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Keychron keyboard discussion

transmaster said:
I think i might have found an on the QT update that came with macOS 15, or maybe doing a reset of the Q1 did it. These Keychrons can pair with up to three devices. I always had a problem between the Mac and the PC I had to go into each computers Bluetooth setting to get things to hook up the Fn command did not work like it was supposed to. It was just to much of a hassle. Now I have the Mac on Fn-1, the Pc on Fn-2, and the iPad on fn-3. So to celebrate this milestone in my macOS knowledge. I used it as an excuse to order my 4th Keychron. This one incorporates everything i have learned from the other three. The Keychron Q3 HE QMK Wireless custom.

View attachment 2424937
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How do you like it? I've been wanting to try an HE keyboard but I'm just not in love with linear switches enough to invest in one without an option to fall back to tactile switches if I don't like it.

For some reason, I've only got one keyboard that still has its linear switches in it -- a Nuphy Gem80 with Gateron Oil Kings, which feels amazing. Every other keyboard I've put linear switches in (and I've tried a few different switches, too) just feel like mush to me for some reason.

Eh, I'll stick to tactile and clicky switches. Yeah, I'm one of those maniacs who really like clicky switches. I've got a keyboard with Gateron Melodic clicky switches in it, which are fantastic and not over-the-top loud.
 
xraydoc said:
How do you like it? I've been wanting to try an HE keyboard but I'm just not in love with linear switches enough to invest in one without an option to fall back to tactile switches if I don't like it.

For some reason, I've only got one keyboard that still has its linear switches in it -- a Nuphy Gem80 with Gateron Oil Kings, which feels amazing. Every other keyboard I've put linear switches in (and I've tried a few different switches, too) just feel like mush to me for some reason.

Eh, I'll stick to tactile and clicky switches. Yeah, I'm one of those maniacs who really like clicky switches. I've got a keyboard with Gateron Melodic clicky switches in it, which are fantastic and not over-the-top loud.
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I will be sure the report is when I get This keyboard. It is equipped with the Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switch the Aurora it starts are 40g, and ends at 60g of force.
 
transmaster said:
I will be sure the report is when I get This keyboard. It is equipped with the Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switch the Aurora it starts are 40g, and ends at 60g of force.
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At least for now, only linear switch makes sense on magnetic due to how the customaization works. For any spring mechanism with non-linear force curve there is too many variables in the switches to reliably tune the actuation point across the whole keyboard.

I myself think that anything magnetic switch related is still too new to invest on. It is fine if you just want one to test the waters, but it is too early to start a collection around it. And if there is anything you don't like with how a pre-built one does it, such as the switch feel, then don't even bother unless you feel like exploring.
 
transmaster said:
I will be sure the report is when I get This keyboard. It is equipped with the Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switch the Aurora it starts are 40g, and ends at 60g of force.
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Will be looking for it; I just got another ad email from Keychron with a board featuring "magnetic" switches and I'm curious.
 
Chancha said:
At least for now, only linear switch makes sense on magnetic due to how the customaization works. For any spring mechanism with non-linear force curve there is too many variables in the switches to reliably tune the actuation point across the whole keyboard.

I myself think that anything magnetic switch related is still too new to invest on. It is fine if you just want one to test the waters, but it is too early to start a collection around it. And if there is anything you don't like with how a pre-built one does it, such as the switch feel, then don't even bother unless you feel like exploring.
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I wonder if it's possible to make magnetic switches with haptic feedback, so you could still get feedback with whatever you set the actuation point to. Go all out Apple style. I imagine it would be prohibitively expensive though.
 
Ok I am typing on the Q3 HE keyboard right now. These keys feel different from any mechanical switch I have ever used. The key has a tight, no rattle feel, and is totally silent, it has a super smooth push. It has little bottoming feel to. The keying action seems to be short and linear. If you are used to the snap home clatter of the mechanical switch the Qateron Nebula Linear Q3H-M1 does not have it this is a whole different feel which is taking a little time to get used to. I am starting to like these switches. The nice thing about the Qataron HE switches is they can be changed out. So as the HE line expands, and other switch makers jump in we will have a similar range of choices as we do with mechanical switches.

I am very pleased with this purchase.
 
The nice thing about a Hall effect switch is there are no contact switches. Instead the Hall effect switch generates a tiny sharp on-off electrical signal when the descending magnet enters the magnetic field of the magnet mounted in the switch mount. This tiny signal tells the keyboard's control board which switch was pressed.

Meet Edwin Herbert Hall 1855-1938

Edwin-H.-Hall.jpg
 
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I don't think I can go back to a mechanical key to get the clickety click. I love the tight not lose feel these HE keys have. I was looking at the other available HE switches and other than the weight profile there is no difference between the Them, I have the Gateron Nebula. The adjustable part is in the Q3 HE software you can adjust the actuation point on the each key between 0.2mm to 3.8mm. There is also some gaming things you do to each individual key.
 
transmaster said:
The nice thing about a Hall effect switch is there are no contact switches. Instead the Hall effect switch generates a tiny sharp on-off electrical signal when the descending magnet enters the magnetic field of the magnet mounted in the switch mount. This tiny signal tells the keyboard's control board which switch was pressed.

Meet Edwin Herbert Hall 1855-1938
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They produce a voltage signal that is proportional to the magnetic field strength, so the signal only switches off when the magnet leaves the sensor. But it means that the switch signals are analog (which is why hall sensor are sometime used in game controllers) that allows the actuation point of a switch to be programmed into the keyboard controller.
 
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I like the switch action these HE switches have. I am getting used to a silent keyboard. As for the Q3 as a whole I like its lay out. Other than not having the number pad sticking out the right side it has the same layout as a 100% keyboard. I don't like the colors of the keycaps but I intend to change them. Q3 HE QMK is a keeper. It is interesting to point out I will never have a keyboard that does not have the control knob. I only use it for volume control and muting but I know I can re-sign it to do other things if I want.
 
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headlessmike said:
They produce a voltage signal that is proportional to the magnetic field strength, so the signal only switches off when the magnet leaves the sensor. But it means that the switch signals are analog (which is why hall sensor are sometime used in game controllers) that allows the actuation point of a switch to be programmed into the keyboard controller.
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An interesting and distantly related topic the people in the Titan submersible might be alive today it the idiot that built it had incorporated strain gauges which use the Hall effect to do their job.
 
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transmaster said:
An interesting and distantly related topic the people in the Titan submersible might be alive today it the idiot that built it had incorporated strain gauges which use the Hall effect to do their job.
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Hmmmm, as I understand things, most strain gauges use strain sensitive resistors with no intentionally applied magnetic field. The voltage used for sensing resistance is on the same ends as where the current is applied (i.e. parallel with the current). The voltage in the Hall Effect is measured perpendicular to the current. There are various forms of magnetoresistance, where voltage is measure parallel to the current.

Having said that, that doesn't negate your preference for the HE keyboards. It also doesn't negate your comment about strain gauges could have averted the Titan fatalities. I did find it interesting in that the very last message from the Titan was dropping the weights, which suggests they saw something really bad happening to the hull just before it imploded.
 
IvyKing said:
Hmmmm, as I understand things, most strain gauges use strain sensitive resistors with no intentionally applied magnetic field. The voltage used for sensing resistance is on the same ends as where the current is applied (i.e. parallel with the current). The voltage in the Hall Effect is measured perpendicular to the current. There are various forms of magnetoresistance, where voltage is measure parallel to the current.

Having said that, that doesn't negate your preference for the HE keyboards. It also doesn't negate your comment about strain gauges could have averted the Titan fatalities. I did find it interesting in that the very last message from the Titan was dropping the weights, which suggests they saw something really bad happening to the hull just before it imploded.
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I educated myself on strain gauges. The Hall effect strain gauges are adjustable to the direction of strain to be measured and are used in industrial equipment. The resistant strain gauges are attached to a surface and measure strain from all directions. They report back to a small control unit which measures and reports according to it's firmware to whatever is used to monitor it.

According to the USCG hearing on the Titan which is now in progress. The dropping of the weights was routine and was done to slow the descent to the Titanic's wreckage. What was learned during this hearing is the crew of the Polar Prince heard the thump of the implosion resonate in the ships hull, they knew instantly what happen but concealed it for some reason. Tremendous, and costly, resources for the SAR were mobilized unnecessarily.
 
As I said the only thing I don't like on this Q3 are the keycaps. It seems like Keychron is sold out of the ones I am interested in. Where else is a good place to look?
 
transmaster said:
As I said the only thing I don't like on this Q3 are the keycaps. It seems like Keychron is sold out of the ones I am interested in. Where else is a good place to look?
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Those switches accept standard Cherry MX style key caps, of which there are hundreds, if not thousands, of choices.

Amazon is one place to start. There are lots of more specialized sellers, too.

You also need to select a profile for your key caps. Did you have a specific profile in mind?

This is the reddit key cap seller wiki:
www.reddit.com

r/MechanicalKeyboards for all the Click and None of the Clack!

/r/MechanicalKeyboards is about typing input devices for users of all range of budgets. We provide news / PSAs about the hobby and community hosted content. Feel free to check out our other resources and links to related communities.
www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
 
jetsam said:
Those switches accept standard Cherry MX style key caps, of which there are hundreds, if not thousands, of choices.

Amazon is one place to start. There are lots of more specialized sellers, too.

You also need to select a profile for your key caps. Did you have a specific profile in mind?

This is the reddit key cap seller wiki:
www.reddit.com

r/MechanicalKeyboards for all the Click and None of the Clack!

/r/MechanicalKeyboards is about typing input devices for users of all range of budgets. We provide news / PSAs about the hobby and community hosted content. Feel free to check out our other resources and links to related communities.
www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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The Key profile site is very informative. I knew keys had different shapes but this nails down what they are. Thanks.
 
Found a review of the Cerakey caps, they sound almost erotic. The reviewer is a very high speed typist he finds the glass smooth surface of the keys relaxing. How the keycaps handle RGB backlighting is interesting.

Screenshot 2024-10-11 at 11.22.11.png
 
I know you are excited about Cerakeys, but I just want to give a little warning: they are not known for being reliable, and the quality are not consistent. It is fine if you treat it as a novelty, but daily driving them is almost definitely going to give you trouble.
 
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Chancha said:
I know you are excited about Cerakeys, but I just want to give a little warning: they are not known for being reliable, and the quality are not consistent. It is fine if you treat it as a novelty, but daily driving them is almost definitely going to give you trouble.
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I noted that in the review. They also said that the quickly replace bad caps. I have also been looking at metal ones but with what you just said I might install the ceramic's on the Q1. It is not my primary keyboard. I have boxes is switches I have not used yet either why should keycaps be any different. :)
 
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