Top notch keyboard. Hits all the marks for build quality: anodized aluminium chassis, removable metal feet, switches mounted to a steel plate that isn't recessed which means easier cleaning, high quality dye sub PBT PSA keycaps, good stabilizers. The RGB LED quality is typical for computer components so you can't get the purest whites, but it is programmable and has good LED modes. Very nice compact layout too. This replaced my Drop CTRL keyboard and is far better.

The SP DSA profile of the keys offers very appreciable comfort. It is very consistent with the 75% format, giving a compact appearance. The use of PBT on the keys is a real plus when it comes to durability and comfort under the fingers.If this sounds familiar, it is because this is the exact same procedure as on the Vortex Core and their Poker line of keyboards. Thus, there are once again some limitations. For instance, you cannot re-program the keys that allow you to toggle between layers. You also cannot re-program right Control since it is used to activate and exit programming mode. Time delays between key strokes are supported, and that is where the Fn + descript comes in. Fn + T gives you 15 ms of delay each time pressed, Fn + G gives you a 0.1 s delay each time pressed, and Fn + B gives you a 0.5 s delay each time pressed. Each consecutive time delay will add up, and you can use combinations as you please, but they will only count as one key stroke per delay between key strokes and won't cut into your allocation of 32 key strokes past the first stroke. Screw in aluminum feet, complete with rubber bumpers, can be used to place the mechanical keyboard at an angle. They’re exactly what one would expect. Their design isn’t perfect, though. There isn’t a buffer between the metal surfaces, so rotation and vibration will result in finish wear. Two thin, pre-cut pieces of circular plastic should be included to prevent such damage. If Vortex doesn’t take that advice, it should be easy to craft your own. Keeping the keyboard flat is more ergonomic, though, so it’s up to you.

The Vortex Race 3 keycaps are always in the SP DSA format, a flat form that is exempt from row formats, with centered lettering printed by Dye-Sublimation technology Press the key you want to program; this will be visually confirmed by the right space bar LED, which will now be flashing in red. Manual doesn't come included, and the one you find online is terrible and actually refers you to another board's manual. If this is your first all-hardware mechanical keyboard with complex lighting, you will be a bit lost amidst the minimal information and poor translations. If you don't know the entire glossary of mech terms already (say you're coming from Corsair or something mainstream), you're screwed and left to search through online tutorialsIn terms of functionality, with the Fn (“Function”) key, the F1 to F6 keys have multimedia controls. Lots of options with the optional Mac and coloured key caps (I swapped out the shift and arrow keys for the green and yellow keys which looks great) Plus the accent keys look very nice when installed on the board. Overall I would give this product and experience a 4/5 Unfortunately, the Vortex Race 3 keyboard doesn’t have a Vortex logo included on the rim of the case. However, the elegant laser-etched aluminum label beneath the keyboard is a very good consolation.

Vortex has gone the extra mile to offer its keyboard in ISO FR format. This will come in handy for users looking to get a quality mechanical keyboard that does not come with the SO US format. The Race 3 features a silver anodized CNC case and cone feet. It also has DSA keycaps with dye-sub legends in a vintage grey colorway with 19 extra RGBY and MAC keycaps. If there is a Vortexgear mechanical keyboard that deserves our attention today, it is none other than the Vortex Race 3. The reason is simple.With a profile low enough to put many low-profile keyboards to shame, this keyboard sports genuine Cherry MX RGB or Gateron switches. Featuring an all-aluminium enclosure and high end PBT dye-sub DSA profile keycaps, this keyboard offers a very pleasant typing experience for all keyboard enthusiasts out there. I have successfully updated the firmware to V1.02.05 of my Vortex 3 Race (ISO-DE) using a macbook, virtualbox and a free win10 image. Overall, the Vortex Race 3 keyboard is a decent buy. As a 75% keyboard, it perfectly represents Vortex’s idea, which is primarily based on providing the most value in a compact body. It provides you with almost all the features of a ten-keyless board, albeit in a portable, sleeker body.

Micro USB port wiggles/loose, can lose connection if moving keyboard. Feels shoddy. A keyboard for this price point should have Type-C or at least Type-A. Documentation is poor, changing settings is a pain and unintuitive, some of the directions are just wrong. Took a lot of fiddling to get a color settings the

Press and hold Fn + R to erase any programming on the layer you are on. This obviously only applies to layers L1-L3 and is shown by the left space bar LED flashing white for 5 seconds, after which you can stop holding the two keys. For reference, my firmware before updating was 1.02.00, which was before Mac mode ( Pn + M) correctly put Cmd in its rightful spot: Note that the arrangement of some keys remains “proprietary.” This is particularly the case with the Esc and Del keys. Both keys come with a dimension of 1.5U instead of 1, which will complicate the task a bit if you ever want to opt for a personal keyset.