On April 11, 2024, a crowdfunding campaign for the Keychron Q1 Max Japanese-language keyboard was launched on the Japanese crowdfunding site Makuake.
As for the model officially released on December 12, 2023, only the “US layout” was available, but this time, the crowdfunder has added a Japanese layout, long-awaited by Japanese users.
Keychron Q1 Max Japanese Array Features
The most notable feature of this crowdfunding campaign is that the keycaps are now “Double shot PBT” with a Japanese layout.
As for the Japanese layout models up to that time, they were sold by “Kopec Japan,” an authorized distributor in Japan, but they were made of ABS material, and there was a noticeable difference in the color of the keycaps from the US layout.
The ABS material tends to be “light” in terms of key feel, which is slightly different from the low, rattle-like feel of the current trend. (This is largely a matter of personal preference.)
Fans will be happy to know that, for the first time, it is all the same as the US layout, including the coloring.
However, with regard to the keycap profiles, the US layout uses the latest “KSA” while the Japanese layout model uses “OSA”.
KawamuraThis is a matter of preference, so there is no one better than the other.
KSA is taller and more recessed toward the center, whereas OSA is shorter and more arched than KSA.
KSA Profile
OSA Profile
As for the overall coloring, two colors are lined up: shell white and carbon black.
In addition, while maintaining the keymap changes in VIA, the original application, “ Keyhcron Launcher Web App The new version also allows changes to be made in the original application “Keyhcron Launcher Web App”.
KawamuraI’m curious how this works… I wonder if only the UI is original and the base is running on QMK?
Other specifications are roughly the same as for the original Q1Max.
Keychron Q1 Max JIS Specification Summary
- Full Aluminum Body
- Screw-in stabilizers are used.
- The keyswitch is a new Gateron Jupiter switch.
- Two wireless connection methods: 2.4GHz using a USB dongle and Bluetooth 5.1
- In the 2.4 GHz band, the polling rate is 1000 Hz.
- The wired connection method is USB Type-C as before.
- In addition to the gasket-mounted construction, premium acoustic foams such as IXPE, PET, and Latex have greatly improved the keystroke feel.
- Compatible with QMK/VIA
- Hot-swappable
- The following three types of keyswitches are used
Gateron Jupiter Switches
| Switch | Red | Brown | Banana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picture. |  |  |  |
| Feel | Linear | Tactile | Tactile Like Panda Feel |
| Color | Red | Brown | Yellow |
| Lubed. | Pre-Lubed | Pre-Lubed | Pre-Lubed |
| Operating force | 45±15gf | 55±15gf | 59±10gf |
| Pre-Travel | 2.6±0.6mm | 2.6±0.6mm | 2.6±0.6mm |
| Total Travel | 4.0mm MAX | 4.0mm MAX | 3.4mm MAX |
Price
- Early bird discount｜32,350 yen (tax included)
- Early bird palm rest set｜32,800 yen (tax included)
- Early-bird full set｜34,750 yen (tax included)
- Limited discount｜32,850 yen (tax included)
- Limited Discount Palm Rest Set｜33,300 yen (tax included)
- Limited Discount Full Set｜35,250 yen (tax included)
- Limited Discount Body x 2｜64,350 yen (tax included)
The product page on Makuake is here ▷▷▷.
First for Keychron “head family” to enter Japan
From another angle, this was Keychron’s first foray into Japan as the head family of Keychron.
Many of you may have been caught by the “first in Japan” part.
This crowdfunding is being conducted by Keychron’s head office, not by a Japanese distributor.
Until then, sales in Japan had been handled by “Kopec Japan,” but in light of the fact that an official Japanese version of the X account has also been established, it is quite possible that the company will develop directly as a Japanese corporation.
KawamuraIn fact, this account, when it first appeared, had a bit of a “? When it first appeared, this account was a bit “what? The domain name “keychron.jp” used to be “keychron.co.jp”, but it was suddenly closed and the URL “keychron.co.jp” was launched without taking over the link, and the subdomain contained the name of a Japanese crowdfunding site. (The co.jp domain is an attributed jp that only Japanese corporations can obtain, and this fact suggests that Keychron has already registered its business in Japan.)
