I have just this minute installed what I consider to be an incredible value for money mod for all POKER owners, the cast Aluminium bottom case.
I have not used this KB for a while, its my travel board which usually lives in my locker at school or that I travel with. When I do use it however, I do so via KARABINER, mimicking a HHKB Pro 2 style layout, the diamond cursors, and backslash as delete. Its a lovely little thing, more so as its wearing WYSE terminal keycaps.
Then this Christmas, I saw those wonderful chaps at #PEXON reduced the price of their already well priced cast 60% case aluminium case, http://pexonpcs.co.uk/products/60-alumi ... 1061213431 it was almost rude not to jump on the deal. As I was away, the case was waiting for me at my parents house, needless to say, the first thing I did this afternoon, upon getting home, was to install the metal case, my first time doing so, and my first metal KB case.
So, has this changed the typing experience? I think so, but as I said above, I have not really used this board for a while, so can't be too sure. The ping is present, which some hate, but I actually quite like. The switches are CHERRY BROWNS so have no noise at such, but I certainly always bottom out, so there is noise present. I have a PhD friend with the same unit, I shall have to try his stock model to see.
The metal casing is impressive, given it a cast type, and not CNC milled. The metal surface has a nice uniformed rough surface to it, and feels substantial. The difference between this and the plastic is the obvious weight factor. This little unit now feels well planted on the desk and the included 3M rubber pads, do a great job in gripping the desk. The screw holes, DIP switch slot and USB slot aligned really nicely and PEXON included extra hex bolts and the hex key to complete the job. I suspect this case is actually made by KBC, as it mirrors the plastic stock case. The install job took about six minutes, I also vacuumed the whole thing, but this really wasn't needed. as the keys are now more visible, making cleaning easier, due to extra gap. However I am not sure I really like this feature, I worry about losing my precious WYSE keycaps, which could ping off, if the board suffered a knock. I am careful with all my stuff but being a travel board, sometimes accidents can and do happen.
To try and improve the feeling of this board, I will today fit o-rings. The keys already feel smooth but after typing on TOPRE 55g switches, the Cherry Browns do, I hate to say it, for it makes me sound snobby, feel 'hollow'. It is not fair to compare this little thing to a £200+ TOPRE switch unit. For the money and flexibility, the POKER II is incredible value, and combined with this new addition, even better. The typing feeling, whilst perhaps being a little hollow and ping-y, is still well planted and I could easier type on it for hours, as often I do, without feeling finger strain. I am sure others will be better placed to explain the benefits of having a metal casing versus plastic. Please do!
If still available, get one is my advice. Even at the full price of £40, its a great deal. I also couldn't help myself and got two beautifully made USB cables, one dedicated FILCO replacement for my TKL, and the other (pictured) with a coil. PEXON make the best cables in my experience and offer brilliant service.
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