Editing SteelSeries QS1

{{Infobox dswitch
| image name        = SteelSeries QS1 -- top.jpg
| manufacturer      = [[Kaihua]]
| inventor          = 
| contact mechanism = [[Metal leaf]]
| product code      = 
| family            = 
| keycap mount      = Proprietary (snap-on)
| switch mount      = [[Plate mount]], [[PCB mount]]
| switch type       = [[Linear]]
| lifetime          = Unspecified
| introduced        = 2015
| actuation force   = 45g
| pretravel         = 1.5 mm
| travel            = 3 mm
| force graph       = 
| peak force        = 
| website           = 
}}

The '''SteelSeries QS1 Gaming Switch''' is a low-profile mechanical key switch for SteelSeries manufactured by [[Kaihua]] ("Kailh"). The transparent switch top is branded SteelSeries" and "Kailh" in writing barely visible with the naked eye. It seems to be based on the Kaihua PG158301D01 RGB.<ref name="kpg158301d01rgb" />

==Description==
[[RGB backlighting|RGB illumination]] is provided by way of an integrated 5 mm RGB LED, contrasting with the light guide used by the [[Logitech Romer-G]] switch. As with the Romer-G, the centrally-placed light source is intended to provide more even backlighting than with an offset LED whose light is blocked by the slider.

QS1 is fairly compact; the shell is 8.3 mm tall, which is notably smaller than Romer-G (10.5 mm) and Cherry MX (11 mm). Kaihua cite PG158301D01 as having a shell 10.83 mm tall, and PG159301D01 as having a shell 10.93 mm tall, but these dimensions do not match their own diagram and appear to be in error. Their diagram cites 10.95 mm to the top of the slider, which is correct for QS1. Kaihua also cite operating forces of 50 gf and 60 gf, while SteelSeries cite 45 cN (approximately 45 cN) actuation.

The compact dimensions and integrated LED pose interesting challenges for switch design. The resulting design has two small cutouts at the front of the lid to allow the slider to engage the switch contacts, where the lid would otherwise form a barrier between the slider and contacts.

The slider has a small slit on either side to allow the keycap to snap into place. The keycap mount is proprietary and QS1 switches require their own keycaps.

The sides of the movable contact, where the slider ramps engage the contact, are lubricated.

==Keyboards==
* [[SteelSeries Apex M800]]

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:SteelSeries QS1 -- branding.jpg                   | Lid shaded with a 4B pencil to reveal the [[SteelSeries]] and [[Kaihua|Kailh]] branding
File:Comparison -- MX1A, B3K, QS1.jpg                  | Profile comparison with Cherry MX and Logitech Romer-G
File:SteelSeries QS1 -- opened, facing rear.jpg        | Opened
File:SteelSeries QS1 -- opened, facing front.jpg       | Opened, facing backwards
File:SteelSeries QS1 -- contact clearance in lid.jpg   | Contact clearance slots in the lid
File:SteelSeries QS1 -- slider.jpg                     | Slider (upside down, with front on the left)
File:SteelSeries QS1 -- disassembled, top views.jpg    | Disassembled, top views of components
File:SteelSeries QS1 -- disassembled, bottom views.jpg | Disassembled, bottom views of components
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Logitech Romer-G]]
* [[Razer switch]]

==External links==
* SteelSeries — [http://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-m800 World Fastest Keyboard: Apex M800] Retrieved 2015-08-02.

==References==
<references>
<ref name="kpg158301d01rgb">[http://www.kailh.com/gb/productdetail.asp?Productid=1566 PG158301D01 RGB轴]. Retrieved 2015-08-02.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:SteelSeries switches]]
[[Category:Kailh switches]]
[[Category:Linear switches]]
[[Category:Metal contact switches]]
[[Category:RGB switches]]
[[Category:Illuminated switches]]
[[Category:Production switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboard switches]]