Hey Ho.

[Metr0]

Hey guys. I've been lurking around here for a few weeks now and only recently decided to make a new account. Around 6 months ago I purchased a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 edition. I've been digging the feeling of the MX Blues but I already want another board. The new KBC Poker 2 is taking my fancy quite a bit but I'm not sure what switches to buy; being from the UK I have only really tried the blues on my Blackwidow and Cherry Blacks on 6GV2 in PC world, thus rendering my experience on switches quite limited. I've always been quite curious about MX Cherry Red switches so I'm swaying slightly towards them, however I don't want to drop ~£100 on a keyboard to find I do not like it.

I ordered the WASD sampler pack a few months ago and after trying them I still had no idea what switches I wanted as I don't feel they give an accurate representation of what typing on a keyboard is actually like. I'm just wondering if there is any where I could go and possibly test keyboards with varies switches, baring in mind I live in the UK.

So far I've very much enjoyed this forum and I'm eager to get into a lot of group buys in the future (I've missed a few already which I regret  Namely the Raindrop and Red Alert set) So hopefully I'll be sticking around. 

Thanks, Metr0 C:

[Lastpilot]

Hi there Metr0,

I feel like the Poker 2 is a definite winning choice, as long as you don't mind the learning curve on the Fn layer. If you haven't used a 60% before, it will come off a bit harsh at first but you'll get used to it over time and eventually become natural at it. I've had my Poker for almost three months now and the Fn layer is finally starting to feel "natural."

As a graphic designer though, I must admit I will be in the market for a full-size board sooner or later just to accommodate my more complicated projects. [which is a completely separate keyboarding realm than usual gaming, writing or browsing]

I'm not sure how you can test keyboards in the UK other than trying to find a local GH/DT user to ask him or her about trying theirs. I suppose you could always try buying one with a good return policy.

I feel that there are a lot of people who wished they were in on Raindrop, so I wouldn't doubt a Round II within the next year - although I'm not sure if aggiejy will have the energy to be the one sorting it again lol. You can always try making a Wanted thread in the classifieds once you have 60 posts; this is how I got my Poker after they were discontinued.

We're glad  to have you on Geekhack! Looking forward to seeing how your search goes!

[Metr0]

Hi there Metr0,

I feel like the Poker 2 is a definite winning choice, as long as you don't mind the learning curve on the Fn layer. If you haven't used a 60% before, it will come off a bit harsh at first but you'll get used to it over time and eventually become natural at it. I've had my Poker for almost three months now and the Fn layer is finally starting to feel "natural."

As a graphic designer though, I must admit I will be in the market for a full-size board sooner or later just to accommodate my more complicated projects. [which is a completely separate keyboarding realm than usual gaming, writing or browsing]

I'm not sure how you can test keyboards in the UK other than trying to find a local GH/DT user to ask him or her about trying theirs. I suppose you could always try buying one with a good return policy.

I feel that there are a lot of people who wished they were in on Raindrop, so I wouldn't doubt a Round II within the next year - although I'm not sure if aggiejy will have the energy to be the one sorting it again lol. You can always try making a Wanted thread in the classifieds once you have 60 posts; this is how I got my Poker after they were discontinued.

We're glad  to have you on Geekhack! Looking forward to seeing how your search goes!

Thanks LastPilot for the warm welcome and advice! I'll be sure to stick around

One question about the Poker 2 however, I remember on the original model you could use a Fn key to change right shift, control and right windows key into arrow keys. I've looked at the users guide for the Poker 2 and I can't see that remap quoted anywhere, just wondering if it still possible. AFAIK you can only change WASD to the arrow keys via the Fn Key.

[Lastpilot]

Yes you can change it to "Arrow Mode" like the first poker, as you described. There is also a "2nd Arrow Mode" which locks the WASD into arrows.

If you want to learn more about it, I posted the official user manual here, which describes the programming and all the Fn combinations.

[Metr0]

Thank you so much LastPilot, I think I may put an order down for one by the end of the week. I think I'm just going to dip in with the Cherry Reds. I'm ordering from Qtan off eBay. From what I've read he seems to have a pretty good rep around here, so in theory returns should not be an issue 

Thanks again for all your help 

[Lastpilot]

Sorry, after re-reading that manual it looks like I was mistaken. There is no Arrow Mode for the bottom right modifiers, only for WASD. The modifier-to-arrows is only on the original Poker.

I must have misread it somehow lol.

[Metr0]

Sorry, after re-reading that manual it looks like I was mistaken. There is no Arrow Mode for the bottom right modifiers, only for WASD. The modifier-to-arrows is only on the original Poker.

Ah that might be the deal breaker for me then, I may end up opting for the original Poker in this case, I think there is still some available on the Amazon.Uk. In retrospect I hardly use the arrow keys outside of game such as ArmA, San Andreas and Multi Theft Auto. Would I just be able to remap the desired keys in this case?

Thanks again anyway Pilot! Mistakes happen!