Vortex ViBE Aluminum Dye Sub PBT Mechanical Keyboard

This keyboard is beautiful. Unfortunately after two years of ownership I'm just fed up with it. The key caps that come with it are horrible. Any of the keys that require supports either stick to the point that they have to be lifted up, or wobble and fall off. I can typically mess with it enough to get it usable for awhile, but eventually it returns to it's original malfunctioning state. Its frustrating to buy a premium product only to have to replace one of the selling points (the key caps) to get it to work correctly.

I love this keyboard BUT the microUSB is horrible and I have had to have this keyboard repaired twice now because of how loose it becomes. Sorry Vort3x, but PLEASE make your next keyboard with USB-C or more firm construction around the port.

Cherry MX Clear switches, currently with Signature Plastics PBT-SA keycaps, no modifications or lubing as that's above my pay grade. ----- This keyboard has been my daily driver since around mid-November 2018, and in that time it has seen several different sets of keycaps in a variety of profiles. The default SA, DSA (Granite, specifically), PBT SA from PMK, as well as some generic OEM profile stuff from other manufacturers. While the caps on this board have been changing constantly, what hasn't changed is my love for the layout. Back when the consensus among the community was that smaller keyboards were en vogue, especially those in the 60% variety, I jumped in on the bandwagon and bought myself a POK3R, also with MX Clears. While that board does see some use alongside a smaller project, it just felt *too* small for everyday use. The lack of a numpad and traditional arrow keys was a big detriment, as I'm someone that does a fair bit of calculations as well as gaming, particularly in the shmup genre, where fine control in a familiar layout can be the difference between playing well and not being able to play at all. Though it admittedly odes take some getting used to, this layout is quite honestly anything and everything I could have possibly asked for in a keyboard. The different layers allow me to do things such as change the number row to function keys for easy access in programs and games where the F keys are more important, and the numpad tacked onto the end of a traditional 60% layout which doubles as a nav cluster is an ingenious design choice that Vortex should continue to manufacture and improve in years to come. Not that there's much improvement that needs to be made here-- the construction is excellent and has held up amazingly in the two and a half years I've used this board. Not a single switch or LED has died on me, and while I might not be able to detect some of the finer details (wonky stabilizers, things in need of lubing, etc) this board is quite honestly the last one that I think I'll ever need to purchase. .unless they come out with one that has USB C. Micro USB in 2018 was pretty normal, but in 2021 it's practically unacceptable. I loathe the day that I go and get a proper desktop and need to try and find a longer cable for this board, even though I know that it will still serve me well when I do. In short-- if the idea of a smaller form factor keyboard intrigues you but you don't think you can live without the creature comforts that comes with a full-size layout that you have probably been using for your entire life up until this point, then the Vibe is definitely something you should consider. Media keys, programmable layers, and a solid build with quality materials are all things Vortex continues to bring to the table. So long as you don't mind a healthy dose of RTFM ever now and then until you get used to where everything has moved to, odds are you'll enjoy this board.

Cherry MX Clear switches, currently with Signature Plastics PBT-SA keycaps, no modifications or lubing as that's above my pay grade. ----- This keyboard has been my daily driver since around mid-November 2018, and in that time it has seen several different sets of keycaps in a variety of profiles. The default SA, DSA (Granite, specifically), PBT SA from PMK, as well as some generic OEM profile stuff from other manufacturers. While the caps on this board have been changing constantly, what hasn't changed is my love for the layout. Back when the consensus among the community was that smaller keyboards were en vogue, especially those in the 60% variety, I jumped in on the bandwagon and bought myself a POK3R, also with MX Clears. While that board does see some use alongside a smaller project, it just felt *too* small for everyday use. The lack of a numpad and traditional arrow keys was a big detriment, as I'm someone that does a fair bit of calculations as well as gaming, particularly in the shmup genre, where fine control in a familiar layout can be the difference between playing well and not being able to play at all. Though it admittedly odes take some getting used to, this layout is quite honestly anything and everything I could have possibly asked for in a keyboard. The different layers allow me to do things such as change the number row to function keys for easy access in programs and games where the F keys are more important, and the numpad tacked onto the end of a traditional 60% layout which doubles as a nav cluster is an ingenious design choice that Vortex should continue to manufacture and improve in years to come. Not that there's much improvement that needs to be made here-- the construction is excellent and has held up amazingly in the two and a half years I've used this board. Not a single switch or LED has died on me, and while I might not be able to detect some of the finer details (wonky stabilizers, things in need of lubing, etc) this board is quite honestly the last one that I think I'll ever need to purchase. .unless they come out with one that has USB C. Micro USB in 2018 was pretty normal, but in 2021 it's practically unacceptable. I loathe the day that I go and get a proper desktop and need to try and find a longer cable for this board, even though I know that it will still serve me well when I do. In short-- if the idea of a smaller form factor keyboard intrigues you but you don't think you can live without the creature comforts that comes with a full-size layout that you have probably been using for your entire life up until this point, then the Vibe is definitely something you should consider. Media keys, programmable layers, and a solid build with quality materials are all things Vortex continues to bring to the table. So long as you don't mind a healthy dose of RTFM ever now and then until you get used to where everything has moved to, odds are you'll enjoy this board.

Just got this keyboard with silent black switches. I had to wait a while for the silent black, but I think it was well worth the wait. It's really everything I think I wanted. 10-key was important to me, and it's easy enough to switch the 10-key layer to nav arrows/Home/End/Delete. Caps Lock has an LED underneath but I wish the Numlock also had one, because that's the one I'd really like to know is activated (other reviews don't make it clear whether there is one?). The right shift key doesn't always activate when I want, but this might just require a little practice in the force needed to press. Looks like I need to update the firmware to get that 00 key working. There are a few things I'm still getting used to, but given how much real estate I'm saving on my desk, and the pleasure of typing on it, it's well worth the effort! The metal case is hefty, and the keys feel substantial in a way that I really enjoy. This is my first mechanical keyboard. I should have bought a key puller with my purchase to get into the fun of those colored key caps.