this post was submitted on 07 Nov 2023
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Mechanical Keyboards

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Are you addicted to the clicking sounds of your beautiful and impressive mechanical keyboard?
If so, this community is for you!

Here you can discuss everything about mechanical keyboards (and only mechanical keyboards).

Banner by Jay Zhang on Unsplash

founded 4 years ago
 
  • Keychron Q8 Pro
  • Gazzew U4Tx + a couple of Kailh Box Navy switches
  • MTNU Beige keycaps (lovely new profile, GMK made double-shot PBT, expensive - even more due to Colemak)

I bought the keyboard immediately when I found out they made a BT version of the Q8 (I use a Q10 daily at the office), as I was looking for an iPad compatible one. Very happy with it!

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[–] richard_wagner 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Beautiful keyboard!

Since you have the Bluetooth version, I’m curious if it is QMK compatible and how that works. I was under the impression that QMK doesn’t work wirelessly.

[–] Etnaphele 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks!

It is QMK and VIA compatible. I need to wire it to a computer with a Chromium based browser to customize it, but it works - albeit with some connection issues with my 2013 MacBook Pro. On Windows works flawlessly.

[–] richard_wagner 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Wow nice. That’s sort of a game changer… why can’t other QMK boards work like this?

I got my first wireless board (with ZMK - a Ferris sweep) recently and I love it. My only wish is that the Bluetooth range were larger.

[–] Etnaphele 2 points 1 year ago

As for your question, absolutely no clue...

Regarding bluetooth, at which (metric pls) distance you have connection problems? I'm thinking of dipping my toes in DIY boards for a compact travel KB but I would also need bluetooth - so the problem you're mentioning could very well hit me too.

[–] Tenthrow 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't know the technical details but I believe that keychron is dealing with the bluetooth separately from the main board. QMK still doesn't really support bluetooth in a proper way so if I am not mistaken they handle it differently, and when you are flashing new firmware to the QMK controller it doesn't talk to the bluetooth board. Almost like using a dongle for the keyboard.

[–] Etnaphele 1 points 1 year ago

That could be it, but in VIA you can actually assign bluetooth host keys in order to switch devices, so a sort of communication between main board and bluetooth electronics must be happening!