ValueRays Warm Keyboard Pad – Warmth and Comfort in One Package

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ValueRays Warm Keyboard Pad – Warmth and Comfort in One Package

Submitted by Connie on June 20, 2009 – 4:06 pm104 Comments

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I’ve been typing on computer keyboards, full-time, since 1979. Yes, that’s a lot of years! In all that time I’ve been fortunate not to have contracted Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, but what I do have is Repetitive Motion Syndrome. Especially in my right hand. I also broke my little finger on my right hand in three places a about 10 years ago and like many broken bones, it hurts when the room is cold and gets stiff as well.

For years I’ve tried to figure out ways to alleviate some of the pain brought on by the RMS and the bone problem. Cold is the thing that brings on pain the most so I’ve tried fingerless gloves (looked stupid and didn’t warm me in any way), sitting one my hands (yes, it looks as ridiculous as it sounds, especially in an office environment), running to the ladies room to warm my hands up under hot water (so temporary it barely lasted until I was back at my seat), microwavable pads (super hot at first, cooled quickly, and required a run back to the microwave to rewarm 5 or more times in an 8 hr shift), and finally I purchased a 4″x4″ electric heater that I kept on my desk which blasted warm air across my keyboard.

My computer, an HP Pavillion 9700T - my own little torture device. Why can

The heater took care of some problems but created others. I had to be extremely careful about turning it on and off whenever I left my desk for fear of overheating. Secondly, I had to take care in not letting anything flammable get near it – hard to do when you have a desk full of paper. And worst, the noise it created annoyed others and made using the phone difficult.

I now work from home so I have more control over the ambient room temperature, but I still suffer from pain, even when the room is 69 degrees. Higher than that and I’m uncomfortable, but my hands are still cold. In addition, I work almost solely on a notebook computer now and that has caused some additional pain issues that I’ve been trying to correct. The design of notebook computers are fine for light use, but using one every day, eight or more hours a day, brings out their flaws. Specifically, the hard edge of the computer which digs into my arm, about 4″ above my wrists – so much so that I’ve worn away the top coating of my computer in the two areas my arms rest. That area is now super-sensitive and feels bruised at all times.

I’ve tried many different types of wrist rests to solve the problem. Stand-alone ones as well as one built-into laptop desks. None have worked well, couldn’t be placed in the proper location, or wouldn’t stay put once there.

I’d about given up and resolved that I’d be continuing the massive amounts of Ibuprofen I’ve been taking for the pain and continuing to use rolled towels as a pseudo wrist rest until I found the Valuerays Warm Keyboard Pad! It takes care of about 80% of my issues – if I used a traditional desktop computer it’d be 100% relief!

Close-up of the fabric and zipper of the heated pad.

The ValueRays Warm Keyboard Pad is an inexpensive fix for only $24.95 (currently on sale for $19.95. Even without the heat it’s a comfortable wrist rest and I’ve paid the same price for a gel rest that didn’t work as well. This one is fabric covered with a slight texture to it. The texture irritated my wrists a bit at first, but again, they’re hyper-sensitive right now. I’m hoping that the texture becomes less noticeable in time. Additionally, the zipper, which allows you to remove the cover for cleaning and access to the warming pad so you can position it perfectly for you, was irritating as well. I simply flipped the pad vertically so the zipper was towards my body – only the logo is upside down now to let you know it’s not being used “correctly”. The zipper is only a problem because I’m using it with a notebook and have it covering the edge of the notebook. Using it as it’s pictured, it’d be flush to the computer and you’d never feel it. If I worked at a desk it wouldn’t be an issue, but I work on the couch :)

IGMproducts’ USB heated keyboard wrist pad, heated warm mouse and heated warm mouse pad are made using a carbon fiber. Carbon fibers generate infrared heat. Infrared heat is a healing heat. It’s the same type of heat generated by the infrared rays of the sun without the harmful UV rays. The warmth of Infrared heat provides a deep penetrating heat that is relaxing and removes tension and stress due to muscle strain, poor circulation and other conditions which cause hands to hurt and become cold. Infrared heat is also detoxifying. To read more about the healing effects of infrared heat, click here.

It’s summer and I have the pad plugged in and the heat on. I’ve pulled the heating pad all the way to the right because for me it’s the side with issues. If both hands need equal warming you can place it in the middle. It offers some radiant heat, but it’s mostly directional. When my fingers need a warm up, I curl them into my palm and place them on the pad….mmmmmmmmmmm…..now if they’d only make a warming blanket that covered my fingers while I typed…that would be perfect!

The pad works beautifully with other IGM warming products - Photo Credit: IGM Products

The company claims that the heat helps increase circulation and relieves tension; helps relieve pain from arthritis; and relieves cold from poor circulation. Did it work for me? Yes! The pad took away the hard edge of the computer . Double the height would be perfect for my computer as I have a notebook cooler underneath so I’m thinking of putting a cheap foam pad beneath the pad to raise it up. The heat is pleasing, not too hot, and it warms up quickly. It plugs into my USB port so there are no batteries to replace and no running back and forth to the microwave to warm it up.

Features and Specifications:

Carbon fiber heating element
Warms the hands, wrists and arms with a comfortable 99-104 degrees Fahrenheit temperature
Uses a low voltage (5V) and is safe for people and the computer
On/Off Switch conveniently located on the USB cord
Turn Heated Keyboard Wrist Pad off when not in use
Requires no drivers or software
Easy plug & play installation
Approximately 17.5″ long x 3″ wide x 1″ high
90-day warranty

The company has lots of options for desktop users. Warm mice, keyboard blankets, heated mouse pads, and more. If I ever go back to a desktop model I’ll be investing in several, but for a notebook user, the Warm Keyboard Pad is perfect!

IGM Products ships to US residents free and my readers save 5% by using coupon code BIZCARD at checkout.

Enter to Win this Keyboard Hand Warmer - Photo Credit: IGM Products

ENTER TO WIN! WINNER CHOSEN

Want to win your own ValueRays Warm Keyboard Pad? The great people at IGM Products is giving away one to one of my lucky readers! Just enter to win – extra entries are available. Regular contest rules apply. Sorry, US only. Contest end June 28, 2009, 8pm PT.

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