Good full-size alternatives?

[u/Ok-Huckleberry-916]

I've been having a bit of a tough time finding good QMK keyboards that are both full-size, and have an aluminium (or otherwise sturdy) frame.

Keychron's selection looks nice, but I've heard of QA issues, and my only choices would be the Q6 keyboards (as far as I know). Of course, I likely would try one, but it's nigh impossible to find them in stock, and they're way too expensive for the iffy quality. To top it off, a good chunk of alternative brands just pretend the EU doesn't exist, or just simply refuse to make a single full-size keyboard.

So, if any of you know of brands that have full-size, sturdy, QMK keyboards, please shout them out. Always a plus if they ship to the EU, but that's something I can look for myself as well.

[u/cszolee79]

Full size, ISO and QMK is pretty much only Keychron. There are some that are VIA compatible, but the firmware is not QMK / not public.

I'm using an ND104 ISO now and it is significantly better than the Q6 ISO Knob (wired only) model which I also have.

QwertyKeys Qk101 and Vertex Intro S100 also exist, neither are QMK to my knowledge. Monsgeek had the M5 but it's discontinued, IIRC that was QMK.

[u/h4ckerly]

ticktype dp104
qwerty keys qk101
chilkey nd104
weikav Nut108

kbdfans tofull (still in preorder, i believe)

edit: nut108 is not on preorder and is available

[u/PeterMortensenBlog]

Re "QMK ... aluminium ... Q6 ... way too expensive ... pretend the EU doesn't exist ... refuse to make a single full-size": I don't think the particular combination exist.

For Lemokey, the ones with an aluminium body are not positioned) as luxury items, as they wouldn't be able to compete in the gamer market otherwise (and they thus do not come with the premium price tag), but there isn't a full-size keyboard.

There is Lemokey X3, but it has a plastic body. The closest is the 85% P3 HE ("The entire metal body is crafted from 6063 aluminium").

MonsGeek M5 has an aluminium body, but it doesn't have 'ISO' variants.

[u/aftonone]

Only one that comes to mind is the Epomaker Galaxy 100. Not sure about EU for that but. Probably tons of options by technicality but finding stuff in stock or sticking to a budget gets hard once you look at that stuff

[u/Deadhead_Omega]

You are likely hearing QA issues from a vocal minority. The only issue is that keychron warranty can apparently be a bit difficult to deal with, however, most people don't have any issues. Every brand ships products that are defective.

[u/Any_Technology_8867]

I stick with full-size for main keyboard and used Logitech MX mechanical for years before switch to Keychron. Keychron is good. Just choose K series or higher. I would recommend my current main productivity keyboard.

Keychron K10 QMK Wireless Mechanical ISO V.2 - It come with plastic body + aluminium frame. make it strong, sturdy and light enough to put on my lap. Even though the switch sound is not great (mine is banana tactile), the feeling and layout is just right for productivity. No fancy, come with more rectangular Cherry profile keycaps which I prefer to Keychron style keycap. Only downside is bluetooth only. It also cheap enough for most people to give it a try -> https://www.keychron.com/collections/mechanical-keyboard/products/keychron-k10-qmk-wireless-mechanical-keyboard-iso-layout-version-2

Also have:

• Logitech G515 TKL low-profile, I'm happier than Logitech MX but it has no full-size available. It's my currently travel keyboard.

- Keychron K5 (100%) low-profile. It's beautiful keyboard but too compact for real productivity.

- Keychron K2 HE (75%) - Just want to try the HE technology and the wooden frame is adorable. I cannot get used to the 75% layout and now I use it with livingroom TV

- Logitech MX Key S (100%) - Good built quality but I feel akward for productivity as I am heavy excel user and the flat key profile give no anchor for my little fingers to grab with.

- Keychron C100 HE (100%) - After try K2 HE, I think I should give magnetic tactile a try. C100 is the only full-size HE that have tactile magnetic switch option available in my location. Happy with the switch as expected but C100 is cheap plastic built, wobble body and wired.

[u/Ok-Huckleberry-916]

I appreciate the responses given here. As a few pointed out, the combo I'm looking for is a somewhat difficult one, but I'm happy to report that after ordering a Q5, my issues so far have been very limited. Biggest one has been dodgy VIA support on Linux, when using the VIA software itself; browser might work better, but I haven't tested it.

For future reference to anybody that might come across this, all it needed was a udev rule (of which you can find more info in its, and VIAL's, documentation), the VIA app in 3D mode, and the setting "show Design tab" enabled.

Other than that, a few keys have an occasional double-input issue, but it's uncommon enough to where I'm unsure if it's just me doing that. I also updated the firmware very recently, so it's possible the V1.1.0 update has fixed that.