Poker II review

[Thimplum]

Very nice review. I must say, I got a good laugh out of the 'marketing slogan' and the space bar cap. It looks like a solid board, but the pad printing is a bit of a turnoff...

[pichu23]

Cancelled my Poker 2 order.
I'm not too sure if it's worth comparing with the upcoming Ducky Shine Mini.
Comparing both, I know Poker 2 is mod-able to get the leds.
But overall, Ducky's build and all should be better than Poker 2 eh ?
Anyone can shine some light on this matter ?
Thanks

According to the information posted so far, the Poker 2 will have a variant with full backlighting. So if it's programmable, has a fully backlit option, and PBT caps, I'd say the Poker 2 is the better buy.

Thanks for the reply.
Plus the biggest thing is the distributor in my place is able to source the non-china market ones which are without the "enjoy your feeling" spacebar. So I guess it's a good purchase then ? 

[SeriouSSpotS]

Nice review, just reinforces my want for a poker now. 

[Jack Karneval]

Amazing review & pictures WFD! Seeing those pictures really make me want one of these, but at the same time, I just don't think I could deal without dedicated arrow keys.... and that "enjoy your feeling" on the space bar.... that's just....   

[naokira]

For some reason, the screw on the plate is so tight that I screwed up the top contact point of the screw (I don't know how to explain it LOL) by frustratingly turning it around.

Now I can't take the plate/pcb off the case. And I got a MKC case incoming. I don't know what to do. Someone help!

[mashby]

For some reason, the screw on the plate is so tight that I screwed up the top contact point of the screw (I don't know how to explain it LOL) by frustratingly turning it around.

Now I can't take the plate/pcb off the case. And I got a MKC case incoming. I don't know what to do. Someone help!

You rounded it out? Do you have a picture?

[SeriouSSpotS]

As people come to expect from videos another great review, nice job.

[naokira]

For some reason, the screw on the plate is so tight that I screwed up the top contact point of the screw (I don't know how to explain it LOL) by frustratingly turning it around.

Now I can't take the plate/pcb off the case. And I got a MKC case incoming. I don't know what to do. Someone help!

You rounded it out? Do you have a picture?

Yeah but only 2 screws. Thats the term!
My camera is on a renting trip and I don't some crazy macro lens for it. 

I came across this while searching, will this do the trick? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090225181622AAnDvKp

[mashby]

Yeah but only 2 screws. Thats the term!
My camera is on a renting trip and I don't some crazy macro lens for it. 

I came across this while searching, will this do the trick? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090225181622AAnDvKp

There are a bunch of different methods for removing a stripped screw. YouTube has quite a few videos on the subject.

Good luck!

[TimIsABat]

Cancelled my Poker 2 order.
I'm not too sure if it's worth comparing with the upcoming Ducky Shine Mini.
Comparing both, I know Poker 2 is mod-able to get the leds.
But overall, Ducky's build and all should be better than Poker 2 eh ?
Anyone can shine some light on this matter ?
Thanks

According to the information posted so far, the Poker 2 will have a variant with full backlighting. So if it's programmable, has a fully backlit option, and PBT caps, I'd say the Poker 2 is the better buy.

Thanks for the reply.
Plus the biggest thing is the distributor in my place is able to source the non-china market ones which are without the "enjoy your feeling" spacebar. So I guess it's a good purchase then ? 

I want. I love my Poker X, but I would also like a good solid Poker 2.

[Quardah]

Hey! Where can i buy a KBC Poker II?

On their site (http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/) there's only Pure, Race and Poker 1.
Thanks sorry for the dumb question o-:)

[Jack Karneval]

www.mechanicalkeyboards.com has a whole bunch of Poker II's in stock.

[Quardah]

www.mechanicalkeyboards.com has a whole bunch of Poker II's in stock.

Thanks for the link. When i search for Poker, it only gives me those from Vortex brand. Is Vortex the same as KBC?

[CPTBadAss]

Yes

[mashby]

Thanks for the link. When i search for Poker, it only gives me those from Vortex brand. Is Vortex the same as KBC?

KBC (http://www.likeyboard.com) is the online community that created and designed the keyboard. Vortex is the manufacturer.

[Quardah]

Ohoh alright thanks people for the answers now i'm all set.

I have one last question about the subject (most of you must have seen me questioning many threads haha) :

Do you guys consider the Poker II to be worth 120$? Totally worth it? Somewhat worth it?
'Cause you'll guess i'm looking for a keyboard i can bring with myself at my office and the Poker II seems to do the trick, especially because you can save your configuration onboard. Is there other good choices for a portable keyboard?

Thanks again sorry for getting a little sidetrack here.

[Jack Karneval]

Ohoh alright thanks people for the answers now i'm all set.

I have one last question about the subject (most of you must have seen me questioning many threads haha) :

Do you guys consider the Poker II to be worth 120$? Totally worth it? Somewhat worth it?
'Cause you'll guess i'm looking for a keyboard i can bring with myself at my office and the Poker II seems to do the trick, especially because you can save your configuration onboard. Is there other good choices for a portable keyboard?

Thanks again sorry for getting a little sidetrack here.

I'd say a Poker II is a great choice for that use-case. Since the switches are plate-mounted, it'll help with the overall durability of the keyboard. Also, the box for the Poker II is tiny enough to where you could easily just carry it in the box wherever you need to bring it. So yes, you have my vote for buying one!

[dmreeves]

Just got mine this week and haven't put it down yet. It's very much worth the money, IMO. Someday it might be worth more than that around here

[HongKongFui]

Are the legends on the keycaps really pad printed like written in this review? I always thought this is laser etched keycaps...

EDIT: Or not laser etched, but I tried to get rid off the text on the spacebar and for me it looks like they engraved the letters and filled that... Don't know if that has a special name, but pad printing is something different, or not?

[Quardah]

If i were to compare a Poker II Versus a Happy Hacking Pro 2, one is 100$ the other one is 200$+.

What's the deal between the two? I mean, what makes the HHP2 this much expensive versus the Poker II?

[phoenixl1ght]

If i were to compare a Poker II Versus a Happy Hacking Pro 2, one is 100$ the other one is 200$+.

What's the deal between the two? I mean, what makes the HHP2 this much expensive versus the Poker II?

Topre switches vs mx?

[samwisekoi]

Are the legends on the keycaps really pad printed like written in this review? I always thought this is laser etched keycaps...

EDIT: Or not laser etched, but I tried to get rid off the text on the spacebar and for me it looks like they engraved the letters and filled that... Don't know if that has a special name, but pad printing is something different, or not?

They look laser-etched to me.  They might be etched and filled, but I doubt it.

 - Ron I samwisekoi

[Quardah]

If i were to compare a Poker II Versus a Happy Hacking Pro 2, one is 100$ the other one is 200$+.

What's the deal between the two? I mean, what makes the HHP2 this much expensive versus the Poker II?

Topre switches vs mx?

Yeah read afterwards. My question was dumb lol. Topre is pretty expensive really $_$

[storsjon]

If the Poker II can remap its keys, does this mean I can remap the Fn layer directional keys to ESDF?

[Binge]

If the Poker II can remap its keys, does this mean I can remap the Fn layer directional keys to ESDF?

the poker II has 2x programmable layers on top of the regular and fn layer.  the PN layer is all programmable and the PN+FN layer is also programmable.  You can make your PN layer have "wasd" on "esdf".  Enable pn lock which is fn+ shift and you have the switch locked in place.

[Quardah]

My Poker 2 is in the mail now.

I'm eager to try this.

[TheSoulhunter]

I think I prefer the old Poker...
One nice thing about it was it's modding potential as you could easily open the switches, no more with the plate (without cutouts) on the Poker2
Also the glass diodes and the surface mount USB and DIP switch unit (components that get mechanical stress should be through hole if possible imo).

[jspark]

One of the reasons why I keep buying custom keyboards is to remap the layout to Colemak. So, I have ordered 4 GH60 as well.
Since Poker 2 is fully programmable, it could help me to stop buying more custom parts. Poker 2 is much cheaper than a custom also.

[Quardah]

It arrived it arrives it arrived it arrived!!! It's here It's here It's here It's here It's here!!!

But i have to wait to get home to use it laaaaaame.

But it's here!!!

[pixel5]

It arrived it arrives it arrived it arrived!!! It's here It's here It's here It's here It's here!!!

But i have to wait to get home to use it laaaaaame.

But it's here!!!

I'm still waiting on mine, WHY SHOULD YOU BE HAPPY?

[Quardah]

It arrived it arrives it arrived it arrived!!! It's here It's here It's here It's here It's here!!!

But i have to wait to get home to use it laaaaaame.

But it's here!!!

I'm still waiting on mine, WHY SHOULD YOU BE HAPPY?

I'm happy because i'm still alive while the entire world pushed me to end my life for the last 20 miserable years i've accumulated so far.

[pixel5]

It arrived it arrives it arrived it arrived!!! It's here It's here It's here It's here It's here!!!

But i have to wait to get home to use it laaaaaame.

But it's here!!!

I'm still waiting on mine, WHY SHOULD YOU BE HAPPY?

I'm happy because i'm still alive while the entire world pushed me to end my life for the last 20 miserable years i've accumulated so far.

... I was just messing with you. What an incredibly dark sentiment.

[Quardah]

It arrived it arrives it arrived it arrived!!! It's here It's here It's here It's here It's here!!!

But i have to wait to get home to use it laaaaaame.

But it's here!!!

I'm still waiting on mine, WHY SHOULD YOU BE HAPPY?

I'm happy because i'm still alive while the entire world pushed me to end my life for the last 20 miserable years i've accumulated so far.

... I was just messing with you. What an incredibly dark sentiment.

I know right, i wanted to sound as dramatic as possible.

Lol don't take me seriously, we're on the internet i'm just messing with you too.

Anyway i received it in a sweet little package yesterday. Currently using it at my job. Almost everyone is out of office though do i can't show off

Still, i really enjoy Cherry MX Brown. That's the first one i've ever came to purchase and i really do enjoy it for typing.

[Rhinofeed]

Aren't the keycaps laser-engraved with in-fill, not pad printed?

[Beca]

Aren't the keycaps laser-engraved with in-fill, not pad printed?

According to mechanicalkeyboards.com, they are laser etched: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=458.

[PointyFox]

Aren't the keycaps laser-engraved with in-fill, not pad printed?

According to mechanicalkeyboards.com, they are laser etched: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=458.

So, yes.

[i3oilermaker]

I'm going to call shenanigans...these are pad printed.

[do_Og@n]

First of all this is an amazing reviews that covered most of the same issues I don't like about the keyboard. Awesome photos and you can tell that there was a lot of time put into it all.

Thank you for the review!!! Keep up the good work.

As a side note on mechanicalkeyboards.com they are including a second spacebar that doesn't have the "influential quote", which I don't know if it is an option done by the manufacturer or the website.

[Quardah]

Yeah the keyboard feels pretty cool. It's slick, small and the build quality is just awesome.

You really feel it's a good keyboard. It's pretty comfortable. All in all it's a good buy as far as i know, but only time will tell. I expect this keyboard to run for at least 5 years from today, but it looks like it's starting very well i really hope the keyboard doesn't worn out at all.

I changed the spacebar to the blank one though, i really think "Enjoy your feelings" is a creepy slogan... and people at the office would be creeped out lol.

[kernelpanic]

Is the printing on your keycaps already wearing out? It is strange with my board, some keys are heavily affected and others are not. For example W looks far better than ASD, altough I use it for Counter Strike (but not that much, anyway) and I thouth it is a heavily used key as well.

Any guesses when the pringting will be gone completely?

[WhiteFireDragon]

Is the printing on your keycaps already wearing out? It is strange with my board, some keys are heavily affected and others are not. For example W looks far better than ASD, altough I use it for Counter Strike (but not that much, anyway) and I thouth it is a heavily used key as well.

Any guesses when the pringting will be gone completely?

I have no idea. After a few pics from this review, it went back into the box in storage. I don't think I even typed a full sentence on it yet, so maybe wait until someone that put extensive usage on the keycaps can comment. In general though, home keys where your fingers rest will wear faster than other keys.

[jameslr]

Great review WhiteFireDragon! Your comparison review of the QFR vs Filco TKL sold me on the QFR as my first mechanical board.

[Dizon248]

I can't believe they went through all the trouble to make the keyboard so nice. With the metal plating to make it not flex, PBT keycaps, but they skimp on the printing and do pad printing? WTF! Either way.... I still bought it.

[acantha]

Great review! agree about the caps. silly to do high quality caps and then print them.

[listokei]

Look's nice!
Enjoy your feeling!

[bahamot]

Can you do "CTRL-SHIFT-Arrow key" to select words with poker 2?

[do_Og@n]

Can you do "CTRL-SHIFT-Arrow key" to select words with poker 2?

Yes you can. I used mine at work for a week and got so used to using all the modifiers on it that it was hard to go back to my normal tenkeyless.

The weird part to get used to was the Ctrl+Alt+Fn+Backspace (Delete) key to log back in.

[bahamot]

Yes you can. I used mine at work for a week and got so used to using all the modifiers on it that it was hard to go back to my normal tenkeyless.

The weird part to get used to was the Ctrl+Alt+Fn+Backspace (Delete) key to log back in.

Excellent! Thanks

[SpAmRaY]

The weird part to get used to was the Ctrl+Alt+Fn+Backspace (Delete) key to log back in.

Since I have to do this a lot at work I had a hard time with it and gave up on using the poker.

[bahamot]

Just got my poker2, I think it's gonna take me some times to get used to it.
Especially using it on Excel.