are there any other alternatives, aside from the poker 2 and the pure?Yes, the first Poker and the Pure Pro (I wouldn't recommend either). Ducky is also going to sell a 60% board soon. Another alternative would be a GH60, you can take over some unpaid orders in the group buy thread, however you then need to buy switches, a case and a cable too.
from what i've read from the GH wiki, the pure beats the poker with regards to form factor, im wondering whether the problem persists with the poker 2?The first Poker is prone to PCB bending because it has no plate and is not connected to the case in the center of the PCB (the Pure is, but has no plate as well). The Poker 2 however is plate mounted which resolves the problem.
also, how do the function key layouts look? i can't find the layouts anywhere, and all i know is that the arrow keys are on wasd for the poker, and okl; on the pure... is that true? i also heard that shift/win/alt/control act as arrow keys, and i'm a little confused.The Pure has RWin, RAlt, RShift and RCtrl as arrow keys when pressing fn+space (it's a lock mode). Whilst pressing fn, you can also use OKL; as arrow keys. Heres the function layer of the Pure: http://piclair.com/data/eflmp.jpg
regarding keycaps, do both keyboards require me to purchase a tsangan for custom cap?The Poker 1 and 2 do not need a Tsangan kit, the Pure does, the Pure Pro is not even compatible with a Tsangan kit.
are there any other alternatives, aside from the poker 2 and the pure?Yes, the first Poker and the Pure Pro (I wouldn't recommend either). Ducky is also going to sell a 60% board soon. Another alternative would be a GH60, you can take over some unpaid orders in the group buy thread, however you then need to buy switches, a case and a cable too.from what i've read from the GH wiki, the pure beats the poker with regards to form factor, im wondering whether the problem persists with the poker 2?The first Poker is prone to PCB bending because it has no plate and is not connected to the case in the center of the PCB (the Pure is, but has no plate as well). The Poker 2 however is plate mounted which resolves the problem.also, how do the function key layouts look? i can't find the layouts anywhere, and all i know is that the arrow keys are on wasd for the poker, and okl; on the pure... is that true? i also heard that shift/win/alt/control act as arrow keys, and i'm a little confused.The Pure has RWin, RAlt, RShift and RCtrl as arrow keys when pressing fn+space (it's a lock mode). Whilst pressing fn, you can also use OKL; as arrow keys. Heres the function layer of the Pure: http://piclair.com/data/eflmp.jpg
The Poker 2 is fully programmable so you can change everything to something you like.
On the first Poker, the function layer looks like this: http://i.imgur.com/3fvcV.gifregarding keycaps, do both keyboards require me to purchase a tsangan for custom cap?The Poker 1 and 2 do not need a Tsangan kit, the Pure does, the Pure Pro is not even compatible with a Tsangan kit.
tl;dr: The Poker 2 is pretty much the way to go, unless you need that extra key on the Pure, also avoid the Pure Pro.
Damnit Captain :(
Ducky Mini info thread here (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44418.0).
Poker X is PCB mounted with a pre-set firmware function layer. Poker 2 is plate-mounted and can be programmed as you please. Poker 2 also has PBT caps and comes in backlit and non-backlit versions, or should. MK.com and TechKeys (I think) are carrying them now but I haven't looked at them at all to verify if they're both backlit and non-backlit.
1) it seems like poker 2 is the way to go for people who don't want to build a GH60, or pay a premium for topre switches?
2) the poker and the poker x are pcb mounted and are not sturdy and feel hollow,
3) the pure cannot have custom keycaps so the poker 2 wins. is that a good way to look at it? :D
1) You can buy assembly services for the GH60 if you so desire. I don't like Topre switches so I won't speak to that.
2) I have a Pure that is PCB mounted, it's not bad, doesn't feel un-sturdy or hollow. I just like the weight and solidity of plates, so I'll be plating my pure.
3) What do you mean that the Pure cannot have custom keycaps?
Yeah, you'd have to buy a Tsangan for the shift. But for example, the Tsangan is also good for boards that have 1.5x mods. So the bottom row is 1.5-1-1.5-7-1.5-1-1.5. The Tsangan then covers my bottom row and the Pure shift. I'm not sure if you're planning on doing that. Just a thought. Don't ask me about saving money in this hobby 'cause I don't know how :P
Filco Minila and Tex Beetle are two other good options, but both of them have non-standard layouts if full cap replacement is a priority.
You're referring to the size of the board when you said full-size, 60%, TKL, etc.
1.5x mods refers to the layout of the keycaps on the board. Some examples are ANSI 1.25X, ANSI 1.5X, and ISO.
Look at these two pictures and see if you can spot the difference:
ANSI 1.25x, Full-size (Filco Majestouch 104)Show Image(http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/FKB104MEB_01.jpg)
ANSI 1.5x, TKL (Korean Custom board, The Cheat)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/dKf3C.jpg)
You're referring to the size of the board when you said full-size, 60%, TKL, etc.
1.5x mods refers to the layout of the keycaps on the board. Some examples are ANSI 1.25X, ANSI 1.5X, and ISO.
Look at these two pictures and see if you can spot the difference:
ANSI 1.25x, Full-size (Filco Majestouch 104)Show Image(http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/FKB104MEB_01.jpg)
ANSI 1.5x, TKL (Korean Custom board, The Cheat)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/dKf3C.jpg)
Oh dear, it sounds like such a pain in the ass to own non standard ANSI 1.25x bottom rows. I'm definitely going to avoid these unconventional boards :/
Filco Minila and Tex Beetle are two other good options, but both of them have non-standard layouts if full cap replacement is a priority.
i don't really like having arrow keys on 60% boards, which is why i'm straying away from the pure pro :p
You're referring to the size of the board when you said full-size, 60%, TKL, etc.
1.5x mods refers to the layout of the keycaps on the board. Some examples are ANSI 1.25X, ANSI 1.5X, and ISO.
Look at these two pictures and see if you can spot the difference:
ANSI 1.25x, Full-size (Filco Majestouch 104)Show Image(http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/FKB104MEB_01.jpg)
ANSI 1.5x, TKL (Korean Custom board, The Cheat)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/dKf3C.jpg)
I honestly haven't heard that much about the Poker 2. I know MechanicalKeyboards.com and Techkeys have some in stock now but I haven't checked if they're backlit or not.
You do know that the Poker 2 comes with PBT caps right? I'm not sure if you're ready to enjoy your feeling though so I'd understand you wanting to change caps :P
Never seen a board where you can turn the backlight completely off. Don't want the backlighting on that caps lock? Open the board up, desolder the LED, close the board back up. Easy fix :P
Edit: Thanks for your kind words. My baby is the Simple Questions thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.0) so I'm pretty used to answering questions. The Poker 2 has been asked about a lot lately so I know a bit about it.