VexNet Keys

VEX V5 Technical Support
1

I was wondering whether you’re only able to use the set of VexNet Keys as you buy them (in pairs), or if you could take two from different pairs, and still have them connect?

2

Keys will connect with any other key as long as they’re both up to date. To pair up keys, you actually just pair a cortex to a joystick. Plug a cortex into the joystick using a USB cable, then turn the cortex on. Once you do that, any two keys you plug in will cause that cortex to match with that joystick.

Edit: Thanks Adam T, my bad.

3

“Plug a cortex into the joystick using a USB cable, then turn them both on”
Only turn the cortex on. When the joystick and cortex are connected via the USB A-A cable the cortex provides power to the joystick. You don’t want both power sources to be “on” and connected (by the cable) at the same time.

4

Ohhh haha I see, probably should have been able to figure that one out. Thanks a ton for the help :).

5

This is a common misconception. Think of the keys as antennae. Somewhat sophisticated antennae, but merely sophisticated antennae. The actual pairing is done between the controller and the Cortex. That is done as stated above. Once the two are paired, you can use any two keys that you want.
As long as:

  1. they are both either VEXnet 1 (black) or VEXnet 2 (white). You can’t mix them. And hopefully you no longer are using the black ones. (Just my opinion)
  2. If VEXnet 2, they both have the same firmware installed. (Hopefully the latest)