GMK Uniqey keyboards

[KHAANNN]

Wow, looks awesome, thanks a lot for sharing

I wonder how stabilisers are applied, some keyboard companies like Leopold somehow apply Cherry stabilisers expertly, while most other companies just deploy keyboards with stiff stabilised keys

It's very interesting that there is no plate too, I might be mistaken, but usually plate is for solidness

[ndakota79]

Only Full Size 

[konig]

I asked Christopher at GMK about the lack of plate, and he said that companies only add a plate to increase rigidity and reduce flex (if you held the board and twisted). due to the use of high end aluminum, this board has no flex, and therefore no need for a plate (also helps reduce noise, pinging etc)

it is solid.

[tofgerl]

It does look great. Maybe we'll get reviews from keychatter and others soon.

[FoxWolf1]

I asked Christopher at GMK about the lack of plate, and he said that companies only add a plate to increase rigidity and reduce flex (if you held the board and twisted). due to the use of high end aluminum, this board has no flex, and therefore no need for a plate (also helps reduce noise, pinging etc)

Is this really all there is to plate mounting, though?

I mean, I'm thinking about times when I've cleaned my keyboards, and seen the amount of crud that winds up on the plate, and then I'm imagining all of that winding up on the keyboard's PCB, and I'm combining that with my experience of keyboard problems being caused by even small amounts of dirt or residue on the PCB in just the wrong place, and I just can't help but feel uncomfortable about the whole idea of PCB mount...

[KHAANNN]

I asked Christopher at GMK about the lack of plate, and he said that companies only add a plate to increase rigidity and reduce flex (if you held the board and twisted). due to the use of high end aluminum, this board has no flex, and therefore no need for a plate (also helps reduce noise, pinging etc)

Is this really all there is to plate mounting, though?

I mean, I'm thinking about times when I've cleaned my keyboards, and seen the amount of crud that winds up on the plate, and then I'm imagining all of that winding up on the keyboard's PCB, and I'm combining that with my experience of keyboard problems being caused by even small amounts of dirt or residue on the PCB in just the wrong place, and I just can't help but feel uncomfortable about the whole idea of PCB mount...

For me it's pulling off the switch top while removing keycaps that would dismiss PCB mounts, also possibly added wiggle

But things really change from application to application, we don't know how GMK executed the PCB mounted keyboard yet, they might have done something to address these issues

[tofgerl]

With my own "creations" the reason I have a plate is that I'm sure the switch is in the right place, the right depth (harder than you would think!) and that it's not skewed. Some times you don't notice a little skew until you start wondering why the J key won't even depress properly and it turns out lots of switches are skewed and you have to redo lots of work.

[HoffmanMyster]

I asked Christopher at GMK about the lack of plate, and he said that companies only add a plate to increase rigidity and reduce flex (if you held the board and twisted). due to the use of high end aluminum, this board has no flex, and therefore no need for a plate (also helps reduce noise, pinging etc)

Is this really all there is to plate mounting, though?

If the PCB is large enough and has few enough standoff mount points, the PCB can also flex.  A plate helps reduce this flex.  That, to me, is one of the biggest benefits. 

[Giorgio]

Did anyone review the keyboard yet?

[c137]

I got my Uniqey Q100 yesterday. There is absolutely no flex whatsoever and the QMX clips work really well.
Review is under way, expect it by Monday. Not sure I'll be able to open it up, though, as not only the Torx screws are obstacle to that.

[Giorgio]

I got my Uniqey Q100 yesterday. There is absolutely no flex whatsoever and the QMX clips work really well.
Review is under way, expect it by Monday. Not sure I'll be able to open it up, though, as not only the Torx screws are obstacle to that.

Fantastic news! Happy for you.

If you don't mind, some requests:
- typing sound (comparing it to another keyboard, with and without o-rings)
- is the cable removable?
- is there a replacement program, if you accidentally break a key?

Thanks

[c137]

I'll have to see whether I can record in a decent quality, but I will try. Subjectively speaking, them QMX clips really dampen the sound well.
The cable is removable, yes. However, the mini-USB plug is at an angle of 90°, so it's a little tricky to pull out.

As for the replacement of single key caps... I will have to inquire at GMK. As soon as I hear from them, I will get back to you.

[Giorgio]

I'll have to see whether I can record in a decent quality, but I will try. Subjectively speaking, them QMX clips really dampen the sound well.
The cable is removable, yes. However, the mini-USB plug is at an angle of 90°, so it's a little tricky to pull out.

As for the replacement of single key caps... I will have to inquire at GMK. As soon as I hear from them, I will get back to you.

you're so lucky to have an iso de available.... I'll never get the italian layout. ISO uk will necessarily be good enough :-)

[c137]

OK, my review of the Uniqey Q100 is online: https://www.mecha-blog.de/review-uniqey-q100-mit-qmx-clips/ (in German)

I also included a little sound comparison (5 quick and 2 slow types each): first the Q100 without clips, then the Q100 with QMX Clips, then a QPad MK-80 with traditional O-rings and finally a CM Novatouch.

is there a replacement program, if you accidentally break a key?

According to Mr Kredler from GMK there is an ongoing discussion at the company, whether you will be able to buy single keys, e.g. if you decide you want the arrow keys in a different colour now than when you ordered your Q100.
However, replacements for broken keys will be available if covered by the product warranty, i.e. if it's not the user's fault etc.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask away.

[KHAANNN]

OK, my review of the Uniqey Q100 is online: https://www.mecha-blog.de/review-uniqey-q100-mit-qmx-clips/ (in German)

I also included a little sound comparison (5 quick and 2 slow types each): first the Q100 without clips, then the Q100 with QMX Clips, then a QPad MK-80 with traditional O-rings and finally a CM Novatouch.

is there a replacement program, if you accidentally break a key?

According to Mr Kredler from GMK there is an ongoing discussion at the company, whether you will be able to buy single keys, e.g. if you decide you want the arrow keys in a different colour now than when you ordered your Q100.
However, replacements for broken keys will be available if covered by the product warranty, i.e. if it's not the user's fault etc.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask away.

I have to say, sound-wise, the review didn't do much for me, separate recording would have been nice

However, your keyboard looks great, especially those arrows ...

And thanks a lot for the review, it was nice getting a close look, I wish they end up selling as many keycaps as they can, I don't think it would disrupt the keycap market dynamics, just ease things a bit, allow mashups, provide alternative alphas

[c137]

I have to say, sound-wise, the review didn't do much for me, separate recording would have been nice

Alas, for an actually good recording I am not properly equipped, sorry.
That's why I put different keyboards into the same recording, so you can have a reference point.

[Giorgio]

OK, my review of the Uniqey Q100 is online: https://www.mecha-blog.de/review-uniqey-q100-mit-qmx-clips/ (in German)

I also included a little sound comparison (5 quick and 2 slow types each): first the Q100 without clips, then the Q100 with QMX Clips, then a QPad MK-80 with traditional O-rings and finally a CM Novatouch.

is there a replacement program, if you accidentally break a key?

According to Mr Kredler from GMK there is an ongoing discussion at the company, whether you will be able to buy single keys, e.g. if you decide you want the arrow keys in a different colour now than when you ordered your Q100.
However, replacements for broken keys will be available if covered by the product warranty, i.e. if it's not the user's fault etc.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask away.

Thank you very much for your nice review.

Some notes:

What is the approximate thickness of the case?

Can you add something to this? "incidentally, during the year GMK still want to present another keyboard.  Experimenting "with different sizes and form factors," says this of the company."

We shoud ask gmk to sell the clips should also be separately sold as an accessory.

I agree on: Good to feel, however, the tactile markings on F and J, so the way it should be.

Please fix the review, replace 1.5 with 1.25! "The bottom row is a standard bottom-Row with 1.5 U -Modifiern."

I really hope that all the clients of a keyboard will be given the right to buy replacement keycaps, also if it is a mistake of the client, who can accidentally damage a keycap. This adds much value to the keyboard and to the keyset and makes the $300 purchase much more reasonable, because you can buy replacements in the future, so your keyset and keyboard don't lose value with a small accident or damage.

"According to Mr Kredler from GMK there is an ongoing discussion at the company, whether you will be able to buy single keys, e.g. if you decide you want the arrow keys in a different colour now than when you ordered your Q100.
However, replacements for broken keys will be available if covered by the product warranty, i.e. if it's not the user's fault etc."

[Giorgio]

It seems to me that uniqey clips can silence the bigger keys with more efficiency than the moddded topre?

I've got uniqey clips and I love them!!! I can't type anymore on other keyboards.

[c137]

What is the approximate thickness of the case?

As in, how thick is the aluminium material? Depends on where you measure, 1.5 to 2mm.
The silver sides should give an impression.

Can you add something to this? "incidentally, during the year GMK still want to present another keyboard.  Experimenting "with different sizes and form factors," says this of the company."

I unfortunately had to formulate it this vaguely. That's the official statement: they are looking into other form factors like 60 or 80% and will present another Uniqey keyboard this year.
Mecha-Blog will report on the details as soon as I get any.

We shoud ask gmk to sell the clips should also be separately sold as an accessory.

They will sell the QMX clips separately on Uniqey.net, ETA 2 weeks.

Please fix the review, replace 1.5 with 1.25! "The bottom row is a standard bottom-Row with 1.5 U -Modifiern."

Argh, typo. Thanks!

It seems to me that uniqey clips can silence the bigger keys with more efficiency than the moddded topre?

My Novatouch in the recording from the Uniqey article isn't modded, the one from Tyrosh22's article is his. But based on the sound files I tend to agree.

[Giorgio]

I hope that they will sell a g80-1800 format. Can't go wrong with that....

Fantastic news for the clips being sold very soon ;-)

Thanks for your very good review.

Layouts that I'd like
Light Saver keyboard

[Giorgio]

what is that multitool??

Does it help with removing the clips?

[tofgerl]

I have a kit, and love them. The problem is that they don't work with Zealios and SA-caps at the same time. With Zealios and DSA they work, and with Cherry and SA they work, but JUST the combination I like the best... Typical!

[c137]

what is that multitool??

The "Multitool" is this one, where they also store the replacement feet: https://www.mecha-blog.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/c137_Uniqey-Q100_multitool.jpg
It is for removing the feet and the USB cable. However, you don't really need it for any of these operations.

Does it help with removing the clips?

Unfortunately, no. The tool for that only comes with the seperately sold QMX clips.

[Giorgio]

I have a kit, and love them. The problem is that they don't work with Zealios and SA-caps at the same time. With Zealios and DSA they work, and with Cherry and SA they work, but JUST the combination I like the best... Typical!

maybe some orings will make the inside of the key impact the top of the clip, thus preventing the sides from touching the clip?

[tofgerl]

I have a kit, and love them. The problem is that they don't work with Zealios and SA-caps at the same time. With Zealios and DSA they work, and with Cherry and SA they work, but JUST the combination I like the best... Typical!

maybe some orings will make the inside of the key impact the top of the clip, thus preventing the sides from touching the clip?

I'll have to remember to try that... I only have one plateless zealio board, and it's away on vacation right now.

[saxophone]

Huh, it'S GMK and all but is this really considered that priceworthy? $200+ for a keyboard is quite a lot, even with bluetooth considering how it simply uses regular cherry mx.
They skipped the plate simply because the aluminium shell makes it rigid enough, but that makes the keys themselves more fragile to monkey business as PCB will be taking all the impact rather than the plate shouldering most of it. The plate also had the secondary function of at least offering some protection against liquid spills. It's really one of the reason I like those raised key designs, the top is pretty much spill proof if you sticker the switches.

[SpAmRaY]

Huh, it'S GMK and all but is this really considered that priceworthy? $200+ for a keyboard is quite a lot, even with bluetooth considering how it simply uses regular cherry mx.
They skipped the plate simply because the aluminium shell makes it rigid enough, but that makes the keys themselves more fragile to monkey business as PCB will be taking all the impact rather than the plate shouldering most of it. The plate also had the secondary function of at least offering some protection against liquid spills. It's really one of the reason I like those raised key designs, the top is pretty much spill proof if you sticker the switches.

Honestly if someone is spending $200+ on a keyboard and they are irresponsible enough to spill something on it that isn't the keyboards fault and they probably should look elsewhere for a keyboard.

Maybe this would be more suited to those who need a spill proof board https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Wireless-Spillproof-Portable-Silicone/dp/B009964UK2

[Giorgio]

Huh, it'S GMK and all but is this really considered that priceworthy? $200+ for a keyboard is quite a lot, even with bluetooth considering how it simply uses regular cherry mx.
They skipped the plate simply because the aluminium shell makes it rigid enough, but that makes the keys themselves more fragile to monkey business as PCB will be taking all the impact rather than the plate shouldering most of it. The plate also had the secondary function of at least offering some protection against liquid spills. It's really one of the reason I like those raised key designs, the top is pretty much spill proof if you sticker the switches.

add 80 bucks (the price of the keyset) to a filco keyboard, you obtain $260.

[c137]

They skipped the plate simply because the aluminium shell makes it rigid enough

The case absolutely makes the Q100 very rigid. I have seen several keyboards with a metal plate that offered less rigidity overall and even more flex.

Also, you have to consider that the QMX clips can only, well, clip to the MX modules without the plate in the way.

[ptykozoon]

[luckyryan333]

Show Image

Not cheap, but fascinating  :)

Edit:
Can you show stabilizers? Are they different from Cherry's?

[Neo.X]

Nice keyboard, but the keycaps definitely add scores to it. Can the keycaps be purchaed seperatlly?

[luckyryan333]

Nice keyboard, but the keycaps definitely add scores to it. Can the keycaps be purchaed seperatlly?

Currently not possible 

[tofgerl]

Oh, that is LOVELY!

[Giorgio]

Why don't they sell uk iso? Can't wait....

 

[c137]

Mecha-Blog and GMK have 5 QMX-Clip-Sets (each for a fullsize keyboard) to give away: https://www.mecha-blog.de/verlosung-uniqey-qmx-clips-mitmachen/

[Flowshi]

I'm using this thread instead of creating a new one.

Having my Uniqey for about a week now, and just love it. It is solid, heavy, no flex, no wriggling, keys sit very tight and the caps are beautiful (my first GMK caps) it's just wow!

Got the fullblack version with black/darkgrey caps, white legends, esc is blue, clear MX switches and qmx clips. Using it at work where a type around 20.000 keystrokes a day. It's very minimalistic, my co-workers didn't even realized my new board. I was unsure about those clear switches, never typed on them before, just used them on a tester, and they became my preferred switches now. I asked GMK to send me an additional Q-logo keycap and the QMX tool, and they did.

The price with 320,00€ is pretty hefty but it's hard to get a good board with german layout, the ones you get a are pretty expensive (Filco at the official reseller is 250€, Code is 230€), and if you add the GMK caps you end up at 300+ anyway.

Things to improve:
-USB cable is a bit weird. it's 90° angled and you can't use custom cables (cable itself is solid and long enough)
-usb 2
-no real usb hub
-no stop media key (just a pause button)
-can't change the LED colours the way I want to (probably a bug in the firmeware, gonna contact GMK with this issue)

I'll add some pictures, sorry for the bad quality.
[ Specified attachment is not available ]

[Giorgio]

I'm using this thread instead of creating a new one.

Having my Uniqey for about a week now, and just love it. It is solid, heavy, no flex, no wriggling, keys sit very tight and the caps are beautiful (my first GMK caps) it's just wow!

Got the fullblack version with black/darkgrey caps, white legends, esc is blue, clear MX switches and qmx clips. Using it at work where a type around 20.000 keystrokes a day. It's very minimalistic, my co-workers didn't even realized my new board. I was unsure about those clear switches, never typed on them before, just used them on a tester, and they became my preferred switches now. I asked GMK to send me an additional Q-logo keycap and the QMX tool, and they did.

The price with 320,00€ is pretty hefty but it's hard to get a good board with german layout, the ones you get a are pretty expensive (Filco at the official reseller is 250€, Code is 230€), and if you add the GMK caps you end up at 300+ anyway.

Things to improve:
-USB cable is a bit weird. it's 90° angled and you can't use custom cables (cable itself is solid and long enough)
-usb 2
-no real usb hub
-no stop media key (just a pause button)
-can't change the LED colours the way I want to (probably a bug in the firmeware, gonna contact GMK with this issue)

I'll add some pictures, sorry for the bad quality.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Definetely a nice keyboard, but a completely wrong marketing scheme. It would have sold 10 times more if it was a very basic keyboard with a complete 155 keycaps set included.

[Flowshi]

You're probably right. But that's "typisch deutsch" making stuff more complicated than it should be 

[KHAANNN]

I'm using this thread instead of creating a new one.

Having my Uniqey for about a week now, and just love it. It is solid, heavy, no flex, no wriggling, keys sit very tight and the caps are beautiful (my first GMK caps) it's just wow!

Got the fullblack version with black/darkgrey caps, white legends, esc is blue, clear MX switches and qmx clips. Using it at work where a type around 20.000 keystrokes a day. It's very minimalistic, my co-workers didn't even realized my new board. I was unsure about those clear switches, never typed on them before, just used them on a tester, and they became my preferred switches now. I asked GMK to send me an additional Q-logo keycap and the QMX tool, and they did.

The price with 320,00€ is pretty hefty but it's hard to get a good board with german layout, the ones you get a are pretty expensive (Filco at the official reseller is 250€, Code is 230€), and if you add the GMK caps you end up at 300+ anyway.

Things to improve:
-USB cable is a bit weird. it's 90° angled and you can't use custom cables (cable itself is solid and long enough)
-usb 2
-no real usb hub
-no stop media key (just a pause button)
-can't change the LED colours the way I want to (probably a bug in the firmeware, gonna contact GMK with this issue)

I'll add some pictures, sorry for the bad quality.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Iroshizuku => Approval Nod

[Giorgio]

And the fact that the usb cable is non repleaceable... simply crazy. Due to space constraints one could need an angled cable, or a very short one. Do they even know that users exist, or do they design these keyboards for their own enjoyment? A little bit of sadism maybe.

[fxsound]

I also bought a keyboard, and there's a problem with changing the color of the  LEDs.

does not change (does not persist) color led of 5. It remains always white.
I change it to any other (as indicated in the  expert features), but after exiting the setting mode it is still white. Even the combination <Fn> + <F5> changes only the first 3 LEDs. does not change   LED 4.

AND regardless of whether you change each individually the 1,2,3 LED. color for all 3 LED is selected the one that you chose for the first LED.


As I understand, this problem has been known for a long time, but will long time something  not fix
-

[Giorgio]

I also bought a keyboard, and there's a problem with changing the color of the  LEDs.

does not change (does not persist) color led of 5. It remains always white.
I change it to any other (as indicated in the  expert features), but after exiting the setting mode it is still white. Even the combination <Fn> + <F5> changes only the first 3 LEDs. does not change   LED 4.

AND regardless of whether you change each individually the 1,2,3 LED. color for all 3 LED is selected the one that you chose for the first LED.


As I understand, this problem has been known for a long time, but will long time something  not fix
-

I don't understand why the first iteration of their keyboard line needed to be so complicated. Filco on the other hand is famous for their quality, without having Bluetooth, LEDs, programmability etc.

[fxsound]

But nevertheless they got a first-class product. The circuit board is the best I've seen. I do not know how many layers there are, but it's thick and very solid, there are no deflections when pressing the keys at all. Treatment of the outer shell of aluminum and painting is excellent. Possibility of negative tilt with different height. And very quiet with their clips. On the cherry MX there is nowhere "Filco ping".

But the photos are not visible, but if you see it live, you can immediately see the thing with a capital letter.

There are several things that I would like to change and improve:

L-shaped USB cable change to standard.

Feet increase for better traction.

Well..., it's better to lubricate stabilizers.

[Flowshi]

Support ticket according the LED has been sent out to GMK/Uniqey ... since they did not answer to my post on their communitypage.

Hope that helps to get their asses moving.

[fxsound]

https://www.massdrop.com/talk/2889/designing-the-gmk-uniqey-c-70-custom-keyboard-a-true-community-custom

TKL and Soft Uniqte Control

[Giorgio]

https://www.massdrop.com/talk/2889/designing-the-gmk-uniqey-c-70-custom-keyboard-a-true-community-custom

TKL and Soft Uniqte Control

I'm very happy to see the gmk involvement in the mechanical keyboard world, but sincerely I don't think that I will buy this one: I will wait for a 75% standard version, if it will ever be available, or for a 100% keyboard in iso uk layout. I appreciate particularly the fact that there is a new software which will allow to customize each keypress, this is really fantastic.

What I don't like about the new keyboard:
- completely incompatible with existing keysets because it has a non standard bottom row, and because pgup, pgdown etc belong to a different row
- it's only 20mm smaller that a tkl with standard keycaps. To save 20mm you lose compatibility with all existing keysets.
- it has a 6u spacebar (centered stem or offset stem?) which is really a rare sigthing
- incompatible with all the existing cases in the market
- you can't use the keycaps bundled with the keyboard on any other keyboard, and this is really a shame

Personally I'd like more if they could sell a 75% keyboard with standard keycaps; with each keyboard they could also bundle extra keys to cover a 100% standard layout: you add about 20 keys, with an increase of the price of less than 10 usd, but with an enormous benefit to the user.

[ander]

When I try it, it says UPS! EIN FEHLER IST AUFGETRETEN! (OOPS! AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED!)

[fxsound]

When I try it, it says UPS! EIN FEHLER IST AUFGETRETEN! (OOPS! AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED!)

It's not entirely clear what you're talking about...

[Giorgio]

When I try it, it says UPS! EIN FEHLER IST AUFGETRETEN! (OOPS! AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED!)

keine Gegenstände aus dem Fenster werfen!