Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
Also, I believe the poker II's DIP switches allow you to change to other keyboard layouts (Colemak, dvorak, workman's, etc.) and I see no mention of that here, unless I've missed it.
I would put one caveat to this - you can get this board with the far superior Matias alps clones, far far better typing experience than cherry types.
No real reason, build quality is close enough, the pok3r is probably a bit better but not enough to not get this keeb.
As far as Cherry vs Gateron it's also a wash. I own several of both, the Cherry's are more clicky and gritty while the Gateron's are quite and smooth it just depends on what you want both have there strengths & weakness.
The build quality on Gateron & Kailh switches have really improved over the last few years. Most of the people talking about build quality haven't bought them recently.
I agree that the Cherry switches feel grittier than their Gateron cousins. I've found a preference for tactile non-clicky and have been impressed with Gateron quality and consistency so much that I have bought them in bulk for re-switching some of my other keyboards.
Also cost wise the pok3r will run you 129-130 dollars.. with metal case... the v60 will run ya 75bucks... so there that to think about also.