Pulsar made a terrific impression with the Xboard QS, which featured expansive bodily customization and a construct high quality robust sufficient to be categorised as a weapon. Together with a few of my favourite mechanical switches, Pulsar proved to be an actual participant within the boutique (and costly) keyboard house. The PCMK 2 HE, nonetheless, takes on a special design philosophy with a lighter, slimmer construct and makes the transfer to magnetic switches to face amongst a number of the greatest gaming keyboards lately launched. It prices a reasonably penny at a base worth of $160, particularly contemplating its wired-only connectivity limits versatility, however all the pieces else round it’s unbelievable and exhibits that Pulsar isn’t only a one-hit marvel.
Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Design and Options
The PCMK 2 HE rocks a easy design, and it’s a clear and enticing aesthetic with the black and white shade scheme that contrasts very well. The QWER, ASDF, Escape, and Enter keys come within the reverse shade of the remainder of the keycaps (relying on which main shade you select to purchase), and the backlit Pulsar emblem above the arrow keys shines brightly. That emblem can also be a magnetic tab you could take away, and even get custom-made for a little bit further. The legend on it signifies whether or not or not Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, or Recreation Mode is lively by way of the backlighting as properly.
The uncovered keycaps on the aluminum prime plate lets them pop and the RGB backlighting circulation properly throughout the board. These double-shot PBT keycaps don’t have clear lettering so the lighting doesn’t assist with visibility, however there’s an honest brightness that helps the customizable colours nonetheless leap out. The dampeners and foam layer make up the remainder of the keyboard, nonetheless, the keystrokes aren’t precisely tender or quiet. I’m wonderful with it for the reason that keys have a lightweight and bouncy really feel that works properly for gaming and long-term typing, though it does sound extra “clacky” than most different magnetic keyboards. The underside is encased in a clear plastic so it’s not a totally aluminum chassis and doesn’t really feel fairly as sturdy because it might have been, however the see-through look is fairly candy.
Pulsar collaborated with Gateron for its magnetic switches, which have a extremely clean linear really feel – at simply 30g +/- 7 on the preliminary actuation drive, it’s one of many lightest switches I’ve used. In transferring to magnetic Corridor Impact switches, it affords the keyboard one other layer customization that you just simply can’t get from mechanical keyboards. Common producers like Logitech and Razer are leaping onto it now, and Pulsar is up there with the large names not simply with how properly the switches themselves carry out, however due to how straightforward it’s to get essentially the most out of them.
Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Software program and Customization
As with different boutique-style keyboard makers, Pulsar makes use of a web-based configurator as a substitute of a downloadable software program suite to customise the keyboard’s settings. It’s known as Bibimbap and makes tweaking issues a breeze, much like what Keychron provides as I noticed with the K4 HE that I additionally reviewed. You simply go to the Pulsar software program URL (it’ll say “obtain” nevertheless it doesn’t truly obtain a shopper) and choose the keyboard from the Join menu. From there, you’ll be able to mess with issues just like the customizable actuation level, RGB lighting profile, key assignments, macros, and far more.
Nearly each characteristic included is configurable on a per-key foundation, and whereas RGB isn’t going to essentially shine by the keycaps, the diploma to which you tweak the colour spectrum, results, and indicator lights on the magnetic tab is in depth. Having adjustable actuation factors, due to the magnetic switches, is available in clutch as properly, and that’s merely accomplished within the Efficiency tab within the software program – it may be as brief as 0.1mm or as deep as 4.0mm and anyplace in between in 0.1mm increments.
As a result of it is a magnetic keyboard with options like Speedy Set off and Fast Faucet, I do want to deal with the ever-present elephant within the room. Fast Faucet, being the identify for SOCD (simultaneous reverse cardinal path) enter on this case, is a contentious characteristic that permits speedy enter recognition even with the opposing path nonetheless being held. In a shooter, holding A to strafe left whereas tapping D to strafe proper with out letting go of A creates a jiggle-strafing motion that’s bodily unimaginable in any other case. And this system makes you an especially robust goal to hit. Whereas each magnetic keyboard has some type of SOCD now, it doesn’t imply you’re protected to make use of it – you’ll get kicked from Counter-Strike 2 matches, for instance, so be conscious of that. Speedy Set off isn’t as problematic, it simply acknowledges any upward motion as a reset level, making repeated tapping quicker.
Trying to improve your mouse, too?
Razer Deathadder V3 Hyperspeed
14
Razer made notable tweaks to its flagship mouse, making the V3 the most effective mice and additional proving why Deathadders have been a staple for PC gaming for therefore lengthy.
Take a look at our roundup of the greatest gaming mice out now!
Regardless of not being as bodily refined because the Xboard QS, there may be nonetheless some onboard customization you are able to do with the PCMK 2 HE, like swapping out the switches. If you wish to change issues up and ditch the Gateron x Pulsar magnetic switches, you are able to do that simply as long as you’re placing in N-Pole or S-Pole switches.
Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Efficiency
To chop to the chase, gaming efficiency on the PCMK 2 HE is stellar. That’s largely as a result of super-light contact to the Gateron x Pulsar magnetic switches and the adjustable actuation factors. Even with out utilizing Fast Faucet, my ability ceiling in Counter-Strike 2 is a bit larger on account of having the ability to do faster keystrokes and have these inputs acknowledged switfly. Whereas I like the K4 HE that I discussed earlier, I give the slight edge for gaming to one thing just like the PCMK 2 HE since its switches make these sorts of methods simpler to execute for aggressive eventualities. Whether or not I am quick-strafing to peak corners, switching weapons on a dime, or crouch-jumping by a window, the PCMK 2 HE let me pull these strikes off effortlessly.
Whereas I like having an excellent brief actuation level for a aggressive shooter, setting my keys to a deeper level works wonders for ensuring I do not accidently set off the improper motion in my assault rotation for Remaining Fantasy XIV. As somebody who spent hours-on-end raiding, I undoubtedly felt my fingers carrying out the longer the raid went on, too, and the switches on the PCMK 2 HE helps mitigate that sort of exhaustion by advantage of the sunshine actuation drive. It is these types of capabilities which will appear minor on paper, however make noticeable variations in apply.
Whereas a lot of those perks are as a result of magnetic switches, the keyboard is a pleasure to make use of even when it is louder than most of its contemporaries. That bounciness I discussed earlier feels nice once I’m typing all all through the work day, making for a cushty expertise exterior of gaming.
It’s price noting that the PCMK 2 HE contains a 8000Hz polling fee, which I’ve talked about extensively because it pertains to high-end gaming mice. Almost about keyboards, the advantages are far more restricted, and I might go as far to say negligible. The place the continual and miniscule actions of a mouse swipe come out smoother with a excessive polling fee, the binary nature of keyboard inputs simply do not actually need that. If something, it is to offer you piece of thoughts that you just’re getting the most effective efficiency that is technically potential (however let’s be actual, placing 8,000Hz polling fee on a field can also be a advertising and marketing transfer).
