Is There a Huge Difference Between KBParadise V60 and Pok3r?

[SeeYouSpaceCowboy]

I'm looking at getting a second mechanical, and after a discussion, I had on /r/MechanicalKeyboards, I decided on going black. But it turns out that a non-RGB Pok3r in black isn't available with Mx Clears right now.

I then came across KBParadise's V60 and wondered if there is that much of difference in quality? Both the Pok3r and V60 do have ABS caps instead of PBT. Which leads me to wondering if I'll notice a difference?

If I'd be sacrificing quality by going through a V60, I'll just suck it up and go with a white Pok3r, but I thought I'd come on here and ask you guys first.

[noSatellite]

the vp3 at wasd keyboards is a pok3r, and is currently available with mx clears - available in either ansi or iso.

[rich1051414]

As far as 60% layouts go, you are in luck as they are the flavor of the year. For someone like me who relies too much on function keys to be ok with hiding them behind function layers it is a problem, we are not so lucky I love 75% keyboards, but that are so few and far between. Sadly, the layout is actually one that has existed since the late 80's, and still hasn't taken off, so I don't expect it to in the future.

[DALExSNAIL]

As far as 60% layouts go, you are in luck as they are the flavor of the year. For someone like me who relies too much on function keys to be ok with hiding them behind function layers it is a problem, we are not so lucky I love 75% keyboards, but that are so few and far between. Sadly, the layout is actually one that has existed since the late 80's, and still hasn't taken off, so I don't expect it to in the future.

This has almost 0 to do with OP's question, you're poppin in just to gripe about something.

In response to the question though, Pok3r and v60 are bother great keyboards. The Pok3r has an aluminum case, but the v60 has much nicer caps and is much lighter. I prefer the Pok3r personally, but I like heavier keyboards.

[eksuen]

I don't think you'll be sacrificing quality by going with the V60. It's a great board. The Pok3r seems unusually popular on reddit, but don't let that dissuade you from choosing the board that better suits you.

I prefer the V60's function layer layout and the location of the bottom row Fn key (I opt for R Alt on V60 vs. R Win on Pok3r). Yes, the Pok3r can be programmed, but that only applies to layers 2-4. The default layer cannot be changed. This difference alone makes me opt for the V60 every time.

[merlin64]

I'd shell out a few more bucks and go with the KBP V60 Type R or even the Polestar Edition to get full programmability!

[jcoffin1981]

The difference is about 50 dollars.  I like the LED's on Poker better.  Key cap quality is similar.  Poker has metal case vs the V60 in plastic, which is not important to me.  The Poker's keys are "floating" while the other is recessed.  I noticed the Poker angle of the board is a little higher.  That's why I've been using exclusively a Leopold. 

Many of the v60's have debounce problems, especially in the space bar.  It will register 2 times or more.  I don't know if this has been solved.

[ideus]

I had a Poker before and I can say it ran with no issues whatsoever. I sold it to get a custom sixty using the Nerd60 PCB and I have two now. I do not know the V60 so I cannot say anything about it. Personally, I would encourage you to consider a custom sixty, there are many PCBs available and the options for cases and plates are also good. You may get programmability, the exact layout that you may want and you will have a lot of fun in the process of sourcing the parts and building it. I really think that building a keyboard is one of the best things you can do as a mechanical keyboard aficionado.

[davkol]

I'd shell out a few more bucks and go with the KBP V60 Type R or even the Polestar Edition to get full programmability!

QFT

[Hypersphere]

I'd shell out a few more bucks and go with the KBP V60 Type R or even the Polestar Edition to get full programmability!

QFT

[8Bitterness]

If you're willing to throw in some extra cash and time I'd get the Pok3r LE with the frosted white layer. The case looks really solid and nice, you can throw some clears on there, perhaps a hasu USB to USB DIY or from 1upkeyboards and you're set. Otherwise the Type R for sure.

[Leslieann]

Some KBP boards are really well made (one is made by Ducky if I remember right) but the V60 seems to be built by the same company as Razer and possibly Ajazz. While not the worst, it means you get crummy caps and stabs. Both can be fixed, but you shouldn't need to on a $100 keyboard. Stabs can be fixed with some lube, but last time I had keycaps like that they were destroyed in a couple weeks, these may be better, but I avoid them now (one set lasted a week!). Vortex has had their ups and downs, but in general are getting better and better.

Why not build your next keyboard? 60% is a perfect keyboard for this purpose as parts and kits are cheap and plentiful.

[killyou]

I wouldn't bother with any other stock 60% than Pok3r, best value for money. I recommend to get the cheapest Pok3r available from eBay (you can get it as low as $80 for a new one) and for the money you saved put Zealios instead.

[tp4tissue]

They should keep the width the same,  but make it taller so we don't need so many function layers..

I don't see why we couldn't keep the 60% width, then add 3 more rows of keys..

[Hypersphere]

@SeeYouSpaceCowboy: Good question. I have a Pok3r with Cherry Brown, V60 with Gateron Yellow, V60 with Matias Click, V60 with Matias Quiet, and V60R with Cherry Green. They are alike in many respects, but there are some features that are unique to one or the other.

For example, the Pok3r has an aluminum case, which many folks find appealing. However, once the keyboard is on my desk, I don't notice the heavier weight of the Pok3r. All of my keyboards in the above list are black, and so I also don't notice any difference in appearance of the cases. The main difference is in the sound. To me, the hollow plastic case of the V60 boards sounds better than the aluminum case. I have come to the same conclusion by transplanting the innards of one board from a plastic case into a Pok3r aluminum case and vice-versa, to ensure that I am comparing the sound when the only variable is the case.

The Pok3r has modified Cherry stabilizers that feel somewhat less mushy to me than the Cherry stabilizers in the Cherry mx or clone V60 boards. I prefer the feel of the Costar-type stabilizers in the Matias-switch V60 boards over any of the other boards in this group.

My Pok3r came with laser-etched PBT keycaps, which felt better than the laser-etched ABS keycaps on the V60R, but I ended up replacing the caps on all of the boards with dye-sub PBT alphas and blank black modifiers and spacebars.

The switch options on the Pok3r are limited to Cherry mx, whereas V60 models include Cherry mx, Gateron, Kailh, Matias, and Fukka.

Because my preferred layout is HHKB, in a non-HHKB board, it is important to me to have programming options to reconfigure the layout to HHKB. The Pok3r has extensive programming options, but it is not completely programmable, and I was unable to find a straightforward way of remapping the R_Ctrl to Fn, which is the way I remap other keyboards. This is where the V60R comes out ahead -- it is completely programmable via QMK firmware.

If you are okay with Cherry mx switches and highly flexible remapping but not total programmability, then the Pok3r is probably the better value. However, if you would like more switch options, the V60 could provide those. If you would also like to have full programmability, then the V60R or V60R Polestar offers this. The V60 Polestar version adds LED underglow effects.

[Kavik]

I don't have the V60, but I have a V80 with Matias Click switches. I recommend against it simply because the case is cheap crap. I eventually put mine in a TEX aluminum case, which helped with stability. The original plastic case was uneven; it seemed to have some permanent flex in it that made it not sit level on my desk unless I folded a sticky note under it. Even then, I could feel it flex and bend a bit when using it.

I've also had a few reliability issues with the switches, but that probably doesn't affect the Cherry versions.

As far as the stock keycaps, they were actually pretty decent doubleshot ABS OEM profile. I actually liked typing on them quite a bit.

[Leslieann]

Just got my V80 today (Matias), have to agree with Kavik, the case is not very good. Mine isn't twisted it just doesn't hold the plate like it should. I may be able to fix it.

I may be a bit overly critical here and expecting too much considering the price and comparing it to my other more expensive boards. Other than that though, the rest seems quite good.