I was thinking about using layers like you suggest for movements, but outside of vim where you need to shift+move to select text, isn't that going to be quite awkward?
On the other hand, how do you access the macros? I can't see any special keys on it, except for maybe the `progm` key on the top right, but it is out of reach.
On the Pok3r, I have remapped the CapsLock key to be the layer modifier key, so while it is pressed, the special macro layer is active. I barely need the Caps key, so it is a minor annoyance to have lost it, but the gains are way bigger. That way, I'm using IJKL as my arrow keys. I have remapped Space to mean Shift, thus while it is pressed, I can select anything while moving around with the arrows. Also, I remapped F to Ctrl for jumping words (I'm on Windows, F stands for Fast :P). U -> start of line, P -> end of line.
It's sure not as powerful as vim, but the fact that this is available everywhere, even while I'm typing a comment on HN, totally outweighs it for me.
So nah, it's not awkward for me. Or does it come across like that?
Edit: typo
I can even send my script to anybody interested to try it out. But you will really need a proper keyboard for this to work where each key has its own dedicated wire.