Keychron Q1 HE review (Gateron HE Nebula)

Skip to 8:02 for a typing demonstration.
Get it here: www.keychron.com/products/key...
today we look at yet another Keychron; their first Hall effect model, no less! Q meets HE switches, we should be in for a treat! Hope you enjoy the video!
Intro by Kyle Carter
Outro by Facundo Cabanne
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
My unboxing videos: bit.ly/2TSrr0m
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a Keychron Q1 HE right now. This is honestly a quite good board, it's not very often that I can't really think of a complaint!"

[@Seacle14]

"Welcome to this review of my Keychron Q1 HE review" I'm excited for future Meta-Reviews

[@junjiexie]

"6/10 product wasnt terrible, therefore review did not contain creative new ways to swear nor indignant screeching"

[@GolfJulietBravo]

Bought mine a few weeks back after doing research on HE boards on the market. This board popped up time and time again as a fantastic board for those of us that enjoy gaming but don't have a need for a bright yellow wrist strap attached to it. Some have complained of their stabilizers sounding bad, but mine seem to be pretty well tuned. By far the best out of box experience I've ever had with a board. And if someone decides to enter my home without warning I can easily put a dent in their head with this thing!

[@Jarx246]

Been watching your stuff for quite a long time by now, and I'm just happy I can reliably come back to your consistent quality content

[@Chyrosran22]

Thank you! :)

[@roycunningham6360]

Really appreciate the imperial conversion 😂

[@Skidtire]

Looks very good, bought a Q6 last year based on your review and i love it. one of the most overbuilt keyboards i have ever touched.

[@RobertBoerner]

Great video and excellent review. As someone who is just starting to dip their toes in the world of Hall effect keyboards, one thing I found confusing is switch compatibility among the different brands of HE models. It would be very interesting to see a video that goes over all the different types of HE switch options and how that affects compatibility.

[@pyrojinn]

Yes I love being early and being affirmatively confirmed my decision to buy yet ANOTHER Keychron keyboard!

[@minhquanvu2944]

Dude, get a Bridge 75 HE. I got much better design, better mounting style and better keycap while costing half the price

[@nknguyen2877]

​@@minhquanvu2944 Let me guess, it probably have dampened foam and pre-lubed switches.

[@minhquanvu2944]

@@nknguyen2877 and so is this Keychron and the next Wooting 80He. What's about it?

[@dungthd]

​@@minhquanvu2944until its die because ESD issue.

[@cheepee5563]

And so does this one? I don't know what's the problem with pre lubed switches and foam​@@nknguyen2877

[@kanaoniczym8499]

awesome imperial unit!

[@May-od1gd]

will you be making a review on the EZ60/EZ63? im interested to see the performance of it compared to the Q1 HE

[@garciawork9]

Keychron, this, but in a full size, please. Love my Qwhatever full size, but would love to try contactless.

[@ronnetgrazer362]

I got the Wooting HE full size at home, but admittedly love the Keychron K8 I fitted with gateron black optical linears that I use at the office a bit more, except for the numeric part sorely missing. Oh, and the bluetooth is useless so I wired it up, which is fine for a keyboard, I guess.

[@maxmouse3]

If they make a full size or TKL version of this, I'm sold!

[@ThomasVernonJr]

Great review, can you recommend a particular switch or a fully assembled mechanical keyboard that has the most similar feel and sound to good old tactile alps switches? i get that its impossible to get a keyboard with no drawbacks these days but i really want a modern keyboard with the feel of my old dell mechanical keyboard that had alps switches, i love the keychron keyboard designs btw, simple elegant and not to flashy while being minimal and useful

[@Chyrosran22]

ZealPC Clickiez have an Alps-style click leaf in them but they're not cheap and quite a bit more tactile than the originals.

[@ElasticoOFCL]

You consider getting Asus's RX switches? I heard they're really interesting and it has a completely different switch design. Kinda reminds me of those Logitech's Romer-G switches but more complex and has an option for linears and clickies that's also contactless.

[@tommytomato6588]

Asus RX switches are optical. This Board is HE = magnetic. So you can‘t use optical switches here.

[@ElasticoOFCL]

@@tommytomato6588 I never said to put it into the keyboard, I only said to maybe take a look at those switches and probably make a teardown video dedicated to it.

[@johnsimon8457]

I have a full aluminum DROP TKL board and I love the weight of the darn thing

[@AM1N4L]

Damn do they make quality keycaps. Absolutely in love with my K8 Pro!

[@NatalieT505]

Learning from history (continue bringing hall effect switches to mainstream), having customer choice, noting build and keyfeel matter.....Cue one excellent keyboard. Well done, Keychron. Great (or 37.14 Mars Climate Orbiters in Imperial) review as always, Thomas :-)

[@rickym.5271]

Hopefully they will make it in the alice configuration.

[@Aerobrake]

Been daily driving this for 1.5 months its been pretty good besides the occasiomal software and analog quirks.

[@ov3rkill]

Now, all they need is an 1800 layout with the numpad and everything will be perfect for this lineup.

[@TheCasualSubculturist]

TBH I was thinking if I need to cancel Wooting 80He preorder because of this keyboard... especially since it's wireless. I decide to just keep Wooting, but this is that enticing for me.

[@mehe]

same , especially since my wooting 80 order been delayed 2 more months now

[@woodyTM]

each and everyone one of these videos makes me really want something more than my "Great Quality" 7932M from 1997

[@thethriftyfawn]

At the 6:05 markpoint, it's compared to a Royal Model 10 typewriter... 😂

[@VoGonPT]

You did not address the "Fully assembled (K)nob" option in their store page for the board... Although you did mention stiffness and lubricant quite a bit... :)

[@Chyrosran22]

Admittedly they do go together quite well xD .

[@ronnetgrazer362]

It's all about thrusting force. Now get your mind out of the gutter.

[@maxrobe]

No idea about the alternate weight metrics, but a Memotech 512 is 2.73 kg. So the Keychron is basically half the weight without the actual computery bits. Would still use the Memotech as the premier anti burglar keyboard. Also you can use it to create a Kelly LeBrock in 1980's condition.

[@exynos632]

new content, yay.

[@justin6581]

Where’s the name of the switches in the title? They are called “Gateron Hall Effect 2.0” switches.

[@Kvantum]

For some reason, Gateron is selling slightly different switches to Wooting and Keychron so they are not interchangeable between the boards. I'm looking into getting a set of Aurora switches if I get this board.

[@gorkskoal9315]

@@Kvantum bahaha, waaaaaaa! that's the kind of trolling that makes me want to slap someone: wtf is the point?.

[@redcroft308]

We did pick one. Imperial units. Man, I love you. You are the Bob Ross of keyboards. I'm sure noone has ever said that before. 😑

[@Chyrosran22]

Haha thanks anyway :D .

[@Arae_1]

how the hell did you manage to grow an extra set of hands

[@Chyrosran22]

It's all in the wrist!

[@BrianMcKee]

I've been watching your channel long enough where all that existed in terms of new keyboards were cherry/topre and 60% or TKLs being "king", with 75% keyboards being an oddity. Amazing how 75% have taken over, I guess people actually want buttons eh? Not to mention these cool switch types. How long until people can't live without a numpad again and we go full circle?

[@gorkskoal9315]

This^. It'd seem like a no brainer to have two lines of the same kit. A propper beast (if you have the desk space) or a TKL when space is limited. Although I personally advocate for a track ball as a fine option for limited desk space: you get infinite scrolling, a retro design (fun fact: the track ball was first) and don't need 200 hectars of desk space...just to get roflstomped in COD of fallguy.

[@g1981c]

don't see the point of RGB lighting on keyboards that don't have shine through key caps

[@DvineDragoon]

Some light better than no light

[@5ll3x]

Well ,good things come with a price

[@3mar00ss6]

not full size 😕

[@LastSecBloomer]

Keychron has much better keycaps in their KSA ("Keychron SA") format. They're fully doubleshot and thicker, Keychron puts them on some of their high end boards...

[@theodorosanastasioy8846]

While it looks and feels so sturdy and hefty, I still have the impression HE switches are not meant for typing. I can't imagine typing on totally frictionless smooth switches producing that anonymous sound in the video. On the other hand, there's nothing in size and layout justifying such one as a gaming unit. Wish I am wrong, I believe keychron missed the target group on this one.

[@Chyrosran22]

I've been typing on linears for years, it's great. That pre-chewed "clicky is for typing, linear is for gaming" is just marketing bs, my man. Use what you like and make your own rules!

[@romanlubij52]

Dunno, man. Your imperial conversions seem fishy. Using the weight of the Brooklyn Bridge I calculated it to be 1.5ish kg. The Americans must be hella angry for this false advertising!

[@minhquanvu2944]

If you're looking for a good 75% HE, get the Bridge 75HE instead. Compare to the keychron, it has better aluminium case (better anodizing and less ping-y), a decorating weight, the plate's mounting point is much more reasonable a thick Cherry profile PBT double shot keycap while costing half the price of keychron.

[@dungthd]

Not recommended, bridge75he easily die from ESD issues and there's almost no support from the maker or any warranty.

[@gorkskoal9315]

@@dungthd Mmmm Gammakay/wormier sell TKL HE keebs.they make great just good boards. It's possible the HE keyboard is good.

[@MatthewHill]

I think you need to stop expressing the weight of keyboards in either Imperial OR metric units and instead just use "thunk" as a measurement.

[@Chyrosran22]

Haha the only true measurement that counts! :D

[@gearsgamer7115]

Truly one of the modern boards, hope it isnt another one of the boring and dumb stupid modern foamed up crap that sound chattery to no end beaucse of cheap hall effect switch design.... FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Atleast its hall effect, but isnt that what honewell dual magnet hall effects are made for? One oddity I think is the even MORE prorpiatary switch design for the sliders. Dosent it add.... more friction? Surley a dual rail would increase the surface area? My main issue is this board dosent come with something simmilar to zealpc clikies or blue alps or even any clicky switches.For 219$ i expect a non-foamed, insanley good deep sounding and bassy as hell vintage board without the stupid software these boards come with. For me personally, im taking the 8bitdo over this thing, not beacuse its "smoother" but beacuse I need tactilitiy in a board, and good sounds.

[@SlickSpingo]

This does not sound good tbh.

[@ArachnidEdits_]

Probably sounds better in 0erson, and if not, tapemod, and the forcebreak mod are a thing.