Poker 2 programmability question

[DuckMyDucky]

I'm considering getting a Poker 2, but I have some questions regarding how programmable this tiny thing is. To me the wasd setup for arrow keys seem a bit awkward for arrow keys, especially if I want one hand use. As a long time vim user I would be happy to remap arrow keys to hjkl. I understand this is possible using the pn layer, but it seems a bit awkward to stretch the pinky all the way down to the pn key while using arrow keys. Is it possible to remap the pn key to something else? Something like right shift would be good for me, or possibly caps lock as well.

If this is not possible, how do you guys deal with using arrow keys? Do you always use both hands?

[spiceBar]

I'm considering getting a Poker 2, but I have some questions regarding how programmable this tiny thing is. To me the wasd setup for arrow keys seem a bit awkward for arrow keys, especially if I want one hand use. As a long time vim user I would be happy to remap arrow keys to hjkl. I understand this is possible using the pn layer, but it seems a bit awkward to stretch the pinky all the way down to the pn key while using arrow keys. Is it possible to remap the pn key to something else? Something like right shift would be good for me, or possibly caps lock as well.

If this is not possible, how do you guys deal with using arrow keys? Do you always use both hands?

Maybe this will help you:
  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57723.0

It works on the Poker 2, and you can also adapt it to your needs.

[DuckMyDucky]

I'm considering getting a Poker 2, but I have some questions regarding how programmable this tiny thing is. To me the wasd setup for arrow keys seem a bit awkward for arrow keys, especially if I want one hand use. As a long time vim user I would be happy to remap arrow keys to hjkl. I understand this is possible using the pn layer, but it seems a bit awkward to stretch the pinky all the way down to the pn key while using arrow keys. Is it possible to remap the pn key to something else? Something like right shift would be good for me, or possibly caps lock as well.

If this is not possible, how do you guys deal with using arrow keys? Do you always use both hands?

Maybe this will help you:
  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57723.0

It works on the Poker 2, and you can also adapt it to your needs.

Thank you, that was very helpful. I somehow got the impression that only the pn layer was programmable, but my understanding after reading your post is that both pn and fn layer is completely reprogrammable. Is that correct? Then fn key has a slightly more comfortable reach, so it might work better for me. Also, flipping the fn key seems like a good idea for easy touch recognition.

[azhdar]

You can program the Pn Layer and the Pn+Fn Layer.

Let's say you program like this:
Pn+Q => *
Pn+Fn+Q => /

Then your switch to Programmable layer (Fn+Rshift):
Q=> *
Fn+Q => /

So your can reprogramm the whole keyboard to yours needs, you just had to switch the programmable layer your created.

[DuckMyDucky]

I see. So I would lock it into pn layer and just use that all the time? Is the lock settings stored on the keyboard chip so that it's still in pn layer after disconnecting and connecting it back up? And btw, using the pn layer, would I be able to swap fn and right alt? Right alt seems like a slightly more convenient location to me.

[azhdar]

Yeah I do think you have to re-lock the Pn layer if the keyboard stop being powered(unplug/computer turned off). But the Programmable layer you set will remain unless you reset the keyboard to factory.

I haven't used a poker in a while but I believe you should be able to do so.

[plegnic]

Yeah I do think you have to re-lock the Pn layer if the keyboard stop being powered(unplug/computer turned off). But the Programmable layer you set will remain unless you reset the keyboard to factory.

I haven't used a poker in a while but I believe you should be able to do so.

This is correct. I use my poker II almost daily. It will remember your programming layer indefinitely but you will have to lock pn mode back on if it gets disconnected. It's not too bad. Just 2 keypresses.

Also, the wasd arrow keys are surprisingly easy to get used to. And it doesn't really affect my vim usage since hjkl is already mapped to arrows in vim. But it's definitely pretty easy to re-map and the manual is available online if you want to read exactly how it behaves.

[inanis]

If you don't want to use the PN layer, but wanted to keep one hand access to the arrow keys you could move FN to capslock with the DIP  switches. Then you have FN right next to WASD  for arrows. I do this and find it works quite well.

Edited because I can't spell.

[DuckMyDucky]

If you don't want to use the PN layer, but wanted to keep on hand access to the arrow keys you could move FN to capslock with the DIP  switches. Then you have FN right next to WASD  for arrows. I do this and find it works quite well.

I read somewhere that to get fn til caps lock u have to swap it with win key or something? Or how does this work?

I figured wasd keys are slightly more troublesome to use for me, because since half a year ago I've been using a trackball with my left hand. I started using it on left hand to get it closer to home row on a full size keyboard, but with a poker I guess I might as well use right hand for trackball. Either way it seems like using the pn layer gives me plenty of flexibility.

[inanis]

If you don't want to use the PN layer, but wanted to keep on hand access to the arrow keys you could move FN to capslock with the DIP  switches. Then you have FN right next to WASD  for arrows. I do this and find it works quite well.

I read somewhere that to get fn til caps lock u have to swap it with win key or something? Or how does this work?

I figured wasd keys are slightly more troublesome to use for me, because since half a year ago I've been using a trackball with my left hand. I started using it on left hand to get it closer to home row on a full size keyboard, but with a poker I guess I might as well use right hand for trackball. Either way it seems like using the pn layer gives me plenty of flexibility.

Yes, you move FN to Win and then "Win" to capslock, making capslock FN and the key on the Win location capslock. What I did to accommodate for Win shortcuts was program them on the PN layer. So now to lock the machine I can do PN+l, or for run PN+r.

[DuckMyDucky]

I see. I've grown accustom to the windows key, and I mainly use linux so I would like to keep the left win key. Once win key is mapped as caps lock, could I map the win key working as caps lock to work as win key again in the pn layer? Or maybe I went a bit inception now.

[inanis]

I see. I've grown accustom to the windows key, and I mainly use linux so I would like to keep the left win key. Once win key is mapped as caps lock, could I map the win key working as caps lock to work as win key again in the pn layer? Or maybe I went a bit inception now.

If you were to do that (If it would be possible) you would just be adding a new key to the mix. Then to hit Win+l (for example) you would have to hit PN+Win+l. It would be easier to jus hit PN+l, no?

[DuckMyDucky]

That's true, but if I still wanted win as standalone key I would have to keep pn layer locked then, right?

[inanis]

That's true, but if I still wanted win as standalone key I would have to keep pn layer locked then, right?

Or, you can utilize PN as a win key by programming the appropriate key as a macro. If you can't get used to this being accessed on the right side, then there are certainly other solutions. Maybe you could program arrow keys closer to the PN key to make it easier to access with one hand, or you could program the entire PN layer and lock it in place, as mentioned earlier. Do whatever makes the most sense for you.

[DuckMyDucky]

I think I have come up with a layout that would work pretty well for me. Could someone with a poker 2 tell me if it would be possible?

- Use caps lock as fn key while still retaining normal position of left win key. I would also like to keep normal position of fn key (where right win key would usually be). Is this possible if I keep pn layer toggled on?
- Map right shift as esc in pn layer?

Then I would map a vim like layout on the pn+fn layer and just keep pn layer toggled on.

[plegnic]

I think I have come up with a layout that would work pretty well for me. Could someone with a poker 2 tell me if it would be possible?

- Use caps lock as fn key while still retaining normal position of left win key. I would also like to keep normal position of fn key (where right win key would usually be). Is this possible if I keep pn layer toggled on?
- Map right shift as esc in pn layer?

Then I would map a vim like layout on the pn+fn layer and just keep pn layer toggled on.

That's almost exactly like mine sans the right-shift being escape, and I don't use the pn+fn layer much personally. That should work just fine.

[DuckMyDucky]

That's almost exactly like mine sans the right-shift being escape, and I don't use the pn+fn layer much personally. That should work just fine.

I had the impression that there was no way to make caps lock to fn without also assigning left win key to caps lock? Which is why I thought that I would have to use the pn layer to reprogram left win key from caps lock back to original win key?

[plegnic]

That's almost exactly like mine sans the right-shift being escape, and I don't use the pn+fn layer much personally. That should work just fine.

I had the impression that there was no way to make caps lock to fn without also assigning left win key to caps lock? Which is why I thought that I would have to use the pn layer to reprogram left win key from caps lock back to original win key?

That's exactly right. You have to leave Pn layer locked on all the time.

I just meant that I don't have anything programmed to Fn+Pn besides the default Fn keys.

[DuckMyDucky]

Got it, thanks. Looks like I can program it pretty much exactly the way I want it. I can't come up with any other excuses not to bring up my wallet then