I was testing the Vortex POK3R V2 alongside the Ducky One 2 SF, if only because there are not a lot of new keyboards coming out in the 60%–65% form factor range relative to the full-size keyboards everyone puts out. In many ways, it helped shine a closer light on the two and transition from my previous reviews of larger keyboards to these. There is no doubt in my mind that these keyboards serve a purpose, be it portability for travel or ergonomics for more efficient typing and a closer mouse. I also have no doubt that transitioning to these keyboards will take a long time for the average layperson, and it is a commitment that will seem hard and inefficient for the first few days.

The POK3R V2 has the benefit of belonging to a somewhat established lineup from Vortex in the 60% form factor market, of which the POKER series is arguably the most popular and well known. This version uses an even lower profile case, keycap set, and switches to make for a keyboard that is light in size and weight while punching above its weight functionally. The keyboard comes off as premium to many used to seeing a large plastic keyboard in the $100 price range, especially as you continue to use it, as the PBT plastic keycaps with doubleshot injected legends and the aluminium case will show no signs of wear and tear. The minimalist aesthetic without any branding is also paired with a multi-tone keycap set in Vortex's VSA profile to make for a keyboard that will grab your attention in only the right ways after even a closer look. It does miss the dip switches from the POK3R, but is otherwise functionally similar in terms of onboard controls over lighting and programmability alike.

There are a few hiccups, however. I can not get over Vortex's decision to exclude a printed manual in the box and not having the pre-programmed functions for the other keys on their dedicated keycaps. They have included them before with other keyboards, including larger ones, and perhaps going with doubleshot injection compared to the dye sublimation from before was not worth the trade off. This can come off especially so when the legends not really being backlit anyway is considered, and as noted before, quality control is so-so when it comes to the uniformity of the legends. Not having MPC support for the POK3R V2 is also going to take away from helping new customers transition smoothly, which will hurt the product in the long run.

Overall then, the POK3R V2 is still an impressively built keyboard with the vast majority of the same functions and features that got many to part with their money for the POK3R (RGB or otherwise), and at a lower price point on average considering the POK3R lineup tends to go for $120–$140 otherwise. I'll go ahead and give it a recommendation even if it is a begrudging one at this point.