KBT Race 2

[Sagii]

Like always, I did a search, and couldn't really find anything proper specific. The videos and other reviews really didn't give too much info either. Bear in mind that I'm terrible at searching, so just let me know if this thread is useless  )

What I'm wondering is if anyone has had some proper experience with the KBT Race 2? I'm very much considering it, since it seems almost impossible to find any KB with ISO layout with 75% or 60% form factor (unless I use a proxy) :/ I know quite a few of the keycaps aint standard sizes, and it's got a slightly funky layout, but that isn't bothering me too much.

My question is basically this; is there any other 75%/60% form factor KB you would rather recommend? For me a very important feature are the media keys (dedicated or not). I know that might sound silly, but I know for a fact that I use those keys a huge amount. It's also a plus that it's backlit (not a MUST). And honestly, I think the KBT Race 2 is insanely sexy!

Been looking at Pure, Pure pro, poker 2. So yeah, are there any other hidden gems I've missed out there?  

[McWilloughby]

I'm an ISO user normally and I have an ANSI Race II. It really is a great keyboard and Rabbit Web (the place I bought it from) have really great customer service, also I haven't found the layout to be a problem and the majority of the non standard keys are easily replaceable (with the exception of the esc and del keys) I'm going to do a review of it at some point but I'm currently doing my thesis and finals so it won't be for a month or so. There are ISO versions available of the Poker or Pure (I can't remember which) if you're more into ISO though.

[Sagii]

I'm an ISO user normally and I have an ANSI Race II. It really is a great keyboard and Rabbit Web (the place I bought it from) have really great customer service, also I haven't found the layout to be a problem and the majority of the non standard keys are easily replaceable (with the exception of the esc and del keys) I'm going to do a review of it at some point but I'm currently doing my thesis and finals so it won't be for a month or so. There are ISO versions available of the Poker or Pure (I can't remember which) if you're more into ISO though.

I know there are, but the only place I've found them are at the british amazon, which unfortunately doesn't ship those KBs to Norway. Anyway, with the Race 2 and an ANSI layout you normally lose out on the <> key, right? Is it possible with the race 2 to bind that to whatever key on the Pn layer ? AKA I wouldn't need autohotkey or anything like that?

If amazon shipped to Norway I'd probably buy the poker 2 or pure pro ^^' Even though I honestly think the Race 2 looks better (IMO, that is)

[McWilloughby]

Yeah I much prefer the look of the Race II to the others. I used some Microsoft programme that allows you to create a custom layout that was more UK centric than the US one. But yeah, you would lose out on the key next to the left shift.

I've spoken to the guys at Rabbit Web quite a bit and they did say that ISO layout was one of the things that they'd had most requests for so I hope that they forwarded this info to Vortex, hopefully the Race III will be in ISO.

[GhostofHarry]

Got a race 2

Can tell you more after I arrive home later

[Sagii]

Yeah I much prefer the look of the Race II to the others. I used some Microsoft programme that allows you to create a custom layout that was more UK centric than the US one. But yeah, you would lose out on the key next to the left shift.

I've spoken to the guys at Rabbit Web quite a bit and they did say that ISO layout was one of the things that they'd had most requests for so I hope that they forwarded this info to Vortex, hopefully the Race III will be in ISO.

You don't really need an extra program to alter the layout, do you? I mean, you can just change what language your keyboard is programmed to on your computer and it'll switch automatically. Or do you mean something else?

[McWilloughby]

Yeah I much prefer the look of the Race II to the others. I used some Microsoft programme that allows you to create a custom layout that was more UK centric than the US one. But yeah, you would lose out on the key next to the left shift.

I've spoken to the guys at Rabbit Web quite a bit and they did say that ISO layout was one of the things that they'd had most requests for so I hope that they forwarded this info to Vortex, hopefully the Race III will be in ISO.

You don't really need an extra program to alter the layout, do you? I mean, you can just change what language your keyboard is programmed to on your computer and it'll switch automatically. Or do you mean something else?

ANSI layout has fewer keys than ISO and using the US layout means that I can't type characters such as £. I used that programme to make a UK-ISO-ANSI hybrid layout.

[Sagii]

Yeah I much prefer the look of the Race II to the others. I used some Microsoft programme that allows you to create a custom layout that was more UK centric than the US one. But yeah, you would lose out on the key next to the left shift.

I've spoken to the guys at Rabbit Web quite a bit and they did say that ISO layout was one of the things that they'd had most requests for so I hope that they forwarded this info to Vortex, hopefully the Race III will be in ISO.

You don't really need an extra program to alter the layout, do you? I mean, you can just change what language your keyboard is programmed to on your computer and it'll switch automatically. Or do you mean something else?

ANSI layout has fewer keys than ISO and using the US layout means that I can't type characters such as £. I used that programme to make a UK-ISO-ANSI hybrid layout.

Hmm, okey.. well, in norwegian at least, you'll only miss the <> key when using an ANSI layout.. so I'd only have to fix one key, really

[GhostofHarry]

Race 2 has media keys    but not a dedicated one

its hard to find some 75 or 60% keyboards to have dedicated keys cuz its main purpose is to reduce its size
and dedicated keys consumes space 

i didnt use race 2 after some time cuz i have been used to the cherry profile keycap.
I got race 2 in blues after my g80-3000 (blues too)and i feel like its more tiring to type on race 2 after 4-5 hours of continuous typing.
yet to be fair, normal typing on race 2 is perfectly fine, it can be programmed with macros and layout mod with DIP switch (i didnt use them much though)
plus race 2 looks really good without a doubt

if u like a good look keyboard and u dont have great demand in typing comfort
race 2 is a pretty good option

I used ANSI too so i am not too sure about the Layout problem
McWilloughby is definitely more familiar with it!

[Sagii]

Race 2 has media keys    but not a dedicated one

its hard to find some 75 or 60% keyboards to have dedicated keys cuz its main purpose is to reduce its size
and dedicated keys consumes space 

i didnt use race 2 after some time cuz i have been used to the cherry profile keycap.
I got race 2 in blues after my g80-3000 (blues too)and i feel like its more tiring to type on race 2 after 4-5 hours of continuous typing.
yet to be fair, normal typing on race 2 is perfectly fine, it can be programmed with macros and layout mod with DIP switch (i didnt use them much though)
plus race 2 looks really good without a doubt

if u like a good look keyboard and u dont have great demand in typing comfort
race 2 is a pretty good option

I used ANSI too so i am not too sure about the Layout problem
McWilloughby is definitely more familiar with it!

Thanks for the info! Any particular reason you don't like typing on it? Is it the keycaps, the case/plate (whatever it's called), the KB layout, or something else?

[janvkn]

If amazon shipped to Norway I'd probably buy the poker 2 or pure pro ^^' Even though I honestly think the Race 2 looks better (IMO, that is)

Amazon.co.uk doesn't ship to Norway?!

What about amazon.de?
http://www.amazon.de/KBT-Poker-Ultra-kompakte-mechanische-Tastatur/dp/B00GERK25G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1399558650&sr=8-2&keywords=poker+II+keyboard

[GhostofHarry]

Race 2 has media keys    but not a dedicated one

its hard to find some 75 or 60% keyboards to have dedicated keys cuz its main purpose is to reduce its size
and dedicated keys consumes space 

i didnt use race 2 after some time cuz i have been used to the cherry profile keycap.
I got race 2 in blues after my g80-3000 (blues too)and i feel like its more tiring to type on race 2 after 4-5 hours of continuous typing.
yet to be fair, normal typing on race 2 is perfectly fine, it can be programmed with macros and layout mod with DIP switch (i didnt use them much though)
plus race 2 looks really good without a doubt

if u like a good look keyboard and u dont have great demand in typing comfort
race 2 is a pretty good option

I used ANSI too so i am not too sure about the Layout problem
McWilloughby is definitely more familiar with it!

Thanks for the info! Any particular reason you don't like typing on it? Is it the keycaps, the case/plate (whatever it's called), the KB layout, or something else?

probably the keycaps and the PCB

one of its selling point is the OEM R5 keycaps (not related)
and OEM profile keycaps are taller than the cherry profile ones
and i feel that typing on cherry profile keycaps save much energy

Race 2 has no plate, but im sure its has stiffer touch
Also, as it is a short keyboard, shorter PCB,  the PCB has less flex so turn out ur finger would take more pressure

Layout is not a problem, it only took a day or two for me to get use to it

but turn out i still like the cherry profile and the plateless feel on the g80-3000
its really a good board

[Sagii]

Race 2 has media keys    but not a dedicated one

its hard to find some 75 or 60% keyboards to have dedicated keys cuz its main purpose is to reduce its size
and dedicated keys consumes space 

i didnt use race 2 after some time cuz i have been used to the cherry profile keycap.
I got race 2 in blues after my g80-3000 (blues too)and i feel like its more tiring to type on race 2 after 4-5 hours of continuous typing.
yet to be fair, normal typing on race 2 is perfectly fine, it can be programmed with macros and layout mod with DIP switch (i didnt use them much though)
plus race 2 looks really good without a doubt

if u like a good look keyboard and u dont have great demand in typing comfort
race 2 is a pretty good option

I used ANSI too so i am not too sure about the Layout problem
McWilloughby is definitely more familiar with it!

Thanks for the info! Any particular reason you don't like typing on it? Is it the keycaps, the case/plate (whatever it's called), the KB layout, or something else?

probably the keycaps and the PCB

one of its selling point is the OEM R5 keycaps (not related)
and OEM profile keycaps are taller than the cherry profile ones
and i feel that typing on cherry profile keycaps save much energy

Race 2 has no plate, but im sure its has stiffer touch
Also, as it is a short keyboard, shorter PCB,  the PCB has less flex so turn out ur finger would take more pressure

Layout is not a problem, it only took a day or two for me to get use to it

but turn out i still like the cherry profile and the plateless feel on the g80-3000
its really a good board

Ahh, okay, thanks I'll take that into consideration!

If amazon shipped to Norway I'd probably buy the poker 2 or pure pro ^^' Even though I honestly think the Race 2 looks better (IMO, that is)

Amazon.co.uk doesn't ship to Norway?!

What about amazon.de?
http://www.amazon.de/KBT-Poker-Ultra-kompakte-mechanische-Tastatur/dp/B00GERK25G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1399558650&sr=8-2&keywords=poker+II+keyboard

Nope, they don't ship to Norway, non of 'em do :/ At least not the keyboards I'm looking at ^^'