Please help me understand and choose a new keyboard!

[findingthelimit]

Hey everyone , I'm looking to buy a 60% board and have tried doing research, but it seems like there isn't that much information available online that i could find

i'm not going to pay ridiculous amounts of money for a secondary fun keyboard, so i'm not getting the HHKB. are there any other alternatives, aside from the poker 2 and the pure?

from what i've read from the GH wiki, the pure beats the poker with regards to form factor, im wondering whether the problem persists with the poker 2?

also, how do the function key layouts look? i can't find the layouts anywhere, and all i know is that the arrow keys are on wasd for the poker, and okl; on the pure... is that true? i also heard that shift/win/alt/control act as arrow keys, and i'm a little confused. regarding keycaps, do both keyboards require me to purchase a tsangan for custom cap?

[CPTBadAss]

Ducky Mini, Poker 2, Poker X, Pure, Pure Pro, and GH60 are some affordable 60% boards that are coming out soon.

Poker 2 is programmable so you can set the function layer however you want.

Pure isn't better or worse than the Poker. Pure has a different form factor than the Poker. It's all personal preference.

Function layouts can be found if you Google "Pure function layers". I would find it for you but I'm at work.

[BlueBär]

are there any other alternatives, aside from the poker 2 and the pure?

Yes, the first Poker and the Pure Pro (I wouldn't recommend either). Ducky is also going to sell a 60% board soon. Another alternative would be a GH60, you can take over some unpaid orders in the group buy thread, however you then need to buy switches, a case and a cable too.

from what i've read from the GH wiki, the pure beats the poker with regards to form factor, im wondering whether the problem persists with the poker 2?

The first Poker is prone to PCB bending because it has no plate and is not connected to the case in the center of the PCB (the Pure is, but has no plate as well). The Poker 2 however is plate mounted which resolves the problem.

also, how do the function key layouts look? i can't find the layouts anywhere, and all i know is that the arrow keys are on wasd for the poker, and okl; on the pure... is that true? i also heard that shift/win/alt/control act as arrow keys, and i'm a little confused.

The Pure has RWin, RAlt, RShift and RCtrl as arrow keys when pressing fn+space (it's a lock mode). Whilst pressing fn, you can also use OKL; as arrow keys. Heres the function layer of the Pure: http://piclair.com/data/eflmp.jpg
The Poker 2 is fully programmable so you can change everything to something you like.
On the first Poker, the function layer looks like this: http://i.imgur.com/3fvcV.gif

regarding keycaps, do both keyboards require me to purchase a tsangan for custom cap?

The Poker 1 and 2 do not need a Tsangan kit, the Pure does, the Pure Pro is not even compatible with a Tsangan kit.

tl;dr: The Poker 2 is pretty much the way to go, unless you need that extra key on the Pure, also avoid the Pure Pro.

Damnit Captain

[CPTBadAss]

I'm sorry!! I didn't mean to snipe you! But your info is better anyways, you found pictures of the layouts for him so you win

[findingthelimit]

are there any other alternatives, aside from the poker 2 and the pure?

Yes, the first Poker and the Pure Pro (I wouldn't recommend either). Ducky is also going to sell a 60% board soon. Another alternative would be a GH60, you can take over some unpaid orders in the group buy thread, however you then need to buy switches, a case and a cable too.

from what i've read from the GH wiki, the pure beats the poker with regards to form factor, im wondering whether the problem persists with the poker 2?

The first Poker is prone to PCB bending because it has no plate and is not connected to the case in the center of the PCB (the Pure is, but has no plate as well). The Poker 2 however is plate mounted which resolves the problem.

also, how do the function key layouts look? i can't find the layouts anywhere, and all i know is that the arrow keys are on wasd for the poker, and okl; on the pure... is that true? i also heard that shift/win/alt/control act as arrow keys, and i'm a little confused.

The Pure has RWin, RAlt, RShift and RCtrl as arrow keys when pressing fn+space (it's a lock mode). Whilst pressing fn, you can also use OKL; as arrow keys. Heres the function layer of the Pure: http://piclair.com/data/eflmp.jpg
The Poker 2 is fully programmable so you can change everything to something you like.
On the first Poker, the function layer looks like this: http://i.imgur.com/3fvcV.gif

regarding keycaps, do both keyboards require me to purchase a tsangan for custom cap?

The Poker 1 and 2 do not need a Tsangan kit, the Pure does, the Pure Pro is not even compatible with a Tsangan kit.

tl;dr: The Poker 2 is pretty much the way to go, unless you need that extra key on the Pure, also avoid the Pure Pro.

Damnit Captain

thanks for your response! and captain, thanks for taking the time to answer my question at work. i'm wondering whether there is any information out regarding the ducky mini? i already own the ducky shine, and even though i love ducky boards i don't feel like i need the backlight.

also, sorry to be annoying, but how does the poker x compare to the poker 2? are they identical, aside from the fact that the poker x has a specific function-key layout, and that the poker 2 is fully programmable?

[CPTBadAss]

Ducky Mini info thread here.

Poker X is PCB mounted with a pre-set firmware function layer. Poker 2 is plate-mounted and can be programmed as you please. Poker 2 also has PBT caps and comes in backlit and non-backlit versions, or should. MK.com and TechKeys (I think) are carrying them now but I haven't looked at them at all to verify if they're both backlit and non-backlit.

[findingthelimit]

Ducky Mini info thread here.

Poker X is PCB mounted with a pre-set firmware function layer. Poker 2 is plate-mounted and can be programmed as you please. Poker 2 also has PBT caps and comes in backlit and non-backlit versions, or should. MK.com and TechKeys (I think) are carrying them now but I haven't looked at them at all to verify if they're both backlit and non-backlit.

Thanks for your response, you're awesome! consolidating everything i've learned from this thread, it seems like poker 2 is the way to go for people who don't want to build a GH60, or pay a premium for topre switches? the poker and the poker x are pcb mounted and are not sturdy and feel hollow, and the pure pro simply looks bad (IMO).

between the pure and the poker 2, it's down to preferences, but the pure cannot have custom keycaps so the poker 2 wins. is that a good way to look at it?

[CPTBadAss]

1) it seems like poker 2 is the way to go for people who don't want to build a GH60, or pay a premium for topre switches?
2) the poker and the poker x are pcb mounted and are not sturdy and feel hollow,
3) the pure cannot have custom keycaps so the poker 2 wins. is that a good way to look at it?
[/quote]

1) You can buy assembly services for the GH60 if you so desire. I don't like Topre switches so I won't speak to that.
2) I have a Pure that is PCB mounted, it's not bad, doesn't feel un-sturdy or hollow. I just like the weight and solidity of plates, so I'll be plating my pure.
3) What do you mean that the Pure cannot have custom keycaps?

[findingthelimit]

1) it seems like poker 2 is the way to go for people who don't want to build a GH60, or pay a premium for topre switches?
2) the poker and the poker x are pcb mounted and are not sturdy and feel hollow,
3) the pure cannot have custom keycaps so the poker 2 wins. is that a good way to look at it?

1) You can buy assembly services for the GH60 if you so desire. I don't like Topre switches so I won't speak to that.
2) I have a Pure that is PCB mounted, it's not bad, doesn't feel un-sturdy or hollow. I just like the weight and solidity of plates, so I'll be plating my pure.
3) What do you mean that the Pure cannot have custom keycaps?

responding to (3), i just meant that the pure is more expensive in the long run because i love buying keycap sets from GH, and with the poker 2 i could just buy the standard set, whereas if i own the pure, i would need to buy the tsangan.

[CPTBadAss]

Yeah, you'd have to buy a Tsangan for the shift. But for example, the Tsangan is also good for boards that have 1.5x mods. So the bottom row is 1.5-1-1.5-7-1.5-1-1.5. The Tsangan then covers my bottom row and the Pure shift. I'm not sure if you're planning on doing that. Just a thought. Don't ask me about saving money in this hobby 'cause I don't know how

[FuriousGeorge]

Filco Minila and Tex Beetle are two other good options, but both of them have non-standard layouts if full cap replacement is a priority.

[findingthelimit]

Yeah, you'd have to buy a Tsangan for the shift. But for example, the Tsangan is also good for boards that have 1.5x mods. So the bottom row is 1.5-1-1.5-7-1.5-1-1.5. The Tsangan then covers my bottom row and the Pure shift. I'm not sure if you're planning on doing that. Just a thought. Don't ask me about saving money in this hobby 'cause I don't know how

boards that have 1.5x mods? i thought typical boards are either 100%, tenkeyless, and 60% - do the "boards" you refer to categorize as one of those?

[findingthelimit]

Filco Minila and Tex Beetle are two other good options, but both of them have non-standard layouts if full cap replacement is a priority.

i don't really like having arrow keys on 60% boards, which is why i'm straying away from the pure pro

[CPTBadAss]

You're referring to the size of the board when you said full-size, 60%, TKL, etc.

1.5x mods refers to the layout of the keycaps on the board. Some examples are ANSI 1.25X, ANSI 1.5X, and ISO.

Look at these two pictures and see if you can spot the difference:

ANSI 1.25x, Full-size (Filco Majestouch 104)


ANSI 1.5x, TKL (Korean Custom board, The Cheat)

[findingthelimit]

You're referring to the size of the board when you said full-size, 60%, TKL, etc.

1.5x mods refers to the layout of the keycaps on the board. Some examples are ANSI 1.25X, ANSI 1.5X, and ISO.

Look at these two pictures and see if you can spot the difference:

ANSI 1.25x, Full-size (Filco Majestouch 104)

Show Image

ANSI 1.5x, TKL (Korean Custom board, The Cheat)

Show Image

Oh dear, it sounds like such a pain in the ass to own non standard ANSI 1.25x bottom rows. I'm definitely going to avoid these unconventional boards :/

[mauri]

You're referring to the size of the board when you said full-size, 60%, TKL, etc.

1.5x mods refers to the layout of the keycaps on the board. Some examples are ANSI 1.25X, ANSI 1.5X, and ISO.

Look at these two pictures and see if you can spot the difference:

ANSI 1.25x, Full-size (Filco Majestouch 104)

Show Image

ANSI 1.5x, TKL (Korean Custom board, The Cheat)

Show Image

Oh dear, it sounds like such a pain in the ass to own non standard ANSI 1.25x bottom rows. I'm definitely going to avoid these unconventional boards :/

Here, it's a pain in the ass to own anything else but ansi standard or not

[rowdy]

Filco Minila and Tex Beetle are two other good options, but both of them have non-standard layouts if full cap replacement is a priority.

i don't really like having arrow keys on 60% boards, which is why i'm straying away from the pure pro

Ah, otherwise I was going to suggest a Leopold FC660C (or FC660M).

[findingthelimit]

You're referring to the size of the board when you said full-size, 60%, TKL, etc.

1.5x mods refers to the layout of the keycaps on the board. Some examples are ANSI 1.25X, ANSI 1.5X, and ISO.

Look at these two pictures and see if you can spot the difference:

ANSI 1.25x, Full-size (Filco Majestouch 104)

Show Image

ANSI 1.5x, TKL (Korean Custom board, The Cheat)

Show Image

Hey, I'm replying to you because you seem to know a lot

I'm going to get a Poker 2! From my research, it seems like there are 2 versions, ones with ABS keycaps and backlight, and ones with PBT keycaps and no backlight. Since I'm buying my own PBT keycap set to replace the stock caps anyway, I would like to get the backlit version. However, I cannot find it anywhere, not even a picture of how it looks. Do you have any knowledge or suggestions? I'm curious as to whether I can turn off the backlight completely, or that capslock key would always lightup no matter what i do.

[CPTBadAss]

I honestly haven't heard that much about the Poker 2. I know MechanicalKeyboards.com and Techkeys have some in stock now but I haven't checked if they're backlit or not.

You do know that the Poker 2 comes with PBT caps right? I'm not sure if you're ready to enjoy your feeling though so I'd understand you wanting to change caps

Never seen a board where you can turn the backlight completely off. Don't want the backlighting on that caps lock? Open the board up, desolder the LED, close the board back up. Easy fix

Edit: Thanks for your kind words. My baby is the Simple Questions thread so I'm pretty used to answering questions. The Poker 2 has been asked about a lot lately so I know a bit about it.

[findingthelimit]

I honestly haven't heard that much about the Poker 2. I know MechanicalKeyboards.com and Techkeys have some in stock now but I haven't checked if they're backlit or not.

You do know that the Poker 2 comes with PBT caps right? I'm not sure if you're ready to enjoy your feeling though so I'd understand you wanting to change caps

Never seen a board where you can turn the backlight completely off. Don't want the backlighting on that caps lock? Open the board up, desolder the LED, close the board back up. Easy fix

Edit: Thanks for your kind words. My baby is the Simple Questions thread so I'm pretty used to answering questions. The Poker 2 has been asked about a lot lately so I know a bit about it.

Thanks, I'll ask there. The backlit version comes with ABS caps, and the non-backlit comes with PBT. I'm about to order a PBT custom set, so I have no need for the poker 2 caps - so PBT or ABS, it doesn't matter to me. ^^