Author Topic: Poker II vs. KBT Pure (Read 24528 times)

babyface · « **on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 11:51:43 »

I have just been curiously checking out some small form factor keyboards and came across both the KBC Poker and the KBTalking Pure.

I was wondering what the Geekhack community's thoughts were on these boards, and how owners feel about them.

Pros? Cons?

KBT Pure (Backlit)

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KBC Poker II (Non backlit??)

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CPTBadAss · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 11:57:18 »

Poker 2 is programmable. That fact alone would make me buy a Poker 2 if I didn't already have a Pure and a GH60 coming.

babyface · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:03:43 »

That is true,

How much of a difference does the PCB mounted switches make? (I have a choc mini and with my expertise (close to zero) im guessing its plate mounted)

Is it a plus? or a minus?

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:10:04 »

If you want to figure out if its plate or PCB, pull a cap off and look at it. If it looks black and smooth, then it's probably a plate. If you see a PCB or something that looks like your computer's motherboard, then it's PCB mounted.

Plate vs PCB mounted switches is a personal preference. I prefer plate-mounted. As an example, IvanIvanovich has expressed his preference for PCB-mount. Right now my Pure doesn't have a plate but I ordered one in the GH60 buy so I'll be modding my Pure soon enough.

dndlmx · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:19:34 »

Quote from: babyface on Wed, 26 June 2013, 11:51:43

Pros? Cons?

KBT Pure (Backlit)

More
Show Image

KBC Poker II (Non backlit??)

More
Show Image

There was supposedly a backlit Poker 2 coming, right here. I am still waiting for this keyboard...

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:21:52 »

Some more about the Poker 2 can be found here. Someone asked i3oilermaker if he's heard anything from Vortex about the Poker 2 but he said he hadn't.

dndlmx · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:26:14 »

You can add LED's yourself to the Poker 2 PCB, am I right?

But shine through keycap sets aren't very abundant it seems, MK had some Ducky Shine sets. But they're sold out.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:31:00 »

Pretty sure the controller will support the LED's power needs so yes, you should be able to add LEDs. Doesn't make much sense to have a different controller for the LED and non-LED versions.

As for translucent sets? There's not many options. Stock Pure caps exist but they're for 60% only. Honestly I prefer the underglow anyways.

i3oilermaker · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:31:48 »

Poker 2 is plate mounted. It feels like the rock solid typing on and it adds a bit of weight to the board.

Typing on one now, and loving it.

dndlmx · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:37:38 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:31:00

As for translucent sets? There's not many options. Stock Pure caps exist but they're for 60% only. Honestly I prefer the underglow anyways.

Aside from Ducky Shine caps, there's the small chance of finding stock Blackwidow in classifieds...

Which is better for underglow again, ABS or PBT? I know this was in the simple questions thread.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:38:53 »

Quote from: dnix on Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:37:38

Which is better for underglow again, ABS or PBT? I know this was in the simple questions thread.

If you know it's there, then go look for it.

dndlmx · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:44:11 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:38:53

If you know it's there, then go look for it.

Badwrench · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 15:11:54 »

I love my Pure backlit, but one thing to consider is the 1.75 rt shift and R2 ~` key. This severely limits the cap sets that you can use with this board. You need a Tsangan kit or to be very creative. Had there been a Poker available when I was looking for a board, I would have gone that route just for the key compatibility alone. The ability to reprogram is just a bonus.

Also, I prefer the pcb mounted keys. I have both and prefer the soft feel of the pcb mounted over plate mounted.

Topre · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 19:44:05 »

Quote from: dnix on Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:19:34

Quote from: babyface on Wed, 26 June 2013, 11:51:43
Pros? Cons?

KBT Pure (Backlit)

More
Show Image

KBC Poker II (Non backlit??)

More
Show Image

There was supposedly a backlit Poker 2 coming, right here. I am still waiting for this keyboard...

That looks like the Ducky Mini, without the Ducky spacebar.

Awful · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 20:05:03 »

Mx whites (without having to do it myself) were reason enough to go with a Pure. I couldn't be happier. I owned a poker x and liked it as well.

Latin00032 · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 20:05:34 »

I would love it if they came out with a pure 2. Programmable. Backlit. Plated.

Awesome.

Mainian · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 01:12:35 »

Quote from: Latin00032 on Wed, 26 June 2013, 20:05:34

I would love it if they came out with a pure 2. Programmable. Backlit. Plated.

Awesome.

Haven't they released plate mounted pures before? Don't they always charge a $100 premium for their plates mounted boards?

pichu23 · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 03:11:07 »

You can mod the Poker 2 to have backlit anyways. Quite simple.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 06:36:06 »

[quote author=Mainian link=topic=45182.msg943210#msg943210 date=1372313555
Haven't they released plate mounted pures before? Don't they always charge a $100 premium for their plates mounted boards?
[/quote]

No, they had a Pure CNC version which was PCB mounted but have an aluminum case. I want my Pure to be plate mounted so I ordered a plate in the GH60 buy.

Quote from: Awful on Wed, 26 June 2013, 20:05:03

Mx whites (without having to do it myself) were reason enough to go with a Pure. I couldn't be happier. I owned a poker x and liked it as well.

I also bought a Pure mostly based on the fact that it had MX Whites. One of my better impulse buys

tricheboars · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 09:47:19 »

get the poker II. but you are going to need a set of caps. the poker II stock caps are ugly as ****.

enjoy your feeling

dndlmx · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 10:32:48 »

Quote from: Latin00032 on Wed, 26 June 2013, 20:05:34

I would love it if they came out with a pure 2. Programmable. Backlit. Plated.

Awesome.

As long as the keycaps are good quality...

babyface · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 11:22:32 »

The Poker seems like more of a solid buy from what everyone is saying, the pcb mounted switches just intrigue me! Am I crazy for just wanting the Pure solely for this reason?

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 11:23:28 »

Nah it's completely personal preference. It you like or want to try a PCB mounted board, the Pure is definitely not a bad choice. I love mine even without the plate.

tricheboars · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 27 June 2013, 20:21:23 »

Plate mounted 4 lyfe

HongKongFui · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 28 June 2013, 05:15:57 »

I have Poker 1, Pure and the Poker II and for my taste the Poker II is THE board of those 3.

I was able to put it in my Pure Alu-Case and now it feels awesome. Every thing I did not like with Pure and Poker 1 they did better with Poker II. Due to its plate-mounted design and now the aluminium- case it feels rock- solid, to type on is great, to game with it works best for me and I just love it...

maximAL · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:43:28 »

The Pro's backlit caps are fragile and the non-standard layout (right shift and `) is just pointless.
Otherwise, I still like my Pures and I'm not going to replace them anytime soon, but still...

dndlmx · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:57:45 »

Quote from: Topre on Wed, 26 June 2013, 19:44:05

Quote from: dnix on Wed, 26 June 2013, 12:19:34

There was supposedly a backlit Poker 2 coming, right here. I am still waiting for this keyboard...

That looks like the Ducky Mini, without the Ducky spacebar.

Wow, I think I want this one now instead.

dndlmx · « **Reply #27 on:** Fri, 28 June 2013, 16:29:02 »

You know, I really admire their marketing strategies as well.

wendell · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 05 August 2013, 15:01:02 »

TimIsABat · « **Reply #29 on:** Mon, 05 August 2013, 16:03:39 »

Poker X if you can find one for a good price. Easy to mod and even add a plate (many vendors here and classifieds for one).

If you can't, you should go with the Poker II because of how easy it is to get caps for it.

On PBT versus ABS, I would say PBT if you want them to last a bit longer. Too bad there aren't any doubleshot PBT caps though.

Sometimes I like to use ABS though because they are softer and at times just feels better. I do love my blank PBT caps though.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #30 on:** Mon, 05 August 2013, 16:06:39 »

I'm extremely happy with my Pure. However, if the option existed for me to get a Poker II, I would've gotten that. I like the reprogrammability and plate already being there. I will be plating my Pure though so reprogrammability is the big draw.

nevin · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 14 January 2015, 14:26:43 »

anybody know of a non-backlit keycap set for the pure, with correct legends for function keys?

Defect · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 14 January 2015, 14:59:57 »

I never liked the PN location on the poker II, but I love the FN + Space toggle on the Pure.

If you could move the FN on the Poker II I would have many Poker II's.

Hyde · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 14 January 2015, 15:35:33 »

lol holy necro, but to answer your question:

Quote from: nevin on Wed, 14 January 2015, 14:26:43

anybody know of a non-backlit keycap set for the pure, with correct legends for function keys?

I vaguely remember long ago there were some non-backlit pure out on the market, if you buy keycaps made for those then yes.

Otherwise I'd say I don't think such keycap exists.

Quote from: Defect on Wed, 14 January 2015, 14:59:57

I never liked the PN location on the poker II, but I love the FN + Space toggle on the Pure.

If you could move the FN on the Poker II I would have many Poker II's.

I find at this day and age I'd just get a KBP V60, V60 is like taking all the stuff that's wrong from poker and fixed it.

nevin · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 14 January 2015, 15:48:40 »

apologies for reviving the dead.... thanks.

i did end up finding a set but probably not going to restock, if they even still make them... but here's what i found:
PURE PBT Cherry MX Keycap Set- Bagged (Vortex) SKU: VT_PBTPURE
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=288

Hyde · « **Reply #35 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 08:51:09 »

Haha no worries.

But yeah they sometimes keep old items listed in case they'll restock one day, though I have little faith in them restocking that specific set.

You might have better luck hunting for group buys that offer layout/options specifically for pure.

Actually out of curiosity why do you want to replace the keycaps?

bueller · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 08:52:17 »

Personally I love the Pure layout but I couldn't get along with PCB mounted switches, they just never felt right to me.

Hypersphere · « **Reply #37 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 09:44:56 »

I've had two Poker II keyboards, but they have never quite worked for me. I've looked at the Pure and Pure Pro, but they didn't appear to suit me, and so I have never bought one. However, I like the 60% form factor, and recently I got two KBP V60 keyboards with Matias switches -- one with Matias Quiet (V60MTS-Q) and the other with Matias Click (V60MTS-C). I really like the V60 keyboards and the Matias switches. I use remapping software (Karabiner for Mac in my case) to reconfigure the keyboards to a Mac/HHKB layout. With the V60, I can do this and end up with no dead keys, because the Fn key on the V60 can be reassigned. The V60MTS-C has become my daily driver at home and the V60MTS-Q has become my daily driver at work.

nevin · « **Reply #38 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 09:47:19 »

I really like the keyboard, just not thrilled with the backlit. With the LEDs on the lower part of switch (towards you). it only lights up about half the key. the main characters and side printed can be read ok, but characters above the numbers, and some of the punctuation are hard to see even with the lights turned all the way up.

Being backlit was just an added feature, not something i was looking for. I'd rather replace the caps if i can find any than buy a new board, simply by the price difference.

I don't use the functions often enough to remember them by heart so that's why i was hunting for a pure specific set (plus the couple odd keys, shift, ~, etc..)

hwood34 · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 11:11:38 »

I could see why the pure layout would be more advantageous to some people, I like the Poker layout more and because it has a standard right shift it makes replacing the caps easier. The plate mounted switches on the Poker are a lot nice also

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Author Topic: Poker II vs. KBT Pure (Read 24528 times)