Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice • Hacker News Board

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#131

Post by wrigby » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 2:14 PM UTC

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

Probably Microcenter in Brooklyn is your best bet, but still limited selection. It really feels like there should be a hole-in-the-wall gaming PC shop in LES - maybe we should just open one?

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#132

Post by gregsadetsky » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 2:26 PM UTC

wrigby wrote: post #131

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

Probably Microcenter in Brooklyn is your best bet, but still limited selection. It really feels like there should be a hole-in-the-wall gaming PC shop in LES - maybe we should just open one?

I’m extremely interested. Email in profile - reach out and let’s grab coffee?

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#133

Post by roryirvine » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 2:46 PM UTC

vladvasiliu wrote: post #24

lamasery wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd consider another Keychron (my first mechanical since a couple of AT and PS/2 Model M and variant devices I had years and years ago) and I like some stuff about it and definitely like the price, but would look for a model with a few differences next time and probably skip Keychron if I couldn't get all of these fixed in one of their boards: 1 - Longer battery life (I have a bluetooth + plug-in model). The battery…

I have a K2, and you can lock the lights with some key combination I don't remember and am too lazy to look up.

Oh, wow, it's fn + L + Light Effect Key (long press for 3s). Thanks for the tip!

A full list of key combinations for the K3 (which I have) is at https://www.keychron.uk/blogs/news/k3-key-combinations - alter the url to suit your model, but most of them appear to be the same.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#134

Post by fweimer » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 4:28 PM UTC

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…

I think CC originally did have producing physical items in mind. For example, one use case for the NC licenses for photos was that you can pay someone to make a print and frame it for you. This went sideways when Flickr offered to streamline the process because for many creators, NC means that no one (else) should be able make a profit using the work.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#135

Post by shlubbert » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 4:33 PM UTC

johanos wrote: post #130

I had to convince myself to spend the money on a keychron keyboard, but at this point I really like it. I've spilled 3 bottles of water on it as well as 1 protein shake on it and I've been able to fix it each time by just disassembling it and letting it dry out. It's been working perfectly after each time. So far it's been worth the money. That and taking it apart was actually really easy and straightforward.

I wonder if investing in a cup holder would've been a better option

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#136

Post by banannaise » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 5:01 PM UTC

ZeWaka wrote: post #4

The Keychron K4/related (K4 HE here) compact 96% layout is definitely my favorite keyboard layout. Just a solid brick of keys.

I've used a K4 for 6 years now and love it. The only thing is that I had to swap out the arrow keys for textured ones, which allows me to reach for them blindly and keeps me from losing my location when using them.

It's insanely compact for a 96% board.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#137

Post by coldtea » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 5:29 PM UTC

johanos wrote: post #130

I had to convince myself to spend the money on a keychron keyboard, but at this point I really like it. I've spilled 3 bottles of water on it as well as 1 protein shake on it and I've been able to fix it each time by just disassembling it and letting it dry out. It's been working perfectly after each time. So far it's been worth the money. That and taking it apart was actually really easy and straightforward.

Maybe try some water/juice drinking bottles with a cap and/or a large straw?

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#138

Post by delecti » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 5:32 PM UTC

burnt-resistor wrote: post #126

delecti wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can't speak much to most of your complaints (I like my keyboard heavy, planned to change all the keycaps and switches, and didn't get a wireless keyboard), but you can download an offline version of Via to configure it. https://github.com/the-via/releases/releases

They're my complaints, not yours. You cannot validate or invalidate them. But not launcher.

You said you'd like an offline flash update & macro programmer to not depend on cloud-based software, and that exists. Keychron hardware runs on open source firmware and is compatible with VIA as well as their proprietary Launcher. I just checked on my Q11, and the two softwares are basically the same.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#139

Post by TranquilMarmot » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 6:25 PM UTC

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

In Seattle we have a sizeable mechanical keyboard community that does a monthly meetup. It's a great way to try out different switches/keycaps/layouts/etc. It's worth seeing if there's anything similar near you.

Re: Industrial design files for Keychron keyboards and mice

#140

Post by cweagans » Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #98

anonymous908213 wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm actually not, but the person I was replying to clearly was given the "three states over" comment. I explicitly specified the statement was conditional on customers not being within walking distance.

Driving across three states to go buy something is peak US :)

Peak east coast US! You can travel three states of distance and back in a day or less on the east coast.

Three states over and back would be a day or two minimum, but potentially nearly a week on the west coast. (Depends on start and stop locations obviously, but if you start from eg Portland, three states over could be the Dakotas).