Koolertron Mechanical Numpad Macro Keyboard, 9-Key Numeric Keypad LED Backlit Gaming Keyboard, Fully Programmable Number Pad Keyboard, Computer High Ground Mechanical Macro Number Keypad

Support:There are several instances in these reviews of purchasers having problems with this device. Despite the vendor inviting email inquiries to resolve technical issues, multiple emails I sent received no response after a week. My issues were that I couldn't get the keypad programmed using the latest Mac OS and that the key options to increase and decrease the LED brightness would not work at all. I'm not sure if my unit is bad or if all units have the brightness problem.Hardware & SoftwareThe keyboard seems to be priced a little high for what it is, but the hardware build quality is good, and it has a smaller footprint than other similar keypads. This plus the programmability adds to the value. If you are using Windows (7/8/10 and maybe even older), you should be able to get the "amag" software to work with no problems. If you are on Mac OS prior to Catalina, you may have mixed results. For me, it would not consistently resave my keypad settings unless I rebooted the Mac each time I wanted to reconnect the keypad to the amag software. Unplugging the keypad or even plugging it into a different USB port would not get it recognized without a Mac reboot. If you are running Catalina, the version of the amag app available as of 2020-08-14 is not compatible and will not run at all. You would need to have access to a Windows computer (or older Mac OS) any time you want to change the keypad settings or key mappings.If you are running Catalina but have a Windows virtual machine (e.g. VMware or Parallels), you *can* get it to work, but you have to find out how to do something called a "USB pass-through" from the Mac to the VM so that the Windows machine thinks the keypad is connected directly to it. Then you'll also have to immediately re-issue that pass-though whenever you upload your settings to the keypad because the keypad itself will reboot (disconnecting the initial pass-through in the process).Since you probably only need to use the keypad’s software to make changes to your key mappings, you may not need it that often, and if you have access to a windows computer, you can spend the five minutes to move the device, program it, and move it back to your Mac. [Tip: define all the keypad keys to some obscure key combination (I use Shift+Control+Command+[some character] because I know those aren't dedicated to something else already on the Mac). That way you won't need to run the software just to remap the keypad if you just want to add a new command, you just use one of the key combinations that you previously set up.]The software itself is fairly intuitive and useful. You can map any key to another key on a full-size keyboard (including the function keys). You can map a key to some of the keypad's own settings like color changes (although, as I mentioned, while color changes worked for me, the brightness adjustments did not). There are five LED color modes: off, rainbow (which can be static or animated), color 2, color 3, and color 4 each of which can be set to any hex color value (e.g. #ff663e) -- although you may not see any change between minor hex color variations. For example, light and dark gray will be identical, but light and dark yellow will show a difference. You can also redefine the colors used in the rainbow if preferred so that all the rainbow slots use the same color, giving you an additional solid color instead of a rainbow.You can also map a key to any one of 12 "simple" macros or an additional 12 "complex" macros that allow for timed delays (useful in situations where you launch an app by a keystroke and want to wait for it to fully load before sending the next keystroke to that app -- for example, to create a new document). The complex macro storage can be used for simple multi-keystrokes, but the simple macros cannot handle delayed actions. Using the "split" option, you can specify modifier keys that also get simulated. So you can press one keypad key and get "Control+N" or a "Shift+Control+Alt+F" keystroke.You also get four "layers" of key commands total. So you can have one set of functions set to each of the 9 keys when pressed by itself. Then you can hold down a key that you define (i.e. Fn) and each of the other keys will have an alternate function while Fn is pressed. There are also additional layers of Fn2 and Fn3 which don't need a key to be held down. If you take into account the need to define Fn, Fn2, and Fn3, this leaves you with up to 30 different key commands that you can program using just the 9 keypad keys (see ** note at the end).Alternate plastic keycaps:You can replace the plastic keycaps with ones of your choosing, including ones I found on Amazon that let you insert a printed cheat sheet into each key (see image). [Search Amazon for products called "X-keys Keycap Cherry MX Compatible (Pack of 10)" and look for the ones with the clear snap-on lens.] I then downloaded a 24-key template from xkeys (hats off to them for posting it). [Link to image: https://xkeys.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/smartwave/porto/category/accessories/Documents/XK-24.tif and Link to source page: https://xkeys.com/xkeys/accessories/customprintedlegends.html] and cropped the image down to just have the 3x3 keys in the upper left. You can take that into MS Word or other program and the put text on top of each key legend (I inverted the black and white image to keep the white on the keys). Print and cut out the key legends, and you've got nice custom keycaps that list all the functions.In my image, I don’t have too many labels. The bottom row handles toggles for Zoom audio, video, and screensharing and the middle row handles the same toggles for Microsoft Teams. All that functionality is handled by AppleScript to activate the app and then send the correct keyboard keystrokes. The keypad just sends a macro keystroke that calls the AppleScript for me. There are many keyboard shortcut apps that will intercept a keypad keystroke and then run a chosen script or do some other computer function.Summary:All in all, if you want a solid keypad with a lot of power in a small size, this one is very good. The manufacturer has larger models too for tons of programmable actions. If you are a Mac user but can access a Windows computer when you need to or if you think you can handle the process described above, then you should be okay. Maybe at some point the manufacturer will update the software for the newer Mac OS versions. I hope this helps someone and saves them the time I had to take to figure it all out. Still can't get the brightness up or down via a key, but that's the only remaining unresolved issue.______________________________** 9 keys x 4 layers equals 36. However, I say you can store up to 30 commands because you can program 8 + 6 + 8 + 8 keys on the respective layers. Here's an example: 8 of the nine keys set as commands on the unmodified layer, and one key reserved for Fn. 6 of the nine keys on the Fn layer because a) you're still holding Fn, and b) you then can define Fn + one other key for Fn2 and Fn + another key to define Fn3. Once you're in Fn2 or Fn3 mode, you can release Fn. [Tip: define the key you used for Fn to be the toggle off of Fn2 (on the Fn2 later) and Fn3 (on the Fn3 layer). I find it easy to remember that way. You can also program the keypad to go into another color mode when the keypad enters Fn2 or Fn3. That way you know which layer you're in.] 8 of the keys on the Fn2 layer can be used for unique key commands (9 minus the one you are using to toggle Fn2 mode off) 8 of the keys on the Fn3 layer can be used for unique key commands (9 minus the one you are using to toggle Fn3 mode off)You might handle getting into and out of Fn2 and Fn3 modes differently, but you'll always lose 5 of the 36 layered keys to get the most key commands possible using all the layers (you lose a key for: Fn, Fn2 on, Fn2 off, Fn3 on, and Fn3 off).One other note: since you get 12 simple macros and 12 complex macros, you only have 24 of the 30 mappings that can handle modifier keys and sequences. The other 6 of the 30 mappings would have to map to a standard, single key press of a regular keyboard and there may not be as useful. You also have keypad settings that you can map like cycling through the colors, turning the LED off completely, etc.

I use this for work, I can't install any software on my work computer for security reasons. I use a few macros, so this fits the bill since I can program in on my personal computer and then use it on my work computer. Programing simple keys or text is self-explanatory. The macros are a little more challenging without instructions.HERE'S HOW TO PROGRAM THE MACROSI need "alt+1" as a simple macro. To program this macro, I did this:Down + alt + 1 (This tells it to press down and hold "alt" plus the "1" key.)Then: Up + alt + 1 (This tells it release the keys)It's simple, but the instructions don't explain it at all.Once it's set up it works great and I'm very pleased with it.

The quality of the hardware is high. The keys feel good and the LED glow looks cool.The software on Mac works but is not very intuitive and the poor user manual left me spending hours to figure it out. The manual is also in microprint, sighI am a software developer and I bought this to make a macro keyboard for frequent key commands I use. I have tendinitis in my wrists, so this is a key stroke saving ergo product for me.The thing the manual did not explain is how to make one key map to several keys. For example, I want a key to press shift-command-f. To do this assign a key to “m1” so it uses a macro 1. Then define m1 as:Down shiftDown commandDown fUp shiftUp commandUp fVerifies tedious and not intuitive but it works. This took me hours to figure out.I had tried doing this but it didn’t work:Tap - shift, command, fI wish the software just let you record keystrokes your press on the actual keyboard. Instead you program it through a clunky interfaceA good alternative to their software is to use Karabiner Elements for the Mac

Since my purpose of using the product is that I have free time at home, I wanted to evaluate it and have some fun and it was a really great experience.

Since I'm not permitted to install extra programs on my work computer, I very much appreciate the on-board macro capabilities. The only real issue I have is the 42 key limit on custom macros. My longest macro is 60 key presses, so it had to be split in half. I encountered a bug that held [Space] which was the 42nd key of the macro. Removing it solved the issue (making the max 41). I also noticed color assignment for the "normal" base layer connects keys 1 and 8 as well as 2 and 9. I'd love to see the max go up and lighting be fully customizable. Even so, I can easily recommend this to anyone who needs plug and play macros.

A NORMAL PERSON EXPLANATION OF HOW IT WORKSOk so, the software is not intuitive but I'm gonna explain quick and easy what the guides don't!You don't need to do the parse string thing AT ALL unless you want to. I didn't for any of my macros. I just clicked what keys I wanted on the diagram.WHAT SPLIT DOES: split is a stupid name for it. Split up and down is literally pushing the key or letting it go.Longer explanation: (photo attached for reference)So if you want to do ctrl+s, for example, then you hit split while ctrl is highlighted on your list. It will turn into ctrl[down] and ctrl[up]. Make sure the [down] is at the top of your list and then make sure the [up] is very bottom. The s would go between these on the list. You're basically saying to hold the ctrl key down while you hit the s key then release the ctrl key at the end.You can do more complicated things obviously but this is a simple explanation for everyone who's not a dang programmer. I might make a video if people need it.Other than that nonsense, it's a good little pad and perfect for when I'm working with my wacom or blender.

Worked well until today, No more RGB lightning, making it a pain in the ass to know on what profile you are. Going to throw itedit : Contacted the seller, sent me a brand new unit. Works perfectly!