Table Of Content
Configurable through a range of effects, the G Pro X 60 hits the desk with a stock light blue that looks particularly crisp through the main legends. Shift, Caps, and even Tab all suffer from only having one LED behind them, leading to light fading towards the start and end of each legend. This season, we're expanding on color offerings of our beloved designs! Pastel Picnic Deskmats now comes in 11 new colors including 6 in our Pride Series. Shop your favorites along with 3 new colors of Sleeping Kitties.
Recommended by Our Editors
It’s another device that’s customizable with QMK and VIA, and it works across Windows and macOS. Unfortunately, it also wastes its RGB backlighting by using keycaps that aren’t translucent by default. NuPhy does let you configure the device with a shine-through keycap set, but that costs another $19. The default keycaps are very tall, which may be off-putting to some and isn’t ideal for fast-paced gaming. They aren’t shine-through, either, so while there is RGB backlighting, the effect is muted. The full-metal case means these things are heavy — the Q3 Max tips the scales at four and a half pounds.
Customizations and software
Wireless connectivity isn’t essential with a device that mostly sits on your desk, but it’s always nice to cut down on cables. Though wireless keyboards still cost more than wired ones, today you can get something great for less than $100. If you do go wireless, look for a model that can connect over Bluetooth and a USB wireless dongle. The former is convenient for travel, while the latter can provide a more stable connection.
Keyboard Plate
Plus, it's not a bad idea to keep a few extras in case any keys die on you. We're also using a set of Holy Panda key switches for our final build (more on those later, in Step 2) and set of Inland keycaps that we'll get into more detail about in Step 3. In addition to determining the layout size, the frame has a correlation to the keyboard's overall weight and acoustics. Most keyboard enthusiasts agree that a heavier keyboard is better for the purposes of stability, and some keyboard customizers add weight to a keyboard's chassis for the sake of a heavier base. Certain denser materials have the added benefit of absorbing more vibrations, thus cutting down on rattle and echo within the frame.
Harder materials, like brass, are more rigid to type on and have a higher pitched sound profile. The consideration here should be on whether you want your typing experience to be firm or flexible and what type of sound you’d like. Here you can remap pretty much anything, and do so with either a button press, release, or hold, to create some particularly unique keybindings. A press down and hold could, for example, throw a grenade, while a release can switch back to a primary weapon.
Inland Spherical PBT Keycaps (Blue & White)
(Numerals are usually implemented as secondary functions.) At the other extreme, the largest keyboards have extra keys that can accept programmed shortcuts, among other features. Congratulations, you’ve just built your own custom mechanical keyboard! In all likelihood, what you have in your hands will look, feel and sound better than just about anything you can buy off the shelf.
The 3 Best Ergonomic Keyboard of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times
The 3 Best Ergonomic Keyboard of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter.
Posted: Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Still on the Fence? Our Top Tested Pre-Built Mechanical Keyboards
The Funky Keyboard Designer Behind MVKB is Thinking Outside the Text Box - PRINT Magazine
The Funky Keyboard Designer Behind MVKB is Thinking Outside the Text Box.
Posted: Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The G Pro X 60 is available with either a linear or tactile switch (I received the latter), with no third-party options. That means you’re at Logitech’s mercy, so you best make sure you’re a fan of your switch type before heading to checkout. You’ve also got a full suite of connections to take advantage of; 2.4GHz being the fastest, Bluetooth is there if you need it, and a USB-C cable for a no-stress session. The left-hand side houses a volume wheel, placed towards the top of the deck. This is a fantastic addition to the smaller form factor - and something we don’t see too often. Similarly, the right flank houses a Game Mode switch to disable the Windows keys.
Keychron V Max
A keyboard’s mounting style determines how its PCB and plate — i.e., a common (but not universal) layer that holds the keycaps in place above the PCB — are secured within its case. This, too, comes in varying styles and can have a significant effect on how the board feels and sounds. It’s also something that’s best explained visually, so we’ll point you to this excellent infographic from Thomas Baart instead of running through every possible configuration here. Done well, this can make typing feel softer and bouncier than it would on a more traditional, tray-mounted design. Keycaps play a huge role in defining a keyboard’s character.
The Anatomy of an Ergogen Config
This is by far the most important advice I would recommend. It will allow you to come back in time if you fail something (and bonus point you can push to GitHub or any other central Git repository system to share your design). The last time I designed a PCB was during my engineering degree. We now have open source software to design electronic schemas and PCB, no need to purchase a very expensive EDA software anymore, we have factories to build PCB at very low cost, etc.
Some keyboards have additional controls that aren't keys and don't use switches, but still may accept a new topper. The Gaming MK features a rotary encoder (commonly referred to as a volume knob or dial) on the top right, and it can accept custom knobs in the same way the switches can accept custom caps. The kit comes with a knob, which you can pull off with a little force and swap for any number of options, as long as it fits the rotary stem. It's not as complicated as building your own PC, but assembling a keyboard from basic components can still seem daunting.
The V Max comes with two wireless dongles, one USB-A and one USB-C, and there are storage compartments for each built in. A pair of flip-out feet, meanwhile, let you set the device at different incline angles. After Ergogen's done its work, you'll need to roll up your sleeves and start routing your circuit board in KiCAD. KiCAD is a capable piece of open source CAD software, but it's not without its own learning curve.
The important thing is to take note of your specific components and be willing to move throughout these steps as necessary to make building easy and fun. I combined it with EnjoyPBT Gray keycaps and NovelKeys Cream switches lubed with Krytox 205g0 and tightened with switch films. Both of these also enhance the sound and feel of the switches. Few things are as satisfying as building something with your own two hands.
For instance, you could lightly press Ctrl to crouch, hold it to go prone, then release to quickly stand up. There’s also an “analog mode” that effectively turns the 60HE+ into a joystick-less Xbox controller. Because the keys are pressure-sensitive, this can work surprisingly well for racing games or flight sims when you don’t have a gamepad handy. Like our top picks, the Air V2 can connect over a wireless dongle, Bluetooth or a detachable USB-C cable. We experienced a few connection hiccups while using some wireless mice back when the keyboard was first released, but post-launch firmware updates appear to have straightened those out.
Using nail clippers or flush cutters, cut both forked feet off until you have a flat surface.
Now let’s talk about all of the tools required to build a custom mechanical keyboard. The hardest step is figuring out exactly what you want with your first custom mechanical keyboard. Our guide ends here, but the joy of building your own keyboard is that the project is never fully over. You may find a new modification on some obscure forum, or you may like the look of a new keycap set that pops up in your social media feed. Now that you know what goes into a keyboard and how to put it all together, you have the skills to experiment and end up with a board that's truly unique. Mods like this are beyond the scope of a beginners' guide, but you'll find a multitude of resources available if this has piqued your interest.
No comments:
Post a Comment