The Pulsar PCMK2 HE TKL is a compact, high-performance keyboard designed to meet the demands of both gamers and professionals. With an 87-key tenkeyless layout, it balances space efficiency with functionality, making it a great choice for those who prefer a streamlined desk setup. Equipped with advanced Hall Effect magnetic switches, it delivers an ultra-responsive experience, ensuring every keystroke registers with precision and speed.
Customisation is a key feature of this keyboard, allowing users to tailor the feel and performance to their liking. The hot-swappable switch design enables effortless replacement of switches without soldering, giving users the flexibility to fine-tune their typing experience. Additionally, the inclusion of a removable ID tag offers a small but thoughtful way to personalise the keyboard’s appearance.
Designed with both aesthetics and practicality in mind, the PCMK2 HE TKL features a durable build that enhances longevity and stability. It comes with a complete set of accessories, including a detachable USB Type-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, a dust cover, and user documentation. This ensures users have everything they need right out of the box to start customising and using the keyboard immediately.
Design and Functionality
The Pulsar PCMK2 HE TKL showcases a robust and stylish design, combining an aluminium alloy top plate with a transparent plastic chassis. This combination not only enhances durability but also adds a modern, high-tech aesthetic that stands out on any desk. Reinforced with multiple layers of sound-dampening foam, the structure minimises vibrations and enhances the typing feel, although a slight echo may be noticeable due to the open-frame design.
With a tenkeyless layout, this keyboard maintains a compact form factor while still providing full functionality for gaming and productivity. The absence of a numeric keypad frees up desk space, allowing for more ergonomic positioning of the mouse, which is especially beneficial for gamers. The inclusion of three adjustable typing angles—3.5°, 7°, and 10°—ensures that users can find a comfortable position suited to their preferences.
Equipped with Cherry profile double-shot PBS keycaps, the keyboard offers a smooth yet tactile typing experience. These keycaps are designed for longevity, resisting wear over time, but they do not feature shine-through legends, meaning backlighting is less visible in dim environments. Despite this, the overall build quality ensures a satisfying keystroke with minimal rattle or inconsistency.
The PCMK2 HE TKL is highly customisable, with hot-swappable switch functionality allowing users to swap out Hall Effect switches with compatible alternatives. This feature enables personalisation of the typing experience, whether users prefer a softer or more responsive actuation. Additionally, the keyboard is compatible with both ANSI and ISO layouts, making it versatile for users in different regions.
For added convenience, the keyboard connects via a detachable paracord USB Type-C cable, ensuring durability while offering flexibility in cable management. This design choice not only improves portability but also reduces clutter, making it easy to set up and transport. The inclusion of a removable ID tag allows users to add a unique touch, reinforcing the keyboard’s focus on personalisation.
Its compact form, adjustable angles, and responsive key switches make it a well-rounded choice for users who prioritise both aesthetics and functionality.
Key Features
The Pulsar PCMK2 HE TKL keyboard is designed for high-performance gaming, featuring advanced Hall Effect magnetic switches that offer exceptional responsiveness. These switches use magnetic actuation instead of traditional mechanical contacts, allowing for smoother keystrokes and greater durability. The absence of physical contacts reduces wear over time, ensuring consistent performance even after extensive use.
One of its standout features is Rapid Trigger technology, which dynamically adjusts the actuation and release points of each key. This means keys activate as soon as they are pressed and deactivate just as quickly upon release, significantly reducing input delay. This function is especially beneficial for fast-paced gaming scenarios where quick reflexes are crucial.
For greater control over key sensitivity, the keyboard includes Adjustable Actuation Points, ranging from 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm. Users can fine-tune the depth at which a key registers, allowing for a fully personalised experience. Whether preferring a hair-trigger response or a deeper press for deliberate input, this feature enhances both gaming and productivity.
The inclusion of a Quick Tap function further enhances responsiveness by registering inputs the moment a key is touched. Unlike traditional keyboards that require full presses to activate, this feature enables near-instantaneous response. It is particularly useful for competitive gaming, where rapid key presses can make the difference between victory and defeat.
With an impressive 8000 Hz polling rate, the PCMK2 HE TKL ensures ultra-low latency for seamless performance. This high polling rate allows the keyboard to send data to the computer at a significantly faster rate than standard models, making keystrokes feel instantaneous. Combined with the precision of magnetic switches, this makes it ideal for professional-level gaming.
Lighting customisation is another key aspect of this keyboard, offering 44 preset RGB lighting modes. Users can choose from a variety of effects to personalise their setup, adding a touch of visual flair to their gaming environment. These lighting configurations can be adjusted through Pulsar’s web-based software, ensuring easy access to a range of settings.
The software, compatible with Chrome and Edge, provides extensive control over key mapping, macros, and RGB effects. With support for both Windows and macOS, it allows users to create up to three custom profiles, enabling quick switching between different setups. This flexibility ensures that the keyboard adapts to various use cases, from work to gaming.
Engineered with a triple-layer sound-dampening structure, the keyboard minimises noise for a quieter typing experience. The combination of primary and secondary foam layers, along with a thick silicone dampening pad, helps absorb vibrations and reduce unwanted sound. This results in a refined keystroke feel, making it suitable for both competitive gaming and professional environments.
Experience Using the Product and Performance
The Pulsar PCMK2 HE TKL delivers an outstanding typing and gaming experience, thanks to its advanced Hall Effect magnetic switches. The ultra-responsive actuation ensures every keypress is registered with precision, making it ideal for users who demand speed and accuracy. Whether for competitive gaming or high-speed typing, the keyboard maintains consistent performance with no noticeable delay.
Rapid Trigger technology significantly enhances responsiveness, making rapid movements and key transitions effortless. The ability to adjust actuation and release points ensures that users can customise their experience to suit different gaming styles. This feature is particularly beneficial for FPS players, where quick reactions can determine the outcome of intense matches.
The adjustable actuation depth allows for a tailored typing experience, whether users prefer a light touch or a deeper press for deliberate input. At the lowest setting, keys activate almost instantly, reducing the effort required to register commands. For those who prefer more tactile feedback, increasing the actuation depth provides a firmer, more controlled response.
Quick Tap functionality provides an additional advantage by allowing inputs to register with minimal effort. This is especially noticeable in fast-paced games, where rapid keystrokes and precise actions are crucial. Unlike traditional mechanical keyboards, which require full key presses, this feature enables quicker execution of commands with a light tap.
The keyboard’s 8000 Hz polling rate ensures that every keypress is transmitted with near-zero latency. This high-speed communication between the keyboard and computer results in an ultra-smooth experience, particularly beneficial for professional gamers. Even in demanding scenarios, there is no noticeable lag or delay, making each keystroke feel instantaneous.
Beyond gaming, the PCMK2 HE TKL excels in productivity tasks, offering a comfortable and efficient typing experience. The well-spaced layout and smooth key travel make long typing sessions less fatiguing. The Cherry profile keycaps provide a comfortable touch, although the lack of shine-through legends may be a drawback for those who prefer backlit visibility in dim environments.
Customisation options via the Pulsar web-based software add another layer of flexibility to the keyboard’s performance. Users can easily configure key mappings, macros, and lighting effects, tailoring the setup to match their workflow. The ability to save up to three profiles ensures quick switching between different configurations for work, gaming, or creative tasks.
The triple-layer sound-dampening structure contributes to a quieter typing experience by reducing vibrations and keystroke noise. This design enhances comfort during extended use, making it well-suited for both home and office environments. While a slight echo is present due to the open-frame construction, there is no noticeable rattle, ensuring a stable and satisfying typing feel.
Portability is another strong point, with the detachable USB Type-C cable making transport and storage easier. The inclusion of a high-quality paracord cable further improves flexibility, reducing resistance for smooth desk movements. These small design choices enhance the overall user experience, ensuring the keyboard is as convenient as it is high-performing.
The adjustable tilt angles provide some flexibility in positioning, allowing users to find a comfortable typing posture. With its combination of responsiveness, customisation, and solid build quality, the PCMK2 HE TKL stands out as a top-tier keyboard for both gaming and everyday use.
Conclusion
The Pulsar PCMK2 HE TKL is a well-crafted keyboard that excels in both gaming and productivity, offering a premium experience with its Hall Effect magnetic switches. The combination of Rapid Trigger technology, adjustable actuation, and an ultra-high polling rate ensures precise, responsive performance suited to competitive play. Its compact tenkeyless design provides a streamlined setup, making it an excellent choice for those who value desk space without sacrificing functionality.
Customisation is a key strength of this keyboard, with hot-swappable switches, adjustable key sensitivity, and extensive software control. Users can fine-tune their experience with ease, whether optimising for gaming speed or creating a comfortable workflow. The web-based software simplifies key remapping, macro programming, and RGB lighting adjustments, making the keyboard highly adaptable to different needs.
Build quality is another highlight, with a durable aluminium alloy top plate and a triple-layer sound-dampening structure enhancing both longevity and typing comfort. While the open-frame design introduces a slight echo, the overall keystroke feel remains solid and satisfying. The detachable paracord cable and compact form factor further enhance portability, making it easy to transport and set up in different environments.
For those seeking a high-performance keyboard with advanced features and deep customisation options, the PCMK2 HE TKL stands out as a compelling choice. Its fast, responsive keys, ergonomic adjustments, and refined design make it a versatile option for gamers and professionals alike. With its blend of innovation and practicality, it delivers an exceptional experience that caters to a wide range of users.
