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Steelseries 6GV2
![[image loading]](http://cdn-web.steelseries.com/wp-content/uploads/productpage_6gv2_big.png)
I'd like to start this off saying that the build quality of this thing is tremendous. It's a monster, packing a metal plate in it, gold plated cherry MX black switches, and it is the most solid keyboard I have ever had. It's also pretty heavy, and won't move around on your desk at all. It is tilted slightly upwards with big black plastic blocks pretty much, which makes sure those annoying little legs that most keyboards have don't break off.
![[image loading]](http://img.iqmore.com/iqmoreidv_img/review/2010/SteelSeries/SteelSeries_6GV2/SteelSeries_6GV2_Sample/21.JPG)
The plastic blocks are pictured above - 6gv2 on the top, 7G on the bottom.
Why it's awesome
As previously mentioned, it's amazingly solid and so I won't go over that again, but I'd also like to mention how much of a dream the Cherry MX black switches are. I haven't tried any other switches, but it's a giant improvement from my old logitech keyboard, it feels amazing to type on compared to my G19. Also, because of the switches I usually never press button accidentally anymore, they require some force to push down.
![[image loading]](http://www.productfeedback.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Image-2.jpg)
I really like how compact the keyboard is, and how it doesn't try to be anything more than a keyboard. It has a steelseries button in place of where the windows button was on the left side, so it doesn't mess up my inject larva anymore (yey). I read around that the keys use laser etching so that it won't wear out, I cannot vouch for this because I haven't had it long enough that it would be a valid statement.
The USB cord seems to be of really high quality and I think it will take quite a beating for that to break, rip or tear in any way, it seems to be very sturdy. The keyboard comes with a PS2 adapter, allowing you to have complete anti-ghosting, making it so you can press every key on your keyboards, and having them all register. Pretty sweet. However, USB can only press 6 keys at once, the max for a USB connection.
The keys are only slightly bumpy because of the laser etching, but have a really nice feel to them, making for a comfortable experience typing.
What bugs me
What really bugs me about this keyboard is the giant enter key and the fact that they move the | key where my ? key was before, and made a smaller shift key. That I still haven't gotten use to that and it still messes me up at times.
![[image loading]](http://www.toptenreviews.com/i/rev/scrn/large/50916-steelseries-6gv21.jpg)
Look below the enter key.
Just a minor thing that can't really be avoided - but the switches caused my fingers to hurt the first 2 days of Starcrafting, but I got use to it rather quickly, and now I feel no pain, and it's comfortable to type on.
The lights for num lock, caps, and scroll lock are much brighter than they need to be, and they can be distracting/annoying at times, no big deal though.
Summary
It's a solidly built keyboard that doesn't try to be more than it is. It doesn't come with flashy lights or an entourage of macro keys, it's just a mechanical keyboard at the end of the day, and that allowed for very solid design and making this a really awesome keyboard, though there were some issues that could have been easily avoided, it still makes for a great keyboard, and I wouldn't trade it for another keyboard any day of the week.
Thanks for reading!
 
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Damn yeah the enter key and the shift key really do look strange
I would probably be just as messed up as you are if I changed to that keyboard
Anyways, thanks for the review!
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thanks for the review, i've actually been thinking about purchasing one of these.
Is it worth the price?
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enter, shift, and capslock all make me want to rage when they are in that format... my blackwidow has that same capslock design (no indentation on the right side of the capslock to segment it from your A key) and it drives me crazy
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16974 Posts
Those little keyboard quirks would drive me insane ._.
I remember there was a big uproar a while ago because the bottom row of keys in Dell Vostros shipped to the UK was shifted to the right (the 'z' was between the 's' and 'd,' the 'x' was between the 'd' and 'f,' etc.). It made it impossible to touch type and Dell eventually had to recall the laptops. Obviously you could still touch type for this, but I can already see myself - if I buy this keyboard - having trouble with question marks <_<
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Hey at least steelseries products are better built than razor! As for fullsize keyboards I would still prefer das if you live in Canada, or Filco for the US. I use the Leopold Tenkeyless just because of easy access to Canada and the fact that I'm unable to purchase a filco 
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Yeah, if those bother you, never get a stupid Lenovo laptop. We have to use them at my work and it always throws me off every time that they move the control key 1 space over and put the Fn key where control should be.
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Yeah, having a fat enter key and completely misplacing backslash is a huge mark against the keyboard for me. I just don't get why people make keyboards like that -_-
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I have one, bought at discount for 70$, it feels great, my friends like how it presses, only complaint is the lettering looks like it may rub off soon, although it hasn't for the 6 months I've had it.
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16974 Posts
On July 07 2011 17:57 TheAmazombie wrote:
Yeah, if those bother you, never get a stupid Lenovo laptop. We have to use them at my work and it always throws me off every time that they move the control key 1 space over and put the Fn key where control should be.
Haha! This actually bothered me when I first got my thinkpad, but I got used to it fairly quickly (and I gamed well on it, too). I actually find Lenovo laptops to have the highest quality keyboards out of any laptop I've tried. The keys are simply perfect.
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I like how this review was informative yet short, and gave a lot of good information. Thanks!
+ Show Spoiler +Did I just review a review?
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Everyone who gets a 6gv2 talks about the \| key being put in place of a GIGANTIC FREAKING ENTER KEY and smaller shift key. I agree. This is the reason that if I'm going to buy a SS keyboard it'll be the 7G, even if its not fully USB, I'd rather buy a converter.
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I do really hate the | key aswell, so many times ive pressed that key instead of the ? Nice review
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Yeah, moving the \ key makes it un-buyable for me, since it's one of the most used keys when writing LaTeX. Too bad, because it's an otherwise great looking keyboard.
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The 7G has even worse key placements, for instance the backspace is only 1 button instead of "2" and the enter are as big as the 6GV2.
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thanks for the review. i considered buying this one for some time but than i realized i most certainly wouldn't like the black switches.
so i ordered a filco (browns) and a das (blues), both arrived today and i will make the decision during the next few day, and send the other one back. i'll probably put out a little review/comparison blog out as well. TYPED ON AN AWESOME KEYBOARD 
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On July 07 2011 17:28 [NoiSe] wrote:
thanks for the review, i've actually been thinking about purchasing one of these.
Is it worth the price?
Definitely worth the price, though I'd say that the 7G isn't, simply because I don't think the extra doodads on it really are worth an extra 50 dollars.
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On July 08 2011 01:50 Mayor wrote:Show nested quote +On July 07 2011 17:28 [NoiSe] wrote:
thanks for the review, i've actually been thinking about purchasing one of these.
Is it worth the price? Definitely worth the price, though I'd say that the 7G isn't, simply because I don't think the extra doodads on it really are worth an extra 50 dollars.
Yeah, since the USB hub on the 7G is old USB (USB 1.1) it's definitely not worth it.
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The only reason I don't want a 6GV2 is because of the rearrangement of the keys around the main enter key. I absolutely cannot seem to adjust to any other key layout than the one of the keyboard I'm currently using.
I won't be buying a new keyboard until this one breaks, but I like reading reviews until that day comes.
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Got my 6GV2 last week. My first mechanical keyboard since an IBM Model 2 a few years back 
Awesome keyboard... very nice typing on it! It`s nice, my average APM went up right away!
I may also get a Leopold Tenkeyless with brown switches.
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EPT
