Tag: Keychron K4 HE

Key Takeaways

1. Keychron has released firmware updates for various Keychron and Lemokey keyboards, enhancing per-key RGB functionality.
2. New customization features include a revamped RGB control interface and improved wireless connectivity management.
3. The updates introduce per-key RGB options, allowing individual key color configurations and mixed RGB features.
4. Wireless settings have been improved to reduce reconnection issues and extend deep sleep mode to 12 hours for better usability.
5. The updates enhance battery-saving options, allowing users to fine-tune power usage without compromising performance.

Keychron has rolled out updates for a selection of its keyboards, including those under the Keychron and Lemokey brands. This update introduces new firmware that improves per-key RGB functionality for its Hall-effect gaming keyboards along with many mechanical keyboard models. While it’s not completely clear which specific Keychron keyboards are included in this update, my testing confirms that both the Keychron K4 HE and Lemokey L1 HE have received these enhancements. Additionally, users on r/Keychron on Reddit have mentioned that the Lemokey P1 HE (currently priced at $169.99 on Amazon) and Keychron K1 Version 6 QMK, along with K1 Max, have also been updated. Based on previous firmware updates, it’s reasonable to assume that the entire Lemokey HE series, Keychron K HE series, and many of the newer QMK-compatible K-series keyboards have been upgraded too.

Enhanced Customization Features

When I evaluated the Keychron K4 HE earlier this year, I complimented the Keychron Launcher for its extensive customization options, noting that it was similar to Wooting’s Wootility in terms of features and ease of use. With this firmware update, the much-needed features for Hall-effect keyboards have been added, and more. The most significant addition is a new RGB control interface, but Keychron has also improved the management of wireless connectivity options, such as backlight time-out, matrix scan time-out, and wireless connectivity time-out.

New RGB Capabilities

The latest changes to backlighting controls introduce the mixed RGB features that were seen in the Q Max series earlier in the year, as well as a new per-key RGB option that allows for individual key color configurations. You can assign distinct colors to each zone, and each key can operate as its own zone. With this per-key mode, along with the mixed RGB settings, there are numerous ways to personalize your keyboard’s appearance, which is especially important for shine-through models favored by gamers.

The added RGB controls mean that the Keychron K4 HE, for instance, is now as customizable as I found the Wooting 80HE to be in my review, plus it offers additional productivity features that the 80HE lacks, like wireless connectivity and onboard macro recording. This combination of features and high customization levels makes the Keychron K4 HE and the Lemokey L1 HE that I’m currently testing for an upcoming review among the finest gaming keyboards I’ve ever used. The Lemokey L1 HE stands out due to its shine-through keycaps and enthusiast design, which now offers even more customization.

Improved Wireless Settings

While the updated wireless connection settings may seem unimportant, they address a major issue I faced during my review of the Lemokey L1 HE — having to tap the space bar to wake the keyboard from sleep. Before the update, both the 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless connections would go into deep sleep after 30 minutes, which isn’t terrible, but reconnecting through Bluetooth meant re-establishing a connection with the host. If you’ve used a keyboard and mouse on Android, you know that the reconnection can be a bit unpredictable, and this often led to a slight lag — a common problem with multiple devices and seems to be a bug in OnePlus’s Android version. By extending deep sleep mode to 12 hours, I can now avoid the hassle of reconnecting, eliminating the unpredictability that came with it.

The options for “auto backlight off starting time” and “keyboard matrix scanning time” allow you to fine-tune power usage if you prefer using your keyboard wirelessly, as key scanning at 1 kHz can quickly drain battery life. Here, you can save battery without needing to let the keyboard go into deep sleep mode, which takes a moment to wake up from. This feature could also benefit those who wish to let their computer sleep and wake it up immediately using the 2.4 GHz connection.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Keychron K4 HE is a 75% wireless keyboard designed for gamers, featuring Gateron’s Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Hall-effect switches for improved stability and sound.
2. It is available in two versions: Special Edition with stylish OSA keycaps and rosewood accent panels, and Standard Edition with Cherry profile keycaps and a more basic design.
3. Both editions include sound dampening materials for a quieter typing experience and support wireless connectivity, although at a lower polling rate compared to some competitors.
4. The K4 HE’s Hall-effect switches have a balanced actuation force of 40 gf to start and 60 gf at the bottom, with a total key travel of 3.8 mm, making it comfortable for gaming and typing.
5. The keyboard is priced at $135 for the Standard Version and $145 for the Special Edition, available for purchase on the Keychron online store and expected to be sold at Best Buy later this year.

Keychron has introduced the K4 HE, a new keyboard that builds on the features of the K2 HE model. The K4 HE is a 75% wireless keyboard that includes Hall-effect switches, specifically Gateron’s Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, which provide better stability and a nice sound profile. This model is aimed at gamers who want a numeric keypad, making it a larger option compared to the K2 HE.

Special Edition vs Standard Edition

Similar to its predecessor, the K4 HE is offered in two versions: a Special Edition and a Standard Edition, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The Special Edition boasts Keychron’s OSA keycaps, which give it a more stylish appearance, deeper finger wells, and a more refined look. Additionally, it has unique rosewood side accent panels that can be personalized with laser-engraved designs for an extra fee on the Keychron website. This version comes in a white color scheme with light wood panels and a black color scheme with dark wood details.

On the other hand, the Standard Edition features Cherry profile keycaps that provide a familiar typing experience. These keycaps are also shine-through, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions and allowing for more aesthetic customization. However, the Standard Edition does not include the fancy wood details, opting instead for an aluminum top frame and an ABS plastic bottom.

Enhanced Sound Dampening and Connectivity

Both editions of the K4 HE are packed with sound dampening materials inside the casing, such as EVA plate foam, EPDM PCB foam, a PET film, and a silicone pad in the bottom case. Unlike many other Hall-effect keyboards, the Keychron K4 HE supports wireless connectivity, although this comes with a trade-off of 8 kHz polling, which is a feature available in boards like the Iqunix EZ63 that we reviewed recently.

The K4 HE features Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Hall-effect switches that are linear and have a balanced actuation force of 40 gf to start and 60 gf at the bottom. With a total key travel of 3.8 mm, these switches should provide a comfortable experience for both gaming and typing. They also have an open bottom design, similar to the Wooting Lekker and Geon RAW switches, and the double-rail design aims to nearly eliminate keycap wobble.

Pricing and Availability

Starting today, the Keychron K4 HE can be purchased on the Keychron online store, retailing at $135 for the Standard Version and $145 for the Special Edition. It’s expected that the keyboard will also be available at Best Buy later this year, following the trend set by the Keychron K2 HE.