[keyboard science] Vortex 22-Key DIY Switch Tester is basically the Mistel Freeboard MD200

So I got tired of waiting for the promised programmability update for the vortex 22 as it was promised a long while back on the massdrop discussion and I decided to test if I could update the firmware on the vortex 22 with the MD200 from Mistel (Cause they look identical.)

...and it worked!

The layout now matches the md200 with the direction keys in the "2", "0" ,"00", and "." and it can connect with the barocco via accessory port and works just like my md200. I have not tested programmability yet nor do I have RGB leds installed on it to test if the RGB syncs up with my Barocco. But hey I did not brick my vortex 22.

I will update with any further testing if I get bored.

Oh yeah here is the link to the firmware http://www.mistelkeyboard.com/firmware/

Updates: So the Vortex 22 henceforth referred to as v22 acts the same as my md200 when plugged directly to my PC the direction keys work the when numlock is off and when plugged only to my Barocco the direction keys do not work. I thought a firmware update on the Barocco would fix that issue but nope.

oh well, I guess It is time to test the programmability.

Okay so I programmed a test macro on to my original md200 and the macro carried over to the v22 (macros are saved on the Barocco's right side) when I swapped them.

Both the md200 and the v22 have an issue where if the pad is connected directly to the PC and the barocco I cannot program the keypad even on the latest firmware...

So If I want to program my keypad and have rgb sync I would lose the direction keys or I can program them in on the programmable layers. The default layer is not programmable. If I want the direction keys to work I cannot have it be programmable.

Soo WTF Mistel? The documentation did not mention that limitation clearly. Figure 4 for standard mode did not say that it will be the only mode available when plugged into the barocco. But I guess that's just how it is. Still a fine part of my collection but I have not really touched it since I am in topre heaven currently and there are just way too many wires if I am to use the barocco+md200/v22