Are you in the market for a gaming keyboard? If so, you should take a long look at the SteelSeries 6GV2 keyboard, and here is our review.
This is how SteelSeries describe the keyboard:
What is a gaming keyboard? Up until the release of the SteelSeries 6Gv2 it was clear that in order to be considered a “gaming” keyboard it had to in some way glowed in the dark. Don’t take that the wrong way, we do like things that have lights and can be a bit flashy, but we don’t believe that’s what should define or set apart a keyboard for gaming. As we began to design the 6Gv2, we wanted to offer a keyboard that would do more than emulate the bridge console on the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 and instead, we focused on raw performance and durability.
We took a long look at the most extreme use scenarios for keyboards and designed a keyboard that would meet and (in most cases) exceed every one of them. That’s why we refer to the 6Gv2 as the “heavyweight of gaming keyboards”. It’s not the prettiest chick in the beauty pageant. It doesn’t glow or pulse. But it packs a punch. A serious one.
Who Are SteelSeries?
From their website:
From day one, SteelSeries has been focused on making high performance gaming gear used by the most demanding, top professional gamers worldwide and peripherals that provide superior quality and a competitive edge to gamers of all skill levels. We believe, as most gamers do, in winning, not trying!
What originally began with two people who recognized the need for superior, high-quality/performance gaming gear that would give gamers a competitive edge, has grown into a global leader in gaming and entertainment gear sought after for their high performance capabilities.
Fast-forward to today, and we’ve come a long way since our first glass mousepad. We have global offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, providing an integrated portfolio of products designed specifically for gaming. Fueling our growth is you, the gamer!
While we are proud of our technology and product innovation, we are even more excited about how these products are developed to meet the needs of gamers. Many companies may claim to develop superior gaming products but few actually do. Instead, they spend countless hours with lab engineers trying to force fit a new technology with bells and whistles and mediocre functionality for the end-user.
At SteelSeries, we develop our products with a small internal team and a vast network of technology partners, channel partners, game publishers, and gaming communities around the globe. We aren’t afraid of being challenged and implementing new ideas. Our main goal is to always to listen to the collective feedback of our professional gaming community.
What’s in the Box?
Along with the keyboard is a manual, a sticker and a PS2/USB converter.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
Using this keyboard takes a little getting used to – but in a good way. It is very quiet (the keys themselves are no-click one and use Cherry Black MX switches), and only require a slight press in order for them to register (SteelSeries say its around 50% less than a normal keyboard).
There is also a feature called anti-ghosting, which enables the keyboard to register multiple key presses at the same time (for example crouching and throwing a grenade can be done at the same time.
The function keys also contain media features (such as mute, play, volume control, etc) and are accessed by pressing the SteelSeries key (which is in fact where you would expect to see the Windows key. This is useful so that you don’t accidently press the Windows key in the middle of a game! Nice touch!
The PS2/USB converter is used so that you don’t use up CPU cycles by connecting the keyboard via USB. Serious games want to be able to use every single spare CPU cycle so this was a smart move.
The keyboard is very hard wearing and really took a bashing from me over the review period (I’m not going to admit to just how many hours, but lets say it made the gaming more enjoyable and playable, so there was a lot of “just one more game”….).
All in all I really love this keyboard, and using it while playing multiplayer online games like Modern Warfare 3 really does save your life!
If you want a keyboard for gaming, then I highly recommend you look at this one.
Price wise, the keyboard retails for around £75, but have a look online as I found it as cheap as £67.
