Poker keyboard - OFFICIAL PRE-ORDER / PRE-PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

[kidchunks]

also does anyone know if there is perhaps a way to get the tilde and esc keys to swap? So instead of accessing esc through the fn key set it to esc by default and have tilde accessible through fn. Or is that what the last row in the usermanual table says?

fn key + "q" swaps them out.

[pm_]

From the samples of this boards that was reviewed, the keys were black text on black keys with white labels for fn keys (on the front). The keys on this one are black with white text and nothing on the front side of the keys? The same with the replacements being sold?

I think the included caps are black with a laser etching, filled with white lettering. They have to have the legends on them too, otherwise people wouldn't know the modifiers.  Someone please correct me if this is wrong.

Now the replacements, I'm pretty sure those have no legends on them for the modifier row...I'm pretty sure iMav confirmed that.

[ashort]

April is almost here and I am getting excited!
(I do not want to see the pic that Ripster has locked and loaded in reply to that.)

A thought...Once the order is placed, we should have an "office pool" to  see when we think the order will show up at iMav's place.  Winner gets a  free set of keycaps, on me!  

First come, first served, one diate to one person.  Color of your choice depending on the availability of extras n the shipment.

[zaerst]

May 31st

[ashort]

I'm not checking the status of the entries, but was assuming that you should probably order a KBC Poker in this group buy to be eligible for the pool.

[sadbox]

Just send payment for 1x w/ Blues!

Can't wait!

[curzen]

Spent the last couple of days reading up on keyboards given that I'm putting together a system for home use again instead of just using laptops.
Remembered the good old times in the 80s/90s with mechanical boards which is why I ended up here.

I'll most likely try to squeak in on the  pre order just before the end of the month after posting a question or two the next days (too tired right now).

[keyboardlover]

Welcome to GeekHack!

[jfaulken]

Paid! 1 x MX-Browns.  iMav, you rock.

[demik]

quick question, do i need a paypal account to send payment?

i want one

[misterbobster]

hmm going to start a countdown of 15 weeks. Can't wait!

[pm_]

Don't think so.  At least the Deskthroaty.net ones are pad printed.

Hmm.  In Sixty's review, he says they are PBT keycaps.  In Webwits review, he says the are ABS.  As far as I can tell, without any macro shots, they look the same to me.  So in the reviews, are they PBT or ABS, or did they get models with different keycaps?  They're both lasered if I'm not mistaken, and that's why I thought they would be lasered with a white fill.  :/

iMav, do you know if they are lasered or printed?  I'm hoping lasered...I need those legends on the sides!

[NeverDie]

So wait, the keyboards will be arriving to OP's house around June? It takes THAT long? O_O

[7bit]

So wait, the keyboards will be arriving to OP's house around June? It takes THAT long? O_O

This is because until May, iMav will still have those many key caps in his house^[[1;5Dware, so there would be no space left for keyboards!

[NeverDie]

This is because until May, iMav will still have those many key caps in his house^[[1;5Dware, so there would be no space left for keyboards!

[iMav]

KBC gave me the following time table:

Approximately 6-8 weeks to produce the keyboards (blacks, blues, and browns)...12-14 weeks for the reds.

I would say that this is worst case scenario with some buffer...but since this is the first order from us, I have no tangible evidence to base that on.  

[chel-]

Damn that's a long time. Oh well, I'll forget I ordered one and in a couple months I'll have a nice surprise at my door.

[sixty]

Hmm.  In Sixty's review, he says they are PBT keycaps.  In Webwits review, he says the are ABS.  As far as I can tell, without any macro shots, they look the same to me.  So in the reviews, are they PBT or ABS, or did they get models with different keycaps?  They're both lasered if I'm not mistaken, and that's why I thought they would be lasered with a white fill.  :/

iMav, do you know if they are lasered or printed?  I'm hoping lasered...I need those legends on the sides!

The sample keycaps were laser engraved PBT. The retail version will be ABS with a white print. I am not sure myself if it is laser printed or pad printed, as far as I can tell the keycaps are the same as on the old DAS3.

[curzen]

The sample keycaps were laser engraved PBT. The retail version will be ABS with a white print. I am not sure myself if it is laser printed or pad printed, as far as I can tell the keycaps are the same as on the old DAS3.

which would mean the Pokers will have the previously shown slightly more angular font? that'd be neat. Now I just need to figure out the difference between ABS and PBT to figure out if I should order extra keycaps.

PS: any idea how they'll ship to the US, cheap by ship or airmail?

[RickyJ]

Looks really cool, and a great price!  As tempting as this board is, I need a numpad.

[Kairxa]

May I have an exception in payment? I'll be able to pay after 5th of April..

If yes, then I'm in for an MX Red board.

[demik]

should we send money as gift or payment?

ive talked myself into getting one to try out mx blacks (already have blue, getting leopold browns in the elitekb preorder).

now to save up money for a HHKB pro 2 lol

[mrsone]

Payment sent. I am all atwitter with joy as I have ordered a set of reds for myself. I will finally be able to try the reds without breaking the bank! Bless you, iMav for bringing this to Geekhack!

[iMav]

should we send money as gift or payment?

A gift would be preferable...but I won't require it (since some of you may trust me more then others).  

[Kairxa]

Nevermind me, just found the board in taobao, I'll just ask my friend over there to bring em here when he's home in June.
Thanks anyway!

[Chrontius]

Just found these.  Are Cherry Clears an option?

Can we have a DIP switch to swap alt and meta?

[keyboardlover]

Just found these.  Are Cherry Clears an option?

You can't order one with clears, but if you bought an inexpensive keyboard off ebay with clears, it's very easy to swap them on without any soldering.

[Amp]

You can't order one with clears, but if you bought an inexpensive keyboard off ebay with clears, it's very easy to swap them on without any soldering.

Really? Could I just pull them out by hand, or something?

I wonder if it would be possible, then, to simply order a bag of the microswitches themselves, if swapping is as easy as advertised.

[Konrad]

[strike]Ripster's[/strike] Geekhack's wiki describes (and links to threads about) DIY tools for key pulling.  You can even use loops of dental floss.

[steeef]

Really? Could I just pull them out by hand, or something?

I wonder if it would be possible, then, to simply order a bag of the microswitches themselves, if swapping is as easy as advertised.

Last I checked it'd be about $80 for 100 pcb-mountable clear switches from Mouser. You should be able to find a Cherry board from Ebay for less than that, you just have to be patient. Still, they're available if you have the cash.

[noodles256]

when is the last day to order

[iMav]

when is the last day to order

Tenatively, 31 March 2011.

[elbowglue]

You can't order one with clears, but if you bought an inexpensive keyboard off ebay with clears, it's very easy to swap them on without any soldering.

The keys with LEDs require soldering to get the top off, you could change everything that dosen't have an LED under it.

[noodles256]

payment sent for Poker Red

Thanks iMav

[n12]

Ugh, I am so excited :X can't wait for these to come someday!

[stupefaction]

I've been looking for an affordable, compact, mechanical keyboard for a while now. Currently I'm using a SIIG Mini Multimedia, which has the layout I want but irks me constantly with its mushy and shallow key travel. The Poker 60% seems ideal in all but two respects. First there's the merging of the tilde and ESC keys into one, which worries me because I often use the tilde on the command line and even more frequently use ESC in vim. I've decided that I can live with that if I use the ESC lock all the time and learn to use FN for the tilde.

The second problem, which I fear may be a deal breaker, is that the Poker 60% is pitched upward by half an inch from the front row to the back row, according to a previous post. I've been using zero-pitch keyboards for years now, and I'm not sure I want to go back.

I realize there are other places to discuss this kind of thing, except that the end of the month is approaching quickly and I have to decide if I want to get in on this deal. From my limited knowledge of the market, it appears that $95 is an excellent price for a compact keyboard with MX-Brown switches, but I don't want to throw that kind of money out the window either. So I'm turning to you, gentle readers, for help with my dilemma.

If you're someone who prefers zero-pitch keyboards but also likes the feel of mechanical switches and insists on a compact layout, is the Poker 60% an acceptable compromise? Are there other offerings in the $100 range that do meet all of my criteria, or is that a pipe dream? Finally, if I order the Poker 60% and then decide that I can't live with the non-zero pitch, what are the chances that I can resell it here or on eBay without taking too great a loss?

[iMav]

stupefaction,  I believe you'd have little issue reselling this keyboard in the classifieds section.  I, too, like my keyboards either flat or even with a negative pitch.  I don't think it will be an issue, but if it is, I'm sure I could find some round, rubber feet for the front of the 'board...but, like I said, I don't think it will be an issue.

I say go for it.

[heedpantsnow]

stupefaction,  I believe you'd have little issue reselling this keyboard in the classifieds section.  I, too, like my keyboards either flat or even with a negative pitch.  I don't think it will be an issue, but if it is, I'm sure I could find some round, rubber feet for the front of the 'board...but, like I said, I don't think it will be an issue.

I say go for it.

I agree, you'll have no problem selling it around here.  The other option would be to take off the stock base (which internally provides the incline you are not inclined to like) and make a plain flat one for it to sit on, if you're handy with that sort of thing.  I might end up doing that anyway as I have some carbon plate sitting around.

[Brodie337]

I used to have to have my keyboards flat, a habit learned from years of using laptops. If actually make an effort to type properly though, and lift my wrists properly, not only can I type faster, I find it alot more comfortable if I have a little bit of pitch on the keyboard.

[mrsone]

I used to have to have my keyboards flat, a habit learned from years of using laptops. If actually make an effort to type properly though, and lift my wrists properly, not only can I type faster, I find it alot more comfortable if I have a little bit of pitch on the keyboard.

I have noticed the same thing. I can bang out some text fine on a flat keyboard but my comfort and accuracy goes way up when I am using the right technique and a little slope on the keyboard.

I think the keyboard is worth a try. The poker should be able to sell easily, though,  especially to someone who may not have gotten go get in on the preorder.

[stupefaction]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I won't make a final decision until PayPal finishes uploading my money, but I'm almost ready to pull the trigger. Or I was until last night, when I noticed that there's going to be a group buy for Noppoo Choc Minis. The Noppoo is also pitchy and it has a slightly bigger footprint than the Poker due to a bunch of keys that I rarely use: F1 through F12, arrow keys, PgUp and PgDown. On the other hand, it does have separate tilde and ESC keys, which is alluring to me because I'm a Linux and vim user.

Now I'm torn between the Poker and the Noppoo. A notion has been stirring in my mind that I can buy both, try them out for a few weeks to see which one I like better, and sell the other one. The danger with this approach is that I might like them both, and then I'll have the start of a serious keyboard collection. I'm already a fan of squirrels and vintage space Lego, so I sense that I'm treading a perilous path here.

[n12]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I won't make a final decision until PayPal finishes uploading my money, but I'm almost ready to pull the trigger. Or I was until last night, when I noticed that there's going to be a group buy for Noppoo Choc Minis. The Noppoo is also pitchy and it has a slightly bigger footprint than the Poker due to a bunch of keys that I rarely use: F1 through F12, arrow keys, PgUp and PgDown. On the other hand, it does have separate tilde and ESC keys, which is alluring to me because I'm a Linux and vim user.

Now I'm torn between the Poker and the Noppoo. A notion has been stirring in my mind that I can buy both, try them out for a few weeks to see which one I like better, and sell the other one. The danger with this approach is that I might like them both, and then I'll have the start of a serious keyboard collection. I'm already a fan of squirrels and vintage space Lego, so I sense that I'm treading a perilous path here.

Maybe give this a shot to see if you like the layout.

[mrsone]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I won't make a final decision until PayPal finishes uploading my money, but I'm almost ready to pull the trigger. Or I was until last night, when I noticed that there's going to be a group buy for Noppoo Choc Minis. The Noppoo is also pitchy and it has a slightly bigger footprint than the Poker due to a bunch of keys that I rarely use: F1 through F12, arrow keys, PgUp and PgDown. On the other hand, it does have separate tilde and ESC keys, which is alluring to me because I'm a Linux and vim user.

Now I'm torn between the Poker and the Noppoo. A notion has been stirring in my mind that I can buy both, try them out for a few weeks to see which one I like better, and sell the other one. The danger with this approach is that I might like them both, and then I'll have the start of a serious keyboard collection. I'm already a fan of squirrels and vintage space Lego, so I sense that I'm treading a perilous path here.

I have the Noppoo Choc Mini and I am getting the KBC Poker, too. I think every mechanical keyboard user should have a collection. Its a great way to really know what you like in a switch and it is also helpful in helping others find out which keyboard types are good for them. Plus you can always sell off what you don't need later, as mech keyboards hold their value very well even when used.

[kidchunks]

Maybe give this a shot to see if you like the layout.

I wrote that script with the mind set of purchasing a poker. Once I started using the layout, I realize it wasn't for me. I encourage everyone who is thinking of purchasing a poker (and uses windows) to test drive the layout before committing. Saved me some $$ :biggrin:

[noodles256]

I wrote that script with the mind set of purchasing a poker. Once I started using the layout, I realize it wasn't for me. I encourage everyone who is thinking of purchasing a poker (and uses windows) to test drive the layout before committing. Saved me some $$ :biggrin:

I can adapt to the layout easily, I just want a portable cherry board

[ultimdan]

On the review Sixty made, there was no right Alt key, but on the pic attached to the thread there is one. Did they change the layout? As I use a Canadian French layout, it would be great!

On a side note, I just bought my first mechanical keyboard from a fellow Geekhacker! It's a HHKB for my job and I love it! I'm waiting for a Noppoo at home and maybe a KBC poker on the go. My wallet is looking mad at me...

[bill gates iii]

Thanks for the keyboards iMav. I bought 6 of them.

[ashort]

Tenatively, 31 March 2011.

Less than 3 days!

[noodles256]

Thanks for the keyboards iMav. I bought 6 of them.

1 for me plox

[heathkit]

On the other hand, it does have separate tilde and ESC keys, which is alluring to me because I'm a Linux and vim user.

A while ago I mapped ctrl to capslock and started doing C-[ instead of ESC.  Since that's the regular ascii code for escape anyway, you can just use it anywhere you'd normally use esc, and with ctrl remapped it's much easier to type.

It takes some getting used to, but I really like the hhkb layout (even though ~ is way off in the middle of nowhere)