Keychron is revolutionizing the keyboard game with its latest innovation, the Keychron Q1 HE -Wireless QMK Custom Magnetic Switch Keyboard with analog Hall effect switches. This groundbreaking keyboard allows users to fine-tune the sensitivity of each key, providing a highly responsive and customizable typing experience.
Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that Keychron has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Q1 HE. The fully assembled model is available for $214 during the campaign, while a bare-bones version without switches or keycaps can be purchased for $194.
What sets the Q1 HE apart from traditional mechanical keyboards is its use of Hall effect switches. These analog switches can differentiate between a slight press and a full press of each key, giving users the ability to customize key actuation distances. Additionally, the keyboard boasts a “rapid trigger” feature that registers keypresses instantly upon re-pressing a key, eliminating the need to lift past the reset point. Users can assign up to four commands to a single key, making full use of this analog sensitivity.
While Keychron is not the first manufacturer to incorporate Hall effect switches, its reputation for producing exceptional mechanical keyboards suggests that the Q1 HE could deliver both exceptional typing feel and a comprehensive range of Hall effect-powered features.
Customization of the analog features can be conveniently done through Keychron’s web app, which also handles key remapping tasks. It’s worth noting that this departs from Keychron’s typical Via app, and the efficacy and user-friendliness of the new software remain to be seen.
The Keychron Q1 HE offers both wired and wireless usage options. For wireless connectivity, users can choose between Bluetooth or an included 2.4GHz USB dongle, offering a responsive 1,000Hz polling rate and the ability to connect to up to three devices.
In terms of design, the Q1 HE follows Keychron’s Q1 Pro model, featuring a compact 75-percent layout with an aluminum case and gasket-mounted construction. Its durable double-shot PBT keycaps sport Keychron’s retro-styled OSA profile, and it comes with PCB-mounted screw-in stabilizers. The keyboard’s linear Gateron 2.0 Magnetic switches are technically hot-swappable, but they can only be replaced with other Hall effect switches. It also includes a volume knob and south-facing RGB backlighting on each key.
The Keychron Q1 HE -Wireless QMK Custom Magnetic Switch Keyboard is now available for backing on Kickstarter, with expected shipments to backers in February, followed by sales through Keychron’s online store. This innovative keyboard promises to redefine the typing experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
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