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
The weight is very nice - the Poker would never move as I typed. Keyboard movement isn't a huge problem for me, because I don't attack the keys (like some other devs here) - but it was nice to never have to make small adjustments to the physical location of the keyboard. The default keycaps have a nice weight to them as well, they feel solid without being heavy. For whatever reason I felt like I typed slightly faster on the Pok3r vs Poker 2; I didn't run any official tests but I think the solid-ness of the board + keys was mentally alleviating and relaxed me :)
The arrow keys are in a weird place; I don't understand why they where moved from 'wasd' on the Poker 2 to 'ijkl' on the Pok3r - it makes hitting the FN + arrow key a lot harder. I tried to remap the arrow keys - I don't know if it was because I was on a reference board, or you just can't remap FN combos, but nothing worked. Also, the DIP switch combo to change CAPS to FN (which would of made doing FN + ijkl easier) didn't work on the board I had. This also may have just been an issue with the reference board - it worked fine on the Poker 2.
I probably would of participated in this drop if I hadn't just purchased the KB Paradise 60 MTS offered last week; I'm using that one at work now and wanted another for home. I have grown to like the Matias switches over the Cherry but honestly you can't go wrong with this board if you are a fan of 60% keyboard.
The WASD (P2) vs IJKL (P3) is kind of a big deal [for some], though I don't think it's a dealbreaker for most people. Hopefully, like you said, this was just because it was a reference board and is not a reflection of the final product. And like you said, at least CAPS can be made to FN, so that the IJKL arrow keys are in your right hand, like traditional arrow keys.
I kind of wish the backlit models were available (MX Clears + Backlighting), but that's ok. If you're using a 60% keyboard, chances are you touch-type anyways, so you don't NEED backlighting, even if it's nice to have. This is an amazing deal overall; you're getting thick PBT keycaps, an aluminum body, and a super-programmable keyboard for well below competing boards' prices.
As for me, this is my second mech; my current is a Corsair K70 Vengeance MX Brown :D I love Browns, but find them a bit too light to the touch. I guess that's kind of a good thing for gaming (mainly FPS). For a typing-centric keyboard, however, I prefer Clears. This will be my first Clear board, but since they're like Browns with more of a bump and stiffer, I'm super excited.
Also, it kind of takes the fun out of it when you realize you can get this same exact product for the same price with less wait at certain online retailers.