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**KEYCHRON LAUNCHES FIRST KEYBOARD WITH HALL EFFECT SWITCHES**
Mechanical keyboard specialist Keychron has introduced its latest innovation – the Keychron Q1 HE, featuring Hall effect switches. This new model is available on Kickstarter for $214 in its fully assembled version, and for $194 in a bare-bones model without switches or keycaps.
**ADVANCED HALL EFFECT SWITCHES**
Compared to traditional mechanical switches, Hall effect switches have the advantage of being analog, allowing them to distinguish between a slight and a full press of each key. With the Q1 HE, users can customize the actuation point of each key and benefit from a “rapid trigger” feature that registers a keypress the moment a key is re-pressed, eliminating the need to lift up past the reset point.
**INNOVATIVE USE OF ANALOG SENSITIVITY**
The Q1 HE allows users to assign up to four commands to the same key to fully utilize its analog sensitivity, offering an unprecedented level of customization and functionality.
**NOTABLE COMPETITION**
While Keychron is not the first keyboard manufacturer to utilize Hall effect switches, its reputation for producing top-quality mechanical keyboards suggests that the Q1 HE has the potential to combine exceptional typing experience with a comprehensive set of Hall effect-powered features.
**UNIQUE SOFTWARE INTERFACE**
Customizing the analog features of the Keychron Q1 HE is possible through Keychron’s web app, which also supports other key remapping functions. This differs from the Via app usually associated with Keychron’s keyboards, raising the question of whether Keychron’s software can match the power and ease of use offered by Via.
**VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS**
The Q1 HE can be used either wired or wirelessly, with the wireless option supporting both Bluetooth and an included 2.4GHz USB dongle. The USB dongle offers a responsive 1,000Hz polling rate, while Bluetooth connectivity allows connection to up to three devices.
**ROBUST CONSTRUCTION**
The Q1 HE follows Keychron’s existing Q1 Pro in terms of construction, featuring a compact 75-percent layout with a fully aluminum case and gasket-mounted construction. The durable double-shot PBT keycaps use Keychron’s retro-styled OSA profile and come equipped with PCB-mounted screw-in stabilizers. The linear Gateron 2.0 Magnetic switches are hot-swappable, but can only be replaced with other Hall effect switches. The keyboard also includes a volume knob and south-facing RGB backlighting on each key.
**CONCLUSION**
Keychron’s new Q1 HE represents a significant step forward in the world of mechanical keyboards, offering advanced features and customization options that cater to the needs of discerning users.
Sources:
– Wooting
– SteelSeries
– Corsair
