Looking for best 60% / Mini

[kubomipixel]

Hi,

I have the Pure Pro, but it has a 1x1 right shift. I also do not like how the arrows are right next to that 1x1 key.
I end up going up a line on accident constantly and I have a hard time hitting that small shift.



Anyway...

Looking for a better option.

I really love the small form and that Pure Pro is super solid.
'
Looking into maybe a Poker 2 Or something. Though I do not like how the spacebar says "enjoy your feeling"

So basically my needs are:

• Must be small form
• Must have large right shift
• Must not have arrow keys that I can bump up a line.
• Must be PBT
• Must be Cherry

Maybe someone can open my eyes to something I have not seen yet. Or recommend what they have.


Thanks.

[intelli78]

Dunno boss, you're pretty much describing the Poker 2. I'm not aware of anything else that fits all your criteria. If you're willing to try Topre, HHKB may be of interest.

FYI, the Poker 2 keycaps are very customizable. You can also email MechanicalKeyboards.com and they'll sell you a blank OEM Poker 2 spacebar for about $5.

[Flossed]

You are perfectly describing the Poker 2... If you buy one from mechanicalkeyboards.com, they will send you a blank space bar. The HHKB has a interesting layout, the backspace button is actually a delete. Backspace is actually on the function layer... You're gonna have to get used to it.

[heedpantsnow]

I personally prefer the original Poker over the II, but that's just my personal preference.  You can pick up a used one in the classifieds.

[kubomipixel]

What are the differences between p1 and p2?

[amos5606]

Plate and non-plate

[spiceBar]

What are the differences between p1 and p2?

The Poker X (first Poker) does not have a metal plate, so it's lighter. It's also not programmable, and you get the arrow keys with the right Win-Menu-Ctrl-Shift cluster (you can toggle this with Fn+Space). There would be more to say about it, but that's the most important points I think.

The Poker II is essentially the same built as your Pure Pro. It has a metal plate, and the same programmable controller, so you already know how to program it. Its default layout is not really good (arrows on WASD), but you can easily reprogram it to put the arrows where you want.

As someone already mentioned, if you purchase from MechanicalKeyboards.com you get a standard space bar (without "Enjoy you feelings"). There are backlit models, and the keycaps are standard so they are very easy to replace. There are models with PBT keycaps and no backlighting, but I don't think they are available at the moment.

It's funny because I also own a Pure Pro and finally gave up using it because of the right 1x Shift as well. I'm currently waiting for my Poker II to arrive (tomorrow I guess), and meanwhile I'm using a Poker X and an HHKB.

[ajx]

just because that Poker 2 has engraved "enjoy your feeling",  will you skip it?
me neither, i didnt "enjoy" KBTalking instead of enter but i eventually bought Pure
Poker 2 has everything you re looking for
besides it has like mostly the best reasonable layout among all 60 size keyboard excluding HHKB which has a sightly different layout

[kubomipixel]

Thanks the the input.

I am currently on the hunt for the poker II

What is a good price to pay? I have seen them around different sites and ebay for about 130 with shipping.

I am just not sure what switch I want.

I have been wanting an MX Green board, but does the poker come with that?

I have not found it on search, but I have seen pictures of pokers with greens.

Guessing those were custom made.

Wonder if I will  even like greens though.

[spiceBar]

just because that Poker 2 has engraved "enjoy your feeling",  will you skip it?
me neither, i didnt "enjoy" KBTalking instead of enter but i eventually bought Pure
Poker 2 has everything you re looking for
besides it has like mostly the best reasonable layout among all 60 size keyboard excluding HHKB which has a sightly different layout

I find that the layout is badly designed and unusable OOB. The only thing that saves the Poker II is that you can change it and reprogram the arrow keys for example.

[riotonthebay]

I find that the layout is badly designed and unusable OOB. The only thing that saves the Poker II is that you can change it and reprogram the arrow keys for example.

MY OPINION IS DIFFERENT!!!!!

sorry, just trying to Internet correctly

[Macsmasher]

<snip>
The HHKB has a interesting layout, the backspace button is actually a delete. Backspace is actually on the function layer... You're gonna have to get used to it.

Well, yes and no. There's a dip switch to place it on the primary layer and move Del to the Fn layer. In addition, the placement of the Backspace key is right above Enter key. I liked this Backspace placement so much I used AutoHotkey to create a script to swap my non-HHKB boards.

[Macsmasher]

You might consider the new Leo FC660 boards:

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,compact

And, you can get it with Cherry or Topre switches.

[spiceBar]

I find that the layout is badly designed and unusable OOB. The only thing that saves the Poker II is that you can change it and reprogram the arrow keys for example.

MY OPINION IS DIFFERENT!!!!!

sorry, just trying to Internet correctly

It's a good thing that you share your opinion.

Some people find the layout useable as it is, some find it poorly done.

As the keyboard is programmable, it's not a big problem anyway.

I'm waiting for my Poker II, then in a few days I'll suggest a (better in my opinion) layout for it, which has initially not been designed with the Poker in mind, but should be doable on it without having to use any software on the computer side. I want to check this before posting.

[spuriousgeorge]

The new Tex Yoda (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53669.0) looks nice. Not out yet, but will be soonish, and it's the only modern mechanical keyboard I've seen with a real Trackpoint.

[ajx]

just because that Poker 2 has engraved "enjoy your feeling",  will you skip it?
me neither, i didnt "enjoy" KBTalking instead of enter but i eventually bought Pure
Poker 2 has everything you re looking for
besides it has like mostly the best reasonable layout among all 60 size keyboard excluding HHKB which has a sightly different layout

I find that the layout is badly designed and unusable OOB. The only thing that saves the Poker II is that you can change it and reprogram the arrow keys for example.

i ordered from Banggood couple days ago for about 99$ ship included
it seems delivery has huge delay about 2/3 weeks
but i can manage to deal with it

[kubomipixel]

The new Tex Yoda (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53669.0) looks nice. Not out yet, but will be soonish, and it's the only modern mechanical keyboard I've seen with a real Trackpoint.

Thanks, but yuck!
Keys under the spacebar eww. 

[spuriousgeorge]

Sounds like the Yoda isn't your style. I really like Trackpoints, hence my enthusiasm, although I will concede that the keyboard is a little on the ugly side. 

[spiceBar]

Thanks the the input.

I am currently on the hunt for the poker II

What is a good price to pay? I have seen them around different sites and ebay for about 130 with shipping.

I am just not sure what switch I want.

I have been wanting an MX Green board, but does the poker come with that?

I have not found it on search, but I have seen pictures of pokers with greens.

Guessing those were custom made.

Wonder if I will  even like greens though.

I have purchased my Poker II from MechanicalKeyboards.com. If you want to know how much it will cost you, including shipping, just go to their site, add the keyboard to your cart and proceed to checkout. Then you will be able to enter your ZIP code and the amount including shipping will appear, as you are in the US.

My order arrived yesterday (they ship very quickly and everything went well with Fedex). The spacebar has nothing written on it. The package includes a key puller and extra color replacement keys for Crtl (red), Alt (lavender) and Shift (green). It's a nice touch. I'm not sure it's the standard: it may be an extra provided only by MechnicalKeyboards. Not sure about this.

The Poker II is manufactured by the same company as the Pure Pro. It's the same plate-mounted build quality, same case, same keys and same programmable controller. It's just that the layout is perfectly standard (no tiny Shift).

I have remapped the arrow keys so I get them with Fn + some keys on on the right side of the board (the default is on WASD which I don't like) and this works perfectly for me.

If you liked your Pure Pro's switch type, why not stick with that? Or else there are a zillion threads about "what switch do you like" and it invariably ends up by "it's a matter of personal taste", which is exactly right. I would personally suggest reds or brown, but it's just me (if I could I would have tried clears, but they are not available on the Poker II at this time).

[ajx]

sorry but noob question
how to remap keys?
working on Mac as well?

[spiceBar]

sorry but noob question
how to remap keys?
working on Mac as well?

On the Poker II, remapping can be done on the keyboard itself. You don't need to run any app on your computer.

It works on the Mac as well (I'm using a Mac).

You remap a key by entering the "programming mode" (Fn+Ctrl). Then you press the key you want to program. Then you type the key or even sequence of keys you want it to generate. Then you press Pn to indicate that you have finished programming this key. Now you can program another key, or Fn+Ctrl allows you to exit the programming mode.

By default, to use your programmed key you must press Pn+key. If you press the key alone, it does its usual function. But there is a mode that allows you to press just the key and you get its programmed behavior. This mode is the most useful IMO.

You can also have a key do something and Fn+this key do something else, which is great. You can basically redefine the Fn layer this way.

The way it has been designed, it is very useful. There some things you cannot do (for example have a key do something and Shift+this key do something else), but it's already a very capable system.

[intelli78]

PSA: To remap non - programmable keyboards, use the app KeyRemap4MacBook.