Keychron K5 Max QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard

The key spacing being so much closer together than the original K5 makes for a somewhat clunky transition. The keyboard does feel solid and of decent quality, so I'm sure I'll get used to the compact layout.

I do have a gripe that was partly my fault for not seeing it, but why in the world would you ship a backlit keyboard with non-shine-through keycaps?? Doesn't that defeat the entire purpose of backlighting? I mean I guess you could just have the ambient light around the keys for aesthetic reasons, but that seems like it would be a niche group to me. I do now see where it's posted in the description just under the keycap section, but this really should be a configuration option rather than the default.

It makes me wonder by the backlighting function which does not change anything because you cannot see the letters on the keyboard at full darkness and forced to buy and replace nice design of gray keycaps to only full black transparent ones.
Without direct light from the monitor even the leds behind it are not able to illuminate the keycaps strongly enough to see the characters.
RGB is only suitable for "gaming" and not for the office usage.

The low profile itself is realy great, key programming and macros are a big plus because you can automate several functions in graphics programs, it is also quiet even with brown switches and you can feel a subtle click. but the above takes all pleasure out of it. :(

I've been using my K5 Max with Brown switches for a few months. I love it so much I just bought a second one for my Fiancee as a gift. I love how heavy and well built it feels. The high quality metal base doesn't slip around while I'm typing. I appreciate how easy it is to clean with some compressed air. Will be purchasing a third one soon for my home office.

This is my first mechanical keyboard, and after living on Mac and Logitech keyboards for my entire career I'm now sad I've been missing out on mechanical. The K5 Max has everything that I'm used to working with, at a perfect low profile, and with the brown switches it's a good middle-ground - a beautiful sound I don't get tired of hearing 8+ hours a day. I'm also typing more accurately. The RGB backlight is also bringing me a lot of joy. Excited to start customizing this some more, and hoping to see more keycap options for the K5 Max.

I split the time between this keyboard and the Q6 with Gateron Pro Blue switches. Obviously, the Q6 with blue switches gets loud and when you're on a video call or there are people nearby, it's not suitable.

The K5 Max hits the perfect sweet spot: low-profile but good feel to the keystrokes, quiet, sturdy. The K5 Max is replacing my Logitech MX Keys and the Logitech MX Mechanical. The K5 Max is so comfortable to type on that I suspect the Q6 will start seeing less and less usage.