Vortex have been adding a heap of new layouts
and form factors to their range, which has
been really great to show the wider audience
what else there is, and that there’s more
than just full sized and tenkeyless keyboards.
Opening up the box we have a USB type C cable,
and then the keyboard.
And that’s all.
So real barebones here.
And here’s the keyboard itself, and it has
that classic Vortex look that the old Poker
boards had.
With a high profile design, so the keyswitches
are hidden.
Rounded corners, and just a real simple angled
profile, to give that slight inclination.
Unlike many of their new keyboards, this has
a plastic enclosure rather than aluminium,
so again, much like the old Pokers.
But the plastic feels solid, and has a slightly
textured finish.
The weird looking thing here is this what
looks to be like a two layered case, as there
is that separation line.
It does make the bezel a bit thicker and more
substantial, and also more solid looking.
But we’ll see how it actually is when I
open it.
The keycaps are the classic Vortex type, with
this semi aggressive typeface or font.
Not the best, but far from the worst, being
clean enough.
These are made from 1.2-1.3mm thick PBT plastic,
and unfortunately the legends are that laser
etched type.
So the legends will kind of get darker overtime,
not being the most durable.
And I just think they really should have moved
on from these keycaps by now, to dye sub or
doubleshot.
On the rear we have a USB type C port, which
many new keyboards are making a move to in
recent times.
And on the bottom we have 4 flat rubber feet
for non-slip, and there are no flip up feet,
so we’re stuck at this angle which is comfortable
anyway.
In the hands it feels quite solid, with minimal
flex.
And comes in at about 650g, so yeh, just a
touch heavier than a typical plastic case
60%.
Vortex has done quite a few new layouts recently,
with the 40% Core, the 75% Race 3, and the
Vibe.
But this is their first 65% keyboard.
So it’s basically a 60%, but with an extra
row on the right.
And that allows us to fit some nav keys, although
a weird exclusion in my opinion is the delete
key.
But everyone is different I guess.
More importantly though, we have the dedicated
directional arrow keys.
And that itself is a big feature that people
miss when they use a 60% keyboard.
So it’s not hard to see why 65% keyboards
are so popular in the community.
And for me personally, 65% is my ideal form
factor, as it gives me most of the primary
functionality I need, in a smaller package.
And because Vortex boards usually have both
the FN and PN keys, there is no right control
key on here.
The Cypher is available with either a singular
spacebar, or a split spacebar like what we
have here.
So on the left, we have a 3 unit spacebar,
and the right one is a 3.25u spacebar.
Where 1 unit is equal to one of the alpha
keys.
So replacing the spacebar keycaps can be an
issue.
So why would you want a split spacebar over
just a singular one?
It’s basically just about giving you an
extra key, in such a prime and accessible
position on the keyboard.
A singular spacebar, which usually takes a
heap of room, isn’t the most efficient use
of space, so why not have another key there.
So I exclusively use my left thumb for the
spacebar, so that stays the same.
But for the right spacebar I can put whatever
I want.
Such as backspace, delete, or whatever other
key or function I can think of.
And that brings us to the programmability
of the keyboard.
Firstly, to make sure it’s up to date, download
and run the latest firmware from the Vortex
website.
So yeh, there’s the usual onboard way of
programming Vortex keyboards which I’ve
been through a bunch of times.
There’s no manual in the box, so you have
to visit the Vortex website.
But for programming, it reverts you back to
the Poker 3 manual anyway.
So there’s the default layer, and then 3
extra layers, which are shown with the left
spacebar LED.
So we choose our layer, I will choose layer
1, making it light up a steady red.
Then press FN + left control to enter the
programming mode, which will make the caps
lock light up green.
Then press the key you want to program, I’ll
press Q, and the green light will start flashing.
Then go ahead and record whatever you want.
This could be a sequence of keys, or just
a singular key.
And when you’re done, press the PN key,
which will make it a steady green again.
If you want to program more keys, repeat the
previous steps.
But if you’re done, you can exit the programming
mode by pressing FN + control again.
So pretty simple, but there’s a few more
quirks that you’ll see in the manual.
But then there’s the web based editor which
is something that’s been a long time coming,
and for the Cypher, it’s still coming.
The board is listed here, but we can’t actually
flash it, as the firmware is only available
for the Core at the moment.
But honestly, the onboard programming should
cover most things.
The Cypher is available in a solid variety
of Cherry MX keyswitches, which is awesome
to see.
I have Cherry MX Blacks in mine, so a heavier
linear keyswitch with no bump or click.
Vortex have their own Cherry style stabilisers,
and I’ve heard good things about these,
but honestly they’re not the best on mine,
even though there is some lube in there.
While they’re not bad, there is still a
bit of rattle as you could hear.
I still don’t think they’re up with Varmilo
and Leopold, from my experience.
To take the keyboard apart, there’s a couple
of Phillips head screws under the keycaps.
And a few that are slightly under that inner
bezel, which help unclip it from the actual
case.
Then you just have to unclip the rest of it,
and it turns out it’s just this thin plastic
piece that goes around the keys.
So I’m not so sure what the point of it
is, but I like the look of it anyway.
And then the keyboard just comes out of the
case.
We have a 1.5mm steel plate, which gives the
keyboard a good bit of heft and rigidity.
The PCB is clean and looks nice.
And like many of their new keyboards, this
actually has room for RGB SMD LEDs.
So probably sometime in the future there will
be an RGB version, just like with what they
did with the Vortex Core.
But you’d also need transparent keyswitches
to let that light through.
Overall, it really is a classic Vortex mechanical
keyboard, but in this sweet 65% layout, which
acts as a great alternative to their popular
Poker 60% boards.
Again, this is available with the split spacebar,
or the singular.
Honestly, I would just go for the split, because
why not.
You get that extra key, and flexibility, which
can make the keyboard more efficient.
But if you want to replace your keycaps or
something, then I guess you’d go for the
singular, but then there’s already a bunch
of normal 65% boards available anyway.
This is quite a plain keyboard, but it does
it’s supposed to do.
They did revert to a more no frills board
with this one, and the lower price reflects
that.
But nonetheless, this is a great addition
to their ever growing lineup, adding variety
in both layout and price.
