QUICK START GUIDE
Kinesis
®
Advantage2
Keyboard with SmartSet Technology
Models: KB600, KB600QD, KB600LF, KB605
The Advantage2™ Contoured™ Keyboard has a unique ergonomic design for maximum comfort and productivity. Kinesis proprietary
SmartSet™ technology provides many powerful electronic features that further boost productivity. It provides simple but powerful onboard
programming, plus direct editing, sharing & backup of cong les, all
without any special drivers. The keyboard is plug-and-play with all
operating systems that support full-featured USB keyboards.*
This Quick Start Guide covers the installation and basic setup of the
Advantage2. For detailed instructions on customizing your Advantage2,
Advanced Features, and Warranty Information please download the
Advantage2 User’s Manual at:
kinesis.com/advantage2-resources.
Installation
1. Plug Advantage2 into your computer’s USB port. A device installation notice will appear on your screen.
2. When the auto-installation is completed, you should see a “device is ready to use” notice on your screen.
3. For maximum comfort, install the replaceable adhesive palm pads onto the keyboard’s integrated palm rests.
4. OPTIONAL: If you are connecting an Advantage2 foot pedal to the keyboard, plug it into the telephone-style connector at the back of the
keyboard using the coupler provided with the pedals (FS007RJ11, FS007TAF).
Important Note
SmartSet Technology provides powerful tools for customizing the keyboard’s layout for those looking to maximize productivity. However,
because of the risk of inadvertent reprogramming, Kinesis recommends that ALL USERS read this Quick Start Guide before using the keyboard.
Even users familiar with the original Advantage keyboard are advised to read this guide since some programming commands have changed and
new ones have been added.
Warning
The Advantage2 keyboard is not a medical treatment. Please consult the Advantage2 User’s Manual for Safety & Health Tips (see link above).
*Certain KVM and specialized telephony devices will not support the Advantage2 keyboard. Check the tech support page listed above at Kinesis.com or
contact Kinesis Tech Support if you have compatibility problems.
© 2016 by Kinesis Corporation, all rights reserved. Printed in the USA on recycled paper.
KINESIS is a registered trademark of Kinesis Corporation. ADVANTAGE2, CONTOURED KEYBOARD,
SMARTSET and V-DRIVE are trademarks of Kinesis Corporation. WINDOWS, MAC, and ANDROID are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, Apple, Inc., and Google, Inc., respectively.
KINESIS CORPORATION
22030 20th Avenue SE, Suite 102
Bothell, Washington 98021 USA
[email protected], www.kinesis.com
KB600
2
Default Layout: QWERTY (U.S.)
All Advantage2 keyboards come precongured from the factory with the familiar QWERTY layout, but customizing is easy with the simple on-board
programming features (see page 3).
Alternate Layout: Dvorak
The Advantage2 also comes preloaded with an onboard Dvorak layout. Dual-legended QWERTY-Dvorak keycaps are standard on the KB600QD, but
they can also be purchased separately and installed on any Advantage2 keyboard.
Thumb Key Modes: Windows, Mac, or PC
Users may also congure the modier keys in the thumb-operated clusters in one of three modes. These modes are optimized for Windows users,
Mac users, and PC users who don’t need a Windows key. Thumb Key Mode is set independently from layout (QWERTY or Dvorak). Thumb Key
Mode defaults to the Windows conguration in the US (PC mode is pre-set for non-US models to allow the right Alt to serve as Alt Gr). Extra
keycaps and a keycap tool are included.
Fig 1. QWERTY Layout: Default (Program+F3)
Fig 2. Dual legended Qwerty/Dvorak keycap layout. Use with on-board Dvorak feature (Program+F4)
Fig 4. Mac Mode: Progm+F5 Fig 5. PC Mode: Progm+F6
Fig 3. Windows Mode: Progm+F7
3
Basic Features
Basic Programming Actions
The Program Key (“progm”) is used in conjunction with a key in the new mechanical Function Row to access all of the SmartSet features like changing
keyboard layouts or thumb key modes. Press and hold “progm” while tapping the appropriate function key, then release ”progm.” One or more LEDs will
ash to indicate the command was successful. For creating custom key actions (remapping,
macros), LEDs will continue ashing during the process to indicate the status. Exit “programming
mode” at any time by tapping ‘progm.’ Actions legended in lower case require only the Program
Key to activate, whereas actions legended in CAPS require the Program Key plus Shift Key
to activate.
• status (Progm+Esc): Prints detailed conguration Status Report to the screen
Important note: open a text editor before running a status Report!
• qwerty (Progm+F3): Enables the QWERTY Layout, including any customizations
(Fig 1).
• dvorak (Progm+F4): Enables the Dvorak Layout, including any customizations (Fig 2).
• mac (Progm+F5): Enables Mac Thumb Key Mode (Fig 4). Also activates the Mac “keypad =“ key action in the embedded numeric
keypad and converts Scroll Lock to “shut down” action. Caution: On a PC, “shutdown” will initiate complete shutdown without asking.
• pc (Progm+F6): Enables PC Thumb Key Mode (Fig 5). If you want two Ctrl and two Alt keys plus a Win key, Win can be remapped to
another location (not in the top thumb key row) in Win mode before activating PC mode.
• win (Progm+F7): Enables the default Windows Thumb Key Mode (Fig 3).
• click (Progm+F8): Turns on and off the electronic key “click” feature. The click represents the true “trigger point when a key is pressed,
and allows users to avoid unnecessary impact from “bottoming out” the switch.
• TONE (Progm+Shift+F8): Turns on and off the electronic “tone” for special actions which “toggle” (caps lock, num lock, scroll lock,
insert, keypad).
• RESET (Progm+Shift+F9): Performs a “Soft Reset” which erases any key remapping and macros in the active layout. Note: Soft Reset
DOES NOT change the Layout or Thumb Key Mode. A “Hard Reset” restores all defaults and reverts to the QWERTY layout. To perform a hard reset,
hold ctrl+F9 while plugging in keyboard, keep holding keys for several seconds until LEDs stop ashing. Tap ctrl key afterwards if you experience odd
key actions after a hard reset due to a “stuck” Ctrl key action.
• dsable macro (Progm+F10): Disables the playback of any recorded macros. Repeating the action re-enables macros. A soft reset enables macro
playback if it has been disabled.
• progm macro (Progm+F11): Records a macro. LEDs ash fast prompting selection of the trigger key, then slow while macro content is being typed/
recorded. Tapping “progm” ends the recording and exits from program macro mode. An alphanumeric key plus one or more modiers can be
combined to serve as the macro trigger. For details of macro programming including setting playback speed and delays, see User’s Manual.
• progm remap (Progm+F12): Remaps a key from one location to another. LEDs ash fast prompting selection of a source action, then slowly waiting
for the destination key to be selected. Note: Remap mode remains active and will continue to accept key remapping “pairs” until the Program Key is
tapped to exit remap mode. Also, the source action is always the default for QWERTY or Dvorak (whichever layout is active), even if a key has been
previously remapped.
Keypad Key
The Keypad Key toggles on a second virtual keyboard layer (the “keypad layer”) that can be used to be used to remap keys and store macros, or access
the multimedia keys and the embedded numeric 10-key in the right key well (See page 4 for details).
Multimedia Keys
The blue-legended multimedia keys reside in the keypad layer and perform Mute, Volume Down, and Volume Up.
Fig 6. FuncƟon Key Row
Fig 7. Status Report example
Model name> Advantage2 Keyboard
Firmware version> 1.0.0.us (2MB), 06/29/2016
Current keyboard config file> qwerty.txt
Current thumb keys mode> win
Macro playback status> acƟve
Macro playback speed> slow=1, normal=3,
fast=9> 3
Keyclick status> clicks on
Toggle acƟon tone status> tones on
Number of stored macros> 0
Number of keys remapped> 0
4
Print Screen, Scroll Lock & Pause Break
These keys perform standard keyboard functions which will depend on your Operating System and the application.
Custom Layouts
The QWERTY and Dvorak layouts can be independently customized with key remapping and macros. Virtually any key can be remapped, and most single
keys or multi-key combinations (alphanumeric key plus one or more modiers) can be used to trigger macros. Each layout is saved separately to the
onboard memory so changes made to one layout never affect the other.
Keypad Layer
Each layout features a second virtual (embedded) keyboard layer that can be customized by remapping keys or storing
macros. The keypad layer can be easily “toggled” on or off with the Keypad Key. Most keys have the same default action in
each layer, but a numeric keypad (10-key) is located in the right key well, thus the name “keypad layer.” Numeric keypad
actions are legended on the front side of the Advantage2 keys. Note: PC use requires Num lock to be on for numeric actions.
Frequent keypad users will benet from an optional Advantage foot pedal which can be used as “keypad shift” to access the
keypad layer by pressing and holding while typing numbers, then releasing to return to normal typing.
Using advanced programming features, any other key may be remapped to perform keypad toggle or keypad shift actions (see User’s Manual).
Palm pads and integrated palm rest
The palm rests are designed to provide comfortable support for your hands while not actively typing, though many users rest their palms some of the time
while typing in order to relieve strain on the neck and shoulders. For maximum typing speed hold your palms slightly above the palm rests. Do not expect
to reach all of the keys on the keyboard without moving your hands from a stationary position on the palm rests. For maximum comfort, install the self-
adhesive palm pads. Replacement pads are available for purchase.
LED Indicator Lights
The blue LEDs located near the center of the keyboard are used to indicate that status of the keyboard. The lights will
illuminate when one of the four basic modes are active (See image at right). The LED indicator lights also ash during
SmartSet programming actions (slow or fast) to indicate the keyboard’s temporary programming status (4x when a
feature is activated, and 1x or 2x when a feature is deactivated).
Connecting an optional foot pedal
Plug the foot pedal into the telephone-style (RJ11) connector at the back of the keyboard. The single foot pedal (and middle pedal on the triple foot pedal)
“shifts” on the keypad layer and “Keypad “ LED (press to activate keypad layer, release to return to top level). It can also be custom-programmed just
like any key on the keyboard (remapping and macros). The left and right pedals of the triple foot pedal perform the Tab and Enter functions and can also
be custom programmed.
Advanced Features
For information and instructions on Advanced Features of
the Advantage2, please consult the User’s Manual.
Resources
To download the User’s Manual or the latest version of the Advantage2 rmware, please visit the Advantage2 resources page at
kinesis.com/advantage2-resources. To contact Technical Support at Kinesis, either email or call:
• Email [email protected]
• Call 800-454-6374 or 425-402-8100 (8:30-11:30am & 12:30-4:30pm Pacic Time).
Fig 8. 10-Key in Keypad Layer
Version July 18 2016
High Performance Macros Global & individual Macro
Playback Speed Adjustment
Firmware Updates Hotkey Layouts
Visualize/Share/Backup
Custom Layouts
Using tokens, HID codes to
remap keys
Power User Mode Accessing the V-Drive™
Fig 10. Advanced features
Caps lock Num lock Scroll lock Keypad
Fig 9. Keyboard LEDs
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