The 5QS Mark 2 can be equipped with Cherry MX2A Brown, Red and Silent Red switches. Das sent me a review unit with the most popular option, the MX2A Silent Reds. The bottom-mounted system, large amounts of damped silicon, and silent red switches combine to create an extremely dull typing experience. The switches, muted by internal silicone strips, are naturally soft and slightly mushy, and the bottom stand makes this mushyness even more noticeable when typing. Sound deadening inside the case will absorb any additional vibrations and keystroke tactile elements that will be present. Stabilizers are common plate-mounted units that, although lubricated from the factory, still rattle, even right out of the box. This is also shown more clearly thanks to the keyboard's silent mode.
Finally, this keyboard's typing feels soft and sounds almost silent, while still maintaining some higher-pitched and harsh tones that are annoying but quiet enough to be masked by headphones. , earbuds or even speakers.
Photo: Henri Robbins
Unlike many keyboards today, the 5QS doesn't have a hot-swap socket. This means that unless you're proficient with a soldering iron and don't want the manufacturer's warranty, you'll be limited to whatever switches the keyboard comes with from the factory. The Lego-like customization offered by hot-swap sockets has gone from a new luxury to an industry standard in modern keyboards, so absent on this model, at this price, somewhat disappointing. However, this does mean that the 5QS will be a bit more reliable than hot-swappable boards, as hot-swap sockets can sometimes fail under extensive use.
Q function
Das' biggest selling point with this keyboard is its “Q” software, which is used to customize RGB lighting and other functions. This can be used to apply animations and patterns to RGB, along with modifying each key's individual function.
RGB can also be configured through individual “applets” that you install in the main application. They can connect to external applications and website logins to display information such as unread messages, alerts, and system information. Some of the more interesting features include a 4-day weather forecast, a stock and cryptocurrency value tracker, and a price tracker for flights and video games. There are also some timer reminder apps for small tasks like drinking water and standing reminders if you sit too long.
While all of these are interesting concepts, even the best ones are limited by one major flaw: simple RGB lights are not an effective way to communicate complex information. . For example, the weather forecast app has many color options for different predictions, but at first glance only a few of these options make sense: White for snow, yellow for sun, and blue for rain. The other options—pink for overcast weather and red for thunderstorms—are not very intuitive. Unless you spend a lot of time with this keyboard and adjust your daily routine to accommodate the new system, I doubt the average person will find it useful to play a memory game with information showing how two clicks on their computer. While other keyboards (like BlackWidow V4 75% Pro by Razer) integrating secondary displays, this solution seems too complicated and ineffective.