Introduction**
Vortexgear, or Vortex as more popularly referred to in the enthusiast keyboard community, has always been known for their innovative and unique form factor keyboards. From the 40% CORE, 75% Race 3, to the long 78% ViBE, they have never failed to impress those who crave something different from the norm of full-size or TKL keyboards. Their latest creation is the POK3R V2, a take on their existing POK3R (or Poker 3), which itself had already received an RGB variant update in between. The new POK3R V2 features Cherry MX Low Profile Red switches and a complementing case and keycap design, aiming to provide a small form factor in all three dimensions while keeping the high degree of onboard configuration support with the popular 60% form factor.

Design and Build
The POK3R V2 has an aluminum low-profile case, which provides a solid foundation for the keyboard. The PBT plastic keycaps are sturdy and have a nice texture to them. The keyboard weighs in at 0.42 kg or 0.93 lbs, making it relatively lightweight compared to other mechanical keyboards.

Layout
The POK3R V2 has a modified US ANSI layout, which may take some getting used to for those accustomed to standard QWERTY layouts. However, the Colemak DIP switch support is a major plus, allowing users to easily switch between layouts without having to reconfigure their keyboard settings.

Key Features

• 4 programmable layers
• Native Colemak support
• Cherry MX Low Profile Red switches for tactile feedback and quiet operation
• PBT plastic keycaps for durability and resistance to wear and tear
• Aluminum low-profile case for a sturdy and compact design
• Onboard RGB lighting with 16.8 million color options per-key

Performance
The Vortex POK3R V2 has been great to use so far, and its reliability is impressive. It worked without issue with OS X, and I've had no problems using it for developing and writing.

Programmable Layers
One of the standout features of the POK3R V2 is its four programmable layers. With these layers, you can assign custom key bindings to specific keys, making it easy to create complex workflows or macros. This feature has been a game-changer for me, as I've found myself using it extensively for developing and writing.

Price
The POK3R V2 is priced at around $120, which is extremely good value considering the quality of the materials used. The inclusion of PBT keycaps, aluminum case, and onboard RGB lighting make this keyboard a steal.

The Vortex POK3R V2 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a compact and feature-rich mechanical keyboard. Its unique design, programmable layers, and Colemak support make it a standout in the market. While there may be some minor drawbacks, such as the paint inconsistency on the aluminum case and the weight of the keyboard, these are easily outweighed by its many strengths.

Pros

• PBT keycaps
• 4 programmable layers
• Native Colemak support
• Cherry MX Low Profile Red switches for tactile feedback and quiet operation
• Aluminum low-profile case for a sturdy and compact design
• Onboard RGB lighting with 16.8 million color options per-key
• Price

Cons

• Paint inconsistency on aluminum case
• Weight of the keyboard

Tags

• Poker 3
• Pok3r
• Vortex
• Mechanical keyboard
• Keyboard
• Review