Pulsar made a terrific impression with the Xboard QS, which featured expansive bodily customization and a construct high quality sturdy sufficient to be categorised as a weapon. Along with a few of my favourite mechanical switches, Pulsar proved to be an actual participant within the boutique (and costly) keyboard area. The PCMK 2 HE, nevertheless, takes on a distinct design philosophy with a lighter, slimmer construct and makes the transfer to magnetic switches to face amongst a few of the finest gaming keyboards lately launched. It prices a reasonably penny at a base worth of $160, particularly contemplating its wired-only connectivity limits versatility, however every part else round it’s improbable and reveals that Pulsar isn’t only a one-hit surprise.
Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Design and Features
The PCMK 2 HE rocks a easy design, and it’s a clear and engaging aesthetic with the black and white colour scheme that contrasts very well. The QWER, ASDF, Escape, and Enter keys come within the reverse colour of the remainder of the keycaps (relying on which main colour you select to purchase), and the backlit Pulsar emblem above the arrow keys shines brightly. That emblem can also be a magnetic tab which you can take away, and even get custom-made for just a little additional. The legend on it signifies whether or not or not Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, or Game Mode is energetic by way of the backlighting as effectively.
The uncovered keycaps on the aluminum prime plate lets them pop and the RGB backlighting movement 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 a good brightness that helps the customizable colours nonetheless soar out. The dampeners and foam layer make up the remainder of the keyboard, nevertheless, the keystrokes aren’t precisely delicate or quiet. I’m nice with it because the keys have a lightweight and bouncy really feel that works effectively for gaming and long-term typing, though it does sound extra “clacky” than most different magnetic keyboards. The backside is encased in a clear plastic so it’s not a totally aluminum chassis and doesn’t really feel fairly as sturdy because it may have been, however the see-through look is fairly candy.
Pulsar collaborated with Gateron for its magnetic switches, which have a extremely easy 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 Hall Effect switches, it affords the keyboard one other layer customization that you just simply can’t get from mechanical keyboards. Popular producers like Logitech and Razer are leaping onto it now, and Pulsar is up there with the massive names not simply with how effectively the switches themselves carry out, however due to how straightforward it’s to get probably the most out of them.
Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Software 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 referred to 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 URL (it’ll say “obtain” however it doesn’t really obtain a shopper) and choose the keyboard from the Connect menu. From there, you may mess with issues just like the customizable actuation level, RGB lighting profile, key assignments, macros, and rather more.
Almost each characteristic included is configurable on a per-key foundation, and whereas RGB isn’t going to essentially shine by means of the keycaps, the diploma to which you tweak the colour spectrum, results, and indicator lights on the magnetic tab is intensive. Having adjustable actuation factors, because of the magnetic switches, is available in clutch as effectively, and that’s merely completed within the Performance 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.
Because this can be a magnetic keyboard with options like Rapid Trigger and Quick Tap, I do want to handle the ever-present elephant within the room. Quick Tap, being the identify for SOCD (simultaneous reverse cardinal path) enter on this case, is a contentious characteristic that enables instant 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. While 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. Rapid Trigger isn’t as problematic, it simply acknowledges any upward motion as a reset level, making repeated tapping sooner.
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Despite not being as bodily subtle because the Xboard QS, there’s nonetheless some onboard customization you are able to do with the PCMK 2 HE, like swapping out the switches. If you need 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 – Performance
To reduce 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 Quick Tap, my ability ceiling in Counter-Strike 2 is a bit greater on account of with the ability to do faster keystrokes and have these inputs acknowledged switfly. While 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 strategies simpler to execute for aggressive situations. Whether I’m quick-strafing to peak corners, switching weapons on a dime, or crouch-jumping by means of a window, the PCMK 2 HE let me pull these strikes off effortlessly.
While I like having a brilliant 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 fallacious motion in my assault rotation for Final 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 type of exhaustion by advantage of the sunshine actuation drive. It’s these types of capabilities that will appear minor on paper, however make noticeable variations in observe.
While 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 when I’m typing all all through the work day, making for a snug expertise outdoors of gaming.
It’s price noting that the PCMK 2 HE includes a 8000Hz polling price, which I’ve talked about extensively because it pertains to high-end gaming mice. With regards to keyboards, the advantages are rather more restricted, and I might go as far to say negligible. Where the continual and miniscule actions of a mouse swipe come out smoother with a excessive polling price, the binary nature of keyboard inputs simply do not really want that. If something, it is to offer you piece of thoughts that you just’re getting the very best efficiency that is technically attainable (however let’s be actual, placing 8,000Hz polling price on a field can also be a advertising transfer).
