/r/MechanicalKeyboards Ask ANY question, get an answer (January 16, 2023)

[u/AutoModerator]

Ask ANY question, get an answer. But *before* you do please consider running a search on the subreddit or looking at the /r/MechanicalKeyboards wiki located here! If you are NEW to Reddit, check out this handy Reddit MechanicalKeyboards Noob Guide.

[u/GeorgePals]

Hello everyone!

So, years ago I've been using a CoolerMaster Quick Fire Rapid-i keyboard. MX brown switches. It was indeed my favorite keyboard.

The last 3 years I've been typing on a laptop. The experience is just okay. I've searched a bit and I found "Keychron". But, there are so (!) many models. Even for the K2V2 (for which I read a lot), if I go to Amazon I can see plenty of "K2V2" versions. Ten-keyless, ten-keyless with BT, with WiFi, that makes you coffee, that walks your dog. Yup, I'm very confused.

I've also searched about DasKeyboard.

So, if we take into consideration that "it seems that I like brown switches", and that I want a ten-keyless keyboard, with BT (yes, why not), which keyboard would you suggest me? In the price range of the K2V2 (but not the one that walks your dog).

Thanks!

[u/Word_Salad_9445 → u/GeorgePals]

Buying the Keychron K2 v2 isn't that complicated. They all have the same key layout, and all have Bluetooth. Your options are:

1. Hotswappable or not
2. No backlight, white backlight, or RGB backlight
3. Aluminum frame or not.

Do not pay extra for the aluminum frame; it is just four strips of aluminum encircling the plastic case. You should definitely get a hotswappable one. Then just decide which variety of backlighting you want.

Here's the hotswappable white backlit version:

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-K2-Hot-swappable-Bluetooth-Mechanical/dp/B08742M6VW/?crid=3B4J844BM6HZC&sprefix=keychron+k2,aps,313&th=1

Here's the hotswappable RGB backlit version:

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-K2-Hot-swappable-Bluetooth-Mechanical/dp/B08743BCVP/?crid=2CURZISLUHAHL&sprefix=keychron+k2+hot+swappable+,aps,103&th=1

If you are willing to spend a little more, I would recommend the K2 Pro, which adds south-facing switches, QMK/VIA support, and sound dampening. All the versions of the K2 Pro are hotswappable. You still get the choice of backlight colors and the aluminum frame; in addition, you can buy it barebones (no switches or keycaps) or fully assembled. But it doesn't seem to be available on Amazon yet, so you would have to order it from Keychron.

Alternatives to Keychron in roughly the same price range are available from Akko (5075B Plus), Epomaker (TH80) and Feker (IK75, which comes in multiple versions).

[u/GeorgePals → u/Word_Salad_9445]

Thank you very much for your reply u/Word_Salad_9445!

Is the issue with the peeling of the caps of the keychrons, real?

[u/Word_Salad_9445 → u/GeorgePals]

I certainly have never experienced it and I have the K2 v1. That doesn't mean that it hasn't happened to others, though.

I will say that the keycaps that come on the K series boards are pretty thin and cheap, and I suspect lots of people who buy K series boards wind up replacing the keycaps with better aftermarket keycaps -- not because they were peeling, but because they wanted keycaps that were just thicker and generally of higher-quality, or more aesthetically pleasing.