| | |  | Hardware | Home » » » » Steelseries 6G Gaming Keyboard | | | | | | | Description: | | The SteelSeries 6Gv2, modeled after the award winning SteelSeries 7G keyboard, is the lower priced mechanical keyboard that improves the user’s ability to obtain more actions per minute than any other keyboard on the market. The SteelSeries G Series Keyboards redefine “anti-ghosting” features by supporting as many simultaneous key presses as there are keys on the keyboard. The SteelSeries 6Gv2 features both PS/2 and gold-plated USB connectors as well as 18K gold-plated mechanical switches. Its increased response times and extreme durability make the SteelSeries 6Gv2 the ultimate keyboard option for gamers. | | | Features: | |
• Gold plated switches
• Extreme anti-ghosting
• Features SteelSeries Media Controls
• 18K-Gold plated mechanical switches and USB connectors
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 3.3 inches | | Product Width:
| 21.5 inches | | Product Height:
| 12.6 inches | | Product Weight:
| 2.6 pounds | | Package Length:
| 18.82 inches | | Package Width:
| 7.87 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.05 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.44 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 61 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 61 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 37 found the following review helpful:
 My thoughts after weeks of researchNov 22, 2010
By ThyFadingDirge
I want to make it clear that I narrowed virtually every "gaming" keyboard and most popular mechanical keyboards on the market down to this and the 7G. The reason I went with the 6Gv2 is because of the familiar key layout. As appealing as the 7G was, I had no interest in relearning how to type using its awkward key layout (small backspace key, small right shift, etc.). That being said, I am happy with this purchase for several reasons which I will list in pro/con format.
Pro:
- MX Cherry Blacks (widely considered the best switches for gaming, along with MX Reds, which I believe are only available in China).
- Solid construction (fortunately, I did not have any problem with the keys being loose in any way. My keyboard is solid through and through perhaps due to successful shipping and handling).
- Full NKRO
- Relatively inexpensive for a mechanical keyboard
- Familiar key layout and key size
- It works flawlessly with Windows 7 64bit. You simply plug it in BEFORE turning on the PC, then turn on the PC to enjoy your new keyboard.
Cons:
- Very minor flaw, but the PS/2 converter isn't the most snug-fitting connector. However, it works and does enable full NKRO, so I'd highly recommend using it.
- I can confirm what other users have written about dulling of printed letters on the keys. No exaggeration, after only a few DAYS of use, the WASD (my most used keys) keys have faded considerably. I should note that I'm impeccably hygienic and wash my hands thoroughly before each session at my PC. That being said, it's not dirt that's obscuring the letters; the letters themselves are literally rubbing off the keys. I don't see this as a glaring issue, but if you desire immaculate aesthetics, this could irritate you.
- Angle of keyboard is non-adjustable. (Not an issue for me since, if anything, I prefer a flat keyboard)
Other thoughts:
I can attest that typing on MX Cherry blacks isn't as laborious or disastrous as some people make it out to be. They're certainly still considerably more suitable for typing than rubber dome membrane keyboards. At first you might make more typing-errors because the keys actuate about half-way through the stroke, meaning if you're not a confident typist some of your thoughtless keystrokes will register as well.
Summary: if your main interest in keyboards is multimedia utility or having dozens of extra keys, then look elsewhere. This keyboard is minimalistic, highly durable and functional, and could easily be the last keyboard you ever purchase (I've read numerous claims of mechanical keyboards lasting 15-20 years with almost no loss of functionality).
For the record, I tried many different products across multiple manufacturers and ended up coincidentally settling with almost all SteelSeries peripherals. I don't have much experience with this company, but from all my impression with their products, I am very satisfied and will continue to try their merchandise.
18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
 My First Mechanical KeyboardJan 19, 2011
By Josh
To begin, let me say that this was indeed my first mechanical keyboard and I was not sure what to expect. I read around a bit and learned the differences between the different switches and such. After a bunch of reading, it came down to this keyboard or the Steelseries 7G, which apparently cannot be found anywhere on planet earth for purchase. Because of that, I was kind of forced to go with this one. After some research, I found that really the only differences between the two were that the 7G has a different keyboard layout, with smaller backspace and right shift keys, which I really didn't want to deal with anyway, and it comes with a wrist rest. You can buy the rest for 3 dollars else where, so no big deal.
So, I get the keyboard. It's not natively PS2, but provides an adapter so you can plug it in to your PS2 port. PS2 is required to use the anti ghosting feature, which works flawlessly by the way. The keys are pretty loud compared to a membrane keyboard, but I was aware of this before purchase and actually find it fun ( i am easily amused ) . It feels like I am efortlessly gliding around this keyboard, mashing keys at an unprecedented rate. It is far more compact than any keyboard I have ever used and I can basically man the entire left half of the keyboard with one hand easily. I didn't really beleive that something like a keyboard could increase your in-game performance so greatly, but boy, was I wrong. I saw a 25 point actions per minute in Starcraft 2 on average!
The board its self is very sturdy and I feel like I could bludgeon a small mammall with it and it would stay intact. Overall, this is an amazing product for the price. I would highly recommend it for someone looking for their first or even an upgraded mechanical keyboard.
15 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Great keyboardMar 11, 2011
By FnaticMSIKawaiiRice
The Steelseries 6vG keyboard is a really great gaming keyboard. I used to use a Logitech and before that a Dell, but this is clearly the best one. The keys press very quickly and are very responsive to the touch, which is the most important feature for a competitive gamer. It also isn't too big or clunky like many Razer keyboard, which is another nice feature. It doesn't have too many bells and whistles, but it is really clean and efficient. If there was any drawback, it would be that the keytrokes are really loud, but aside from that it's a really great keyboard.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 Good for gaming, less good for typingJan 27, 2012
By B. Daly
A lot of the advertising listed above talks about the "better tactile feedback" that this keyboard gives, but that is potentially misleading. The Cherry MX Black switches used in this keyboard are considered "non-tactile" switches. (See the great guide at [...] for a good explanation of switch types.) Generally, tactile switches are considered to have a "click" or "pop" feel to them as they are actuated, after which the key resistance drops. They may or may not make noise as they do so. But the MX Black switches do not do this; they are linear switches so the key resistance steadily rises as you press further, until you bottom out. This gives a "smooth" feel, which you might consider a type of "tactile" feel, but it doesn't give you any actual tactile *feedback* of when the key registered. I guess you can say that smooth linear resistance is better than the actual but inconsistent rubber dome tactile feedback they'e comparing against, but it seems a bit marginal.
Anyway, the keyboard has been good so far for gaming, but I've had a hard time getting used to it for typing. After about 2 months now, I'm stil not really comfortable with it; it's not terrible, but the cheapie Dell dome keyboard I have at work is better for typing on.
Edit: I should mention that the gaming type that these smooth, non-tactile keys are good for is FPS-style games, where you will generally pushing fully down on the keys and holding them down, rather than just tapping them. I recently started playing a game that requires double taps on some keys to activate certain functions, and I find the lack of tactile feedback leaves me screwing this up all too often. It's not a deal-breaker or anything, but it's worth being aware of.
I was a bit concerned about the potential noise before I ordered the 6Gv2, because some mechanical keyboards can be quite loud. It does make some clacking noise as the keys bottom out, more than most rubber dome keyboards do, but it's not disturbingly loud.
Other plusses:
+ NRKO with the PS/2 connection
+ sturdy construction
Other minuses:
- no keyboard angle adjustment
- relocated windows key: I'd rather have a switch to disable the key than to have it relocated.
- I'm not a fan of the big Enter key
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Good, Not PerfectNov 13, 2010
By slipshade
This is a good value for a keyboard if you like cherry black mechanical switches. The switches seems to be of great quality; compared to other cherry variations this is one of the quietest. However it still has a bit of click at the bottom, so it's not totally quiet. Force seems pretty uniform among keys, and that is it registers a bit past mid-strike with a very slight increase in pressure with additional depression.
The board has an elegantly utilitarian look, which is most likely exactly what you want if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard. Very professional. The keyboard itself seems virtually indestructible and it has a very nice heft to it compared to the average consumer board.
The major downside is that about 1 of every 5 keys on my bard is only loosely affixed to the switches. During normal use I do not see this as an issue. However, if you transport your board much or store it other than flat on a desk there is a reasonable chance you might lose a key. Simply turning the board upside down, all of the keys remain attached. However, several have fallen off when bumped against say a door (daughters are a bit less gentle with the board than I am). About 20 buttons in total can simply be lifted off of their switches without any noticeable resistance.
Works as advertised with n-key rollover using included PS/2 adapter, but the USB input is somewhat limited. That is a limitation with the technology and not really unique to this board. The USB is plug-n-play and it's worked with Windows XP, XP 64, 7, Server 2003, Server 2008 R2, and several versions of Linux.
So no compatibility issues such as I had with Das Keyboard. But I still prefer my Filco Majestouch because you can select which cherry switches you would like. Still, if you are looking for blacks and this keyboard happens to be cheaper than the Filco this is a qualified recommend (the loosely attached keys being the only concern).
See all 61 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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