Buying KBC Poker II, need advice

[Kblavkalash]

Hi guys,

So I have my Filco tenkeyless with cherry mx blue switches for over 3 years now and want something new

I want 60% keyboard and looking at KBC Poker II keyboard. My only question is, I heard it is plate mounted or not? Because some shops say it weights 400 grams, some say it weights 800 grams. So is there some different kind of KBC Poker IIs over there or it's just a mistake on someone part regarding weight?

And, overall, is it good keyboard, worth buying?

P.s. a lot of people are buying extra case for this keyboard, but I have no desire to spent money on something extra, so is there some kind of problem if you use it just like it was made?

[Skuloth]

All poker IIs are plate mounted. There is one weird thing worth mentioning and that is the keycaps. Non backlit poker IIs use PBT caps while the backlit versions have abs.

The default poker case is nice, aluminum ones just look fantastic and make the keyboard better (completely biased)

I've had my poker II a little over a week at this point and I have already decided it will replace my filco tenkeyless as my full time keyboard. It's great. Play around with the Pn layer and program in some stuff that makes your life easier and every time you add something new to that layer it just gets better and better.

No regrets thus far.

[intelli78]

All poker IIs are plate mounted. There is one weird thing worth mentioning and that is the keycaps. Non backlit poker IIs use PBT caps while the backlit versions have abs.

Except, apparently, that last batch from Massdrop with backlit + PBT. I still think there's a high chance it was another mistake and there are gonna be a lot of pissed off people 

The default poker case is nice, aluminum ones just look fantastic and make the keyboard better (completely biased)

In my experience, they also make the keyboard feel more solid to type on.

[mashby]

Hi guys,

So I have my Filco tenkeyless with cherry mx blue switches for over 3 years now and want something new

I want 60% keyboard and looking at KBC Poker II keyboard. My only question is, I heard it is plate mounted or not? Because some shops say it weights 400 grams, some say it weights 800 grams. So is there some different kind of KBC Poker IIs over there or it's just a mistake on someone part regarding weight?

And, overall, is it good keyboard, worth buying?

P.s. a lot of people are buying extra case for this keyboard, but I have no desire to spent money on something extra, so is there some kind of problem if you use it just like it was made?

As far as I know, all of the Poker II boards come plate mounted. I haven't picked up one yet, but only because I have so many Poker X boards. LOL. I can't speak to the weight difference, but the non-led come with PBT key caps and the LED versions are ABS.

It's a very light keyboard, which is perfect for travel, but because it's so easy to mod there's a lot of options out there -- such as cases. Of course it's nothing you HAVE to mod, but if you find you really like the form factor, it's inevitable.

[Kblavkalash]

Nice to hear!

Yes in fact if I order it will be one with PBT caps and no backlight. Also I hope the default keyboard is good by itself, I have no desire to pay so much money just for the case. I imagine those cases do not go for 10$ right? They are indeed expensive, and not something I want to pay for tbh.

[spiceBar]

Hi guys,

So I have my Filco tenkeyless with cherry mx blue switches for over 3 years now and want something new

I want 60% keyboard and looking at KBC Poker II keyboard. My only question is, I heard it is plate mounted or not? Because some shops say it weights 400 grams, some say it weights 800 grams. So is there some different kind of KBC Poker IIs over there or it's just a mistake on someone part regarding weight?

And, overall, is it good keyboard, worth buying?

P.s. a lot of people are buying extra case for this keyboard, but I have no desire to spent money on something extra, so is there some kind of problem if you use it just like it was made?

The people who say that the Poker II is 400g do not know what they are talking about.

They are talking about the Poker X, which is the very first Poker keyboard that has been produced. It does not have a metal plate and is not programmable. It is not manufactured anymore. Its weight was 400g.

The Poker II is heavier, but I cannot find the exact weight in the manual. Weighting mine wouldn't help, as I have replaced the plastic case by an aluminum one.

I would guess the Poker II is around 600g out of the box. It is definitely heavier than the Poker X because of the metal plate.

[Kblavkalash]

Hi guys,

So I have my Filco tenkeyless with cherry mx blue switches for over 3 years now and want something new

I want 60% keyboard and looking at KBC Poker II keyboard. My only question is, I heard it is plate mounted or not? Because some shops say it weights 400 grams, some say it weights 800 grams. So is there some different kind of KBC Poker IIs over there or it's just a mistake on someone part regarding weight?

And, overall, is it good keyboard, worth buying?

P.s. a lot of people are buying extra case for this keyboard, but I have no desire to spent money on something extra, so is there some kind of problem if you use it just like it was made?

The people who say that the Poker II is 400g do not know what they are talking about.

They are talking about the Poker X, which is the very first Poker keyboard that has been produced. It does not have a metal plate and is not programmable. It is not manufactured anymore. Its weight was 400g.

The Poker II is heavier, but I cannot find the exact weight in the manual. Weighting mine wouldn't help, as I have replaced the plastic case by an aluminum one.

I would guess the Poker II is around 600g out of the box. It is definitely heavier than the Poker X because of the metal plate.

Well the website I will ordering from says it's 400 grams, then it's probably a mistake on their part: http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.nl/ten-keyless-model-toetsenborden/kbc/1

They also add a plain space bar, so that's nice

[Razor Lotus]

you can buy from massdrop now actually

I'd say get the non backlit version with thick pbt keycaps.

It's a great board out there for first timers and even for old timers.

you're right. Cases don't come cheap. Cheapest I've seen is $60 and most expensive i've seen is over $200, which is more than the keyboard itself, maybe about twice the price of the board itself

[Skuloth]

Usually cases have sat around $120 from what I've seen. This may be biased as I have a tex case on my poker, but the feel of the keyboard with the tex case is actually better than on the default case.

The default does not feel bad, but the aluminum case does make the key stroke feel firmer(?) and it was a fairly noticeable difference to me.

[mashby]

Nice to hear!

Yes in fact if I order it will be one with PBT caps and no backlight. Also I hope the default keyboard is good by itself, I have no desire to pay so much money just for the case. I imagine those cases do not go for 10$ right? They are indeed expensive, and not something I want to pay for tbh.

The least expensive case I've seen is $60 from Pexon's GB and the most expensive that I've seen is $350 for an FMJ premium case with brass inserts.

My Poker is my daily driver and I'm a huge fan of the 60% form factor, so I've splurged on a case here, or there. Oh, and there, there, and there. And here too. OK, so maybe I'm the wrong person to be asking about replacement cases. 

All that being said, a replacement case is not a required item, but if you find that you really like the form factor, then you can always upgrade to one later.

[Kblavkalash]

The least expensive case I've seen is $60 from Pexon's GB and the most expensive that I've seen is $350 for an FMJ premium case with brass inserts.

My Poker is my daily driver and I'm a huge fan of the 60% form factor, so I've splurged on a case here, or there. Oh, and there, there, and there. And here too. OK, so maybe I'm the wrong person to be asking about replacement cases. 

All that being said, a replacement case is not a required item, but if you find that you really like the form factor, then you can always upgrade to one later.

I am not going to lie it looks awesome with custom case, but does that really make a big difference? Maybe sometime in the future I would buy a case if I will REALLY fall in love with my Poker 2, but as of now I have no plans to spend so much money just on this.

Do you think it's a nice transition from filco blue switch to Poker 2 red?

 

[Skuloth]

I wouldn't know for the other cases, but like I said earlier. I do feel a difference between the stock case and my aluminum tex case using my poker II with brown switches. It's not overly significant, but the key strokes feel firmer( for lack of a better word) when using the aluminum case which I definitely think is nice.

It doesn't hurt that my keyboard also looks pretty sweet with a purple aluminum case either, and that is the primary reason I got the case. The minor improvement is feel was entirely unexpected.

[Skuloth]

In regard to the difference in switches, I think that will be entirely up to you. Switches are almost entirely personal preference but both are great. Red's are slightly too light for my taste, but it's been a while since I tried them and I would like to do so again. Blues are too loud for me and I prefer browns to their feel which is why both keyboards I have used have been browns (my filco tenkeyless and my poker II).

The trick is to find what you like and experiment with what you haven't tried yet. Good luck.

[spiceBar]

Hi guys,

So I have my Filco tenkeyless with cherry mx blue switches for over 3 years now and want something new

I want 60% keyboard and looking at KBC Poker II keyboard. My only question is, I heard it is plate mounted or not? Because some shops say it weights 400 grams, some say it weights 800 grams. So is there some different kind of KBC Poker IIs over there or it's just a mistake on someone part regarding weight?

And, overall, is it good keyboard, worth buying?

P.s. a lot of people are buying extra case for this keyboard, but I have no desire to spent money on something extra, so is there some kind of problem if you use it just like it was made?

The people who say that the Poker II is 400g do not know what they are talking about.

They are talking about the Poker X, which is the very first Poker keyboard that has been produced. It does not have a metal plate and is not programmable. It is not manufactured anymore. Its weight was 400g.

The Poker II is heavier, but I cannot find the exact weight in the manual. Weighting mine wouldn't help, as I have replaced the plastic case by an aluminum one.

I would guess the Poker II is around 600g out of the box. It is definitely heavier than the Poker X because of the metal plate.

Well the website I will ordering from says it's 400 grams, then it's probably a mistake on their part: http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.nl/ten-keyless-model-toetsenborden/kbc/1

They also add a plain space bar, so that's nice

Their page implies that the keyboard is PS/2 compatible. It is not. The poker II is USB only.

Bottom line: don't trust what they say. It looks like they have mixed parts of the specs of the Poker X with some of the specs of the Poker II. They don't know the products they are selling.

EDIT: their website is full of errors. Here is a picture supposed to represent a V60 (top) and a Pure (bottom):
  http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.nl/mediadepot/4134691edd3/V60vsPure.jpg
The one at the top is actually a Poker X. 

[Kayla]

USB to PS/2 converter probably included.

[Skuloth]

My poker II from qtan did not come with an included PS/2 adapter. I don't know about others sources but of the people I know with poker IIs  and the various reviews / unboxings I have seen none of them come with PS/2 adapters.

[Kblavkalash]

In regard to the difference in switches, I think that will be entirely up to you. Switches are almost entirely personal preference but both are great. Red's are slightly too light for my taste, but it's been a while since I tried them and I would like to do so again. Blues are too loud for me and I prefer browns to their feel which is why both keyboards I have used have been browns (my filco tenkeyless and my poker II).

The trick is to find what you like and experiment with what you haven't tried yet. Good luck.

Well my question was more in general how is to from Filco to this keyboard. I know that switches are very individual thing, but I was using only cherry mx blues for over 3 years now and I wouldn't say I am tired of them, but I definitely want to feel something new. I don't play any games, just typing, programming, etc. I know reds are not 'supposed' to be better than blues for typing but I'll give it a shot. Either way I am very excited about the keyboard itself, cause it's so small.

Btw, I already ordered

[spiceBar]

My poker II from qtan did not come with an included PS/2 adapter. I don't know about others sources but of the people I know with poker IIs  and the various reviews / unboxings I have seen none of them come with PS/2 adapters.

The poker II is NOT compatible with PS/2.

It does not matter if you plug a passive adapter on it, it will NOT work on PS/2.

It is USB ONLY.

[mashby]

Well my question was more in general how is to from Filco to this keyboard. I know that switches are very individual thing, but I was using only cherry mx blues for over 3 years now and I wouldn't say I am tired of them, but I definitely want to feel something new. I don't play any games, just typing, programming, etc. I know reds are not 'supposed' to be better than blues for typing but I'll give it a shot. Either way I am very excited about the keyboard itself, cause it's so small.

Btw, I already ordered

Nicely done sir. I hope you like the new board.

In the event you don't, you should be able to easily sell it, or mod it into your dream board.

[Kblavkalash]

Nicely done sir. I hope you like the new board.

In the event you don't, you should be able to easily sell it, or mod it into your dream board.

I think it's unlikely that I won't like it For me price is very important, and as far as I did my research on very small keyboards, this one has very good price for what you get. I know there are probably better keyboards, like HHKP or Leopold, but that price is way over my limits.

[Skuloth]

I stuck to the same switches I was previously using, and I  have replaced my filco with my poker as a full time keyboard. I originally planned to only use the poker as a work keyboard, but I like it way too much for that.

I'm still getting used to the smaller form factor since I was using a tenkeyless, but thus far I have not had any major issues adapting. It's just a matter of time until I'm so accustomed to the pn and fn layers that I won't be able to type correctly on standard sized keyboards.

[spiceBar]

I stuck to the same switches I was previously using, and I  have replaced my filco with my poker as a full time keyboard. I originally planned to only use the poker as a work keyboard, but I like it way too much for that.

I'm still getting used to the smaller form factor since I was using a tenkeyless, but thus far I have not had any major issues adapting. It's just a matter of time until I'm so accustomed to the pn and fn layers that I won't be able to type correctly on standard sized keyboards.

My experience is that it does not matter how much you use a 60% board, you never un-learn the standard layout (full or TKL). Which is a very good thing.