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Years in the past, all of the keyboards I purchased had macro keys that might be used for gaming or different features, however I by no means actually took full benefit of them.
Since then, the development has been for smaller keyboards. Ditching the quantity pad and different keys. It’s not a development I’ve adopted. I write lots, and I like my quantity pad.
Extra just lately, I’ve been working in IT assist, and located an growing need to have macro keys once more.
I don’t have complicated wants; it’s primarily to map the buttons to my 3CX softphone and have devoted keys for various screenshot features (scroll, area, window, video and many others).
I instantly began trying on the widespread Elgato Stream Decks, however you’re taking a look at a minimal of £60 for one, which appears extreme when the primary factor I want is a devoted key to reply my telephone.
In fact, one possibility is simply to make use of the keys on my predominant keyboard, however my flaky ADHD mind forgets issues like this instantly.
I thought of utilizing a mini keyboard and utilizing AutoHotkey, however that doesn’t work fairly as anticipated, as you want the software program to have the ability to establish it as a unique keyboard. There are workarounds, however I wished a fast, simple answer.
Amazon has numerous macro keyboards from random manufacturers. Some are Elgato clones with LCD keys; others are like this Vaydeer JP1011, primary multi-button mechanical keyboards.
Most of them had mediocre to common opinions, and the Vaydeer appeared to have the very best opinions on the most cheap value, so I ended up shopping for it.
Sadly, it didn’t work out for me, on account of some safety issues. Whereas I gained’t say you shouldn’t purchase this as a result of software program, in a company setting, it’s an excessive amount of of a danger to proceed utilizing.
Associated Evaluations
Specification / Options
6 Practical Layers and 4 NKRO Keys
This keyboard provides six customisable practical layers, permitting you to configure totally different setups for numerous makes use of—comparable to gaming, design, or productiveness. You may swap between layers by scrolling the mouse inside the floating window, or the keyboard can routinely change layers relying on the energetic utility. It additionally options 4 non-conflict keys that assist macros, enabling a number of key presses or holds directly with out interference. This permits for exact, quick enter throughout each gameplay and common use.
Consumer-Pleasant Interface and Floating Window
The interface is designed to be intuitive, with a real-time floating window that exhibits the energetic key features. This implies you at all times have a transparent view of what every secret is doing. The compact and minimal design makes it simple to take with you, whether or not you’re heading to work or a gaming occasion. It’s a sensible answer for bettering workflow and simplifying repetitive duties.
OTA Updates and Settings Backup
The keyboard helps over-the-air firmware updates, with well timed prompts when new options change into obtainable. You may also export and import your customized settings, avoiding the necessity to reconfigure all the pieces on totally different machines. Settings will be shared between customers, making it easy to distribute helpful layouts or macros throughout a staff.
Versatile Performance with Easy Configuration
This programmable keyboard helps a variety of features, together with media management, hotkeys, launching apps or information, and extra. Advanced duties will be carried out with a single keystroke—comparable to opening folders, paperwork, web sites, or system instruments. Setup is easy: assign your operate to a key, drag it to the specified place within the software program, click on “Flash the Keyboard”, and also you’re able to go.
Productiveness Software and Gaming Assist
This keyboard is well-suited for each skilled duties and gaming. You may streamline your workflow with shortcuts for copy, paste, delete, or fast entry to system settings. In video games like CSGO or OSU, customized macros will let you execute combos or actions with a single click on. A number of macro modes can be found, together with press-and-hold repeat and sequential triggers (with extra choices deliberate).
Unboxing / Design
The Vaydeer JP1011 arrives in a compact, professionally introduced field that instantly communicates the product’s give attention to portability and effectivity. The packaging contains the keyboard itself, a braided USB-A to USB-C cable, a USB-A to USB-C adapter, and a complete setup information that gives important data for brand spanking new customers.
The keyboard’s bodily building combines aluminium and plastic supplies, creating a tool that feels substantial with out being overly heavy. The construct high quality seems stable, with the unit sustaining stability throughout use due to rubber toes that present enough grip on numerous desk surfaces. The compact type issue measures sufficiently small to suit comfortably in a single hand, making it genuinely transportable for customers who journey steadily.
The 9 mechanical switches utilise Cherry MX-style blue switches that ship the attribute tactile suggestions and audible click on related to mechanical keyboards. The switches really feel responsive and constant throughout all keys, although the press sound could show distracting in quiet workplace environments. The important thing structure follows a logical 3×3 grid sample that feels pure for contact typing as soon as muscle reminiscence develops.
The aesthetic design stays understated {and professional}, avoiding flashy RGB lighting or aggressive gaming styling which may look misplaced in company environments. This impartial look permits the system to mix seamlessly into most workstation setups with out drawing undesirable consideration.
Software program Safety Considerations
I purchased this keyboard with the intention of utilizing it at work for some hotkeys for my softphone. Nonetheless, as I work in IT assist, I should be cautious about what software program I set up. The Veydeer keyboard software program is a 156MB obtain which appears extreme for software program to program a primary keyboard.
Some customers have reported that the software program stories again to unknown servers at irregular intervals, transmitting knowledge of undetermined content material and objective. These community communications happen with out person notification or consent, violating primary privateness expectations and doubtlessly exposing delicate system data.
The software program is probably going reporting primary telemetry knowledge like most sensible merchandise do these days, however it’s nonetheless an invasion of privateness and a safety concern.
Software program / Keymapping
That is my first time utilizing a macro keyboard, and I foolishly hoped I might have the ability to use it with none proprietary software program and simply use AutoHotkey to program it. That is possible doable with a little bit of hacking round, however out of the field, it isn’t supported. Home windows identifies the keys and quantity presses, so it isn’t a lot use with out the software program.
The configuration interface follows a drag-and-drop paradigm that proves intuitive for primary setup duties. Customers can assign features by dragging choices from categorised menus onto digital key representations, then making use of modifications by clicking the “Flash the Keyboard” button. This course of works reliably for easy assignments however turns into cumbersome when managing complicated macro sequences or a number of layer configurations.
The software program offers entry to plain keyboard keys, multimedia controls, system shortcuts, textual content string insertion, utility launching, and customized macro recording. Textual content string performance proves notably helpful for repetitive typing duties, permitting customers to insert steadily used phrases, electronic mail signatures, or boilerplate textual content with single key presses.
Macro recording captures keyboard enter sequences and mouse actions, although the implementation feels primary in comparison with devoted macro software program options. Customers can document easy key combos successfully, however complicated timing-dependent sequences could not reproduce reliably throughout totally different system configurations.
Layer administration by way of the interface works adequately however lacks visible readability when coping with a number of configurations. The floating window show helps establish present settings, however switching between layers requires returning to the primary software program interface slightly than offering handy hotkey alternate options.
Efficiency
I’ve discovered the efficiency to be OK with the software program put in. I had hoped that when the keyboard was programmed, I may shut the appliance, nevertheless it doesn’t appear to work fairly like that.
Macros are saved on the keyboard, and I discovered that it labored OK for a short while with out the software program operating within the background, however finally it might cease working.
Equally, even with the software program operating, I discovered that the macros would randomly cease working, and I must reload the software program.
Key response timing exhibits occasional inconsistencies, notably when executing fast sequences or complicated macros. Easy single-key assignments usually work reliably, however multi-step operations could expertise timing variations that have an effect on their effectiveness in time-sensitive functions like gaming or real-time enhancing workflows.
Worth and Different Choices
The 4-key Vaydeer JP1011 is on the market on Amazon for £21, or the 9-key mannequin is on the market for £30.59.
There are dozens of competing choices, they usually all appear to have the identical issues as this mannequin. They require you to run software program from questionable web sites.
The Lichifit 8 key mechanical keyboard is simply £21, however the person opinions point out that the software program is troublesome to seek out, in addition to coming from a questionable supply.
The HP 430 Programmable Wi-fi Keypad is a viable different. It isn’t probably the most engaging, it makes use of Bluetooth slightly than USB cable, so might not be excellent for players, however it’s simply £30. You get 9 programable keys with 5 devoted macro keys. This requires HP software program to program it, nevertheless it I really feel far more assured operating this on my PC than software program from some random Chinese language model.
The most affordable Elgato Stream Deck is the Mini for £60, which has 6-keys. The Elgato Stream Deck Neo has 8 keys and is on the market for £90. It was just lately as little as £60.
Total
I need to love the Vaydeer JP1011 Programmable Macro Mechanical Keyboard. It’s far more inexpensive than choices like Elgato whereas having the features I want for a primary macro keyboard at work.
Whereas I like the LCD keys on Elgato merchandise, I additionally love the mechanical keys on this. They’re much extra nice to press, and after I want to reply as shortly as doable, mechanical keys are higher.
Sadly, there are too many issues for me to hold on utilizing it. I doubt the software program is a severe safety danger, it’s in all probability simply passing telemetry knowledge that’s no extra intrusive than any sensible house product it’s possible you’ll be operating, however in a piece setting, I can’t danger it.
The reliability hasn’t been nice both. I can’t run it with out the software program operating within the background, and it generally performs up with it operating anyway.
It’s a disgrace actually, as a result of I like the {hardware} aspect of it.
Vaydeer JP1011 Programmable Macro Mechanical Keyboard Evaluation
Abstract
The Vaydeer JP1011 Programmable Macro Mechanical Keyboard has the fitting concept by way of design, usability, and value. As a compact macro pad with tactile mechanical switches, it offers a satisfying person expertise and a sensible set of options for these needing quick-access keys for productiveness or gaming.
Nonetheless, its potential is let down by software program issues that make it unsuitable for skilled or security-conscious environments. The closed-source configuration device raises purple flags on account of unexplained community exercise and an absence of transparency. Reliability additionally turns into a problem, with macros intermittently failing except the software program stays open—limiting its usefulness for streamlined workflows.
Should you’re a house person in search of a budget-friendly macro pad and aren’t too involved about privateness or stability, the JP1011 may nonetheless serve you properly. However for enterprise use, IT professionals, or these anticipating constant efficiency with out compromises, there are higher, if costlier, choices obtainable.
Execs
- Reasonably priced value level for each 4-key and 9-key variations
- Compact and transportable with a well-built aluminium and plastic design
- Satisfying Cherry MX-style mechanical switches
- Intuitive drag-and-drop configuration interface
Cons
- Software program requires fixed background operation for full performance
- Stories of background telemetry with out person consent
- Unstable macro efficiency; keys can randomly cease working
- No open-source or standalone programming assist
- No clear hotkey technique to modify between layers
I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and sensible house units.
As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits permit me to carry a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the newest tech tendencies.
In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Techniques Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior examine additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I intention to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.
Final replace on 2025-07-30 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
