Keychron keyboard discussion

[xraydoc]

I hear you on the reach for the mouse bit, I get around that using a trackball as I mentioned above it stays in one place on the desk usually at a right angle just below the keyboard palm rest with the trackball facing me. I just drop my right hand down to were it is. The Ergo has a whole bunch of controls on it to control how the trackball works mostly sensitivity and speed.

Not a bad idea. I'm finding a desktop trackpad irritates my carpal tunnel syndrome, probably because I tend to flex at the wrist when I use it. I keep my wrist pretty straight when I use a mouse. I might have to see if I can find this trackball locally to give it a quick test drive. Although, Amazon does have a decent return window... hmmm.

 

[transmaster]

The MX Ergo Trackball Plus is like a comfortable hand rest on the desktop. All its controls are under your thumb, and first 2 fingers. Being able to change its angle by 20 degrees is amazing on your hand and wrist. you have 2 DPI setting on top and a button just above the track ball that really slows things down it is dead handy if your hand is shaking from to much coffee.

 

[JTK Awesome]

The IBM model M and F have a deep, scooped, almost cylindrical keyboard tray versus the flat, sloped design of modern keyboards. And the bezels are majorly chonky on those old boards.

But yes, the key feel is very unique.

I always liked that scalloped key platform on IBM keyboards 🤷

I also ‘get’ the profound dislike for scissor switch keyboards and the earlier “you can’t go back” sentiment. But now that I have gone back I can say it can be done. And everyone overlooks first-party function key support (Mac and Windows).

Not all scissor-switch keyboards are created equal, though; some are definitely mushier than others. While the current Apple MKB isn’t the greatest, the key presses are nice and crisp. Ditto for this guy that I use with my WfH PC. In fact I like typing on this better - same crispness as the MKB with a hair more key travel makes this near-perfect.

I’ll leave you with this. “I am writing - I'm not typing.”

I hear you on the reach for the mouse bit, I get around that using a trackball as I mentioned above it stays in one place on the desk usually at a right angle just below the keyboard palm rest with the trackball facing me. I just drop my right hand down to were it is. The Ergo has a whole bunch of controls on it to control how the trackball works mostly sensitivity and speed.

View attachment 2210275View attachment 2210276

This is also subjective but IMO finger-operated TBs > thumb-operated ones. Less fatigue and more precision. Also more choices.

If you can't any any S/W or drivers at all (like on a corporate IT-locked-down PC):

P.I. Engineering X-keys L-trac Trackball X-keys®

X-keys USB Opto-Mechanical and Laser Trackballs contains a large, high-density trackball inside of a high impact ABS molded enclosure.

xkeys.com

Otherwise - both are great just pick your connection.

Error page | Kensington

Sorry, the page you are looking for doesn't seem to exist. Below are some of our most popular product categories, and a search bar to help find what you need.

www.kensington.com

Expert Mouse® Wireless Trackball | Trackballs | Trackball Mouse | Kensington

Wireless freedom allows you to connect by a 2.4GHz USB nano receiver..

www.kensington.com

 

[xraydoc]

I always liked that scalloped key platform on IBM keyboards 🤷

I also ‘get’ the profound dislike for scissor switch keyboards and the earlier “you can’t go back” sentiment. But now that I have gone back I can say it can be done. And everyone overlooks first-party function key support (Mac and Windows).

Not all scissor-switch keyboards are created equal, though; some are definitely mushier than others. While the current Apple MKB isn’t the greatest, the key presses are nice and crisp. Ditto for this guy that I use with my WfH PC. In fact I like typing on this better - same crispness as the MKB with a hair more key travel makes this near-perfect.

I’ll leave you with this. “I am writing - I'm not typing.”

This is also subjective but IMO finger-operated TBs > thumb-operated ones. Less fatigue and more precision. Also more choices.

If you can't any any S/W or drivers at all (like on a corporate IT-locked-down PC):

P.I. Engineering X-keys L-trac Trackball X-keys®

X-keys USB Opto-Mechanical and Laser Trackballs contains a large, high-density trackball inside of a high impact ABS molded enclosure.

xkeys.com

Otherwise - both are great just pick your connection.

Error page | Kensington

Sorry, the page you are looking for doesn't seem to exist. Below are some of our most popular product categories, and a search bar to help find what you need.

www.kensington.com

Expert Mouse® Wireless Trackball | Trackballs | Trackball Mouse | Kensington

Wireless freedom allows you to connect by a 2.4GHz USB nano receiver..

www.kensington.com

A finger tip trackball would absolutely kill my carpal tunnel. Too much wrist movement.

 

[ericwn]

The MX Ergo Trackball Plus is like a comfortable hand rest on the desktop. All its controls are under your thumb, and first 2 fingers. Being able to change its angle by 20 degrees is amazing on your hand and wrist. you have 2 DPI setting on top and a button just above the track ball that really slows things down it is dead handy if your hand is shaking from to much coffee.

View attachment 2210483

Been using that one for years and it’s been my favourite pointer device. Occasionally switch it up and use a trackpad, but Logi I keep coming back to.

 

[transmaster]

A finger trackball is a abomination to ergonomics, you are better off with a trackpad if you want to go that route. I tried one, thankfully I borrowed it. I hated it. Logitech rules on trackballs. The thumb operated trackballs are so natural in the hand. at the computer you find yourself naturally resting your hand on the trackpad it is so comfortable.

 

[JTK Awesome]

Perhaps, but I don't think I could go back to using a scissor switch keyboard like the Apple Magic or Surface keyboards after a good mechanical, even if it's not a buckling spring. The Q5 I have at work with Kailh box pink switches is pretty great for a clicky-style keyboard. And way better than a Magic keyboard.

A finger trackball is a abomination to ergonomics, you are better off with a trackpad if you want to go that route. I tried one, thankfully I borrowed it. I hated it. Logitech rules on trackballs. The thumb operated trackballs are so natural in the hand. at the computer you find yourself naturally resting your hand on the trackpad it is so comfortable.

 

[xraydoc]

Perhaps you are, though I know for a fact a trackball will kill my wrists. I use my mouse with a straight, locked wrist. If I flex side to side while using a mouse, my fingers will eventually go numb until I stop. If you don't suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, be glad. I don't have it bad, but I'm careful not to let it flair up. Comes from working on a computer for hours every day since 1978 when I first got an account on my school's mainframe (which I think was a DEC VAX-11) which we accessed with a teletype machine and a modem (old rotary phone with a handset coupler).

And I do have to disagree with the you posted video above. I'm also at a keyboard for most of the day (I'm an academic radiologist, so I'm either dictating and typing/correcting, or I'm writing research papers, hospital protocols & policies, and emails). And I'm much more comfortable at a good mechanical. I will take the Apple Magic Keyboard over a bad mechanical, however.

So do I write or type? Both, unfortunately.

 

[transmaster]

Perhaps you are, though I know for a fact a trackball will kill my wrist.

With the Ergo trackball your wrist does not move at all. Just you thumb and 2 fingers. As I said above it is a very comfortable place to rest your right hand. I tried to use the Logitech trackball, "The Trackman" with the center mounted trackball and I just did not like it.

 

[retta283]

With the Ergo trackball your wrist does no move at all. Just you thumb and 2 fingers. As I said above it is a very comfortable place to rest your right hand. I tried to use the Logitech trackball, "The Trackman" with the center mounted trackball and I just did not like it.

View attachment 2211188

Yeah I had that same one years ago, they've been making that one since the PS/2 days and I simply didn't like it. I had a Kensington one that was similar, a bit wider but still unusable. I've been using thumb balls for many years now and I wouldn't go back to anything else.

 

[xraydoc]

With the Ergo trackball your wrist does no move at all. Just you thumb and 2 fingers. As I said above it is a very comfortable place to rest your right hand.

Yes, yours seems very interesting. Giving it some thought.

 

[xraydoc]

Last night I replaced the linear switches I put in my V5 on my WFH PC with a set of Kailh Box Jade.

Linear switches, I’ve confirmed, just aren’t for me. I’m much happier with something strongly tactile and/or clicky (since all clickies are tactile, too).

 

[transmaster]

Yes, yours seems very interesting. Giving it some thought.

You can pick one up from Amazon like I did. You can try it out and return it. I used the Logitech M570 for years but the last 2 I had didn't last very long. The M570's quality really went down at the end. Very pleased with the Ergo Plus.

 

[xraydoc]

Since I had a bunch of "spare" parts (several sets of switches, plus a couple of Keychron OSA keycap sets from other keyboard which when combined make a full black set), I decided to build one last one.

Bought an $89 barebones Keychron V3 off Amazon and used my spares to put together one last one. All-black Keychron OSA keycaps (save for the obviously yellow Esc and Enter keys) and Gateron Pro Brown switches pulled out of another keyboard. There's a single Kaihl Box Jade switch on the Caps Lock key so I know if I accidentally hit it.

I decided to cancel the Q5 Pro I had pre-ordered -- while fun, I just really didn't need it. I'm not super interested in building one from complete scratch, so I think I'm probably done for now. I don't mind opening up one of these and giving the stabs a little extra lube or replacing case foam or something, I don't really have interest in assembling one from a barebones PCB and mounting stabs and doing the whole thing... too deep of a hole for me. Which I suppose is good as I could otherwise see myself spending a lot of money on a 100% custom job otherwise.

I'm going to use this on my Mac for now as I need a numpad on my PCs at the office and at home (my WFH PC), so those will keep their Q5 and V5 respectively.

I'm keeping my Q1 with Kailh Box Navy switches and my Q12 with Gateron Baby Kangaroo switches, so I'll have something to play with if I feel like changing one of them up for a bit.

I'm sure my wife will be happier, too!

 

[klky]

I ended up getting my third Keychron tonight - the Q1 Pro!

Obviously, a very different board from my current low profile K3 Pro (which I love) but I really wanted to try this one out. As it's hot swappable, I figured I would also try the banana switches as I've only ever used browns. The banana switches feel "tighter" than browns and I really like them a lot. Keychron likens them to Panda switches which seem to be very popular in the keyboard community.

I was also planning on potentially swapping out the keycaps as they're KSA profile (quite tall) but I must say, they feel really good to type on and I've adjusted very quickly. The trick is to make sure you have the correct matching palm rest which was the mistake I made with the K8 Pro. It's also a solid board but the Q1 Pro is simply on another level.

I was ready to do some basic mods but so far, I'm super impressed with the build quality and how it feels and sounds right out of the box.

 

[ericwn]

I ended up getting my third Keychron tonight - the Q1 Pro!

Obviously, a very different board from my current low profile K3 Pro (which I love) but I really wanted to try this one out. As it's hot swappable, I figured I would also try the banana switches as I've only ever used browns. The banana switches feel "tighter" than browns and I really like them a lot. Keychron likens them to Panda switches which seem to be very popular in the keyboard community.

I was also planning on potentially swapping out the keycaps as they're KSA profile (quite tall) but I must say, they feel really good to type on and I've adjusted very quickly. The trick is to make sure you have the correct matching palm rest which was the mistake I made with the K8 Pro. It's also a solid board but the Q1 Pro is simply on another level.

I was ready to do some basic mods but so far, I'm super impressed with the build quality and how it feels and sounds right out of the box.


View attachment 2230618

As an owner of the Q1 I can totally relate to the excitement. It’s an awesome keyboard.

 

[transmaster]

Just noticed the Gateron switches are on sale as part of Amazon's Prime day, ordered some Gateron Red "Glorious PC Gaming Race", that must not translate to well from Chinese? Don't know if I will like them but they are cheap to try. They have a 40gm weight so we will see. These are lighter than the 60gm the Box Pinks I have installed now.

 

[transmaster]

There is only 2 things I don't like about my K1. The USB cable coming out on the left side, and the orientation of the elevating legs. I don't use my K1 wirelessly so having the USB port on the backside like the Q1 Pro would be better for me. The elevating feet would be better if they opened at a 90° angle to the keyboard. Like the gaming Logitech keyboards do. You can push the K1 forward and collapse the the legs.

 

[xraydoc]

Found a used Keychron Q2 on eBay. Bought it, cleaned it up, relubed the stabilizers, did a case force-break mod, and replaced the switches and keycaps.
I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Feels and sounds great.

 

[transmaster]

Which Keychron line has the metal top plate. Is that the "Q" line?

 

[xraydoc]

Which Keychron line has the metal top plate. Is that the "Q" line?

The Q series (and Q Pro) are solid CNC aluminum cases - top and bottom halves.

 

[transmaster]

Found this nifty keyboard brush.

Keyboard Brush

Get into your computer’s hard-to-clean grooves and edges with this handy dusting brush from Kanaya.This Kanaya brush was created specifically for computer keyboards. Keep it on hand in your office to whisk away dust as needed.

jinenstore.com

 

[xraydoc]

Found this nifty keyboard brush.

Keyboard Brush

Get into your computer’s hard-to-clean grooves and edges with this handy dusting brush from Kanaya.This Kanaya brush was created specifically for computer keyboards. Keep it on hand in your office to whisk away dust as needed.

jinenstore.com

I got something similar from KBDFans. I probably wouldn't order it by itself since shipping would cost more than the brush alone, but I bought it along with a bunch of other stuff.

KBDfans Keyboard Mahogany Cleaning Brush

SPECS Function: Cleaning the dust or hair on the keyboard Material: Wood and fiber material, no risk of scratching your keyboard or keycaps Quantity: 1 piece Weight: 50g Size: 138mm x 102mm Only Brush included

kbdfans.com

 

[transmaster]

I am having an occasional problem with the cap's key, I think. Every so often It stops working and all I get is upper cased letters. I can sometimes fix it by restarting the Mac. Most of the time I can fix it by turning the keyboard over and tapping the bottom edge of the keyboard on the desktop. This last is why I am thinking I might have a bad switch. Has anyone else had this problem. I am looking at adding a Q2 keyboard to my Keychron collection even though I have plenty of switches to swap out the one in question this gives me an excuse for getting a Q series keyboard. I want and all metal case. Am I correct that all of the Q series keyboards have the CNC metal cases?

 

[xraydoc]

I am having an occasional problem with the cap's key, I think. Every so often It stops working and all I get is upper cased letters. I can sometimes fix it by restarting the Mac. Most of the time I can fix it by turning the keyboard over and tapping the bottom edge of the keyboard on the desktop. This last is why I am thinking I might have a bad switch. Has anyone else had this problem. I am looking at adding a Q2 keyboard to my Keychron collection even though I have plenty of switches to swap out the one in question this gives me an excuse for getting a Q series keyboard. I want and all metal case. Am I correct that all of the Q series keyboards have the CNC metal cases?

You are correct.

I have Q2 (bought used off eBay) and I'm quite enjoying it. Swapped out the switches for my preferred Gateron Baby Kangaroos and the stock keycaps for PBTFans Cherry profile "Cookies & Creme", and the combination feels and sounds great. Also found myself a used Q0 numpad on eBay so I popped the numpad keys from that set onto it as well.

Since I took the picture, I've replaced & remapped the PageUp key with PageDown and added a Home key to my Q0. Plus I've programmed the arrow keys to follow the usual Apple keyboard pattern for PgUp, PgDn, Home and End.