• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Show us your Mechanical Keyboards and Mods.

Keychron V5 Max ISO arrived today, it's very nice...

IMG_20241001_215059765 (Medium).jpg


The mahogany wrist rest is the same width as my TKL, so this 96%/1800 layout is only 3cm wider which I think is a fair compromise to get a numpad back.

The control knob is a nice addition. It controls Windows volume by default and pushing it mutes (with fn pressed it controls backlight brightness).

I haven't tried 2.4Ghz or Bluetooth yet as the keyboard is still charging.
 
PXL_20250120_165646493.jpg


Changed the Keycaps on my Neo65 to PBTFans Emma on last weekend (above a peek on the Luminkey65 with PBTFans Dolch)
 
JSmith said:
Trying to stop myself from buying one of these... :cool:

View attachment 423477

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard - C64 Edition | 8BitDo

Meet the new C64 Edition from the 8BitDo Keyboard line. Packed with programmable keys and an intuitive control panel.. Compatible with Windows and Android.
www.8bitdo.com www.8bitdo.com


JSmith
Click to expand...

I don't want to be seen as an 'enabler' to your retro mechanical keyboard habit, but I noticed that a different colour way was half price from Amazon.de (it was mentioned on HotUKDeals)...

 
Does anyone here experience keyboard chatter? I've started getting it a little on my Keychron V5 Max and it's quite annoying!

Fortunately, the V5 Max has socketed switches, so I have swapped the worst offending switch (which was under 'mm' :)) to somewhere little used on the numpad. However, there are a few other keys that also chatter occasionally (I'm looking at you 'ff'), so I suppose I will eventually have to buy some replacement switches.

Anyway, during my research, I came across a nice little app call Keyboard Unchatter which attempts to intercept and neutralize the issue, at least in the short term. Since the app also keeps a 'chatter count' it's useful for tracking which switches have a problem.

The app is here: https://github.com/ZoserLock/keyboard-unchatter

The app is also on the Chocolately Community repo and I installed it using UnitGetUI

...and here's the XDA-Developers article about keyboard chatter that led me to the app... https://www.xda-developers.com/free-safe-ways-to-fix-keyboard-chatter
 
Berwhale said:
Does anyone here experience keyboard chatter? I've started getting it a little on my Keychron V5 Max and it's quite annoying!

Fortunately, the V5 Max has socketed switches, so I have swapped the worst offending switch (which was under 'mm' :)) to somewhere little used on the numpad. However, there are a few other keys that also chatter occasionally (I'm looking at you 'ff'), so I suppose I will eventually have to buy some replacement switches.

Anyway, during my research, I came across a nice little app call Keyboard Unchatter which attempts to intercept and neutralize the issue, at least in the short term. Since the app also keeps a 'chatter count' it's useful for tracking which switches have a problem.

The app is here: https://github.com/ZoserLock/keyboard-unchatter

The app is also on the Chocolately Community repo and I installed it using UnitGetUI

...and here's the XDA-Developers article about keyboard chatter that led me to the app... https://www.xda-developers.com/free-safe-ways-to-fix-keyboard-chatter
Click to expand...

Yesterday I swapped out all the Gateron Jupiter Red key switches for Gateron G Pro 3.0 Blacks. 110 switches were £27 shipped direct from Keychron in China. I'd say it took me about an hour to methodically remove and replace all the key caps and switches using the tool supplied with the keyboard.

The typing experience is vastly improved with zero chatter so far. The new switches are quieter than the old ones, which i'm not sure were factory lubed. The new switches feel much more like the Cherry MX Silent Black switches i'd gotten used to on my old Durgod keyboard, though they are not quite as quiet.

The only complaint I have is about the packaging. The switches were loose in a container and I had to bend some of the pins back straight with needle nose pliers. Here's all the Jupiter Reds and what's left of the G Pro Blacks in the container.

IMG_20250405_200042816 (Medium).jpg
 
I had the cheap Logitech keyboard with the brown switches. Non-replaceable keys. I had been sent two under warranty because the lighted keys go dark after not much use. Finally the third one had like 9 keys dark. So I ordered the Aula F99. Replaceable keys. Anyway it is a cut PCB board with damping layers, pre-lubed switches etc. Not one of the high end devices, but it sure does type nice. Has some sound, but pretty soft. Best typing keyboard I think I have had so far.

 
1995 compaq keyboard, still use it with a barrel connector. Would not pass a swab test or crime scene, but still works after all these years.
 

Attachments

  • 20250611_161837.jpg
    20250611_161837.jpg
    196.5 KB · Views: 71
I've got a Ducky One 3 in "Nazca line" colours, MX red switches.

1749656674169.png


+ Really nice feel to type on, pretty damn heavy keyboard so it doesn't move about at all.
- Apple laptop power saving features cause it to go into a coma when the laptop goes into sleep mode. Can't reactivate it without unplugging the USB cable. Workaround requires turning off a power saving feature in MacOS. No issues on Windows
- Lighting modes are just ridiculous
- Keycaps do not pass light through the letters, so the lights do nothing to help you in poor light.
- I miss a play/pause key from my old keyboard
- Far too clever inside, could die young.

In hindsight I slightly preferred Cherry brown switches from the keyboard that expired before it.
 
nerdstrike said:
I've got a Ducky One 3 in "Nazca line" colours, MX red switches.


- I miss a play/pause key from my old keyboard
Click to expand...
You realize you can programm macros? That is one of the main things I like about Ducky. And you need no software to do it and it gets stored on the keyboard itself. Here's how it works with mine:

- Press Fn+2 to switch to profile 2

Long press Fn+Alt+Tab to get into recording mode. I have my play keys on the 6 block above the arrows, Ins is Play/Pause, Delete is Stop, Home is Next Track, End is Previous Track, PgUp is louder and PgDn is quieter. So you just entered macro mode you then press the keycombo you want to programm, for example

Fn+Ins

Code: 
Fn + Ins   → Play / Pause       (Fn + Win + D)
Fn + Del   → Stop               (Fn + Win + E)
Fn + Home  → Next Track         (Fn + Win + F)
Fn + End   → Previous Track     (Fn + Win + G)
Fn + PgUp  → Volume Up          (Fn + Win + B)
Fn + PgDn  → Volume Down        (Fn + Win + C)
Fn + M     → Mute               (Fn + Win + A)

then you press the keycombo on the right. Fn+Alt+Tab short to save. Then just repeat for all keys. When you're finished Fn+Alt+Tab long to get out of recording mode. Their manuals are a bit strange, but it's all in there. I've also swapped Fn and Ctrl, so Fn is at the edge of the keyboard. This way you always find it with your fingers. To do this:

Press Fn+Alt+K and hold until keys turn colorful (5 sec)

Press Fn+Ctrl the colors will swap between the keys.

Press Esc.

Then just remove Fn and Ctrl keys with the keycap puller and swap them around.
 
Last edited:
digitalfrost said:
You realize you can programm macros? That is one of the main things I like about Ducky. And you need no software to do it and it gets stored on the keyboard itself. Here's how it works with mine...
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tips! Macros saved. Some ancient gaming reflexes mean I won't be moving the Fn key around!

The Ducky One 3 has a different key combos to activate and save profiles, just to mess with the Internet. Also the first Ducky One 3 manual I found online is not correct for this keyboard's colour profile settings. Maybe they're for the 60% form factor? No consistency at all, it's a mess!

Profile is Fn+Alt+[1..6]
Program is Fn+Alt+Tab for 3 seconds as before
Exit programming is now Fn+Alt+Tab for short press, and save is now Fn+Alt
 
Anyone out there have a Wooting One with RGB lights that suddenly go out on the right side. I tried the cable fix that Wooting suggests, but that didn't fix the issue. I tried emailing Wooting, but got this response back
" Thank you for reaching out, and sorry to hear that you're running into some problems with your keyboard! Given the age of the keyboard, it is likely past warranty, and unfortunately, we don't have many replacement parts for this either, sorry about that.
It looks like it might be the components failing over time.
Please do let us know if you run into any further issues, and we'd be happy to help, thanks!"
I bought mine late in 2021, I was hoping to get more of a response, but goes along with planned obsolescence.
I liked the RGB lighting especially in the Wooting with the shine thru keycaps, any suggestions for a replacement thats fairly quiet?
 
In high school I learned to type on one of these. Well, the class started on these then after about four weeks they moved us into another room with the fancy IBM Selectric typewriters and replaced the manual ones with Apple II computers. Yeah, I'm old. And my PTSD from the manual typewriters makes me prefer the modern, quiet, low profile laptop keyboard.

g12.JPG
 
MAS4T0 said:
In addition to the Advantage 360 I also have a Dygma Defy, a ZSA Moonlander and a Dactyl Manuform.

The best option for any individual would obviously depend on their needs and preferences.

In my case, the ulnar nerve in the right arm was severed just above the elbow a few years ago. The nerve sheathe was surgically repaired, and the axon has regenerated, but there's still some muscle paralysis in the right hand which limits dexterity. The main issue being a tendency of the pinky and ring fingers to claw.

For me the Advantage 360 was the only one that was workable. Touch typing is no problem, and I make extensive use of layers. The height of the keyboard necessitated a keyboard tray to lower the keyboard and tilt it backwards at about 20 degrees. I do find it uncomfortable to use flat on a desk.

I'm pleased the Dygma Defy is working well for you.
Click to expand...
I've been using Advantage2 keyboards by Kinesis for over ten years. (I also have a Maltron, which is very similar.) I disagree with monkeyboy regarding the dished key well. Once one fully adjusts to the change in layout, nothing is hard to reach and having the space, delete, enter, ctr, etc. under the thumbs is much more convenient than the conventional layout. For me, it's faster and easier on the hands. If that isn't enough, one can always add the pedal switches.

I would probably change over to the 360 (for the bluetooth connectivity) but I use my keyboard while sitting in a recliner, with the keyboard sitting on my lap. I'd have to have some sort of lap desk to accommodate the split keyboard designs.
 
Bsmooth said:
Anyone out there have a Wooting One with RGB lights that suddenly go out on the right side. I tried the cable fix that Wooting suggests, but that didn't fix the issue. I tried emailing Wooting, but got this response back
" Thank you for reaching out, and sorry to hear that you're running into some problems with your keyboard! Given the age of the keyboard, it is likely past warranty, and unfortunately, we don't have many replacement parts for this either, sorry about that.
It looks like it might be the components failing over time.
Please do let us know if you run into any further issues, and we'd be happy to help, thanks!"
I bought mine late in 2021, I was hoping to get more of a response, but goes along with planned obsolescence.
I liked the RGB lighting especially in the Wooting with the shine thru keycaps, any suggestions for a replacement thats fairly quiet?
Click to expand...

I'm am still pretty happy with my Keychron V5 Max. It came with Gateron Jupiter Red switches, but I swapped them all out for Gateron Pro 3.0 Blacks which are lubricated and stiffer (I am accustomed to the Cherry MX Silent Black switches in my Durgod Taurus K320 TKL keyboard which I still use at work)...

 
scrubb said:
In high school I learned to type on one of these. Well, the class started on these then after about four weeks they moved us into another room with the fancy IBM Selectric typewriters and replaced the manual ones with Apple II computers. Yeah, I'm old. And my PTSD from the manual typewriters makes me prefer the modern, quiet, low profile laptop keyboard.
Click to expand...
If you like quiet low-profile laptop keyboards (which I do as well), then you'll probably like low-profile mechanical keyboards using linear switches. I recently purchased a Keychron K17 Max with the red linear switches and have been extremely pleased. So much so, actually, that I then purchased a Nuphy Air60 v2 (also with the red linears) for couch and backpack duty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom