Keychron Q1 is a pretty outstanding custom mechanical keyboard from Keychron, although it is the first custom keyboard that Keychron brings this year, what the company equips on this keyboard is extremely valuable. In this article, we will talk about an indispensable accessory in all custom KITs - Stabilizer, let's find out what is outstanding about this stab.
Basic knowledge
Stabilizer – What is Stabs?
“Stabilizer” or also known as key balance bar (abbreviated as “stabs”). It is a part used under keys with a length of more than 1.75 units, to help prevent the key from wobbling when pressed directly or when the user presses nearby keys. Stabs also have the effect of connecting large keycaps to the switches below in the most secure and precise way. Without the stabs, when typing, the keys will wobble, wobble and display inaccurately when pressing large keys on a mechanical keyboard.
The keys that will need stabs include: Shift, Enter, Space, Back, Return, plus key... Depending on the size and shape of these large keys, the balance bar style will also be different to suit.
How do staples attach to keycaps and switches?
These key balance bars can be attached to the keyboard in two ways:
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PCB-mounted Stab: will be clamped onto or screwed into the PCB. Screw-in will be more secure than clamp.
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Plate-mounted Stab: means the stab will be mounted directly to the plate of the keyboard.
SiliconZ will not go too deep into the concept and details of Stabilizer, we will have a detailed article on this topic.
So what's so special about the Stabilizers equipped on the Keychron Q1?
Keychron Q1 uses a screw-in stab structure. The screw-in stab is a type of stab that is screwed directly into the PCB instead of being mounted on the plate. The screw-in type will make the stab more firmly attached, less shaking when typing, providing a better typing feel. However, if you want to replace a screw-in stab set from a third party such as Durock or Cherry, you must remove the entire plate and PCB to be able to replace it.
All the stabs equipped on the Q1 are lubricated by Keychron at the factory, so they will bring the smoothest and most seamless pressing feeling possible.
So what are the advantages of a screw-in stab over a clip-on?
Clip-on stabs are commonly used on current mechanical keyboard models because of their simple disassembly mechanism. With this type of stab, we simply install it on the plate, without the need for complicated screws. As for the screw-in stab, as the name suggests, this is the type of stab that is screwed directly onto the PCB. So the advantage of the screw-in stab is its sturdiness and limits unwanted vibrations from the user when typing.
Manufacturers of high-end custom mechanical keyboards all want to bring their users a keyboard with the best quality and the most sophisticated. At the same time, they can affirm their position in the ever-changing and fierce mechanical keyboard market. And Keychron has succeeded in introducing to users the Keychron Q1 keyboard - a keyboard that combines many factors to be able to lead the custom mechanical keyboard market.
