What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
Compare this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/4ar9oc/my_pok3r_came_in_today_first_mechanical_keyboard/
with these:
(from this thread as well as reddit)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/4auo7e/new_pok3r_massdrop_white_shinethru_keycaps_white/
(From this thread)
Note the different vertical/horizontal stacked number row, different menu keys (menu instead of win) and slightly different font. (The top example seems to resemble Ducky keycaps actually) The big deal here for me would be the off-colour spacebar... which appears to be from the original pok3r keyset. Oh and the rust, but that's a seperate issue. Would be nice if more people who have received their drops can shed some more light on this. I mean 3 examples isn't a lot. But anyway this has sort of turned into an impromptu blue box drop at this point. Doesn't matter to me as I will be switching out keycaps anyway so I won't be making that much noise about it but just FYI.
EDIT: So as far as I can tell, and take this with a huge grain of salt* as I'm just basically matching photographs, the two keycaps that these are coming out in are
OEM ABS double-shot keycaps (used by Ducky and other OEMs) except with a different windows key that apparently says MENU. (only seen these in black so far)
Vortex's possibly PBT+POM? (or ABS, can't say for sure) doubleshot backlit (in both black/white) except with the original spacebar
Bearing in mind these are worth around 25 and 59? (if PBT) USD respectively, they're technically an upgrade compared with laser-etched cheap ABS but again, not what was advertised at all. It's basically the same issue as the white plate instead of black. Is it a downgrade? Not objectively, but it's still a bad kind of surprise. I also hope no one here bought either of these 2 keycap sets to replace the vanilla caps, that would be ironic.
As for the double shot caps being upgrades, I would disagree. They have perceived value because they've always been marketed as upgrades but did they actually cost Vortex more to manufacture than the stock caps? I don't believe for one second Vortex would have just thrown them in if they had cost anywhere near $20-60 extra. Sure double shot and PBT caps are more wear resistant than laser etched ABS but what use is this longevity if the legends you need are missing from day one?
I've come across previous claims of Vortex using factory seconds to fulfill groupbuys (so Massdrop) but never took them seriously. The rusty plates and keycap lotto on this drop certainly makes it seem that way.
EDIT: I think the best course of redress would be to provide a way for people to purchase the default keycaps if they want it or failing that obviously refunds. I honestly feel like the majority of people don't care either way or would actually be happy about the double-shots, I just wish it had been advertised as such.