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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: TouchTypist on Fri, 19 June 2015, 20:10:22
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I'm looking for a smaller keyboard that will be good for gaming as well as typing. I really like the look and overall layout of the pok3r so I've been leaning towards it, with mx clears. I understand switches are a personal preference, so I'll skip asking about them. I'm looking for opinions of anyone that has this keyboard as it relates to gaming, as from what I can tell it's pretty nice for typing. Were the directional keys workable, or do you find you wish you had dedicated keys?
I'm new to the kb game, so I'm sure I've left out something that would help answer the question. If that's the case, let me know and I'll fill in the gaps.
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Is it your first mechanical keyboard? If so, then i wouldnt go with a 60%. if you want portable, just go with an 80% for your first mech. Also, clears are heavy, just warning you.
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Why would you caution against a 60%? I'm currently using a cherry ml 4100. The size seems fine but the switches are lacking overall. Gritty.
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The metal case is cheap on the pok3r. The one I had picked up scratches easy and made the board look crap. I'd go for a fc660m instead. You don't have to build up to 60% jump right in. They're awesome :cool:
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I just saw a post about that board but didn't know what it was. TO THE INTERNET! :thumb:
Edit: ooo, that is a sexy little number. And the directional keys are not on a fn layer :eek:
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And then there's the FC660C. It's one of my personal favourites. Same layout as the FC660M but with Topre switches.
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I have an fc660c.
I really do like it.
Mostly, I like the form factor. Of course the topre keys are nice too.
If you go with the fc660 type boards, the "m" version is a good starter one and it's cheaper than the "c" version.
Im leaning towards buying the keycool hero 84 that's on Massdrop right now.
I want it because I'm starting to miss my function keys. I need them for certain tasks and I have not fully liked the "fn" layer you have to use to be able to access the function row.
I also want it because it technically takes up the same desk area as the fc660c.
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I saw that one on Massdrop and considered it. I sort of wanted to start with Gateron switches, but the boards I have tried so far (not many in number) have all been Cherries. My favorite is an older Chicony with blue switches. It needs to be fixed, which I'm in the middle of attempting, or otherwise it's just a nice looking vintage board.
Also, the ones I'm discussing as far as actually getting are all cherry switches, so take that for what it's worth.
Sidebar-this ml keyboard I'm using seems to be getting a bit better with more use. The keys stick a little less. Perhaps I should try giving it some lubrication; any recommendations on what to use?
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Is it possible to assign to a key a value that is not on the keyboard? For example entering its ascii value?
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Is it possible to assign to a key a value that is not on the keyboard? For example entering its ascii value?
Autohotkey?
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Nope, locked computer at work...
Is it possible to assign to a key a value that is not on the keyboard? For example entering its ascii value?
Autohotkey?
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I have a kbparadise v60 in clears which is somewhat similar to the pok3r but without the whole extra programming keys etc. Love the 60% form factor when I play games since it feels nice having my mouse closer to my keyboard.
As for clears, at first I thought that they were so heavy since I just came off from using MX Reds but because of the tactile bump of the clears, I don't bottom out anymore when I type and got used to it. So now I'm fine with the weight of clears but when I brought my MX reds keyboard to work, it felt so weird using reds again and was too light for me now.
So all in all, after 2 weeks of using clears, I absolutely fell in love with it and don't know how I was able to type with the tactile bumps.
Also, I kind of regret getting the v60 instead of the pok3r. The pok3r comes with pbt keycaps and aluminum case for about $10? more than the v60. I just jumped the plunge at the v60 because they were more readily available and I couldn't find the white pok3r with clears anywhere =\
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I'm looking for a smaller keyboard that will be good for gaming as well as typing. I really like the look and overall layout of the pok3r so I've been leaning towards it, with mx clears. I understand switches are a personal preference, so I'll skip asking about them. I'm looking for opinions of anyone that has this keyboard as it relates to gaming, as from what I can tell it's pretty nice for typing. Were the directional keys workable, or do you find you wish you had dedicated keys?
I'm new to the kb game, so I'm sure I've left out something that would help answer the question. If that's the case, let me know and I'll fill in the gaps.
curious as to what game(s) you play. In any case, I think starting off with a 60% might not be a good idea. Get a ten-keyless that still have the top function keys as I think you might need them and might make the transition to 60% easier.
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if you use the F-row a lot, then you might want to consider a TKL board, or a 70%-75% board (like the kbt Race).
i have a Pure Pro (60%) myself, because it has dedicated arrow keys, but it lacks the F-row.
and eventually i got tired of missing the F-row, so i got myself a TKL as well.
i love 60%, particularly the pure pro, but i came to realize that i need a keyboard with an F-row.
just something to consider :-)
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The Rapoo V500 is nice. It's only slightly larger than a 60% but has the TKL layout.
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Personally I dont like the 60% boards, though I could use one. 75% is the minimum for me, though the Leopold F660* is the best layout of the 60%.
I have a KBT Race II which I got because I like the enlarged arrow keys and the enlarged ESC key & Backspace/Delete key. And it's perfectly fine, However, I dont travel with my keyboards, so Id just assume get an 80% TKL board like the Ducky in my sig. So Im selling the KBTalking Race II.
I am typing on a Asus netbook which has an 75% layout with Home, Page UP/Down, Home keys down the right side just like the RAce, keys which I use, so Im used to that placement too.
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The games I play I can't recall ever having to use the F keys. Perhaps I'm not min/maxing enough ;)
I do like to play games like The Binding of Isaac, which needs both wasd and the direction keys to work right. And for some reason not having them seems like a deal breaker to me; function keys, not so much. I'm trying to think if I ever use them in Photoshop...I'll have to think about that one a bit. Even so, wouldn't a function layer work for that? I don't use it for a job so it's not like I would need to employ them super often as a result.
Maybe I'm a terrible keyboard user. I don't even use the scroll lock button :p
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Maybe a leopold F600m it's a 60% keyboard with directional keys but they're getting discontinued and replaced with varmillo keyboard which has the same layout.
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Personally I absolutely love the 60% form and think it is amazing for gaming. The first board I owned was a k70 with reds (I think a lot of people start there). Used that for awhile and didn't really think twice about the switch. Decided to try browns with the Ducky Shine 4 which I enjoyed more and immediately swore off reds. While I had the Shine 4 I started to read about how amazing clears and 60% boards like poker's were so I decided to invest in a Poker II with clears, buying it on mechmarket. I quickly fell in love with clears as a switch and 60% boards as it was easy to hit function keys when you used the DIP switches to make capslock work as fn. Hitting fn(capslock) with your left pinkie and hitting 1 for F1 was as easy, if not easier than hitting the normal F1 key to me. The desk space and ergonomic benefits are very nice as well. Personally I don't see a real reason to go back to a board any size other than 60%. I bought a v60 with clears as well that is very nice although I almost wish I had gotten something like greens just to experiment with a new switch. Honestly I think the fn layout on the v60 is slightly better but as you mentioned it is hard to beat what you get with the price of a poker II or III. I'll probably be getting a pok3r with blacks once the LED variants come out to use with a DSA set as I think DSA suits linear switches more and that board will be one I'd primarily use on games like FPS's. I mainly play Dota 2 and I think clears are actually really good for it. Definitely prefer typing on clears to anything I've tried as well.