Post by: cheswick on Sat, 13 November 2021, 07:06:40
by Keychron
Website (https://www.keychron.com/pages/keychron-q3-customizable-mechanical-keyboard)
Discord (https://discord.gg/HAYbRrTsjN)
- Full aluminium body
- Gasket mount
- TKL layout
- Out of the box QMK & VIA support
- Gateron screw-in stabs
- 5Pin ANSI/ISO hotswap PCB [southfacing]
- Preinstalled Force case mod/Top break mod [silicon between top and bottom case]
- South facing LEDs
- Physical switch to switch between layers *Explanation down belown
- Barebones: 149$
- Fully assembled: 169$
(https://i.imgur.com/HWs89XH.jpg)
Our concept was to make a true gasket-mounted full aluminium keyboard that would provide excellent flexibility for typing. And it can be customized and adjusted exactly the way you want it to be. So we made it fully support QMK and VIA, making it easy for everyone to program every keystroke. For this we upgraded the chip to a STM and we changed the ribbon cable to a normal cable so its not that easy to break it for people new to this.
(https://i.imgur.com/LVWqXrP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/43hGBHT.jpg)
*You don't have to use this switch, you can also switch through the layers purely by using VIA, it's just something on top where u can switch between 2 set layers.
As an example:
Switch state 1: VIA layer 1
Switch state 2: VIA layer 3
(https://i.imgur.com/gIyhe9Z.png)
Options
Board options
- Fully assembled version including Gateron Pro switches and PBT keycaps OSA profile [OEM height and SA look][atm ANSI only!]: 169$
- Barebone: 149USD
Case colors
- Carbon Black
- Space Gray
- Navy Blue
Plate options
- Steel [default]
- FR4
- PC
- Brass
Size
- Width: 137mm
- Lenght: 365.17mm
- Front Height: 23.77mm
- Back Height: 32.64mm
- Feet Height: 2.7mm
- Angle: 5.26 degree
- Weight: 1.96 Kilogramm
Informations
We are working on the first prototypes; this will be an unlimited run of the board, and real-life photos of the boards will be available later.
The estimated launch for this board is expected to be Q1 2022
Edit:
- WKL, rotary knob(F13), tsangan bottom row are things we are working on and may come in a separate run. To keep the price as low as it is, we need to make the board as simple as possible and appeal to as many customers as possible.
- Bluetooth isnt there, because BT and VIA arent working together, Keychron devs are on it but aslong VIA dont work with BT we will hold on wired only.
For release we now have 2 versions:
TKL:
(https://i.imgur.com/JId60Us.jpg)
TKL with Knob:
(https://i.imgur.com/pBWmvDy.jpg)
Post by: Poesjuh on Sat, 13 November 2021, 07:13:07
And as a question: would be nice to see the internals as well.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: swifthunting on Sat, 13 November 2021, 07:13:52
Post by: cheswick on Sat, 13 November 2021, 07:15:10
First
And as a question: would be nice to see the internals as well.
Internal pictures will be added later
Post by: tordj88 on Sat, 13 November 2021, 08:14:09
Another idea is to make sure that the gasket is easy to attach correctly. Owlab's gasket sock is a good example.
Post by: LJ_Dude on Sat, 13 November 2021, 08:55:30
I just have one question: do QMK and/or VIA work on Linux, specifically Ubuntu 20.04?
Post by: Ella on Sat, 13 November 2021, 09:24:26
Dude, this looks great. Definitely going to get it to replace my gmmk tkl once I have the money.qmk doesn't run on the computer, it works independently of the OS.
I just have one question: do QMK and/or VIA work on Linux, specifically Ubuntu 20.04?
via does support linux
Post by: chyll2 on Sat, 13 November 2021, 09:27:15
Post by: nightrai on Sat, 13 November 2021, 09:47:26
Post by: GetRickRolld on Sat, 13 November 2021, 10:10:12
Post by: cheswick on Sat, 13 November 2021, 10:35:02
Post by: HugoChowsky on Sat, 13 November 2021, 11:39:06
Post by: sayers on Sat, 13 November 2021, 11:48:32
Post by: stidal on Sat, 13 November 2021, 13:42:13
Post by: synchromatik on Sat, 13 November 2021, 14:04:25
Post by: alexfry on Sat, 13 November 2021, 14:51:39
Will the PCB be cross compatible with the C1 TKL?
Post by: Potatomonkey on Sat, 13 November 2021, 16:06:04
Post by: Akele on Sat, 13 November 2021, 16:16:40
Please ensure there is enough clearance in the top housing for the keycaps. With the q1, there is a chance that the keycaps will touch the top housing if the gaskets are not placed properly.
Yes, if you could make this board so it's compatible with non-ISO keycaps like MT3, DSA, etc, that'd be great. The interference issues with MT3 keycaps on the Q1 are rather annoying.
Post by: ropetight on Sat, 13 November 2021, 16:29:11
Please ensure there is enough clearance in the top housing for the keycaps. With the q1, there is a chance that the keycaps will touch the top housing if the gaskets are not placed properly.
Yes, if you could make this board so it's compatible with non-ISO keycaps like MT3, DSA, etc, that'd be great. The interference issues with MT3 keycaps on the Q1 are rather annoying.
This. Also interested.
Post by: yuityr on Sat, 13 November 2021, 16:47:52
Post by: breckstar on Sat, 13 November 2021, 17:19:32
Post by: cheswick on Sat, 13 November 2021, 17:35:09
For the corners keychron is working on it. Unluckly MT3 fitted on the review units but saw afterwards when we got feedback from customers, that it could happen per unit, that mt3 dont fit sometimes. We worked on it so smth like this wont happen again.
Post by: quantumlocke on Sat, 13 November 2021, 18:48:38
Post by: cheswick on Sat, 13 November 2021, 18:49:41
Are you taking feedback? Because the spacing on the F-row is terrible. I’m interested in a Q series TKL in theory, but this weird F-row spacing is a dealbreaker for me. You could probably fit an F13 or a knob I there. If you don’t want to, that’s fine, but at least evenly distribute the F keys across the available space.Yes I am, we are already thinking about making it a F13 layout where a badge/rotary knob/artisan could fit
Post by: potato_panda- on Sat, 13 November 2021, 22:28:36
Wireless and VIA dont work together, keychron is on it to implement BT into VIA.
For the corners keychron is working on it. Unluckly MT3 fitted on the review units but saw afterwards when we got feedback from customers, that it could happen per unit, that mt3 dont fit sometimes. We worked on it so smth like this wont happen again.
When you say you've worked on it so it wont happen again, does that mean future batches of the Q1 wont have this issue? Been looking at getting one but I'm worried about the MT3 issue.
Post by: Twin_5thDrop on Sat, 13 November 2021, 22:47:47
Post by: poutine on Sat, 13 November 2021, 23:15:31
Would be interested in a wireless option for this.
would love to see the possibility for bluetooth connection like with the other keychron boards
Post by: SDKCAMPING on Sun, 14 November 2021, 02:39:06
Are you taking feedback? Because the spacing on the F-row is terrible. I’m interested in a Q series TKL in theory, but this weird F-row spacing is a dealbreaker for me. You could probably fit an F13 or a knob I there. If you don’t want to, that’s fine, but at least evenly distribute the F keys across the available space.
That is literally a traditional TKL F-row!more TKLs have this spacing than F13. I like the way it looks, so I vote to keep the F-row layout the way it is !!
Post by: Akele on Sun, 14 November 2021, 04:21:31
For the corners keychron is working on it. Unluckly MT3 fitted on the review units but saw afterwards when we got feedback from customers, that it could happen per unit, that mt3 dont fit sometimes. We worked on it so smth like this wont happen again.
Thanks for the response. Really glad to hear that Keychron will ensure future keyboard are compatible with MT3 keycaps.
Post by: Sandersoni on Sun, 14 November 2021, 13:11:58
Looking for a white case colour. Also curious for a transparent case option.
Wireless/Bluetooth option would be nice.
Post by: lw88 on Tue, 16 November 2021, 01:35:22
If you do that you'll be absolutely leagues ahead of glorious.
Post by: SRTChrisS1 on Tue, 16 November 2021, 01:44:51
Post by: bansheetango on Tue, 16 November 2021, 09:10:28
Post by: moh18one on Tue, 16 November 2021, 13:02:18
No backlight? Didn't see it mentioned anywhere. It was nice to have on the Q1.
It is (south facing) according to their website.
Post by: unni on Tue, 16 November 2021, 13:31:06
Post by: cheswick on Wed, 17 November 2021, 06:35:41
I hope that the case bottom is thicker to reduce reverb and that the side gaskets are gone for a bit of extra softness.If you dont want to use teh side gaskets, just dont install them :D But yes bottom case is thicker
If you do that you'll be absolutely leagues ahead of glorious.
Post by: cheswick on Wed, 17 November 2021, 06:37:28
No backlight? Didn't see it mentioned anywhere. It was nice to have on the Q1.Will have normal backlight like all other boards too, will add southfacing LEDs to the post
Post by: cheswick on Wed, 17 November 2021, 06:38:45
from where do u get the 4 types of plate info ? nothing mentioned in neither in their website nor in facebook group
Cause im the guy behind the boards who had the idea etc? Im working together with keychron to make this happen. Im not employeed or paid, just doing this in my freetime to give new people in the hobby a better budget entry compared to the entry options I had when I joined.
Post by: nvh2092 on Wed, 17 November 2021, 07:19:59
Thanks a lot for the contribution, also do you have anyplans for a 65s layout with 2 macro columns on the right side for keychron? Like this:from where do u get the 4 types of plate info ? nothing mentioned in neither in their website nor in facebook group
Cause im the guy behind the boards who had the idea etc? Im working together with keychron to make this happen. Im not employeed or paid, just doing this in my freetime to give new people in the hobby a better budget entry compared to the entry options I had when I joined.
Post by: cheswick on Wed, 17 November 2021, 07:30:19
Thanks a lot for the contribution, also do you have anyplans for a 65s layout with 2 macro columns on the right side for keychron? Like this:from where do u get the 4 types of plate info ? nothing mentioned in neither in their website nor in facebook group
Cause im the guy behind the boards who had the idea etc? Im working together with keychron to make this happen. Im not employeed or paid, just doing this in my freetime to give new people in the hobby a better budget entry compared to the entry options I had when I joined.
Ur welcome. Special layouts like this will maybe be a thing later on. First we wanna cover all normal layouts and will start with alice stuff afterwards and southpaw etc
Post by: autobot on Wed, 17 November 2021, 12:06:16
Is stepped caps lock possible with hot swap? Never seen it, never understood why. If it is possible, it’d be quite a differentiator.
Post by: Reebes on Wed, 17 November 2021, 12:25:20
Post by: cheswick on Wed, 17 November 2021, 14:41:23
Reading that BT isn’t comparable with VIA, but the ikki68 lists via compatibility for the Bluetooth variant. Is that a mislabeling on their part?
Its tricky, as far as I know (dont own an Ikki68) this can only be done atleast atm by using the ikki in wired mode when configuring it in via and after that in Bluetooth mode it will use the safed setting from the wired setup.
Hope you got what I tried to say
Post by: Reebes on Wed, 17 November 2021, 14:47:30
Interesting. That actually doesn’t seem like a very significant compromise to me. If I understand correctly, the only thing the ikki68 CAN’T do is configure using VIA over Bluetooth? Seeing as how needing VIA would be pretty rare after the first time, this doesn’t appear to be a big deal at all.Reading that BT isn’t comparable with VIA, but the ikki68 lists via compatibility for the Bluetooth variant. Is that a mislabeling on their part?
Its tricky, as far as I know (dont own an Ikki68) this can only be done atleast atm by using the ikki in wired mode when configuring it in via and after that in Bluetooth mode it will use the safed setting from the wired setup.
Hope you got what I tried to say
If the same design can be applied to this board, I’ll be picking up a BT version for sure!
Post by: growler on Wed, 17 November 2021, 14:49:12
Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk
Post by: piit79 on Fri, 19 November 2021, 04:01:15
Interested, but will wait for a WKL/stepped caps lock layout, and some more unique finishes like olive/cyan/e-yellow
Is stepped caps lock possible with hot swap? Never seen it, never understood why. If it is possible, it’d be quite a differentiator.
AFAIK stepped caps-lock should be possible with hotswap sockets - the socket for one two option would have to be rotated 180 degrees (ie., the switch would be in the "north-facing" orientation as opposed to the usual "south-facing" one). Cherry switches are known to have some issues with the north-facing at least in one of the rows, not sure if it's relevant for R3 (where Caps Lock is).
Post by: Necrolegion on Fri, 19 November 2021, 04:19:04
Post by: cheswick on Sat, 20 November 2021, 04:51:55
TKL:
(https://i.imgur.com/JId60Us.jpg)
TKL with Knob:
(https://i.imgur.com/pBWmvDy.jpg)
Post by: nvh2092 on Sat, 20 November 2021, 06:02:20
For release we now have 2 versions:Same price for both versions?
TKL:Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/JId60Us.jpg)
TKL with Knob:Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/pBWmvDy.jpg)
Post by: cheswick on Sat, 20 November 2021, 14:45:45
Quote
Same price for both versions?
Edit: NO should be 149$ Barebones, 169$ fully assembled for knobleses and +10$ for knob
Post by: WarlordGorguts on Sun, 21 November 2021, 04:09:37
Post by: Potatomonkey on Sun, 21 November 2021, 12:23:33
I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for a wkl/tsangan knob version ;D
Post by: Norton on Tue, 23 November 2021, 11:17:28
Post by: mick on Sun, 28 November 2021, 11:34:46
Post by: cheswick on Sat, 04 December 2021, 05:44:25
Post by: Tree_ on Sat, 04 December 2021, 05:47:12
Post by: Reebes on Wed, 08 December 2021, 07:17:36
Post by: stidal on Wed, 08 December 2021, 10:14:04
Now that the k8 pro has been announced with via and bluetooth, is there a chance this board will include a bluetooth edition (as the technology barrier seems to have been circumvented)?
i'd imagine the lack of bluetooth for the q3 stems from the full aluminum case, not via/bluetooth compat
Post by: cheswick on Wed, 08 December 2021, 13:44:44
Now that the k8 pro has been announced with via and bluetooth, is there a chance this board will include a bluetooth edition (as the technology barrier seems to have been circumvented)?What stidal wrote.
For bluetooth @QSeries we will think about acrylic bottoms or full acrylic cases to make BT work without connection issues.
Post by: Keeblover on Thu, 23 December 2021, 03:53:11
Post by: amizan8653 on Sat, 25 December 2021, 02:16:28
I notice however that the Q1 is a board that Keychron hasn't officially released a rotary knob for, but people can go ahead and solder in a knob + upload a QMK file to go and enable the knob. example:
So, will the Q3 be setup in a similar way, where there's a cutout in the case for a rotary knob, and the users have the ability to just buy a 3rd party encoder & solder it on themselves?
And if so, will the January run for the Q3 have the cutout for the rotary encoder?
Having a TLK with a rotary encoder in the F13 for $150 sounds like a dream to me. I'd literally rather have a Q3 with a rotary knob over all other custom keyboards.
Post by: wz89 on Mon, 27 December 2021, 03:45:15
So, will the Q3 be setup in a similar way, where there's a cutout in the case for a rotary knob, and the users have the ability to just buy a 3rd party encoder & solder it on themselves?
And if so, will the January run for the Q3 have the cutout for the rotary encoder?
Having a TLK with a rotary encoder in the F13 for $150 sounds like a dream to me. I'd literally rather have a Q3 with a rotary knob over all other custom keyboards.
I believe OP did state back in November that the first run would have two versions with one being the standard f12 row layout and the second one being an F13/rotary encoder layout
Post by: hussar_name on Mon, 10 January 2022, 06:59:34
WKL, rotary knob(F13), tsangan bottom row is stuff we try to put into a limited run on the Q3 but we have to check on this later on
Thanks, all my sets are wkl iso with stepped capslock, so if I don't have those I can't buy the keyboard.
Talking about the keyboard, are the edges quite sharp? I don't own a cnc custom, so I wonder if usually they're quite rounded or not. Surely a more round edge is more durable and less annoying.
BTW, why is this keyboard not getting much interest? Isn't it considered exclusive enough? Are there some deficiencies that I'm missing?
Post by: cheswick on Wed, 12 January 2022, 07:05:43
Q3 has been postponed until March so that we can incorporate further feedback from Q2 etc. I think interest is still very high.
@hussar_name I think that the interest is still very low, because there was nothing big public about Q3 yet and therefore I expect a lot of interest now after the Q2 release.
Post by: Rilow on Mon, 07 March 2022, 12:37:12
Post by: cheswick on Mon, 07 March 2022, 17:10:01
When is this releasing, and is ISO coming at the same time as ANSI?yes
Post by: Rilow on Tue, 29 March 2022, 08:44:53
Post by: iMigu on Tue, 29 March 2022, 10:48:37
ISO sold out in less than a minute :(
Unfortunately there was not ISO available at all at today's launch :(
Post by: cheswick on Tue, 29 March 2022, 14:01:38
ISO sold out in less than a minute :(
Unluckly ISO wasnt available same as plates because the whole city was locked down and they didnt managed to produce them all in time. All this should be there in 2 weeks
Post by: granola bar enthusiast on Wed, 30 March 2022, 00:38:12
Post by: Handke on Wed, 30 March 2022, 04:31:11
So... please add ISO WKL whith stepped caps lock , and compatibility with existing pcbs. For example Hiney or Gondolindrim PCB.
Post by: cheswick on Thu, 31 March 2022, 08:57:11
This works only for those who are new to the hobby. I've got lots of old sets, and only three new gmk sets. So for me it's cheaper to buy a 350 usd ISO WKL keyboard than to buy this one.The intention of this board is to provide an easy and cheap entrance into the hobby, neither wkl or stepped capslock are features that fit the needs of most of the customers so if this will ever be a thing then as seperate groupbuy where u can just get any other board and u will be much happier.
So... please add ISO WKL whith stepped caps lock , and compatibility with existing pcbs. For example Hiney or Gondolindrim PCB.