As a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, this thing is the perfect sidekick! For regular PC usage I leave it locked on a certain layer to use as a nav cluster, and for gaming I move my keyboard so that I have just the keypad and mouse in front of me to utilize the full space of my mousemat. It's pretty fun being able to whip my mouse around without worrying about crashing into my keyboard! I imagine it would also be super useful to map keyboard shortcuts for photo/video editing.

There are a generous total of 4 fully programmable layers, with every key being addressable per layer. For users of custom keyboards, like 60%s running QMK, it should be completely intuitive to be able to shift up and down layers. One handy feature is the ability to "lock" (toggle) a layer, so it stays active without holding the Fn key. Macros are simple enough to work with, just remember which macro is which because you can't rename them. Also as other reviews have stated, you may have to split keypresses into up and down if the macro involves holding a key down while pressing others.

RGB is SUPER bright. The LEDs themselves are brighter than any of my other keyboards, and it is only further amplified by the acrylic case and white keycaps. Customization is limited, with the only animated modes being breathing, blinking, and a rainbow wave, but you can at least choose what colors to go through. You can also set it to change to a certain color when an Fn layer is locked.

Included in the packaging are what appears to be a full set of white doubleshot keycaps, as well enough extra blank keycaps to cover each key. Honestly, my only complaint at all is with the Outemu Red switches. They're scratchy, have crunchy springs, and the bottom out feels mushy. However this doesn't have to be an issue if it really bothers you, as you can always just desolder and put in new switches. I personally installed holtites for my WASD keys to make them hotswappable, since those are the only keys that I would really care how they feel, and Kailh Box Reds are an infinity% improvement (just note that you'll need switches with the big rectangular LED cutout because the SMD LEDs protrude from the PCB).

I have not had a single issue with the hardware or software; it worked right when first plugged in without having to fiddle with any drivers, every switch works, and every key does exactly what I program it to. Finally, the value for this little keypad is amazing! You get better programmability than the ones from Razer/Logitech at like half the price, and I'd argue that this one has the best form factor as just a slice of a keyboard instead of a literal numpad or some terrible claw shape. If you're in the market for a keypad there's no reason to look elsewhere!

Update: Significantly improved since first review as described below.

Pros of new version (vs older version AMAG):
- Software easier to copy setup to multiple keypads (I suspect, but i haven't tried it. The old software would save hex file but didn't save the macros)

Cons of new software (MYKB):
- No instruction on how to use it (eg. set up macros,)
- More clicks to setup each macro.
- Fewer macros (very limiting)
- No change in light scheme between levels to indicate the level (makes changing levels awful, and makes it almost impossible to use more than one level)
- Toggling between levels more difficult (compounded by not easily knowing what level you are on, or if the level successfully changed.)
- You can cycle through lighting schemes (more than on prior version), but you have to just do it on the keypad, no list of options i could find or ability to pick in the programming software.

Ordered a second as a duplicate for another computer. Didn't know there was new software for programming. The box came with pamphlet for using old software. but I got an error when trying to use it. New programming software is easy enough to use once you know how, but I couldn't find any written or video instruction anywhere.

Unfortunately, within a few days one of the switches started having a lighting issue, and for a bit the keyboard was a little glitchy. I reached out to Koolerton directly (per their website), they asked for video or images which i supplied, but several days later they have not yet told me how they will help me.

Update: turns out there is an indicator light for number lock (top row thrid from left key "A") and caps lock (top row 3rd from right "-" ) that I misinterpreted as a malfunctioning switch light. I have not had any additional problems with glitching software.

Representatives respond to me by sending new firmware that disables the indicator lights. It took several attempts and required downloading software I didn't already have, but it ultimately worked.

Update :
Representative responded with updated firmware that now changes change lighting scheme based on level (default, red, green, blue for level 0,1,2,3 respectively). I would still like the option to make changes in the MYKB software (therefore 4 stars, not 5). In the mean time, reach out to koolertron and ask for updated firmware and directions on how to update.

Believe it or not but I still have a machine that runs Windows 7 because I love to use Windows Media Center as my DVR for cable TV. The one downside to WMC is that it has inconvenient keyboard shortcuts so you can't go zipping around the interface very easily when watching videos. However, with the Koolertron keypad, you can program those awkward shortcuts so they can be executed with a single keystroke. Note that I programmed the keypad using a Windows 10 machine but the keypad still works on a Windows 7 machine, so it is truly portable.
I also use this for PowerDVD when watching Blu-Rays because it too requires multi-key shortcuts to do navigation.
I also use alternate character sets when typing documents. Nothing slows my typing down more than having to hold the Alt key down followed by typing 4 digits on the keyboard numpad to get an "a" with particular accent marker, or an "n" with a tilda. Now that I have the Koolertron, I can program these characters so they can be executed with a single keystroke. What a timesaver!
Just to clear up some confusion about the use of Layers on this keypad: this keypad does have 4 layers, meaning you can technically program 4 x 23 = 92 keys. However, since you need some keys to navigate between layers, you really only have 20 keys per layer. And lastly, one of the layers requires you to press an "FN" key along with another key to execute a command. So I never use that layer because my whole reason for buying this keypad was to avoid multi-key typing. So for me, I have 3 x 20 = 60 keys available for programming which is plenty considering you can only program 24 macros total.
I do wish Koolertron would produce a new version that had more than 24 total macros. I would be willing to pay double for a keypad that had 48 total macros. I get around this current limitation by saving different configurations to .hex files (this is a great feature of this keypad) and loading the one with the macros I need for the task at hand. But it would be nicer not having to keep track of what macro was on what configuration file.

First, some notes on the shortcomings, all of which are minor but bear mentioning:

The pad does not come with printed instructions. It has a link to a demo video. It's the most unhelpful video possible. It does not contain a single spoken word of commentary. It only shows the cursor moving all too quickly around the screen. Without knowing what it's doing, it's impossible to figure it out (and if you do know what it's doing, you don't need the video).

I searched all over for a PDF but could find no link on the merchant's website or Amazon channel or in the product I received. Fortunately, if you read the video's description box, you can find a link there to a PDF file.

Even the PDF is a bit hazy about some of the steps to follow. For example, it says that you program the keypad by first clicking on a key that you want to program. That sounds a lot like telling you to click the physical key on the pad itself, which is what I did. But what you are actually supposed to do is click the virtual key on screen in the programming application.

The instructions finish by telling you to load the programmed data into the keypad. After doing that and then testing the pad, nothing happened. I figured out that there is one final step missing. You must quit the programming application. Then the programming will finalize in the pad. (The instructions also "blend in" to each other so it's hard to see, for example, where the basic instructions end and the macro instructions begin.)

It should also be noted that, technically, there are fewer programmable keys than the actual number of keys. This is because you'll need to reserve some keys to be used as function keys or LED controls, etc. If you don't do that, you won't be able to adjust the LED lighting or access macros, etc.

I have not programmed any macros or any of the more advanced settings yet so I can't speak to that. But based on everything else, I would expect those functions to work flawlessly, though you may have a but of trouble interpreting the instructions.

One final (minor) issue is that the pad does not remember the LED setting. I turn the LEDs off but they come back on when I turn on my computer each day. If you leave your computer on all the time, this won't be a problem. Even if you do, turning the lights off is a simple key click (as long as you remembered to program keys for lighting control).

Once you get past the quirks and have a functioning keypad, everything gets much better. The keys have a really nice feel to them. This is somewhat subjective. Some people may prefer a softer touch or less key travel, etc. but I think they did a good job in choosing the key mechanism. I wouldn't change anything. The size and spacing of the keys is also perfect (for me anyhow).

In summary, the flaws are minor and not a reason to look elsewhere. The instructions could be a lot clearer and the video seriously needs to have vocal commentary and the speed of the cursor needs to match that commentary. And they need to put links to the PDF where they are easy to find (on the Amazon channel and on their website). But this is exactly the pad I was looking for and I'll probably buy another with a different key configuration to be used tor other purposes.

I use lots of high end imaging and voice-transcription software on specialized workstations in my field, which have many, many shortcut hotkeys combinations. For efficiency, I've been using a gaming mouse with ~20 some buttons which I've mapped many of these macros to. However, I still didn't feel totally optimized...

Enter this keyboard. I now use it in combination with my gaming mouse and have nearly every function I use mapped to either the mouse or this device. Very handy, and very efficient.

Some notes:
-there are 23 keys, with 4 "layers" for each key. Each can be assigned a macro, keyboard key, or certain functions (volume up-down, etc)
-however, you can only have 24 TOTAL recorded macros (that wasn't clear on the description)
-the macros can be quite complicated, I have everything from simple "ctrl-del" to long string inputs stored as macros.
-the program used to program the device takes a minute or two of poking around to figure out how it works, but after that it's fairly straight forward and fairly intuitive. The included instruction pamphlet is adequate.
-everything is saved to the device itself so you can unplug and use it on many different computers without having to reprogram it each time (this was key for me).
-only minor downsides I've encountered: 1) the base is kinda warped, so it it rocks a bit on a desk. Annoying but does not impact functionality. 2) the USB cable seems kinda low quality, and while it works for now I'm just waiting for the day I accidentally rip the end of the cable off by accident. Also not a game changer since you can order a generic USB cable any where if/when that occurs.

Wish I had developed my current workflow setup earlier! Feels much more optimized now!