Programmable Keyboard without need for software

[ej42]

Please help me find the ultimate gaming keyboard for my needs. My needs are very simple. I need a keyboard with a vertical row of extra keys to the left of the `/Caps Lock/Tab/Shift/Ctrl keys. I need to be able to assign these keys to act like whichever key I desire, such as the numpad */9/6/3/. keys or even F13-F17, but NOT require software to be installed for this to work.

I currently have a Logitech G15 with the G-keys set to be numpad 1,2,3,6,9. This works well because I can still muddle through if I end up having to use a standard keyboard at another location. I can still use my keybinds, though uncomfortably. It's just nice to have easy access to hit those keys with my left pinky. I do not mind installing software to configure the keyboard once, but I want the configuration to stay INSIDE the keyboard. I want the keyboard to send out the keypress without any need for software interpretation. When I hit the M1 key, I want the computer to think that I hit the numpad 1 key without needing custom software to figure that out.

I basically want a keyboard that, once configured, is plug and play on any computer without having to install a BS software package to make the extra keys work.

I'm looking at the Roccat Ryos MK and the Perixx PX-3200 US, but I'm not sure if either work the way I want them to. The Roccat one is bigger than I'd like, but it does have mechanical keys.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Sabrewings]

Not a full keyboard, but the G13 can store profiles onboard.

 

[ej42]

Not a full keyboard, but the G13 can store profiles onboard.

Yeah, but does it need to have the software installed to interpret those profiles?

The problems I've found with Logitech and some others is that they need their bloated software to interpret what you want the final keypress to be. I want the computer to not know the difference between the physical key I pressed and the one I want it to act like.

I want everything to be done inside the keyboard. If I set one of my macro keys to be backspace, when I press that key, I want the computer to get the exact same USB packet as if I had pressed the actual backspace key.

I have a teensy that I wired up to some switches I pulled out of a mouse. When I click those buttons, I can make them act like whatever key I want them to be. All of that is stored inside the teensy's memory. It's frustrating that I can't find a keyboard that can do the same thing.

 

[Sabrewings]

I'll have to test it, but to my understanding that's how it works. Onboard profiles go with the device and output the desired key(s) to the OS when you press a programmed button.

 

[ej42]

I'll have to test it, but to my understanding that's how it works. Onboard profiles go with the device and output the desired key(s) to the OS when you press a programmed button.

I just looked at the G13. It's interesting, but doesn't solve my problem. I need a simple, vertical row of keys on the left side of my keyboard. I am in the process of building that for myself. Unless I can get confirmation that there is a good keyboard out there that already does this, then I might just get a high-quality generic keyboard and "bolt" my own solution to the side of it.

I ordered this 6-key Cherry switch evaluation kit off Amazon to play with. I'm going to come up with a good mounting solution and wire it up to my teensy if I have to.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZQKCD4/

I don't want all the lighted key BS and other crap they shove into these $150 monstrosities, but I do need a full numpad on the right side and the full standard Ins/Home/PgUp/Del/End/PgDn with inverted T cursor keys.

 

[ej42]

I think I found something close enough. It's not mechanical, but they specifically say the keyboard will still perform its macros on a computer without the software installed. It arrives tomorrow, so I'll have to see. The most frustrating thing is that Corsair's mechanical keyboard "upgraded" version loses the left-side macro keys. The only one they have with macro keys has a giant set of three columns on the left side.

Here's what I ordered:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HLXBGTS