X-Keys PS2 how does it work?

OK I have tried looking this information up but have not been able to find a solid conformation on how this unit works.

I have an old style G15 but find that I am running out of buttons plus I don’t like the feel of the keyboard and desperately want to go back to my MS Natural 4000. I also have a nostromo n52. That has served me over the years but I dislike the hand positioning/contour of the unit not to mention the buttons are a bit clunky now due to its age.

From my understanding using the ps2 version of the x-keys pro will allow me to migrate from my single box solution that I currently run to multiple computers using broadcasters without the lag associated to the USB handshake.

Here are my questions:

From what I have read you are required to plug in a ps2 keyboard into the x-keys unit in order to program it. However once it has been programmed do you still need to have the ps2 keyboard daisy chained to it for it to function?

Also is it ok to use the ps2 x-keys with an usb keyboard or have ppl run into issues when mixing the two?

Thanks in advance.

You can use a USB keyboard and a PS2 X-keys at the same time without any problems, but as you already know, you have to have a PS2 keyboard to program the X-keys buttons.

You do not need to leave the PS2 keyboard plugged into the X-keys after the X-keys has been programmed. The X-keys stores the keycodes in onboard non-volatile memory. However, if you're going to use a hardware broadcaster, you'll probably want to use a PS2 keyboard as I have not heard of any USB versions that perform as well as the PS2 broadcasters. Someone with first hand experience with a USB keyboard multiplexer can probably provide their opinions.

I am currently waiting on my Vetra 4-port PS/2 multicaster, but I have been programming my PS/2 X-Keys on my main machine, which has a usb keyboard, with no trouble. As has been said, you will need a PS/2 keyboard to plug into the X-Keys to program it. I plan on keeping it plugged in so that I can easily have a keyboard being broadcasted alongside the programmed X-keys should I ever need it.

I have not yet attempted anything using Vetra's USB multicasters since the PS/2 seems to be far more reliable. In the future, I plan on using the Vetra USB multicaster (which, according to them, works well) to broadcast a mouse. Usually, I'm playing a different class or spec on my main machine, so the 4-port multicasters are just fine for me.

It seems that we're still waiting on someone with USB multicaster experience to pipe up.