KINESISGaming TKO Mechanical Keyboard | Tactile Brown Switches | 60% Layout | Split Spacebar | Hotswap | PBT Keycaps | Aluminum Body | SF Shock Limited Edition Travel Case

The TKO is a 60% keyboard with only 61 keys. The primary use of this keyboard is for gaming with a focus on customization and ergonomics to make it stand out from the other keyboards in this category.This model uses Kalih Box Switches instead of MX Cherry, which is a bit different than what you expect.MX Cherry Red -> Kalih Box RedMX Cherry Blue -> Kalih Box WhiteMX Cherry Brown -> Kalih Box BrownThe Kalih Box Switches simply feel amazing to type with. I ordered the Red switches, and immediately felt a level of comfort that I have never experienced with MX Cherry Red. I remember my first experience with Cherry Red, they ended up hurting my fingers while typing which then converted me to use Cherry Brown. I do not experience this discomfort with Kalih Box Red switches, they are much more comfortable for my fingers to type on, where MX Cherry Red was like a hard surface, Kalih Box Red are like a soft mattress.This is a keyboard that feels like it is worth the money.A feature that was carried over from the Freestyle Edge RGB, you can customize the color profile and key mapping of the TKO through a series of text files that are built into they keyboard. While Windows and MacOS software exists, I am a Linux user. Having the level of control for the keyboard lighting, macros, and profiles built into the keyboard memory through .txt files is cool. I am not left out simply because I use Linux, rather, editing text files through Linux is par for the OS.**2023 Update**This keyboard is now my primary keyboard for all my computers. I did not expect this, but the 60% layout is nice after getting everything customized and working the way I like.If you are not aware, 60% keyboards heavily utilize a function layer (Fn) to get access to all keys that a 100% keyboard has. Being able to have a quick and easy way to switch between the primary layer and the Fn layer is very important to use 60% keyboards at the speed of their bigger brothers.For example, there are no inverted T arrow keys for navigation, rather, the expectation is to switch to the Fn layer then use "I" for up, "J" for left, "K" for down, and "L" for right. To get easy access to these keys on the Fn layer, I setup the center spacebar key to be a Fn switch, so that I hold the middle spacebar with my left thumb, then use my right hand to get access to those arrows keys. After using this for a few days, it became second nature and my typing speed is about the same as using dedicated arrow keys.Having access to DEL is also tricky with this keyboard on its vanilla settings. Normally, you would need to hold the Fn key with your right thumb and press the backspace key to access "Delete" with another finger on your right hand. With the center spacebar mapped as a Fn switch, I can also access the delete button without needing a custom macro setup, left thumb on the middle spacebar and right finger on the backspace key. That center spacebar remapping made the TKO very useful over the almost two years that I have owned it.The most annoying key is tilde ~. On Linux, this is a very important key to have access to. To access this key was very weird, the Fn key needs held down to enter the Fn layer, then one of the "Shift" keys needs held down, then you can press the "ESC" key to enter a tilde. That makes three keys that need pressed to enter one character, and using it frequently in Linux, this become tiresome. The remedy was to make a macro where the right shift key and ESC key, pressed together, prints tilde, ~~~.The reason for showing my problems and solutions, is to show why 60% keyboards a enjoyed. They are made to be customized for their lighting profile, key mappings, and macros.Other people I know who own 60% keyboards also state this as one of the reasons that they like this tiny size. The restrictions need you to innovate on how you use the keyboard, and then that makes it something unique to you, rather than the same thing everyone else owns.**End 2023 Update**Last, the namesake of KINESIS is that they offer ergonomics as their primary focus of keyboards and mice. Under the keyboard are four stands, one on each corner that have two levels of height. This allows tenting of the keyboard to have it angled with the right side higher, rear higher, left higher, or even front higher. The intention is that if you are gaming, then your left or right hand will be in a more natural position, angled appropriately, while your other hand is on a mouse. Most keyboards only come with two feet to adjust the rear of the keyboard.For gaming, this keyboard is fantastic. The feel of the keys, the ability to adjust the keyboard layout and colors through editing text files, and the ergonomics make this stand out. I would recommend this keyboard if you are in the market for a 61-key, 60% keyboard. I am interested is seeing what Kinesis-Gaming does next.

Pros:It feels great to type on. I know its probably just in my head but it's like my fingers find the proper keys faster and with fewer mistakes. Plus it sounds super satisfying. Every key press is a little Ahhh moment.Quality construction. this thing has some weight to it. has a metal top and some type of composite hard af plastic on the bottom and keys.Customization. There are lots of key repolacements and do dads in the case. plus being able to change the height and slant of the keyboard makes a big difference when it comes to comfort for those times you're at it for hours.The size and portability. I have a big desk with a lot of room and size was not a deciding factor for me when choosing this keyboard. It has become an added bonus. I'm a clean freak when it comes to my workstation and being able to quickly unplug the keyboard (usb type c) from the back of the Keyboard itself instead of having to disconnect from the tower or laptop you're on is a very nice and unexpected benefit. The case it comes in is really nice. I DJ and have a ton of wires and cables to carry around and this case is now a cable case that fits right in my backpack.It's plug and play. I had zero issues with the hook up. plug it in and go. Can't get easier.CONS..I can only think of one and It's more a me thing than the keyboard thing. I'm coming from a standard, full size keyboard and I do miss the arrow keys. They're there and accessible, it's just something that I'm working on relearning. Everything is reprogramable so I may need to consider putting the arrow keys somewhere on the main board that i just dont use often.I shopped keyboards for ahwile and this one stood out and I'm glad I made the purchase. It's the best I've ever owned and I love the feel of it so much. I just want to keep hearing and feeling the key response.

Love this keyboard. My second 60% and a big upgrade from my Poker II. The triple spacebar which is reprogrammable gives a ton of options and freedom for optimized keybinds to use during fast-paced FPS games (Apex, Valorant, CS, etc) without hindering my movement in-game. Really creative and a great space to have added keys. Can't believe this is the first time I've seen this innovation. The ergo features are icing on the cake - surprised I ended up using them, but tenting the keyboard so my left hand is tilted distally from my torso has actually alleviated a lot of discomfort I had after long gaming sessions.Other plusses include drivers that make reprogramming the Fn layer easy (hugely important for a 60% keyboard) and an awesome travel case which is quite sturdy and would be fun to bring to LAN.Super pleased with the KB. Can't imagine going back to a keyboard without a triple spacebar.

The TKO is a nice quality keyboard. I am not a gamer, however. I am a professional programmer; I write code and docs. This keyboard is not particularly comfortable for a long session of keyboard work, for me. I have to cant my wrists far in to my chest, and to get a wrist rest for the keyboard.The first problem might just be a sizing issue- a narrower body might not have issues. I have broad shoulders. The second problem though was annoying; the Kinesis gaming split keyboard has a nice wrist rest.As for its facility for gaming, I don't know. The lights blink nicely.