Vantex V1 split keyboard with central touchpad starts at $129 on Kickstarter

Vantex has introduced the V1, a split mechanical keyboard with a touchpad between its two key sections. The company says the touch-sensitive surface lets users move the cursor without reaching for a separate mouse.

The V1 has 60 keys and four programmable layers in a CNC-machined, powder-coated aluminium body. It measures 30.74 × 13.74 × 3.48 cm, weighs about 1.57 kg and has a 7° rearward incline. Its switches can be replaced without soldering, and a gasket-mounted build cushions keystrokes. The package includes white linear switches rated for 50 million keystrokes, with an actuation force of 42 ± 3 gf and a bottom-out force of 47 ± 5 gf.

Vantex says its wired prototype has been tested with Windows, macOS and Linux. The Kickstarter campaign lists USB-C for the wired model and Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless options. The wireless version remains in development; Vantex says battery life and connection performance are still being evaluated. Its battery is listed at 4,000 mAh.

The wired package starts at $129, compared with a stated regular price of $259. It includes the keyboard without fitted keycaps, 148 keycaps and a data cable. The wireless package starts at $159. The campaign also lists two-keyboard bundles at $239 for wired and $299 for wireless.

Vantex says component availability, assembly, testing, packaging and international shipping could cause delays. The company also says it used AI-assisted tools for promotional writing, visual design and image enhancement. The campaign had raised $2,556 from 19 backers against a $637 goal, with 27 days remaining when the source article was written. The wireless model’s real-world performance is not yet established.