TKO BAREBONES KEYBOARD KIT

KBTKO-WKIT SUPPORT RESOURCES

FAQs

Where is the SmartSet Key?

The SmartSet Key is in the bottom row on the right side second from the right. It doesn’t do anything by itself, but it is used in conjunction with Right Shift and other keys (some legended and some not legended) for onboard programming. When using the SmartSet Key, hold it down first, then hold Right Shift, and then tap the desired shortcut key.

This key is the only one on the board that is not reprogrammable so install a special keycap for easy reference.

What keycaps should I get and where?

The TKO uses a standard 60% layout so any 3rd party MX-style keycap set will work. Look for sets that use a 6.25u space bar and 1.25u bottom row keys. If you want the keys to illuminate, look for “shine-through” style.

HyperSpace keys are 2.25u, 1.75u, and 2.25u respectively so you can look for a kit that includes extra keycaps in those sizes, or buy them separately.

Preferred Keycap Partners

WASD Keyboards

Max Keyboard

Pimp My Keyboard

How do I access the SmartSet App?

Download either the Windows or Mac version of the App using the link on this page, and save it to any folder on your PC. Connect the v-drive to your PC with the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Shift + V, and then launch App. When you are done using the App, Eject the keyboard by right-clicking the “TKO” drive on your PC, and then disconnect the v-Drive with the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Shift + V. If you want to load your changes to the keyboard without closing the v-Drive, use the Refresh shortcut: SmartSet + Right Shift + B.

How do I speed up my macros?

You can speed up your macros in one of two ways:

Global Speed Setting: All macros recorded on-the-fly will playback at the global speed. The global speed is set to 5 but can be adjusted easily using onboard programming or the SmartSet App.  Use the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Shift + Right Ctrl + M, and then select 1-9 for the speed, or 0 to disable macros.

Individual Speed Setting: Using the SmartSet App, you can set a custom playback speed from 1-9 for each macro. The individual speed will always override the global speed.

Where is the numeric keypad?

The TKO was specifically designed as an ultra-compact 60% keyboard for enhanced portability and to bring your mouse in closer to your body. If you require a numeric 10-key, you can program one into the embedded layer using the SmartSet App.

 

What's the best configuration for typing or gaming?

Typing: Kinesis recommends the keyboard as its configured out of the box, but you can experiment with the “Small Legs” to try positive and negative tilting feature to find the angle that feels best. *Positive tilting is not recommended due to the potential for wrist strain.

Gaming: Kinesis recommends tenting the keyboard using the “Big Legs” during one-handed gameplay to reduce forearm strain and increase comfort and stamina. If your left hand is on the keyboard, deploy the Big Legs on the right side of the keyboard. If your right hand is on the keyboard, deploy the Big Legs on the left side of the keyboard. *Tenting is not designed for conventional typing.

Watch the Tutorial video below for additional information

Ergonomics

How do I access all the "missing" keys?

Press and hold the Fn key (Bottom row, on the right) to access the “embedded” key actions in the Fn Layer like the Multimedia keys, Arrows etc.

The Fn key can be assigned to any key on the keyboard (including any of the HyperSpace keys) using the SmartSet App for convenient access to all your secondary key actions. You can choose either the default “Fn Shift” action which is press-and-hold, or the momentary “Fn Toggle” action depending on your preferences.

Can I disable onboard programming shortcuts?

Yes, use the Program Lock command (SmartSet + Shift + L) to temporarily disable onboard programming other than Profile toggling. Use the same shortcut to re-enable onboard programming.

How do I access the multimedia controls?

Hold the Fn key to access the embedded function layer and then press WER/SDF. Release the Fn key to return to the top layer. If the media keys don’t work, its likely because the v-Drive is connected.

Does the TKO work with non-US keyboard drivers?

Basic keyboard usage and onboard programming should work with non-US keyboard drivers, but the SmartSet App requires that you are using the standard US keyboard driver.

How do I customize the keyboard lighting?

The TKO has nine Profiles. Each Profile has been assigned a default lighting Effect which can be customized using the SmartSet App. Use the Profile Shortcut (SmartSet + Right Shift + 1-9)  or the SmartSet App to load one of the Profiles.

Which legs should I be using?

For lateral tenting during gaming, engage either the Left or Right set of big legs.

For front-back tilting during gaming or typing, engage either the Front or Back set of small legs.

Watch the Tenting & Tilting Tutorial Video below for more information.

Troubleshooting

If an individual switch is not working

Depress the two tabs on the front and back of the switch (ideally using a key switch removal tool) and remove the switch. Check for bent leads, straighten the leads, and re-install the switch. If that still doesn’t work, try using another switch. If you need additional help use the link at the bottom of the page to submit a Trouble Ticket.

If you are having a problem with general keyboard functionality

Step 1: Reference the FAQs above and the Troubleshooting Tips at right.

Step 2: Open any text editing program and use the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Shift + Z to “print” a Status Report of the active keyboard settings to the screen. The Status Report will tell you the active Profile and the number of remaps, and macros in that Profile. If Status Report indicates any inadvertent reprogramming, simply perform a Soft Reset (SmartSet + Right Shift + /) to erase all remaps and macros in the active Profile

Step 3: Perform a Firmware Update using the instructions below.

Step 4: If you still need help, use the link at the bottom of the page to submit a Trouble Ticket.

Programming Shortcuts won't work

You may have accidentally enabled Program Lock. To re-enable programming you must use the unlock shortcut: SmartSet + Right Shift + X.

SmartSet App won’t launch

The SmartSet App 3.0 is radically different from typical gaming keyboard software. The App does not use any special drivers to communicate with the keyboard, instead you use the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Shift + V to connect the keyboard’s v-Drive to the App when you are ready to program. When you are done programming disconnect the v-Drive to regain full access to keyboard features.

Keyboard not updating after using the SmartSet App

To preview your changes first save them in the SmartSet App, and then use the Refresh Shortcut (SmartSet + Right Shift + B) to load them to the keyboard. If you are done customizing, simply disconnect the v-Drive (SmartSet + Right Shift + V) to implement your changes.

Note: If you are still having problems, open a text editing application and run a Status Report (SmartSet + Right Shift + Z) to confirm the active Profile and keyboard settings.

On-the-fly macros and remaps are not working

Run a Status Report (SmartSet + Right Shift + Z) to confirm the number of macros and remaps saved to the active Profile.

Note: Macros and Remap programming only work when the v-Drive is disconnected.

Multimedia keys are not working

Multimedia actions only work when the v-Drive is closed

v-Drive Error

Like any flash memory drive, if you disconnect the keyboard’s v-Drive while the SmartSet App is still writing to one of the configuration files, the drive can become corrupted. Drive corruption is easily fixed by reformatting the drive. The keyboard has a Self-Format command which should fix most issues, but for best results the v-Drive should be reformatted in the FAT-16 file system so please submit a ticket via the link below for step-by-step instructions.

Self Format: SmartSet + Ctrl + Right Shift + F

Macro playback errors

Macro playback is highly dependent on the computer and game/application. In many cases the TKO is capable of playing back keystrokes faster than the computer can process them. To get your macros perfectly dialed in, use the SmartSet App to set a custom playback speed and/or insert timing delays (1-999ms) into the macro itself to achieve the desired result.

Windows key not working

If the Windows key has stopped working, you may have accidentally enabled Game Mode or Tourney Mode. Check the Status Report (SmartSet + Right Shift + Z) or simply toggle Game Mode off (SmartSet + Right Shift + ,).

Keyboard is outputting random characters

It’s possible that you accidentally recorded a macro or remapped a key. You can launch the SmartSet App to see your active Profile, or perform a Soft Reset with the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Shift + / to erase all remaps and macros in the active Profile.

Note: To prevent this from happening again, we recommend enabling the Program Lock feature with the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Shift + X.

Backlighting goes off when I hold the Fn Key

The TKO allows you to assign a unique lighting effect to each layer. If the Fn key is toggling your lighting effects, you need to launch the SmartSet App and assign a lighting effect to the Fn Layer of the Active Profile.

Keyboard won't enumerate

Sometimes corruption of the v-Drive can prevent the keyboard from enumerating after a re-plug. If there are problems with any of the Lighting or Layout configurtion files you can bypass those files and load the default settings using the “Rescue Reset”. Once you perform a Rescue Reset you can then try re-formatting the drive (See above) or performing a Hard Reset

Rescue Reset: Hold the SmartSet Key and the Right Space Bar while plugging the keyboard in to your PC

*Note: You will need to temporarily return the keyboard to the triple space bar configuration to perform a Rescue Reset.

SmartSet App 3.0

Overview

The all-new SmartSet App 3.0 offers a GUI alternative to onboard programming for your TKO and Freestyle Edge RGB. Use the App to configure macros and special key actions, customize lighting effects, modify global keyboard settings, and much more.

Downloads

Installation Instructions

Accessing the App

To access the SmartSet App, first connect the keyboard’s v-Drive (SmartSet + Right Shift + V) to your PC, then launch the App. Since the TKO is driverless, the keyboard does not update in real-time. To implement your new settings, first save your changes in the App, and use the App Refresh shortcut (SmartSet + Right Shift + B) or simply disconnect the v-Drive (SmartSet + Right Shift + V).

Linux

Access the Source Code on GitHub

Tutorial Videos

Tenting & Tilting

Onboard Programming Shortcuts

Configuring the HyperSpace Keys

Accessing the Fn Layer

Hotswapping Switches

SmartSet App

Firmware Updates - TKO

Installation Instructions

Updating the firmware on the TKO is a quick and easy process. The RGB Edge has separate firmware files for the keyboard and the lighting effects.

  1. Download the appropriate update file using the links at right. Confirm you are downloading the correct firmware by entering the 5 digit model number of your keyboard (label on underside: KB_ _ _) as the password.
  2. Connect the v-Drive to your PC (SmartSet + Right Shift + V).
  3. Copy the “.upd” file(s) to the “firmware” subfolder on the v-Drive labeled “TKO”.
  4. Rename the firmware files as follows:
    1. Keyboard Firmware: “UPDATE.upd”
    2. Lighting Firmware: “UPDATE_L.upd”
  5. Eject the v-Drive (via right-click) then disconnect it from your PC (SmartSet + Right Shift + V).
  6. Use the onboard shortcut to install each firmware file. Wait until the first installation is complete before beginning the second (15-20 seconds)
    1. Keyboard Firmware: SmartSet + Shift + U
    2. Lighting Firmware: SmartSet + Shift + R
  7. Run a Status Report to confirm update was successful (Open a text window and press SmartSet + Right Shift + Z)

Notes: The update process may take 15-20 seconds. Do not type on the keyboard during the update.

Warranty

The TKO is backed by a ONE YEAR limited warranty

Not finding your answer? Submit a Trouble Ticket

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