Poker Owners Help! I Think I Hate My New Poker...

[shantanujoshi]

I recently sold my DAS Model S Ultimate with mx blue's and bought a poker II with blues instead.

I was hoping to clear some desk space and wanted much more mobility but now that I'm typing on the poker 2 the quality simply doesn't seem to match the DAS. I went ahead and ordered an aluminum case and some new blank signature plastics key caps but for some reason the satisfying 'click' and smooth action of the DAS is muted on the poker. I don't game much so the keyboard was generally for typing large documents but now I am definitely regretting my decision.

I recently bought a CMS Quickfire Rapid with blues and the typing experience there was very similar to the DAS (both stock). Although I didn't make a direct comparison. It was all relative.

So current poker owners (Or anyone that can help):

Does an aluminum case change the typing experience?
The signature plastics DSA key caps are apparently not as thick as poker's, does anyone think the lighter plastic hitting the back board will emulate the DAS a little more?

Imagine tapping your finger on wood and then again imagine doing the same with your nail. The poker is like the finger and the DAS was similar to the nail.

Any suggestions? I love the size mobility of the poker but I'd hate to have to go back to the DAS for that same typing experience.

[CPTBadAss]

Poker 2 has PBT keycaps. Das has ABS. You might want to swap to thinner keycaps. Also an aluminum case makes the switches feel different....as you've discovered. Your DSA caps are also PBT. You might not like PBT keycaps. Try switching your Das keycaps to the Poker 2.

And of course if you don't like it, it being the keycaps or the case, don't take our word for it. Do what's best for you. if you like the Das more than the Poker 2, use that. Or swap the aluminum case out for the plastic one.

[sacratoy]

I've found (personally) that thick PBT keycaps on Cherry MX Blue switches really mutes them. Your DAS used ABS keycaps, which tonally produces something a little higher.

Switch out for some nice UV coated or dyesub ABS key caps and test it out.

[Lain1911]

I'm interesting in your further testing as I have been interested in a blue poker 2. GL

[ideus]

Try some Cherry DSA caps on the Poker, and you may find it better.

[dorkvader]

Try some Cherry DSA caps on the Poker, and you may find it better.

What's cherry DSA?

I recommend neither cherry doubleshots not SP DSA (both are too thick) Thin cherry lasered PBT can be nice, the best is likely thin SP PBT.

You may want to try thinner keycaps. Or just sell it and try again. I case can help, but will likely "dampen" it the other way than what you want.

[shantanujoshi]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

Looks like the ABS key caps is my best bet.

So will the Aluminum case further dampen the keypress?

I plan on receiving the new set of key caps tomorrow and hope it might make a difference.

[Oobly]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

Looks like the ABS key caps is my best bet.

So will the Aluminum case further dampen the keypress?

I plan on receiving the new set of key caps tomorrow and hope it might make a difference.

Firstly, if you think the stabilised keys feel "mushy" when pressed you can clip the stabilisers to allow them to "bottom out" (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34759.0). The Poker 2 uses Cherry style stabilisers whereas the DAS uses Costar type.

Try the Quickfire caps on the Poker 2 to see if it's the keycaps or something else that changes the feel so much for you.

The aluminium case MAY dampen / change the pitch of the click, but IMHO it will be worth it for the solid feeling. Then again, I don't like the high pitch click of Blues or thin ABS caps (they feel "cheap" and toy-like to me). I like them thick and heavy and use tactile switches instead. I haven't tried an aluminium case with Blues myself.

I don't think DSA caps will be much better than the stock Poker 2 caps (they are quite thick) and the profile takes some getting used to.

You may like SP DCS profile caps on the Poker. They are quite thin ABS and should let the "click" ring out nicely. Also quite nice quality.

[Magna224]

I have a poker 1 with alu case and Cherry DS. If it had a plate I think it would feel much more solid feeling like my QF Rapid. Yours already has a plate though so I would think with some good keycaps and a alu case it should please you much more. Personally I like the soft feeling of the PCB mounted ergo-clears I have on mine.

[pichu23]

Weird, my Poker 2 with PBT seems about fine. Maybe you might prefer ABS since it doesn't really dampened the sound.
Regarding alu casing, I've heard it will cause pinging issues unless you dampened it with foam(?)
Not too sure, still awaiting my alu case

[feizor]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

Looks like the ABS key caps is my best bet.

So will the Aluminum case further dampen the keypress?

I plan on receiving the new set of key caps tomorrow and hope it might make a difference.

Firstly, if you think the stabilised keys feel "mushy" when pressed you can clip the stabilisers to allow them to "bottom out" (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34759.0). The Poker 2 uses Cherry style stabilisers whereas the DAS uses Costar type.

Try the Quickfire caps on the Poker 2 to see if it's the keycaps or something else that changes the feel so much for you.

The aluminium case MAY dampen / change the pitch of the click, but IMHO it will be worth it for the solid feeling. Then again, I don't like the high pitch click of Blues or thin ABS caps (they feel "cheap" and toy-like to me). I like them thick and heavy and use tactile switches instead. I haven't tried an aluminium case with Blues myself.

I don't think DSA caps will be much better than the stock Poker 2 caps (they are quite thick) and the profile takes some getting used to.

You may like SP DCS profile caps on the Poker. They are quite thin ABS and should let the "click" ring out nicely. Also quite nice quality.

Do you have to desolder every switch to get to the stabs since they are plate mounted?

[Razor Lotus]

Weird, my Poker 2 with PBT seems about fine. Maybe you might prefer ABS since it doesn't really dampened the sound.
Regarding alu casing, I've heard it will cause pinging issues unless you dampened it with foam(?)
Not too sure, still awaiting my alu case

I think the ping comes from the plate

[ideus]

Try some Cherry DSA caps on the Poker, and you may find it better.

What's cherry DSA?

I recommend neither cherry doubleshots not SP DSA (both are too thick) Thin cherry lasered PBT can be nice, the best is likely thin SP PBT.

You may want to try thinner keycaps. Or just sell it and try again. I case can help, but will likely "dampen" it the other way than what you want.

I meant double shots sorry.

[bahamot]

Weird, my Poker 2 with PBT seems about fine. Maybe you might prefer ABS since it doesn't really dampened the sound.
Regarding alu casing, I've heard it will cause pinging issues unless you dampened it with foam(?)
Not too sure, still awaiting my alu case

Poker2 + FMJ aluminium case + damping has pinging on my tab key, otherwise no issue at all.

[pichu23]

Weird, my Poker 2 with PBT seems about fine. Maybe you might prefer ABS since it doesn't really dampened the sound.
Regarding alu casing, I've heard it will cause pinging issues unless you dampened it with foam(?)
Not too sure, still awaiting my alu case

I think the ping comes from the plate

I have mx blues on a poker 2. I don't really hear or feel any pinging issues but that's just me. I've dampened the base with foam though.

[shantanujoshi]

I've been using it for two straight days now and no real pinging issues seem to exist. Looks like the new caps will solve my problem. Is it weird that I'm getting a decrease in typing speed or is that all just in my head hahaha!?