Ultimate Hacking Keyboard V2
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard Version 2, is announced around 2020-12-18. It is a improvement of the version 1 Ultimate Hacking Keyboard.
- The keyboard weights 700g.
Split Keyboard
The keyboard can be split. The two parts are connected by magnets.
Xah Talk Show 2023-04-18 UHK Ultimate Hacking Keyboard V2 Review
Unboxing
USB Connection
The keyboard has a USB-C port.
Comes with a braided cable that are USB-C on both ends, and comes with a converter for USB-C to USB-A.
Key Switches and Hot-swappable Sockets
Great varieties of mechanical key switchs are available and has Hot-Swappable Key-Switch Socket .
Available key switch choices from UHK:
| Switch name | Feel | Actuation force |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Brown 🟫 | Tactile | 50 gf |
| Regular Blue 🟦 | Clicky | 50 gf |
| Regular Red 🟥 | Linear | 45 gf |
| Box Brown 🟫 | Tactile | 50 gf |
| Box White ⬜ | Clicky | 45 gf |
| Box Red 🟥 | Linear | 50 gf |
| Silent Brown 🟫 | Tactile | 45 gf |
| Silent PINK | Linear | 35 gf |
I recommend the Kailh BOX Switch . They are more smooth than the Cherry MX Switches.
Further, if you are used to the gamer's super light Cherry MX Red linear switches, i recommend the Silent Pink switch. It is the Kailh BOX Silent Pink Switch. It is super smooth, and super quiet. Quieter than Cherry MX Red Silent. [see Keyboard Key Switch Loudness Comparison]
The switch on my UHK v2 is Silent Pink.
Keycap and Key Labels
The keycap used is PBT plastic, one of the best, with double-shot labeling tech, so key labels never wear-off.
Backlight
The keyboard has backlight, and the color of the light depends on the function of the key. (functional coloring)
- White → means normal keys such as letters and numbers.
- Cyan → means system modifier keys such as Shift Ctrl Alt ❖ Window ⌘ command
- Orange → means UHK modifier keys such as mod Fn mouse.
And when a modifier key is pressed, other active keys are colored red (for keymap change) or blue (for key macros). If you have remapped keys, the light color changes accordingly.
This functional light coloring system is a superb design, and is also a innovation by UHK.
Turn Off Backlight, Adjust Brightness
The lights are always on. You can adjust their brightness or turn them off in the firmware.
Feet
It comes with 4 detachable and raisable feet. You can leave them off, for a flat keyboard. or you can attach them in several ways. E.g. in the back for traditional tilt, or in front for more ergonomic negative tilt, or you can attach them near the middle for tenting.
The design of the feet is very nice, just snap in and twist to lock.
Addon Modules Review
An innovative design of UHK is the addon modules. These can be attached simply by sliding them in. They are held by magnets.
These are sold separately.
Thumb Key Cluster Module
The Thumb Key Cluster adds 3 extra keys for the left hand, and each key can be programed. It also comes with a tiny trackball that functions as multi-directional scroll ball. the ball can also be pressed down, it functions as middle-click. And also two tiny buttons that functions as left-click and right-click.
- The thumb cluster weights 45g.
In general, the thumb modules are nice to have. But for long work hours, they are not replacement of dedicated mouse. But if you want a pointing device for casual use, or have Repetitive Strain Injury and already have a mouse but want variation, they are nice.
Trackball module
- The trackball module weights 30g.
Best. Most precise and fast. Among the right-hand addon modules, this is my favorite.
- hold down mod, then the trackball does scroll.
- hold down fn, then the trackball does arrow keys.
Trackpoint module
Trackpoint require fine finger control. Difficult to get to a precise point fast. Sometimes overshoot.
- The Trackpoint module weights 25g.
- hold down mod, then the trackpoint does scroll.
- hold down fn, then the trackpoint does arrow keys.
Trackpad module
Very fast, but sensitive. Difficult to pinpoint on a pixel. There is no buttons on it.
- Tab it for left-click.
- Two-fingers tab means right-click.
- Two-fingers slide up/down is scroll. However, often when you want to scroll, it zooms. This is very annoying.
- Two-fingers widen means zoom-in, pinching is zoom-out.
- Double-tap to start drag.
- hold down mod, then the trackpad does scroll.
- hold down fn, then the trackpad does arrow keys.
- The Trackpoint module weights 23g.
UHK V1 with Modules
the add-on modules also works with UHK v1.
Palm Rest
The Palm rest is made of solid natural beech wood, with lacquered surface. Two palm rests together weights 500g. Palm rest is sold separately.
To attach palm rest, just twist the screw in. No need screw-driver.
Display
The big letters indicate current keymap. The letters can be programed to display any alphanumerics.
By default:
- Fn+1 → QWR, qwerty for PC
- Fn+2 → DVO, dvorak for PC
- Fn+3 → COL, colemak for PC
- Fn+4 → QWM, qwerty for Mac
- Fn+5 → DVM, dvorak for Mac
- Fn+6 → COM, colemak for Mac
Programable Keys
- 32k onboard memory.
- Hardware support for QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemak layouts out of the box.
- Supports Mac or PC configuration (the difference is the position of ⌘ command/❖ Window and ⌥ option/Alt keys, and default key macros for navigating browser.).
- Advanced programability of the keys. Unlimited profiles. Macros. Special function keys. Dual role keys. For example, a key can temporarily act as Control when held down.
- Configuration for entire keyboard can be imported/exported as file, share with friends.
Builtin Layouts
Out of the box, press the following keys to switch to a keymap
- Fn+1 → QWR, qwerty for PC
- Fn+2 → DVO, dvorak for PC
- Fn+3 → COL, colemak for PC
- Fn+4 → QWM, qwerty for Mac
- Fn+5 → DVM, dvorak for Mac
- Fn+6 → COM, colemak for Mac
For each keymap, there are 4 layers: base, mod, mouse, fn.
Layout for emacs xah-fly-keys
Conclusion
UHK V2 is on the expensive side, but everything about it is the best design and quality possible.
Good parts:
- Most solidly built. Every part is top notch. Industrial design.
- The addon module of trackball and extra thumb keys are very nice to have.
- Most extensively programable. Every key can be programed. The key can be duel-purpose modifier. Infinite number of keymaps (in gaming community, known as profiles). Including a mouse via keyboard feature.
- The software to program the keyboard is most easy to use. No need to read manual.
- Compact. Best portable keyboard. Just drop in your backpack, no problem.
Bad parts:
- Expensive.
- No dedicated physical arrow keys. (i remap the right-hand-side modifier keys to be arrows.)
Personal preference issues:
- Staggered layout. (good because it's traditional, no learning curve. Bad if you are into ergonomic keyboard's ortholinear layout)
- 60 keys form factor. (no dedicated physical function keys)
Difference Between UHK Version 1 and Version 2
New features in Version 2:
- addon module for trackball etc now available.
- Hot-swap key-switch sockets.
- New switch choices, including Kailh boxed and Kailh silent.
- Double shot PBT keycaps.
- Backlight. And function oriented RGB per key backlighting.
- USB-C connector with adapter to USB-A.
- Braided cables.
- Hot-swappable feet.
- Palm rest now more easy to remove.
Where to Buy
If you get this, tip me $5. Goto https://www.paypal.com/ and pay xah@xahlee.org