Vortexgear Poker 3 Keyboard

Vortexgear Poker 3 keyboard came out in 2014-10. (Vortexgear was known as KBC (KeyBoard to Cheer you up))

This keyboard, like the Happy Hacking Keyboard , has strong hacker connection for some reason. I suppose it's the quality of build.

This keyboard features a innovation, of programble keys, in such a way that you just press keys on the keyboard to start programing key macros, without needing to install software. The keyboard has 4 layers, 3 of which can be programed.

Major features:

• Compact, 61 keys.
• Your choice of Cherry MX Switches. 〔see Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms〕
• Different choices of keycaps (ABS, PBT). 〔see Keycap Material: ABS, PBT, PVC, POM〕
• Individual LED coding (Backlit version only)
• Hardware based programming key macros.
• 3 layers customization
• Metal bezel
• Builtin choice of layout: {Qwerty, Dvorak, Colemak}. By dip-switches at back.

Programming Instruction:

• The POKER 3 built in 4-layers. The default layer can not be programmed. Only layer 2 to layer 4 can be. FN + R_ctrl, M, <, > and ? keys are fixed can not be programmed.
• Step 1. Choose the layer (FN+<,> or ? key) which you want to programming.
• Step 2. Press FN + Right CTRL to enter the programming mode (Spacebar right LED steadily lit)
• Step 3. Press the key you want to program (Spacebar right LED flashing)
• Step 4. Key in the programming content and then press PN (Spacebar right LED steadily lit again)
• Step 5. Repeat step 2 and step 3 to program other keys.
• Step 6. Press FN + Right CTRL to exit programming mode ( Spacebar right LED off)

• Support FN layer programming, you can select the FN combination key (e.g., FN + A) to program it
• Under SELECT state (step 1), you can press PN + any key to view its content in a word processing Software (e.g., Notepad)
• Support time delay, press 15ms key (FN + T) each time to delay 15ms, press 0.1s key (FN + G) each time to delay 0.1s, press 0.5s key(FN + B) each time to delay 0.5s. Consecutive delay will add up but will only be counted as 1 key stroke.
• Every key can program up to 32 key strokes.
• If there is no key pressed for 15 sec in programming mode, it will exit to normal mode.

Dvorak, Colemak, Qwerty, Layouts

Look at the arrow keys. You need to hold the Fn to press them. And Fn is positioned on the right side. So, it is awkward. Good thing is that you can set CapsLock to Fn.

In the back are 4 dip switches.

〔see Ergonomic Keyboard Layouts〕

Conclusion

In the end, i think this is a great keyboard for programers. In contrast to other gaming keyboards, this one, got dynamic key macros feature without needing extra software.

However, the keyboard does not have physical arrow keys. You can't play pacman with it.

See also:

• Vortexgear Race 3 Keyboard

• Mistel Barocco Split

Keyboards without Numeric Keypad