So you need to get into customized mechanical keyboards?

In the latest years, we’ve seen an explosion in reputation not simply in mechanical keyboards, however customized mechanical keyboards. You could be questioning what’s the distinction between a ready-built one like these made by Razer, Logitech, Corsair, and so forth, versus a customized one.

As the title would indicate, a customized keyboard means you get to decide on the case your keyboard is available in, you get to decide on the switches, you get to decide on the keycaps, and if you wish to get even deeper, you get to decide on customized cables in a colorway of your alternative, or specialty one-off artisan keycaps which can be normally hand sculpted by extremely gifted individuals in the neighborhood.

The solely downside is that because you’d be shopping for a number of the elements separate from one another, placing collectively a whole keyboard could possibly be a undertaking that would take months to finish. Not to say, sure keyboards can simply price you $400-500, and keycap units also can run as much as $120-$200 in some instances.

This could be extremely off placing to newcomers, a few of whom aren’t positive they’re keen to take a position that form of money and time, and that’s a spot that Keychron is hoping to fill with the Keychron Q1.

Meet the Keychron Q1

Right off the bat, it’s clear that the Q1 is a very totally different beast from the remainder of Keychron’s keyboards. The firm’s different keyboards usually had that “Keychron” look to them, form of like how all Razer keyboards are likely to look a sure manner.

With the Q1, plainly Keychron has studied the customized keyboard scene and has even taken feedback from the community throughout the design course of earlier than it entered manufacturing.

The finish result’s a keyboard that appears to come back with all of the “must have” options that fanatics are searching for in a customized board, however at a worth that won’t burn a gap within the pockets for newcomers within the interest, whereas additionally retaining some traditional Keychron options.

Specs & Features

• VIA help from day one out of the field
• Gasket Mount Design
• ANSI/ISO PCB choices
• Hot-Swappable PCB for 5-pin mechanical switches
• Foaming
• Full CNC Aluminium Body
• Screw-In Stabilizers
• South-Facing RGB
• Windows/Mac change

Design & Build Quality

The Keychron Q1 is a 75% keyboard. This implies that it does away with the numpad in addition to a number of different keys like Scroll Lock, Print Screen, and Pause/Break. However, in contrast to a 60% or 65% (that are different widespread kind elements), it retains the F-key row, so when you’re somebody who makes use of F-keys as macros for gaming, or when you use it for work/productiveness, it’ll be there.

It additionally makes use of normal keycap sizes and structure, which implies that purchasing for a customized keycap set to suit the Q1 is not going to pose an issue.

The mannequin that was despatched to us got here in a pleasant blue end, and talking of which, Keychron even offers prospects the choice of ordering a personalized badge to make their keyboard really feel really distinctive and private! That badge could be eliminated and changed with a change and keycap in case you want an additional key.

The weight of the Q1 was additionally somewhat good and hefty, which could be unusual to listen to as lots of maintstream manufacturers are likely to market their keyboards as being light-weight, however a heavy board means that it’ll transfer round much less on a desk and may contribute to a greater sound signature.

However, many different evaluations have identified that the Q1 does sound somewhat “pingy” which we agree. It could possibly be the standard of the aluminum they selected, however do word that Keychron is conscious of this.

The firm truly features a piece of froth within the backside of the keyboard to assist dampen the sound, however clearly it isn’t sufficient. It is so skinny and flimsy that we predict not together with it could have made that a lot of a distinction. Keychron states on their web site that for the retail models, they’ll truly be together with further items of froth that ought to hopefully tackle the sound challenge.

Sound & Typing Experience

Speaking of sound, that is a side of mechanical keyboards that those that aren’t into the interest may discover obscure. This is as a result of along with appears and really feel, the sound of a keyboard could be an necessary issue as properly, with many fanatics making an attempt all types of switches and combos to attain that good sound.

This is the place a number of the options of the Q1 come into play.

The Q1 makes use of a gasket mounting system. This consists of items of froth strips that sandwich the case of the keyboard with the plate and PCB. Instead of extra conventional mounting types that might merely screw the plate and PCB into the case, a gasket mount is designed to assist present a softer and versatile typing expertise.

This is as a result of the froth helps make the board really feel much less inflexible, whereas on the similar time absorbing a number of the vibrations which impacts not simply sound, however typing really feel. The finish result’s a board that doesn’t really feel very harsh once you backside out and has a softer sound signature.

As for the typing expertise, Keychron outfitted this board with Gateron Phantom Red switches. Gateron is a producer of switches and this Phantom lineup was created completely for Keychron. It is on the market in Red (linear), Blue (clicky), and Brown (tactile).

Surprisingly proper out of the field, there was little to no spring ping/crunch and the switches have been additionally fairly clean. This is as a result of these switches are literally manufacturing unit lubed, which for essentially the most half could be hit and miss, however on this case we predict that for many newcomers and newbies to the interest, it’s good to go.

We think about that tuning it additional or utilizing different switches may benefit the sound and typing expertise significantly, it’s not a foul place to start out.

The stabilizers (a part used to stabilize longer keys like Shift, house, Enter, and Backspace) have been additionally one other nice shock as they have been decently lubed out of the field. While it could possibly be additional improved upon, it sounds manner, manner higher than what you’d discover on different mainstream mechanical keyboards.

Customization Galore

This brings us to our final level of the Keychron Q1 evaluate, and presumably crucial level as properly – customizability.

This is a key tenet of the mechanical keyboard interest and that’s taking a keyboard and outfitting it with switches, keycaps, and different modifications to actually make your board sound, really feel, and look the best way you need.

A whole lot of mainstream keyboard manufacturers make it extremely tough (not inconceivable) to customise by utilizing parts that aren’t normal, or bizarre keycap sizes that make it close to inconceivable to make use of with aftermarket keycap units. These points are virtually non-existent with the Q1.

The Q1 encompasses a hotswappable PCB which suggests which you can simply swap out the switches with any of the aftermarket ones out there on the market with out the necessity to desolder the previous ones and solder within the new ones.

It additionally makes use of normal keycaps and structure so discovering a set that fits your tastes received’t be an issue. The stabilizers are additionally screw-in stabilizers, one thing the group largely prefers over clip-ins, and they’re additionally appropriate with widespread stabilizer varieties from Cherry, GMK, Zeal, Durock, and so forth.

Last however not least, the Q1 could be configured both utilizing QMK or VIA, the latter of which is principally a point-and-click software program that permits you to rebind and reassign keys in seconds, an necessary function for many who need to get essentially the most out of their keyboard.

Keychron clearly has GMMK and the GMMK Pro of their sights once they created the Q1, and truthfully, whereas on the floor each keyboards may look related, there are some delicate variations and key classes that Keychron took from the GMMK Pro’s launch that would give it a slight edge, like higher tolerances for different manufacturers of stabilizers, for instance.

However, needless to say this interest is all about “preference” so this isn’t essentially to say that one is best over the opposite. For instance, the GMMK Pro’s inclusion of a rotary knob could be a deciding issue for some.

Conclusion

So who’s the Keychron Q1 for? If you’re new to the mechanical keyboard scene, you could be intimidated by the lengthy wait instances for keyboards and keysets to achieve their prospects, however as Keychron plans for the Q1 to be an in-stock merchandise, you may get began instantly.

It may also enchantment to veterans who’ve been within the interest for some time now. The means to completely customise it, because of the hotswap PCB, might make it an important spare keyboard to check out new switches with.

It can also be priced very reasonably at $179 for a totally assembled model (which incorporates switches and keycaps), however if you wish to select your individual switches and keycaps, the barebones model will set you again $149.

All issues thought-about, the Keychron Q1 for its worth and options feels prefer it truly punches properly above its weight and when you’re new and don’t know tips on how to navigate this limitless stream of “preferences” on this interest, then the Q1 could possibly be an important place to start out.

Filed in Gadgets. Read extra about Keyboards.