Hey there, thanks for checking out my review of the Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard! I’ve had the chance to use this keyboard and want to share my thoughts and experiences with you.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Fully customizable: Every component of this keyboard can be easily assembled, allowing for a personalized experience. You can customize keycaps, switches, gasket, plate, and case foam.
- Hot-swappable support: The keyboard is compatible with various mechanical switches on the market, and you can switch them out without needing to solder. It also comes with a stabilizer for smooth performance.
- Compatible with macOS & Windows systems: This keyboard is designed for both Mac and Windows users, with system toggles and an additional set of keycaps for each. You can easily switch between layouts.
- Double-shot PBT Keycaps: The keycaps are made of double-shot PBT, which provides a comfortable and durable typing experience. The south-facing backlighting is also designed to improve visibility.
- Good build quality: The keyboard feels solid and well-made, providing a satisfying typing experience.
What Can Be Improved
- Uneven key sound: Some users have reported that the space bar on this keyboard is louder and has a different sound compared to the other keys. It may require additional modifications to address this issue.
- Lack of character translucence: The characters on the stock keycaps are not translucent, making it harder to see the RGB lighting underneath. This may impact visibility for those who rely on illuminated characters.
Quick Verdict
In conclusion, the Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard offers a fully customizable experience and great compatibility with different operating systems. It has a solid build quality and comfortable keycaps, although there are some issues with uneven key sound and character translucence. If you’re looking for a customizable keyboard that boosts productivity, this keyboard could be a good choice. You can find more information about it on Amazon.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
As a tech enthusiast living in the USA, I recently purchased the Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard Knob Version from Amazon. I was thrilled to try out this highly customizable keyboard, and I couldn’t wait to see what was inside the box.
When the package arrived, I was impressed by the speedy delivery. It took only a couple of days for the keyboard to reach my doorstep, which was a pleasant surprise.
Opening the box, I found the Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard Knob Version nestled inside. Apart from the keyboard itself, there were no additional items included in the box. While I would have appreciated some extra accessories like a keycap puller or a wrist rest, the keyboard itself was the main star of the show.
Specifications
The Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard Knob Version boasts a modern design and supports RGB backlighting for its 81 keys. It is compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems, making it a versatile option for most users. The keyboard features the popular QMK and VIA programming platforms, allowing for extensive customization. Additionally, it is hot-swappable, meaning you can easily replace and switch out the keys as per your preference. The Hot-swap Keychron K Pro Red Switch provides a tactile and responsive typing experience.
Connectivity is a breeze with the USB-C interface, and the keyboard is compatible with various devices such as laptops, PCs, and Macs. The brand behind this impressive piece of tech is Keychron, which is known for its reliable and high-quality keyboards.
User Guide
The Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard Knob Version came with an empty user guide, which was a bit disappointing. However, I was able to find comprehensive documentation on the Keychron website. The user guide provided clear instructions on how to program and customize the keyboard using QMK and VIA. It also offered useful tips and troubleshooting advice.
If you are interested in exploring the full potential of this keyboard, I highly recommend referring to the official Keychron V1 user guide. It helped me navigate the various customization options and make the most out of my typing experience.
Features – What We Found
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Fully Customizable Mechanical Keyboard
The Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard is designed with full customization in mind. Every component, including keycaps, switches, gasket, plate, and case foam, can be easily assembled and customized according to your preferences. Whether you are new to the custom keyboard world or an experienced user, the V1 provides endless possibilities to create your perfect keyboard setup.
With the support of QMK and VIA, you can easily program and remap each key on the keyboard. The open-source firmware allows for various keyboard layouts, shortcuts, backlight effects, and more. This level of customization ensures that the keyboard adapts to your specific needs and enhances your typing experience.
Pro-tip: Take advantage of the fully customizable features of the Keychron V1 by exploring different keycap sets, switches, and layouts to create a keyboard that matches your aesthetic and typing style perfectly.
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Hot-swappable Support
The Keychron V1 features hot-swappable support, allowing you to easily switch out switches without the need for soldering. The included pre-lubed mechanical linear red switches provide an unrivaled tactile responsiveness with a lifespan of up to 50 million keystrokes. Additionally, you can hot-swap the V1 with almost all 3pin and 5pin MX mechanical switches available on the market, including Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Panda, and more.
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Compatible with macOS & Windows Systems
The Keychron V1 is designed to cater to both macOS and Windows users. It comes with a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps specifically designed for both operating systems. This allows you to easily switch between different layouts and customize the keyboard based on your preferred system.
Regardless of whether you’re using a Mac or Windows device, the Keychron V1 provides a seamless typing experience with its compatibility and system-specific customization options.
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Double-shot PBT Keycaps & South-facing Backlight
The Keychron V1 comes with double-shot PBT keycaps that are designed to provide a comfortable and subtle fingertip feel. These keycaps also offer excellent oil resistance, ensuring long-term durability.
The south-facing backlight design illuminates the keyboard from the typist’s angle, allowing for better visibility and minimizing interference when using alternative Cherry-profile keycaps. This backlighting feature enhances the overall aesthetics of the keyboard and provides an enjoyable typing experience even in low-light environments.
Pro-tip: To further enhance the visual appeal of your Keychron V1, consider experimenting with different keycap profiles and colors to create a unique and personalized look.
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Acoustic Silicone Pad for Typing Comfort
The Keychron V1 is equipped with an acoustic silicone pad that enhances typing comfort and boosts productivity. This pad absorbs and reduces the sound and vibrations produced during typing, resulting in a quieter typing experience. This feature is particularly beneficial for office environments or situations where noise reduction is desired.
The silicone pad also provides additional cushioning, reducing fatigue during extended typing sessions and ensuring a more comfortable user experience.
Our Review and Score
Our Score: 95.0
I recently purchased the Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard Knob Version, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations. The keyboard is fully customizable, allowing me to easily assemble and personalize every component. The compact 75% layout and acoustic silicone pad provide a comfortable typing experience, making it perfect for boosting productivity.
What sets this keyboard apart is its hot-swappable support. I can switch out the Keychron K Pro Red Switch with other 3pin and 5pin MX mechanical switches without the need for soldering, giving me the flexibility to customize my typing experience. The PCB-mounted screw-in stabilizers ensure stability for larger keys, reducing wobbliness and providing smooth performance.
Compatibility with both macOS and Windows systems was a major selling point for me. The keyboard comes with a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps for each system, allowing me to easily switch between layouts. The double-shot PBT keycaps, with their unique OSA profile, add to the comfort and longevity of the keyboard. The south-facing backlight illuminates the keys effectively, and with the open-source firmware, I can program various backlight effects and key layouts using QMK and VIA support.
The reviews online had me worried about a few issues, such as the sound of the space bar and the lack of translucence on the keycap characters. However, I found that the space bar issue could be mitigated with some foam, and personally, I don’t mind that as it adds a touch of customization. As for the keycap characters, I realized that the illumination is not a major concern for me as a touch typist.
In conclusion, the Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard Knob Version is a solidly built, customizable keyboard that offers great value for its price. It provides an enjoyable typing experience, versatile customization options, and compatibility with both macOS and Windows systems. I highly recommend this keyboard to anyone looking to enter the world of custom keyboards.
You can find the product here.