The good
Programming
As a programmer I truly value the programming options offered by the KeyMouse. Based on the white layer, I have made a new ‘green programming layer’ which I can activate permanently by pressing a key on the blue layer. On the green programming layer the F keys offer me the following functions:
• F1: ctrl-X
• F2: ctrl-A
• F3: ctrl-C
• F4: ctrl-V
• F5: ctrl-Z
• F6: ctrl-Y
• F7: new function statement ( code snippet )
• F8: if-then-else statement ( code snippet)
• F9 and F10 are unassigned for the time being.
• F11: ctrl-shift-F ( format code )
• F12: Mac-key-F ( find )
It's mighty handy to have all those functions readily available at the press of a single button!
Scroll wheels
I would recommend to program the left scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling and the right one for vertical scrolling. The scroll wheels are clickable too.
Cursor speed
The cursor speed is fully adjustable by changing the DPI settings of the optical sensor. In my case, under Mac OSX Sierra, it was necessary to crank it up a bit which was a breeze.
Macros
To program a macro which will output text, you first need to assign a different unused F key – F13 and upwards – to the macro button. Then you can assign a macro to that button. On the mac, curly brackets need to be escaped in the macro by a backslash: \{ . And yes, you can store your passwords in the macros, but due to security settings on the mac, they will not work in the OSX password input box. They will however work fine in the terminal window.
Ergonomics
Personally, I am a big fan of the block layout used on the KeyMouse. In the block layout, all keys are lined up in straight lines. Typing is fast and effortless. Next to that, the hand rest is superbly sculptured and offers a comfortable, natural grip and easy access to the scroll wheels and mouse buttons. Finally, the ability to place the two KeyMice at shoulder width is a bomber feature. This position eliminates the shoulder tension associated with normal keyboard work, allows you to place your drink right in front of you and offers an unobstructed view of your screens. In my opinion, the ergonomics of the KeyMouse are one of its strongest points.
Switches
Mechanical key switches by Cherry are amazing on any device and this is no different on the KeyMouse. I went with the silent red switches and could not be happier. Quiet, satisfying, light, reliable and sexy.
The bad
Sizing
If in doubt between a version for bigger hands and one for smaller hands, I would advise to go with the version for smaller hands. In my opinion it will be a bit easier to reach the farther keys such as Y and O.
Glide
As it is natural to keep your hand resting on the KeyMouse, this will impact the glide characteristics. There is certainly more friction involved than in the case of a regular mouse. One remedy is to simply take the weight off the mouse and hold it lightly between your thumb and pinkie when you need to start moving the mouse cursor around. It takes some getting used to, but it is certainly a workable solution. I definitely do recommend to use the KeyMouse on the gaming mat.
Learning how to type
Yes, the keymouse does take some effort to get used to it's key layout. Thankfully, the basic layout is very well thought out and does resemble the keyboard layout a lot. I was able to type basic text – although still with a lot of misfires - within the first two hours of usage. After one day I was comfortable enough to put away my normal keyboard. Right now I am using the keymouse for one week and I am typing this review without much effort at all. So in truth, it is a bit unfair to list this point under the heading ‘bad’, but hey, I am just trying to do justice to tradition here, right?
And the ugly
So, what about the ugly I hear you ask? Well, he must have gotten drunk, as he never showed up. The finish on the device is top notch and all functions work like a charm. All in all, I can recommend the KeyMouse as one of the best – if not the best – computer input device on the market today.
Programming
As a programmer I truly value the programming options offered by the KeyMouse. Based on the white layer, I have made a new ‘green programming layer’ which I can activate permanently by pressing a key on the blue layer. On the green programming layer the F keys offer me the following functions:
• F1: ctrl-X
• F2: ctrl-A
• F3: ctrl-C
• F4: ctrl-V
• F5: ctrl-Z
• F6: ctrl-Y
• F7: new function statement ( code snippet )
• F8: if-then-else statement ( code snippet)
• F9 and F10 are unassigned for the time being.
• F11: ctrl-shift-F ( format code )
• F12: Mac-key-F ( find )
It's mighty handy to have all those functions readily available at the press of a single button!
Scroll wheels
I would recommend to program the left scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling and the right one for vertical scrolling. The scroll wheels are clickable too.
Cursor speed
The cursor speed is fully adjustable by changing the DPI settings of the optical sensor. In my case, under Mac OSX Sierra, it was necessary to crank it up a bit which was a breeze.
Macros
To program a macro which will output text, you first need to assign a different unused F key – F13 and upwards – to the macro button. Then you can assign a macro to that button. On the mac, curly brackets need to be escaped in the macro by a backslash: \{ . And yes, you can store your passwords in the macros, but due to security settings on the mac, they will not work in the OSX password input box. They will however work fine in the terminal window.
Ergonomics
Personally, I am a big fan of the block layout used on the KeyMouse. In the block layout, all keys are lined up in straight lines. Typing is fast and effortless. Next to that, the hand rest is superbly sculptured and offers a comfortable, natural grip and easy access to the scroll wheels and mouse buttons. Finally, the ability to place the two KeyMice at shoulder width is a bomber feature. This position eliminates the shoulder tension associated with normal keyboard work, allows you to place your drink right in front of you and offers an unobstructed view of your screens. In my opinion, the ergonomics of the KeyMouse are one of its strongest points.
Switches
Mechanical key switches by Cherry are amazing on any device and this is no different on the KeyMouse. I went with the silent red switches and could not be happier. Quiet, satisfying, light, reliable and sexy.
The bad
Sizing
If in doubt between a version for bigger hands and one for smaller hands, I would advise to go with the version for smaller hands. In my opinion it will be a bit easier to reach the farther keys such as Y and O.
Glide
As it is natural to keep your hand resting on the KeyMouse, this will impact the glide characteristics. There is certainly more friction involved than in the case of a regular mouse. One remedy is to simply take the weight off the mouse and hold it lightly between your thumb and pinkie when you need to start moving the mouse cursor around. It takes some getting used to, but it is certainly a workable solution. I definitely do recommend to use the KeyMouse on the gaming mat.
Learning how to type
Yes, the keymouse does take some effort to get used to it's key layout. Thankfully, the basic layout is very well thought out and does resemble the keyboard layout a lot. I was able to type basic text – although still with a lot of misfires - within the first two hours of usage. After one day I was comfortable enough to put away my normal keyboard. Right now I am using the keymouse for one week and I am typing this review without much effort at all. So in truth, it is a bit unfair to list this point under the heading ‘bad’, but hey, I am just trying to do justice to tradition here, right?
And the ugly
So, what about the ugly I hear you ask? Well, he must have gotten drunk, as he never showed up. The finish on the device is top notch and all functions work like a charm. All in all, I can recommend the KeyMouse as one of the best – if not the best – computer input device on the market today.
Thanks Marek! 
One comment I will add: within the last few days we adjusted our hand sizing chart a little, which will lean users toward buying smaller versions of the device to ensure they can reach the keys.
One comment I will add: within the last few days we adjusted our hand sizing chart a little, which will lean users toward buying smaller versions of the device to ensure they can reach the keys.
Good to hear. It will help users with correct sizing. As for me: I am quite used to the size I have ordered by now. Somehow the problem of reaching the farther keys dissolved as the muscle memory kicked in. I hardly misfire anymore, but I still need a bit of time to get used to inputting the less used characters such as braces, exclamation marks, scores and such. I think in most cases 2 to 3 weeks is all it takes to reprogram the brain to use the KeyMouse effortlessly in its full capacity.
Can I see the hand sizing charts? I'd like to see where I am to decide whether or not it will fit my hands
Thanks!
Thanks!
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