Intro

After almost ten years of daily use, my Das Keyboard Ultimate 4 with Cherry MX brown switches is showing its age. Don’t get me wrong, it still works perfectly, alas the few polished ABS keycaps, mainly WASD, but I wanted something new, something different, something “thocky” or “clacky”. Whatever that is…

In the mean time, I have upgraded this one with some KBDiy PBT double-shot keycaps (WoB + BoW accents). Except the few wonky “prints”, the keycap set is great value for the money. Looks brand new and the feel improved slightly.

Wishes

I have started with a few wishes:

• Classical mechanical keyboard, no Hall effect, no TMR, I will type not play games on it.
• Clicky switches, that turned out to be a thing of past, so I have opted for tactile.
• ISO layout (modded ANSI US print)
• Hotswappable switches.
• 75% so I can use it on my ad-hoc office setups in the kitchen.
• Knob.
• Wireless.
• QMK/VIA programmable via web browser.
• OEM or better yet Cherry profile keycaps, classic beige.

Hello new ‘keeb’

Keychron Q1 Max

Hello Q1 Max, pictured the whole five minutes before replacing half of it!

As the front lip is much taller than on my old Das Keyboard, I have started using a palm rest, but after a week or two, threw it out. I hover over the keyboard and there is nothing to improve in that department.

Switches

I have picked up Gateron Jupiter Banana from the prebuilt selection of the switches. Made my life way harder, as the stock was really low everywhere. Ordered directly from China.

Gateron Jupiter Banana (replaced)

Default install, prelubed, tactile, 3.4mm of travel (2.0mm of pre-travel) and 59 gf. P profile. They provide stronger early tactile bumps and double-stage spring for faster return and stable feedback.

Gateron Oil Kings (installed)

After trying co-workers Yunzii linears, I had to try something different, jump to the dark side, literally… That changed things a bit.

I wanted to try something quieter, thocky and linear. Installed as of 2025-05-01 to test them out. I never thought I am a linear guy, but as things stand looks like I am indeed…

Currently getting used to the actuation force, a tad heavy for my fingers, but lets see if I dig it. I happen to hit way less bottom outs than with Bananas and it sounds great in the night/office.

I don’t care about RGB, so no worries that these black cased switches let almost no light through.

Looks like end game for now.

Comparison

x	Gateron Oil King	Gateron Jupiter Banana
Type	Linear (Smooth)	Tactile (Bumpy)
Actuation Force	55g	59g
Bottom-out Force	80g	~65g
Stem Material	POM (Black)	POM (Yellow)
Housing	Nylon Top / INK Material Bottom	Polycarbonate Top / Nylon Bottom
Factory Lube	Excellent (Heavy)	Good (Light)
Sound Profile	Deep, “Thocky,” Muted	Bright, Marbly, “Clacky”

Other switch considerations

None for now. Got the Gateron switch tester, clicked around, but the Oil Kings are my favourite.

Keycaps

GMK Classic Beige

Decided to go all in endgame, probably could get similar quality and PBT plastics directly from China, but I wanted to support EU intelectual property.

It is the Classic Beige TKL set with EN-ISO addition with some red/green accent keycaps. Green labels were a bit smudged, so off went the green Enter key. In the end I have decided to use red Esc and red Enter key, just to break the tension.

They are pretty susceptible to damage from keycap pullers, ask me how I know. But nothing major, if you really look at the bottom line of the keycap housing you can see some dents.

I have put some foam in the spacebar to kill the echo. I feel no difference.

Custom Layout

Modified the last column on the right side, so the keys are in this order:

• F13
• Delete
• PgUp
• PgDn

This way, Delete is much closer, or so I think, time will tell. I still let F13 binded to delete, so I can test which position suits me better. Initial usage has shown that probably the fact that the upper position is better as it is really seperated from other keys.

First row was left default except the mentioned last key.

Another custom thing is Fn key besides the left Shift. Looks nice, as the Fn key is gray, so more in line with ANSI colorway. I am somwehow used to having Fn on the left hand side.

Bottom row is now Control, Code, Alt, Space, Alt Gr, Code and Ctrl.

I have edited the Layout3, accessible by holding Fn to set up arrows to PgUp,PgDn, Home and End. F13 puts computer to sleep.

Conclusion

I sometimes still miss the numpad and namely the right Enter. The typing experience is miles apart from the old keyboard, especially the stabilized keys like Space.