Performance

The performance of a keyboard is almost all subjective. Because of that I would like to give you an idea of what I prefer and what I use day to day. My preference when writing is to use the DAS keyboard, a full mechanical keyboard with Cherry Blue switches that give off a distinctive click that gives you good feedback physically and audibly but can be very annoying to those around you. I have enjoyed that same keyboard for gaming but have been using the Logitech G19 for most of my gaming, mostly because of the integrated screen for use with Ventrillo. This is obviously a huge difference in performance between the two.

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As it turns out the SteelSeries 6Gv2 was a mix of the two keyboards. The Cherry Black keys lack the defined key click that I have come to expect with the Cherry Blues. In fact, oddly enough the G19 has a more defined click than the 6Gv2, something that took a little getting used to. When pushing down on the 6Gv2’s keys you get more resistances the farther you push down. That resistance puts a little more spring into your typing, something that I think could be very helpful in game. The key layout itself is about as traditional as you can get with a few exceptions for the media keys.

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The media keys are F1-F6 and require the use of a function key to use them. SteelSeries labeled their function key with their own logo and it replaced the left Windows key. This has the side benefit that those of you who tend to bump the Windows key in game won’t have to worry about that anymore. Logitech and some of the other manufactures include a switch to fix this, SteelSeries just got rid of it all together. Frankly in most cases I leave the windows key locked out and never notice anyhow, I think this is a good move.

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After adjusting to the 6Gv2 for a few days with my day-to-day activities I finally found a little time to jump into TF2 for a night of gaming. Adjusting to the new keyboard in game took very little time although almost right away there was one difference that was very noticeable. The space bar angles toward the rom above it leaving a rather sharp edge on the bottom. Sitting the side of my thumb on the spacebar for quick jumps in game made this sharp edge noticeable right away and it was impossible to ignore, at least for a while. The more intense the gaming got the less I noticed the spacebar but I am still shocked that SteelSeries designed it that way. As I predicted before the added lift that the spring loaded keys gave made gaming smooth and natural.

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It’s clear that the quality of the 6Gv2 is top notch with its mechanical keyboards and heavy duty construction. SteelSeries mounted all of the key switches to a metal plate that makes the keyboard amazingly ridged and also gives it a LOT of weight. There is no way the keyboard will slide mid game with all of its weight holding it down. Not to mention it would become a formidable weapon if needed in a LAN party situation.

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garfi3ld's Avatar
garfi3ld replied the topic: #19782 13 Sep 2011 08:28
Our second Steel Series review this week. Paired up with a Sensei this could be a good combo
THUMPer's Avatar
THUMPer replied the topic: #20046 24 Sep 2011 18:20
I have one. it's great. I came from a Rosewill RK-9000 which clicked. The 6g does not and that took some time to get use too. Love the keyboard and steelseries products.

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