Author Topic: KBT Poker from Europe  (Read 6100 times)

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Offline jksteger

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KBT Poker from Europe
« on: Tue, 26 March 2013, 09:32:02 »
I found a site in EU that has KBT Poker available with shipping to my address for 102.99 Euro's.  I think the converts to around $130.00 US.  Is it worth this?  I've looked and looked for a Poker and cannot find anyone selling one or one to buy anymore.  I have a Pure but want the Poker layout.

The site is kbtpure.com.  I've never done any business with them and since they are in Europe I wanted to see if anyone has done any business with them before I pull out the CC.

Thanks in advance.

Jeremy

Offline mashby

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 26 March 2013, 11:19:51 »
Vortex is currently in the process of rolling out new boards, which includes the Poker 2. That's why you're not seeing many. You'll find one, or two pop up in the classifieds from time-to-time though.

KBTPure.com is the european distributor for Vortex and MechanicalKeyboards.com is the US distributor. It'll definitely be more expensive to order from KBTPure. I would suggest looking to see if you can get a Custom Poker for that price.

MK.com just launched their Incoming Stock list that will let you know about most of what they have coming soon. The Poker 2 is not currently on that list, but it'd be the list to watch.

Offline Lastpilot

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 26 March 2013, 11:36:58 »
I paid around this price for my NIB Poker, but I do feel like it was worth the price. To each their own, it just depends how much you value it at. I don't have any plans to do a plate conversion and I really want the first generation Poker (even moreso since its out of production), so a NIB Poker at that price sounded fair.

Edit: Just so you know they only have Black and Red switches available on kbtpure.
« Last Edit: Tue, 26 March 2013, 11:42:20 by Lastpilot »

Offline jksteger

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 26 March 2013, 12:33:18 »
thanks!
I think i will keep my eye out for the Poker2.  I cannot find much about it or an ETA. 

I would get the GH60 but to be quite frank I'm so new to all of this that I'm afraid I would not know what to order.  I may be un-informed but if the GH60 order sheet had a section for 'dummies' or 'pre-configured' that simply stated something like LAYOUT and had check boxes for HHKB, Poker, Pure, etc.  And check boxes for switch type. Key-caps? yes or no (if yes, then have a selection with type and color based on the "LAYOUT" chosen)  Then Plate?- Yes or NO. Simply put them in a plastic case. 
This way users like me could order a GH60 w/o thinking, am I doing this right, etc.?  I filled out a form but went back and changed the order form to cancel the order because I wasn't sure if it came with key-caps or not or the stabilizer for space bar and such.  And if it didn't come with key-caps I wouldn't know where to order them from to fit the layout, etc.

maybe some GH'ers will just build up some complete Poker and HHKB layout copies and offer to sell them to other GH'ers.

Thanks.
Jeremy

Offline tricheboars

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 26 March 2013, 13:52:37 »
Just a heads up. from what i have read the Poker 2 will not have the same layout as the original Poker. In fact, I am not sure the poker 2 is real. What may have happened was a bad translation from KBC, I think this because i have seen some' Poker 2' images and they look like the Pure Pro.

130 for a poker is a lot, but I searched for a poker for weeks and that site is the best deal from reputable dealers.  If you want Red or Black switches then jump on this unless you can wait for a GH60. Or you could always use taobao and get one for cheaper but I am too scared to use it.

In the end I bought a custom poker from an admin on this site. i paid $250 for it. it came with CCnG keycaps, Stainless Steel Plate, and an aluminum case. it has blue/green switches. worth every penny in my mind. now i just need a shipment from mouser to arrive so i can swap the cherry corp stabs for costar stabs.

oh one more thing. i actually know a user on this site that is trying to sell a poker with MX Blacks. he said the 4 LED cluster in the bottom right are broken, but he will sell for $75. i thought about buying it for the Plastic case and PBC alone, but decided not to due to the malfunctioning LEDs.  PM me and I will refer him to you. I would post it here but I am afraid someone might steal it before you can jump on it.

edit: my use of capitalization is really weird in this post. i have decided not to edit this so you mofos can see.
« Last Edit: Tue, 26 March 2013, 13:54:24 by tricheboars »
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Offline mashby

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 26 March 2013, 14:05:09 »
thanks!
I think i will keep my eye out for the Poker2.  I cannot find much about it or an ETA.

There is some discussion here and here, but I haven't see any photos of the new board. Just the Pure Pro.

I would get the GH60 but to be quite frank I'm so new to all of this that I'm afraid I would not know what to order.  I may be un-informed but if the GH60 order sheet had a section for 'dummies' or 'pre-configured' that simply stated something like LAYOUT and had check boxes for HHKB, Poker, Pure, etc.  And check boxes for switch type. Key-caps? yes or no (if yes, then have a selection with type and color based on the "LAYOUT" chosen)  Then Plate?- Yes or NO. Simply put them in a plastic case. 

Part of the appeal of the GH60 is the fact that one PCB can be used in so many different configurations. Of course this can add a great deal of confusion if you're not familiar with all the layouts.

The hardest part of that build is going to be the case. It looks like there will be some aluminum cases available, but those will be pretty pricey. And it's unclear if there are going to be a run of plastic cases available. There is one available here if you want to snatch it up.

This way users like me could order a GH60 w/o thinking, am I doing this right, etc.?  I filled out a form but went back and changed the order form to cancel the order because I wasn't sure if it came with key-caps or not or the stabilizer for space bar and such.  And if it didn't come with key-caps I wouldn't know where to order them from to fit the layout, etc.

Makes sense to me because I was right where you are now just a few months ago. ;D

At a minimum I'd say order a PCB (SMD presoldered) since once this GB ends, I don't know how easy it will be to find another one. But you need to think about what type of switches you want to use as well. Key caps can be found through various group buys and other vendors. It's a DIY project, so it'll take time and you'll want to play with different things until you dial it in.

For example, I've been trying different key caps which has been a lot of fun.

maybe some GH'ers will just build up some complete Poker and HHKB layout copies and offer to sell them to other GH'ers.

Thanks.
Jeremy

That will probably happen in time. It's just a question of what your goals are.

If you simply want to try a Poker, then I'd say wait for the 2 and/or monitor the classifieds. It'll typically come with key caps, a case and everything you need. You can always use the case and key caps for a GH60 project down the road if you order the PCB

However, if you want to fiddle a little bit and like the idea of taking on a project, then go for the GH60. For your Poker style GH60, I'd recommend the following:

   $40 - GH60 (SMD Pre-Soldered)
   $16 - Poker Plate
   $09 - Plate mounted Stabilizers
   $?? - 65 Cherry MX-?? switches

And if you don't want to put yours together, there are people that will do that for you too.

Hope that helps!

Offline CTollemache

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 26 March 2013, 15:16:11 »
I've also been looking for a Poker in Europe for some time and I can't find one with blues anywhere. As an alternate to KBTpure there are Pokers available with black/red switches on amazon (UK) but they're £85.99...

I've been watching the classifieds but they go fast, and as scary as Taobao is I'm really considering this site: buychina.com. They seem to be an international agent for - or just an international version of - Taobao. They are MUCH cheaper than everywhere else since it's just the Taobao prices, especially if you don't mind ABS caps, and has favorable reviews from what I've read (and also the seller offering the keyboard in the link!). Shipping to Europe isn't as bad as I expected either.

I've put in an order for a GH60 and a Poker plate, but I'll still need the case/switches/caps (until I get some lovely custom ones) which is why I'm probably going to order from BuyChina, and I can still have a poker style keyboard until the GH60 too! If I do risk it I'll put a post up and explain how it all went!

Offline jksteger

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 27 March 2013, 09:07:28 »
Actually after looking at the FN layout on the Poker, I'm not so sure I like it.  I think my Pure will work fine for now, especially after I read the manual and figured out how to swap the Left Win key with the Right FN key via the switches under the keyboard.  I thought it was odd to always press the FN key on the right and then have to use the right side to press any of the FN controls, such as page up, etc.  I'm much more comfortable pressing the FN on the left side.

I'm going to change out my cherry blacks for cherry browns though.  And probably sell my KBT Race with Green LED and Red switches and white keycaps and just use the Pure instead...once I get the browns in and change the 'orange' LED to another color.

Thanks

Jeremy

Offline CTollemache

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 27 March 2013, 09:15:01 »
Actually after looking at the FN layout on the Poker, I'm not so sure I like it.  I think my Pure will work fine for now, especially after I read the manual and figured out how to swap the Left Win key with the Right FN key via the switches under the keyboard.  I thought it was odd to always press the FN key on the right and then have to use the right side to press any of the FN controls, such as page up, etc.  I'm much more comfortable pressing the FN on the left side.

If you decide in the future that you'd like a poker you can swap the left windows key and the fn key on them too.

Offline laffindude

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 27 March 2013, 09:51:23 »

I've been watching the classifieds but they go fast, and as scary as Taobao is I'm really considering this site: buychina.com. They seem to be an international agent for - or just an international version of - Taobao. They are MUCH cheaper than everywhere else since it's just the Taobao prices, especially if you don't mind ABS caps, and has favorable reviews from what I've read (and also the seller offering the keyboard in the link!). Shipping to Europe isn't as bad as I expected either.
Don't count your chicken until they've hatched. Many taobao stores will list out of stock things as in stock.

Offline jdcarpe

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 27 March 2013, 11:47:54 »
Also, KBC and KBT are different. Poker is from KBC. :)

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Offline CTollemache

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Re: KBT Poker from Europe
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 27 March 2013, 14:50:48 »

I've been watching the classifieds but they go fast, and as scary as Taobao is I'm really considering this site: buychina.com. They seem to be an international agent for - or just an international version of - Taobao. They are MUCH cheaper than everywhere else since it's just the Taobao prices, especially if you don't mind ABS caps, and has favorable reviews from what I've read (and also the seller offering the keyboard in the link!). Shipping to Europe isn't as bad as I expected either.
Don't count your chicken until they've hatched. Many taobao stores will list out of stock things as in stock.

Why do they do this!? I need a poker with blues!