If you're going to go the custom keyboard route, definitely recommend stepping into modding the board. The tape mods and switches provide the most, by far, ROI (of time). Some other mods that will GREATLY increase your experience (from my own personal experience with a Q1v2, two Q3's, two Mammoth75's, and an Odin V2) 1. Replacing or lubing the stabs (not the easiest mod, but definitely worth the effort - especially if you are a developer) 2. Adding some spacebar foam if you feel it's a bit hollow (I did this on my first couple, and then went all-natural on my latter, more expensive boards) 3. Changing the plate from Aluminum to POM or PC (YMMV - depends on if you like a higher pitch or deeper sound). Personally, I really want to try an FR4 plate and then do a sound comparison. Btw, you have a great voice for podcasts or vidcasts - keep it up! That transition was 🔥
I appreciate the info! Yeah honestly I might go ahead and try some of those just to get my feet wet with what it is I do and don't like in boards. Up to this point, I thought I preferred tactiles to linears until I actually tested it out. Lol I guess thats what keeps the keyboard community going, we like the board but "could it be even better?"
@@DrayWilliams Exactly! It's always about making it better. I also find it incredibly therapeutic to take the time and mod a board. Quiets the mind a bit.
Hi - interesting review. From the little I have learnt in the last couple of months about this hobby/ obsession I have a couple of points. The keycaps supplied with the board are ABS plastic I think. Your new ones are PBT?. ABS is lighter and thinner but prone to shining over time. PBT are thicker, heavier and less probe to shine. The way the keycap legends are applied differs between the two. I prefer PBT. Another difference in keycaps could be the profile - the Q1 comes with OSA I think - whereas your new ones are likely Cherry - flatter. And the other point was the masking tape. I have seen modders apply the tape to the entire back of the PCB. Needs to be low-tac tape so not to pull off or damage it. I haven't seen the mod you applied but will look it up. Thanks.
Correct and correct, I also prefer the PBT. And in terms of the tape mod the one with the full back tape is usually referred to as the 'tempest' mod, in this I was doing the 'force break' mod. Maybe that helps differentiate the two better
The issue of VIA not recognizing the board and having to load in the layout is not only affecting Keychron boards and is somewhat common. I've encountered it on boards from wuque, createkeebs, keychron, and monstargears to name a few. Unsure where VIA and Keychron are a now, but when I previously had a q3 even once VIA recognized the board changing certain settings such as lighting didn't work and I ended up having to use preset hot keys from the keychron manual. I am unsure if this has been fixed by keychron but it is something to note
This is awesome, my first mechanical keyboard is the Q1 Pro that’s being released from them 🥹 I went for a barebones kit that I’m pairing with TTC Gold Pink switches and the milk and honey Keycap set 🥹 I can’t wait till it comes in.
Good to see a 1 year later review! I recently got the same keyboard and am very happy with it but agree that the USB is flimsy. Did the coiled cable do anything for that or does it just look cool?
Thanks And honestly it just looks cool; purely aesthetic. There isnt a real decrease in the wobble. But i do try and unplug from the aviator connector instead of the board so maybe that has been a (slight) improvement there
How are the switch to yellow switches. I have the q1 v2 with brown switches but I was actually thinking about switching to yellows cuz they not as linear as reds so I thought it would be the more appropriate switch for me. Great vid btw!
Thanks man At this point i probably prefer the yellows to the browns just because they feel smoother overall. Its all subjective though. The yellows do require a bit more force than reds so in that case, yeah they are the better linear option there; reds might be too 'light'
@@DrayWilliams Thanks for the explanation. I've tried reds breifly and I'm a sloppy typer on those lol. Definitely rather try and work with yellows first.
I'd recommend buy a nicer switch like a Gateron Oilking or Gateron CJ switches and also doing the force break mod, It's simple and very effective for less ping
In regards to budget switches, personally, I don't think you can do better than the Gateron G Yellow Pro's. If you want to splurge a bit, also consider getting the Everglide Aqua Kings. Those are my favorites right now, even over some lubed and filmed Alpaca V2s.
In terms of this same keyboard you might not find it since the Q1 V1 with a knob is gone from the Keychron site but you can still likely find the Q1 V2 knob fully assembled there
Hello bro, thanks for this review, how excellent. I wanted to know if you could help me, since I bought this keyboard and I can't find the way it can work for me, I'm connecting it to a mac m1, the thing is that I followed the manufacturer's steps, they use the VIA software but it turned out to be impossible. I hope you can answer.
Hey, i appreciate it. Following this helped me early on: www.keychron.com/pages/how-to-use-via-to-pair-with-keychron-q-series-keyboard The software can be a little finnicky with some Q1s but the key for me was using that json
@@DrayWilliams Thanks for answering. I already tried to follow these steps but my Q1 does not show signs of life. I even tried to update the firmware but the toolbox just doesn't recognize the keyboard. And I haven't been able to find people who had the same thing happen.
This artlcle had helped me when I was first figuring out some of the commands to assign www.keychron.com/blogs/archived/how-to-use-via-to-program-your-keyboard
If you're going to go the custom keyboard route, definitely recommend stepping into modding the board. The tape mods and switches provide the most, by far, ROI (of time). Some other mods that will GREATLY increase your experience (from my own personal experience with a Q1v2, two Q3's, two Mammoth75's, and an Odin V2)
1. Replacing or lubing the stabs (not the easiest mod, but definitely worth the effort - especially if you are a developer)
2. Adding some spacebar foam if you feel it's a bit hollow (I did this on my first couple, and then went all-natural on my latter, more expensive boards)
3. Changing the plate from Aluminum to POM or PC (YMMV - depends on if you like a higher pitch or deeper sound). Personally, I really want to try an FR4 plate and then do a sound comparison.
Btw, you have a great voice for podcasts or vidcasts - keep it up! That transition was 🔥
I appreciate the info!
Yeah honestly I might go ahead and try some of those just to get my feet wet with what it is I do and don't like in boards. Up to this point, I thought I preferred tactiles to linears until I actually tested it out. Lol I guess thats what keeps the keyboard community going, we like the board but "could it be even better?"
@@DrayWilliams Exactly! It's always about making it better. I also find it incredibly therapeutic to take the time and mod a board. Quiets the mind a bit.
So you own 3 TKL (1800)s and 3 75% keyboards. Hmm. Personally I would diversy, but that's me.
@@PendelSteven when someone knows what they like, why?
Great video review! Going to go pre-order the Q1 Pro
I am fighting myself to not get that right now haha
great video, thanks
Great video! I enjoyed watching the whole vid :D
Hi - interesting review. From the little I have learnt in the last couple of months about this hobby/ obsession I have a couple of points. The keycaps supplied with the board are ABS plastic I think. Your new ones are PBT?. ABS is lighter and thinner but prone to shining over time. PBT are thicker, heavier and less probe to shine. The way the keycap legends are applied differs between the two. I prefer PBT. Another difference in keycaps could be the profile - the Q1 comes with OSA I think - whereas your new ones are likely Cherry - flatter. And the other point was the masking tape. I have seen modders apply the tape to the entire back of the PCB. Needs to be low-tac tape so not to pull off or damage it. I haven't seen the mod you applied but will look it up. Thanks.
Correct and correct, I also prefer the PBT.
And in terms of the tape mod the one with the full back tape is usually referred to as the 'tempest' mod, in this I was doing the 'force break' mod. Maybe that helps differentiate the two better
You give off such a vibe with the editting and cuts :D earned yourself a new sub!
Helpful and informative (and refreshingly chill) video. Looking to purchase a somewhat higher-end alu board, and the Q1 (v2) is high on the list.
The issue of VIA not recognizing the board and having to load in the layout is not only affecting Keychron boards and is somewhat common. I've encountered it on boards from wuque, createkeebs, keychron, and monstargears to name a few. Unsure where VIA and Keychron are a now, but when I previously had a q3 even once VIA recognized the board changing certain settings such as lighting didn't work and I ended up having to use preset hot keys from the keychron manual. I am unsure if this has been fixed by keychron but it is something to note
Ahh I see, thanks for the info on that
This is awesome, my first mechanical keyboard is the Q1 Pro that’s being released from them 🥹 I went for a barebones kit that I’m pairing with TTC Gold Pink switches and the milk and honey Keycap set 🥹 I can’t wait till it comes in.
both sounds good thou😊
Great review! Love the modded look!
Broo great knob review !
the typing at 2:26 had me crying lmao
Good to see a 1 year later review! I recently got the same keyboard and am very happy with it but agree that the USB is flimsy. Did the coiled cable do anything for that or does it just look cool?
Thanks
And honestly it just looks cool; purely aesthetic. There isnt a real decrease in the wobble. But i do try and unplug from the aviator connector instead of the board so maybe that has been a (slight) improvement there
@@DrayWilliams thanks for the reply. Good to know!
🙌🏻🙌🏻 great review
Nice vid ,keep it up ,subbed
How are the switch to yellow switches. I have the q1 v2 with brown switches but I was actually thinking about switching to yellows cuz they not as linear as reds so I thought it would be the more appropriate switch for me. Great vid btw!
Thanks man
At this point i probably prefer the yellows to the browns just because they feel smoother overall. Its all subjective though. The yellows do require a bit more force than reds so in that case, yeah they are the better linear option there; reds might be too 'light'
@@DrayWilliams Thanks for the explanation. I've tried reds breifly and I'm a sloppy typer on those lol. Definitely rather try and work with yellows first.
I like the yellows best overall, but my gaming board has silvers.
I'd recommend buy a nicer switch like a Gateron Oilking or Gateron CJ switches and also doing the force break mod, It's simple and very effective for less ping
In regards to budget switches, personally, I don't think you can do better than the Gateron G Yellow Pro's. If you want to splurge a bit, also consider getting the Everglide Aqua Kings. Those are my favorites right now, even over some lubed and filmed Alpaca V2s.
It sounds great. Is there any way to get prebuild keyboard like you made.
In terms of this same keyboard you might not find it since the Q1 V1 with a knob is gone from the Keychron site but you can still likely find the Q1 V2 knob fully assembled there
Hello bro, thanks for this review, how excellent. I wanted to know if you could help me, since I bought this keyboard and I can't find the way it can work for me, I'm connecting it to a mac m1, the thing is that I followed the manufacturer's steps, they use the VIA software but it turned out to be impossible. I hope you can answer.
Hey, i appreciate it. Following this helped me early on:
www.keychron.com/pages/how-to-use-via-to-pair-with-keychron-q-series-keyboard
The software can be a little finnicky with some Q1s but the key for me was using that json
@@DrayWilliams Thanks for answering. I already tried to follow these steps but my Q1 does not show signs of life. I even tried to update the firmware but the toolbox just doesn't recognize the keyboard. And I haven't been able to find people who had the same thing happen.
This review was hard
Does QMK or VIA is better?
Do you have any tips for programming the Knob for zoom or other functions?
This artlcle had helped me when I was first figuring out some of the commands to assign
www.keychron.com/blogs/archived/how-to-use-via-to-program-your-keyboard
Silly question but can I use the keyboard wirelessly?
This one isnt wireless but the Q1 Pro is
@@DrayWilliams 🙏🏼 thanks
I am here at 273 subs on Feb 9, 2023. Will visit again at 10k subs.
Yes moar keyborg p0rn please