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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 14:04:01

Title: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 14:04:01
Hello,
I was wondering should I get the back-lit version of the white poker 2 if I am also getting blank keycaps (in addition to a set of black poker 2 key caps)?
I understand the light wouldn't come through the keys once I replace them, but would the light still come through the sides of the keys?
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: hjkl_over_wasd on Sun, 27 April 2014, 14:37:25
I do not have an answer to your question, but I thought I would share some insight I have had after getting my Poker II. 

I went from a Logitech G710+ which has MX brown switches and abs keycaps with orings, to a Poker II with brown MX switches. The poker is so much more comfortable to type on and is far more silent. It really feels like I'm typing on different switches and the only thing which separates the keys is the keycaps. PBT keycaps make such a huge difference with regards to the typing experience. 

Having said that, people buy keyboards for very different reasons, so if the aesthetics is of higher importance to you, then by all means use ABS. Just make sure that you try PBT keycaps before making the decision. 

Hope you find something you'll be satisfied with.
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 14:53:23
Well I am planning on buying these blank keys ( http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/104-105-pbt-white-blank-key-ca/lid=19240210 ) alongside the keyboard which seem to be PBT, the better feeling type. 

But I was thinking that maybe if I get the back lit one and replace the keys I would have a blank keyboard with lighting coming in between the keyboards... But I wasn't sure how that would look since I hadn't really see anyone do that...
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: Oobly on Sun, 27 April 2014, 15:09:40
Depending on the colour, thickness and material of the keycaps and the brightness of the LED's the light may still shine through the keycaps. It will also bleed out around the bases of the caps and provide a nice glow behind the caps :)

Like this:
(http://i.imgur.com/1tZ9tRq.jpg)

Or this if they are white and medium or thin:
(http://i.imgur.com/SdJ152o.jpg)
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 15:17:13
That is pretty cool.  Thanks for the picture.  That helps ^_^
Now, I just have to figure out where to find a back-lit version.  I could be wrong, but I don't see any backlit white poker 2 on Qtan's site...
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: intelli78 on Sun, 27 April 2014, 15:28:21
Quote from: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 15:17:13
That is pretty cool.  Thanks for the picture.  That helps ^_^
Now, I just have to figure out where to find a back-lit version.  I could be wrong, but I don't see any backlit white poker 2 on Qtan's site...
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/search.php?switch_id=ALL&size=ALL&keyword=poker&in_stock=on

MK is usually a good source for backlit Poker IIs. Right now the stock is low, only the models seen in this link.
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 15:37:32
What is usually more expensive?  Back lit? or PBT keys?
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: pichu23 on Sun, 27 April 2014, 16:28:19
I have a Poker II with the Thick PBT keycaps. I think it's better to get the non back-lit one and mod it yourself.
I've swapped it out tho with some black keycaps.
Here is how it looks under LEDS.
(http://i.imgur.com/Al4vm2W.jpg)
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: tbc on Sun, 27 April 2014, 19:40:43
why would it be better to add the leds yourself?
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 27 April 2014, 19:46:56
also, white imsto PBT keycaps let a lot of light through. I really like them over backlit.
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: pichu23 on Sun, 27 April 2014, 20:06:02
Quote from: tbc on Sun, 27 April 2014, 19:40:43
why would it be better to add the leds yourself?

I mean if he wants the thick pbt keycaps that comes with it.
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 23:54:10
Quote from: pichu23 on Sun, 27 April 2014, 20:06:02
Quote from: tbc on Sun, 27 April 2014, 19:40:43
why would it be better to add the leds yourself?

I mean if he wants the thick pbt keycaps that comes with it.

I was planning on getting the blank keys offered on Qtan's website.  Do you know if those blank keys are the same thickness?

Thank you
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: pichu23 on Mon, 28 April 2014, 07:34:32
Quote from: roaming pear on Sun, 27 April 2014, 23:54:10
Quote from: pichu23 on Sun, 27 April 2014, 20:06:02
Quote from: tbc on Sun, 27 April 2014, 19:40:43
why would it be better to add the leds yourself?

I mean if he wants the thick pbt keycaps that comes with it.

I was planning on getting the blank keys offered on Qtan's website.  Do you know if those blank keys are the same thickness?

Thank you

I can't say. But usually if it's thin white, then sometimes the leds are able to shine a little on the top of the keycap. just a very slight one though.
Title: Re: Poker 2 backlit plus blank pbt keyboards
Post by: Razor Lotus on Mon, 28 April 2014, 11:00:35
Quote from: Oobly on Sun, 27 April 2014, 15:09:40
Depending on the colour, thickness and material of the keycaps and the brightness of the LED's the light may still shine through the keycaps. It will also bleed out around the bases of the caps and provide a nice glow behind the caps :)

Like this:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/1tZ9tRq.jpg)


Or this if they are white and medium or thin:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/SdJ152o.jpg)


Wow this is a really helpful picture! Thanks alot! :)