LASERman71

LASERman71 t1_j2567bs wrote

Not sure if you need to relax but I'm good.

>... you wrote “VIA” compatibility in your parent not “QMK/VIA”

You surely need to pay more attention when reading because I haven't mentioned VIA at all before you were "asking for clarification".

1

LASERman71 t1_j251xqv wrote

This is irrelevant for few reasons:

  1. It's not about Keychron we are talking about in this topic,
  2. The post you are referring to specifically talks about source files. You do not need them to utilise VIA.

Also, I can see now that from the beginning you are questioning Keychron as a choice but I never recommended it. I only tried to answer OP questions regarding Keychron only comparing the options in the process.

1

LASERman71 t1_j24h8d7 wrote

Sorry but pretty much all you wrote makes no sense.

  • QMK is an actual base firmware needed to use VIA which is only an GUI interface for QMK. There is no way to use VIA w/o QMK.
  • Keychron got both and again - you can find out this on their website. The only minor inconvenience is that you need to load json file to VIA.
  • KBDFans boards are powered by QMK out of the box (same for all other custom kit vendors). There is no problem downloading firmware for their PCB's. Nothing remotely illegal there.

Seem you got it all wrong.

1

LASERman71 t1_j236dig wrote

>Nuphy AFAIK doesn't have QMK compatibility, so you are somewhat limited in customization.

You mean limited in programming. They use NuPhy software for programming, not as powerful as QMK but better than Keychron K series with nothing. Therefore Halo series is better than Keychron in that matter.

Customisation is limited with Air series (low profile again but way better than Keychron low profile - you can use some 3rd party keycaps).

2

LASERman71 t1_j234uun wrote

The way this hobby goes is that you keep buying keebs until you learn the truth: there is no such thing as "best one". The goal is to figure out and clearly define your own preferences, needs and ascetics then you will be able to find best fitting one by yourself.

Keychron K - "retail" keyboards with the least to mod, especially the low-profile ones are very limited due to unusual switches and keycaps, not programmable.

Keychron K Pro adds programming to them (QMK),

Keychron S programmable, low profile (limitations) and without bluetooth.

Keychron Q - proper custom keebs with plenty of customization and fully programmable. They are good to start modding and may even become your best. Many people will recommend them.

Keychron V - as above but with ABS plastic case instead of aluminium

Reviews and build guides on YT (from popular creators) are your best source of information but at the end of the day you can only feel the typing by your own hands and every "sound test" sounds different than reality in your room.

7

LASERman71 t1_j1z4u7c wrote

We test PCBs not because it comes from "unreputable" GB but because they all made in China on mass and go on a long bumpy journey afterwards. "Very well known vendor" makes not much difference.

Checking the PCB is a staple routine for many reasons.

3

LASERman71 t1_iyc903z wrote

  1. I would love to get rid of wrist rest.
  2. I would love to have good low profile switch but nearly all are awful to type on after you get accustomed to fine tuned enthusiast full size MX style switch.
  3. Keychron made more variations beyond red/brown/blue but they optical and only fit their LP keebs AFAIK.
  4. NuPhy Air75 with their nSA keycaps is the best I've tried so far but I am still jumping back and forth to my custom build with perfected typing experience.
  5. Hopefully LP market will expand and customisation, switch and keycaps options will follow.
4