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Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

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Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#111

Post by sho_hn »

gregsadetsky wrote: post #62

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience. But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? Thanks

Berlin has a nice one: https://geekboards.de/

Edit: Turns out, sadly, had one: https://geekboards.de/blogs/news/were-closing-our-berlin-sho...

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#112

Post by userbinator »

chaosharmonic wrote: post #16

On the source-available piece: I'm not saying I'm for those over open source licenses in general, but Prusa brought up some fair questions when discussing the OCL. Essentially: define "personal use." Have I violated a non-commercial license if I print this keyboard and then use it to build someone a website? Does CC-NC mean a Prusacaster -- or any guitar knob with such a license for that matter -- is strictly barred…

Where are the lines of that when it's physical things?

The automotive aftermarket has largely settled that; even without the original design files, it's perfectly legal to make compatible parts, patents and the like notwithstanding. You can build an entire "small block Chevy" engine wholly from parts that GM did not make, and it will fit perfectly in a car that originally had the "genuine" one.

IANAL but as long as you don't violate any patents they have (if any) nor use their trademark, feel free to make and sell keyboards that look like theirs (not that a keyboard of their design is particularly distinctive anyway.)

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#114

Post by thenthenthen »

alfiedotwtf wrote: post #75

Keychron :heart: I’ve got 2 ortholinears (home and work), and a compact for another machine. Is any or them dies, instabuying another Keychron! PS: IF you’re listening, PLEASE release a split wireless ortholinear

Keychron has ortholinears now? I guess so, cool: https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q15-max-qmk-wirel...

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#115

Post by _thisdot »

gregsadetsky wrote: post #62

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience. But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? Thanks

There is a Keychron store in Bangalore that lets you do this. They even have a computer with a USB C wire sticking out so you can take any keyboard to it and type on Monkeytype. Since the keyboard community is a small one, it’s never really crowded. However, in my experience it takes at least a week of continued use to be able to judge whether a switch is good for you.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#116

Post by Roark66 »

pluskid wrote: post #76
gregsadetsky wrote: post #62

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience. But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? Thanks

Yeah, this is a US issue. If you go to Tokyo or Taipei, you will find physical stores in cities with many different kind of mechanical keyboards.

Definitely not a US only issue

Central EU here. We order a bunch of switches. A "starter pack" of sorts. We try them and then choose the favourite.

Physical shops rarely stock keyboards with removable switches.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#117

Post by davkan »

pluskid wrote: post #76
gregsadetsky wrote: post #62

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience. But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? Thanks

Yeah, this is a US issue. If you go to Tokyo or Taipei, you will find physical stores in cities with many different kind of mechanical keyboards.

Yup was touring some historical stuff in Tokyo and thought I’d look for an HHKB, checked their site and sure enough there was retailer a 10 minute walk away. Tiny shop in a more residential area a block or two off the main street.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#118

Post by davkan »

gregsadetsky wrote: post #62

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience. But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? Thanks

It’s a tiny market in the US. Most people just buy a razer or corsair from Best Buy if they do it in person.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#119

Post by Modified3019 »

gregsadetsky wrote: post #62

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience. But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? Thanks

TL:DR Ultimately I settled on incredibly smooth, linear pre-lubed hall effect/TMR switches, and that’s what I strongly recommend to others.

I played around with different mechanical switches for a bit, getting a few switch testers and hemming and hawing about which would be my chosen one. Honestly most all of it will be better than your typical $20 rubber dome dell e-waste. I got a Leopold keyboard with tactile mx clears as my first “real” keyboard and it was definitely an improvement and enjoyed it for a few years.

However after my final xbox gamepad once again started getting stick drift, I moved one with Hall effect sticks (gamesir). It was so much better that it resulted in me wanting to try a hall effect keyboard with more customizability. Took a chance with a Keydous NJ98-CP V3 HE (pale green) because it was well reviewed and priced well enough to take a risk on. I love it so much I got my sister one.

It turns out what I truly loved about old IBM beamspring switches wasn’t so much the click, but the smoothness. Typical mechanical linear switches with electrical contacts feel scratchy to me which I find repellent. Oddly enough, having a tactile bump to overcome somehow hides that. But a lubed Hall effect switch is as low friction as you can get and I love them. It’s literally fun to type on, and works great for gaming. As a bonus, it’s pretty quiet too, making it less obnoxious for others to be around.

You’ll need to adjust the activation point to prevent accidental activation when resting your hands, but that’s basically it as far as doing things differently.

As a side note, my mouse is a keychron M5, a “vertical” mouse, which works quite well and supports the higher polling rates I’m looking for. Also highly recommended if you need to give your tendons a break. Personally I think Razer has slightly better algorithms for smoothing and accurately translating my movement intentions, but this is only something I notice when “playing” Excel, and it’s not enough that ergonomics don’t easily win out.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#120

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

Cool stuff.

I have a Keychron that I love. I have a jar full of replacement switches, so I suspect that I won’t need to get a new keyboard, anytime soon.

I have an Apple Touch ID keyboard, that I use only for Touch ID. I don’t like it, otherwise. I’ve always wondered why Apple doesn’t ship (or license) a simple standalone Touch ID pad. They could probably get a decent premium for it.

That said, like a lot of open-source libraries, I appreciate the gesture, but will likely always use the built product. It’s just that hardware has a habit of “aging out,” so this is a way to ensure that a legacy product can remain viable, even after discontinuation.

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