Poker II Questions

[Jalberstone]

I think I'm going to buy a Poker II with Cherry MX Black switches from qtan for about $106. Is this a good idea? I think I read somewhere that I could get a discount if I message him on GH. Is that true? Also, is there somewhere that I would be able to buy an aluminum case for it? (preferably in grey, but I would like to see other colors too) I will mainly be typing on this keyboard and I am wondering if blacks will be too heavy. I am used to typing on greens and clears which I believe are supposed to be heavier than blacks, so should I be fine typing on blacks? And will all the volume controls and the arrows keys on WASD work on a mac? Thanks!

[mougrim]

I think it will be a good idea to message Qtan on GH.
Also, you can sometimes find metal cases for Poker II in classifieds. Don't know about colours, though.

Oh, and after greens blacks are not heavy at all.

[Razor Lotus]

I think blacks will be fine for you.

Not sure if you will get a discount if you message him but if you do.. I'll be sad since i bought off him but didn't get any discount But you can try!

Yup, $106 is a reasonable price for a poker 2 keyboard.

If you're looking for an aluminium case, pexon still has some $60 cases left i think. Hurry go send him an Email.

Here's the link: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47776.0

[HPE1000]

I think you are thinking of feng as far as messaging to get a discount.

[saltdiscus]

yeah let us know if u got thr discount.I am also thinking of getting poker 2.

[ideus]

QTan also has an aluminun case available at his site. And he will add a couple other designs soon. So maybe you want to wait for the cases to be in stock to buy the item toghether.

[Jalberstone]

How easy would it be to change the switches out on a Poker II?

[ideus]

How easy would it be to change the switches out on a Poker II?

They are plate mounted, thus, they are as hard / easy to pull out as any other plate mounted keyboard.

[SpAmRaY]

How easy would it be to change the switches out on a Poker II?

For the stock plate you will have to desolder and resolder to remove/replace switches.

[Jalberstone]

Does anyone know if the volume/media controls and arrow keys on WASD work on a mac?

[riotonthebay]

Does anyone know if the volume/media controls and arrow keys on WASD work on a mac?

They do.

[ideus]

How easy would it be to change the switches out on a Poker II?

For the stock plate you will have to desolder and resolder to remove/replace switches.

Is there a stock board that has a plate that does not require that?

[Jalberstone]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

[riotonthebay]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

The primary benefit is that the Poker II has a programmable function layer while the Poker X does not.

[ideus]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

The plate itself is an advantage. The slots for leds are also an added bonus in the Poker II.

[Jalberstone]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

The plate itself is an advantage. The slots for leds are also an added bonus in the Poker II.

What makes the plate an advantage?

[ideus]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

The plate itself is an advantage. The slots for leds are also an added bonus in the Poker II.

What makes the plate an advantage?

Rigidity of the assembly. The Poker X flexes. I have one Poker X and I was in need to add some support under the PCB because it tends to flex and the feeling when typing is awkward. Maybe that is not a concern for you though. Just check GH and you will find a lot of GB for 60% plates because of this and some other 60 models that had no plate in their stocks versions.

[mougrim]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

The plate itself is an advantage. The slots for leds are also an added bonus in the Poker II.

What makes the plate an advantage?

Rigidity of the assembly. The Poker X flexes. I have one Poker X and I was in need to add some support under the PCB because it tends to flex and the feeling when typing is awkward. Maybe that is not a concern for you though. Just check GH and you will find a lot of GB for 60% plates because of this and some other 60 models that had no plate in their stocks versions.

Yeah, plate-mounted board are the best. It sturdy feeling when you're typing on one... incomparable with the PCB-mounted ones.

[riotonthebay]

For what it's worth, many people prefer PCB mount to plate mount, the idea being that the flex of the PCB makes bottoming out softer.

[ideus]

For what it's worth, many people prefer PCB mount to plate mount, the idea being that the flex of the PCB makes bottoming out softer.

I used the Poker X with no support for a year. I may say that the sound was not different at all after I installed a sound dampener under the PCB, but the firmer feeling with it was much better, than with out it.

[Jalberstone]

It turns out that qtan is out of stock of a Poker II with Cherry MX Blacks. Does anyone know where I can get one?

[Jalberstone]

I found another one here: http://www.banggood.com/KBC-Poker-2-Mini-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Black-Switch-p-85373.html

Does anyone know if this is a reliable place to buy from?

[ideus]

I found another one here: http://www.banggood.com/KBC-Poker-2-Mini-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Black-Switch-p-85373.html

Does anyone know if this is a reliable place to buy from?

Cannot comment on its realiability, I bought a cheap set of blank caps and everything was OK, but that's it. 

[Pacifist]

bg is slow but reliable

[saltdiscus]

difference between pure poker and poker 2?

[ideus]

difference between pure poker and poker 2?

The KBT Pure pro is the current model. It has dedicated arrows, and many non standard ANSI keys. It is also programmable, and it has a plate.

[mougrim]

I found another one here: http://www.banggood.com/KBC-Poker-2-Mini-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Black-Switch-p-85373.html

Does anyone know if this is a reliable place to buy from?

Got today my white Poker II with MX Blues from them. Works OK. Ordered on 12 of March, so it was roughly 3 weeks.

[Razor Lotus]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

And awesome PBT keycaps

[mougrim]

Should I maybe try to find a Poker X just for the ability to easily swap out switches? I do not know if I would want to do something like that, but what are the other benefits of a Poker II over a Poker X?

And awesome PBT keycaps

Thick and sturdy, yes. And doubleshot RGB mod in box

[ideus]

It may be said, that either the Poker X or the Poker II are pretty similar as keyboards. However you should consider Poker X is easier to cutomized with different switches, but it is not programable. The Poker II has a plate, so if you want to customize it, it would be a little harder, but it is programable.