Closer Examination

As we saw before, the Vortex POK3R V2 comes in a molded plastic cover to keep it pristine out of the box. Removing it, we get our first good look at the keyboard, and it is smaller than most keyboards owing to the adoption of the 60% form factor. Immediately, we see far fewer dedicated keys relative to a full-size 104-key US ANSI keyboard, which means there is effectively only the alphanumeric section with the Esc key instead of the ~ (tilde) key. In theory and with practice, this streamlined approach allows for a typing experience meant to retain only those keys that are used often, with layered functions for the others. The keyboard adopts a bezel-less design as with other recent Vortex offerings, with floating keycaps because of the single case piece on the bottom, which in turn is CNC-machined aluminium. This makes for a relatively light keyboard that is easy to travel with also due to the detachable cable. There is no visible company branding on the keyboard in use, which is another way Vortex lets the keyboard speak for itself.

The keyboard is, as with recent other Vortex keyboards, a multi-tone color, with Alpha keys (+ space bar) getting white keycaps with black legend and the modifiers adopting a dark gray base with orange legends. This makes for a very distinctive look akin to a custom keycap set pre-configured for the POK3R V2 out of the box. The location of these legends hints at the use of central-mounted LEDs, which I already know is the case with the switches Vortex has chosen here. The font typeface is very clean, and Vortex uses a loop-less doubleshot injection technology that allows for a cleaner look combined with backlighting support and good build quality.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see a metal badge instead of a sticker for the certification and serial number. There are also six small hemispherical rubber pads along the sides to help raise the keyboard, add friction against the resting surface, and prevent scratches to the aluminium case. These do not offer any tilt/tent functionality, so the keyboard keeps the flat profile it has by default.


There is a USB Type-C port on the left side of the back, which pairs well with the provided detachable USB cable. The cable is black and shorter than average at 5', which, as mentioned, will help those looking to take the keyboard around. It attaches to an available USB Type A port on your PC. USB 2.0 will suffice for power and data even with all the RGB lighting onboard, although there really is no lack of USB 3.1 Gen 1 these days.


Vortex is using their new VSA flat low profile keycaps, which are meant to go with Cherry MX stem switches. It is similar to the DSA profile, but not completely identical, allowing them to go with this for their keyboards while retaining manufacturing control. The keycaps are excellent in build quality, using thick PBT plastic throughout (average wall thickness of 1.32 mm) and doubleshot injected legends for durability and longevity. However, the base layer is thick and the legends darker than the base layer, to where there is minimal backlighting support through the keycaps. Any light from underneath the keycaps only passes out the sides, so the POK3R V2 having a low profile case with floating keycaps is probably a good thing. There is one glaring negative here, however, in that actual quality control is not the best. Some of the legends are thinner than others, and a few other keycaps are lower relative to those along either side. It may well be a result of the new mold, and doubleshot injection is not easy to do loop-less, but it does put a blemish on otherwise good keycaps overall.


There is only one switch option with Vortex using the Cherry MX Low Profile Red RGB switches. This is an RGB keyboard with LEDs for each key, and the translucent switch body diffuses light passing through and upward. Cherry-style stabilizers with wires are used on the larger keycaps, which helps with their removal for cleaning or even swapping for included replacement keycaps. The thick PBT does mitigate that mushy feeling associated with these stabilizers somewhat, resulting in a heavier feel that is great to type on generally.