I keep looking at these myself. I've got a pre-order set from NovelKeys coming this winter. Perhaps after that I'll look at the ceramic sets again and re-do one of my builds.
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Keychron keyboard discussion
- Thread starter maflynn
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This Keychron Q3 HE is simply the best keyboard I have ever typed on. It has the ideal keyboard setup, and the HE switches are so smooth. One thing they don't do that is annoying on some of the mechanical switches I have used is if you have the habit of resting your fingertips on the keys. This is a habit I got into years ago with manual typewriters. The old IBM keyboards had transitioning typists in mind coming from the IBM Selectric typewriter to the IBM PC keyboards. As those typists moved on Keyboards started to make it difficult to do that because of their short activation stroke. That is actually adjustable on these HE switches. In an office setting where clattery keyboards will get you in big trouble these switches are dead silent but once you get used to them they do have a smooth tactile feel. I will not go back.
I recently got a Nuphy Air60HE and I've been enjoying it. It too has magnetic HE switches, and it solves the issues I've always had with linear switches -- too easy to accidentally tap & activate neighboring keys. I've adjusted the activation point so this pretty much no longer happens. The Air60HE is built really, really well and sounds amazing, especially for a low-profile keyboard.
I've got a Keychron K2 HE SE (black with wood accents) on pre-order. Looking forward to that as well. Actually ordered it a while back and sort of forgot about it when I bought the Air60HE. But they're going to serve different purposes (the Air60HE is on my home Mac, the K2HE is going to the office and will be getting a different set of keycaps).
I've never tried magnetic switches. Variable activation point aside, do they really feel that different from a good linear? My dream switch would be something that feels silky like a Topre style electrostatic capacitive switch, but with MX style swappable housing.
I have one such capacitive board (Plum 87 with upgraded heavier silicone domes). I love the feel, but don't care much for the board so it almost never gets used.
I'm generally a tactile switch person all the way, but I make an exception for linears that are absolutely buttery.
Thanks for posting that.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:
r/MechanicalKeyboards
/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
The Gateron magnetic low-profile switches (Jade Pro on my Air60HE) feel like a good, really smooth linear switch, but as you mentioned, the selling point for me is that the pre-travel is completely adjustable on a per-key basis, which is something I always struggled with when typing on linear switches. Not being able to feel where the activation is on lighter linears and making adjacent-key typos is my issue; on these I can have it only activate if the key is nearly completely depressed, which cuts down on my typos.
And if you want, you could have it activate two or more distinct functions based on depth of press, though not something I'm likely to take advantage of since I'm not a gamer. So, half-way down could be "walk" and all the way down could be "run".
It's really interesting tech.
Haven't used a standard-profile HE switches yet, but I assume they'll also feel like a good linear switch.
I've never actually typed on a Topre keyboard, so I can't compare.
As I stated I started with mechanical typewriters, I actually at times wish I still had one. Than the IBM, an absolutely delicious electric typewriter. 65 wpm listening to the thimble gyrating making its way across the page was music. Than the IBM Type M, and related keyboards. The HE switch is a different world from what I have typed on before, I cannot go back the the rattly keys on my other Keychrons. If I could wish anything it be the Haptic Touch feedback engine my iPhone has, that silent click felt in your fingertips would almost be erotic to a typist.
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Heh, this is reminding me of an acoustic piano, with "infinite" volumes depending on key press (albeit via velocity, not depth); and electronic MIDI keyboards could divide those volume velocities into 127 different speeds (along with final seating pressure at the bottom being routable to volume, or any modulation (vibrato, filter, etc) which never worked very well).
I did have, way back in ~1988?, an "E" board modification to my Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer which did give me a "half-way mark", via Velocity, to switch from one patch (synth sound) to another. We were doing a lot of Phil Collins hits (think "Another Day in Paradise") in the clubs where there were synth pads throughout the song, and brighter synth solos; using this "switching" I could play the pads all over the keyboard, using a gentle touch, then strike the keys harder to make the solo voice come out.
A bit hard to control, but this was before we had synths with splittable keyboards, and before I could afford more than one $2,000 synth!
I never expected this tech to extend to "computer keyboards"....
I had a DX7 back in the day, too! It was so much fun. My parents bought that (at my behest) instead of a piano for me to learn on. I learned a lot about programming a synthesizer, but never really did learn to play the piano beyond a few basic chords.
Gonna regret jumping into this discussion. I'm a recovering keyboard-freak who's been sober for 4 years now. 😂
I'll have to jump off the wagon temporarily for these magnetic HE switches you and @transmaster are talking about. I do like the idea of being able to assign my own actuation point and getting different actions depending on keypress.
I looked up the Jade Pro switches and they see that their actuation force is around 35g +/- 7g. That seems like an awfully light switch. Are you able to rest your fingers on the keys at all?
I'm debating whether I want that Air60HE. Did they make the bottom case on that to perfectly slot over a MBP keyboard? The external keyboards I use on my M1 MBP Pro are tricky to seat just right.
I have the Gatereon Aurora it starts are 40g, and ends at 60g of force. When I am resting my fingers on the keys I don't have problem with unwanted actuation. If I test it, it seems like maybe just a little deeper "catch" but it seems OK the way they are. The Q3 HE uses these switches.
www.keychron.com
Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switch
Compatible keyboard: Keychron Q HE series and K HE keyboards. The Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switch Set comes with 45 switches and 110 switches options to choose.
www.keychron.com
Low-profile Gateron Jade Pro HE switches in the Air60HE are 40g at the top and, I think, 60g at bottom-out.
Pretty sure the Air60HE will fit right over the MBP keyboard like the Air60v2, but I haven’t tried it yet.
FYI, the Air60HE does not have Bluetooth — wired-only. I suspect a wireless model eventually but I don’t think there are any low-profile wireless HE keyboards just yet.
The upcoming Keychron K1 HE can be used wirelessly, but is not low-profile.
Oooh, thanks for pointing that out. I would have been very disappointed. I don't mind it being wired, but I'd prefer to have the option so I may hang out on the sidelines for a while. I'm mostly interested in low profile keyboards these days... that's still a gap in my collection.
I can understand why they might be reluctant to release a board meant for lightning fast response with Bluetooth support though. I've got a few boards with Bluetooth and they're prone to frustrating (though infrequent) episodes of lag when I'm trying to type as fast as possible.
@transmaster is that Q3 HE flawless in wireless mode or will it too drop an occasional keystroke?
There are 2.4GHz dongles with 8k polling rate now. Some have already been used on magnetic boards now.
What's missing is to have a low profile board that uses this, and I suspect only Nuphy is interested as of now.
As for bluetooth, yes it is counterproductive to have it on products where the primary target audience are gamers.
What's missing is to have a low profile board that uses this, and I suspect only Nuphy is interested as of now.
As for bluetooth, yes it is counterproductive to have it on products where the primary target audience are gamers.
OK, it's starting to make sense why there's no wireless on the NuPhyAir60HE. Why have an 8K polling rate just to pair with a 1K polling transmitter, but if you bump that to an 8K polling transmitter say goodbye to the battery life in a low profile keyboard with less room for a battery.
I hope it makes sense for companies to come out with a lower spec'd editions with wireless for those of us who just want to tap into the HE feature set for non-gaming related reasons. If I've got to plug in a dongle to go wireless, I might as well just plug in a cord instead.
No problems with dropped keystrokes, I am typing at somewhere around 45 wpm, I can go higher but I am still getting used to the Q3. It has a very good connection. The Mini PC is being a PIA because I cannot get it to forget the Q1 Keychron. The setup I have with the iPad includes the Apple Magic Trackpad. I have the Q3 plugged into the Mac Studio but only for power the RGB lighting eats the battery alive.
How'd you get the Air60HE with low profile Jade Pro's? On their website it just says they're available for pre-order only. Did they have them previously? I probably will end up with an Air60HE. I'm just debating whether to go with the Jade or Jade Pros. It seems to me that the Jades resemble MX/Gateron Reds whereas the Pros look like a linear version of Browns.
Is there any switch that you've used before that the Jade Pros remind you of?
I've been away from this game for a while. POM seems to be one of the current shiny objects. Does it really make much of a difference? Can you tell if a stem is POM or PC?
The Air60HE is available for “preorder” but they’re shipping. Bought off Nuphy’s website on Oct 4. Delivered to US on Oct 9.
What do the LP Jade Pros remind me of? Hmmm. Maybe Gateron Yellow Milky Pro.
I think the Jade Pro version actually was out of stock for a bit. It actually wouldn't allow you to order it a few days ago, but it now can be ordered.
It ended up being a moot issue anyway because I decided on the lighter option... the Jade switches. I'm prone to getting hand pain because I type very fast and sometimes Jack Kerouac my keyboard. If I don't get anything out of the HE switches, I at least want to fill a gap in my collection for a board that's easier on my hands when I'm on long writing binges.
As far as I understand, a denser material in the switch housing is supposed to create a richer sound. ABS > nylon > POM > polycarbonate.
But it is pretty much a rough generalization without factoring in the more important aspects especially in the spring and bottom padding. Also IMO the sound difference is so subtle it is quite negligible, compared to say using a different material plate in your board.
Just received my Keychron K2 HE Special Edition. It's certainly a handsome keyboard. Sounds and feels good.
