like, is that the Esc button follows the logo on the top left of the keyboard, (I am a vim user and am used to it being further to the left so I miss the key a lot) luckily there is no other key their that I am hitting instead.
The other criticism isn't really a fair one, I just got a Mac Book Pro through work and am using this keyboard with that. The 'windows' key, (what the Mac sees as the Apple/cmd key) is all the way to the bottom left, so cutting/pasting, is a real chore as it's a far stretch, I guess I could do a keyboard mapping to change this, I also know the Goldtouch does make a Mac version of this keyboard. [...]
Other little issues that caused me concern were (trivial?) branding/company discrepancies like they keyboard states keyovation.com but is branded [...] resolves to goldtouch.com now so maybe it was just a branding/merger change, but there are some broken links coming from keyovation.com?whatever/something/ to goldtouch.com?whatever/something/, sorry, I don't remember specific examples, sometimes this can be a bad sign of product neglect.
Conclusion:
Either way, I order it and am happy I did, it works as desired/expected.
[...]
Customer Review: Helped my RSI symptoms, best of what I've found
Summary: 5 Stars
After developing repetitive stress injuries at work I looked for a split keyboard. I have used this and the Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 both for about a year. This keyboard has greatly helped my injuries. The key touch is much softer than the MS 4000. So much so that when I use the MS 4000 I feel like I am forcing the keys down. The goldtouch is almost effortless to press. The adjustable nature of the goldtouch is good. I max out the angle and the tenting. If you want it tented to it's highest point you should make sure you have a keyboard tray or other comfortable low surface because it can get pretty tall - a few inches taller than the MS 4000.
The ball and lever mechanism that holds the keyboard's adjustments is a little weird and looks unstable. It is definitely easy to use, but my coworkers goldtouch has failed and she has to prop it up with a small box. Mine is still working fine after a year, but you should to be careful not to force the keyboard down without releasing the lever. I think this contributes to the ball/lever failing. When locked in place the stability is good. I've never had any problems with it slipping or falling down. I personally have no reason to keep adjusting the keyboard, I just set it and forget it.
Most importantly this keyboard does not have a 10-key. For people with RSI injuries from right handed mouse use (like me) this is key. My MS 4000 is huge and aggravates my injuries because of how far to the right I have to put my mouse. With the goldtouch I am able to put my mouse closer to the center of my body for easier use.
The button layout seems fine. Its nice that it has the extra buttons like the home key, eject, power, but frustrating that the home key is next to the delete key. I frequently hit home instead of delete. Also, on the mac version there is extra space to the control key. I use many custom keyboard shortcuts utilizing this key, and it is a stretch to reach even with my big hands.
Even with it's failings, this keyboard is the best I have used in its category. For me it is superior to the MS 4000 because of its small width and light key action. This is a great choice if you are looking to help or prevent RSI injuries.
Customer Review: Buy an Ergonomic Split Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
In 2001, I became completely fed up with the flat and 'natural' keyboards that I had purchased. My fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, and back were hurting a lot, so I began doing research on ergonomic keyboards. I couldn't believe that computer stores (e.g., CompUSA) didn't carry such things. I came across Goldtouch(r) online and found a phone number of a local dealer/distributor. He didn't have a show room; we talked about the keyboard over the phone and he typed for me so I could hear the tactile sound of using the keyboard. I bought it over the telephone and will never ever go back to a conventional (flat or 'natural') keyboard again. I can split and tent this keyboard. My fingers, wrists, and hands et al noticed a difference right away. My spelling suffered a little for a while as my hands, wrists, and fingers readjusted to the new angles -- I tried different angles to see how my hands, wrists, and fingers liked them. I settled on an angle that prohibits the keyboard drawer from closing. I didn't care about that, anyway.
Quality: I'm using the same keyboard four years later. I'm a writer and type every day, all day.
Durability: My cat was leaning over to head-butt me and slipped off of the desk and onto the keyboard, which flattened it. I thought she broke it (it's a high price to pay for her affection). It wasn't a problem. I released the lever, repositioned it to the split and tent angles that I wanted, and life was good again. I've never had a major spill in the keyboard so I don't know how it would survive that, but I have dragged inappropriate and unsanctioned tools between the keys to lift out cat fur. I have also popped off the keys to wash them. Aside from putting a couple of keys back on in the wrong places, it was all fine, although I have no idea what the manufacturer recommends doing for this. If the keyboard is under warranty, follow their guidelines (if there are any).
When this keyboard goes (whenever that might be), I will replace it with another Goldtouch. It's worth every penny it cost!
Customer Review: Typing made more comfortable
Summary: 4 Stars
I like Key Ovation's Goldtouch keyboard. This keyboard's primary benefit is in its ability to fold up to up a 30 degree angle, which means you can type with your wrists at a more natural and comfortable angle than with other keyboards. The Goldtouch keyboard also offers good tactile feedback, and finger-travel also seems to be just about right. When tented up, this keyboard is really meant for two-handed use -- it is quite difficult to touch type with one hand when each half of the keyboard lies at a different inclination (e.g., when using a telephone).
The Goldtouch keyboard differs from regular keyboards in two other ways. First, Goldtouch splits the navigation section of a typical 104-key keyboard in two. The [Home], [End], [PageUp], and [PageDown] keys are on the left side of the keyboard. The [Up], [Down], [Left], [Right], [Insert] and [Delete] keys remain on the right side of the keyboard. For all practical purposes, navigation is a two-handed function on a Goldtouch keyboard, where it is a one-handed (right-handed) function on regular keyboards. This is good because it reduces overuse of the right hand. When you return to a regular keyboard, you may be surprised to realize how often you use only your right hand on a regular keyboard, and you may agree that it makes sense to delegate more duties to the left hand as the Goldtouch keyboard does.
Second, The Goldtouch keyboard does not have a separate numeric keypad. These keys are instead embedded into the main keyboard layout on the right half of the keyboard, and are accessed by toggling the [Number-Lock] key. Obviously, while the [Number-Lock] key is activated, a re-mapped key cannot be used for its original purpose, so the purchase of a separate numeric keypad is recommended for those who do a lot of number work.
The Goldtouch keyboard is a very good keyboard that warrants serious consideration from those who do a lot of typing.
Customer Review: Great for relieving wrist pain
Summary: 5 Stars
Only a day after getting my keyboard (upon which I'm typing now), my wrist pain (which actually caused me to stop typing and using a mouse for lengthy periods of time) virtually went away. After a few days, it was completely gone and I now have no trouble typing/regular mousing for long periods of time. I do a lot of programming at my job, so "just getting away" from my desk when my wrist started to hurt was not an option. I've increased my efficiency many times over with my pain eliminated. For the new buyer, be prepared for a slight learning curve. I kept my keyboard together in the middle, but at the largest folded angle (looked like a tent on my desk). This more comfortable position freaks out finger memory a bit from the normal keyboard, but quickly becomes natural. Using a regular keyboard after learning how to type on this one is fine too. The only advice I'd give on this is to make sure you position the keyboard by using the lever. I've had my keyboard for about 3 years now and it's been GREAT but I would reposition it up and down without opening the lock and it eventually broke when I did try to use it (just yesterday, so no doubt I'll be looking to get a new one if my makeshift holder doesn't work). Otherwise, it is a really great keyboard and those with wrist problems ranging from minor discomfort to Carpel Tunnel (a co-worker with C.T. uses one now after seeing mine and hasn't had to wear her wrist braces while typing since!). I've tried other "ergonomic" keyboards and they just don't cut it. This keyboard actually allows you to shape it such that it follows the way your wrists and forearms lineup so that it's most comfortable to you and doesn't splay your wrists unnecessarily. I definitely recommend this product!!! Enjoy!