The Steelseries 6GV2 keyboard used to be the standard for a SC2 pro-gaming laptop for many, at least for me.
Sadly, Steelseries seems to no longer be manufacturing this keyboard. Instead, their product line has now switched to:
- An Apex M150 membrane for the same price as the old 6GV2 - An Apex M500 mechanical for almost twice the price of the old 6GV2 - Apex M750 mechanical for at least twice the price of the old 6GV2
Feeling Steelseries' hands from behind begin wrapping around my waist to unbuckle my belt, pull down my pants, and deprive me of my pride, I quickly elbow its throat and run stumbling away with my pants around my ankles.
Ummmm, so anyways..... Does anybody have a recommendation for a 2019 6GV2 substitute? I'm looking for an honest price, standard layout, and a solid build. I don't need flashy rainbow lights or any other super ultra Quad Max features. And most importantly, I don't want to get sexually violated from behind.
I use Apex 100 which was like 2x cheaper than 6gv2 and I'm super satisfied with it but it's membrane too. Used to have 6gv2 in the past but even a mechanical keyboard could not survive a 6 years old kid for too long.
The 6GV2 was infamous for causing some weird software problems due to some design quirk and it's ancient by now, maybe that's why they stopped production.
Personally i now use a corsair k70 because i could verify that it has a much lower input lag than any other keyboard that i've used via battle(non)sense's tests before buying one
on 240hz monitor the total button to pixel lag (including processing and all monitor delays) is like 12ms with my k70's and 25-30ms with my second fastest keyboard, it's immediately apparent. I haven't seen tests or personally tested a wide range of newer keyboards to see if there are any others that are as fast.
Also note that the keyboard in that video is a k70 v1, there is a v2 now which is a bit better; i've tested them both and they seem to be equally low latency. There is also a low profile version using the new low profile cherry MX switches which i haven't tested.
I have a Corsair K70 & i love it. Its build quality is top notch, the usb cord is so thick you could probably climb down the side of a mountain holding on to it. The Function keys on top are closer to the left or the escape key than most other boards. And the keys themselves not only feel great but they provide textured key caps for certain keys you use more, like w a s d for instance. And if you're into rgb stuff, Corsairs iCue software is probably the most intuitive one out there. But as with all decisions like this, just decide on what features are most important to your needs & narrow down your search for those boards that meet them or excel at them. Happy hunting!
Currently use a Blackwidow X TE with MX blue switches, thank god I don't have to deal with Razer's in-house crap switches anymore. I had two with green ones before and both went to being total garbage after a few months, but when I saw they had a model with Cherry switches again, I got it as a replacement and it's a minimalist solid keyboard, much like the 6GV2.
I use a Logitech backlit K800, it's been my peripheral keyboard of choice for like 9 years, no complaints. It's quiet, has short whispering keys like a laptop because I don't need to wake my next door neighboors each time I play video games and because I don't find it necessary to have to push a button so far down to make a keystroke. Recommended ^^
You can still find their old models on Amazon, there are still plenty of brand new ones in circulation.
But yea they've started looking more like Razr products lately, more about aesthetic than practical reliability.
I still have my 6gv2 Red edition, and I've put it through hell and it still works. Whenever it DOES break, I bought a 7G that's in my closet, but it doesn't seem to matter how much I abuse my 6gv2 a good cleaning always seems to fix it. I love this damn keyboard.
Also @OP there is a dedicated thread in the Tech Support forum about keyboards. It hasnt been updated in a while but it might be worth reading through. I did before I bought my first one.
I recently purchased a hyperx fps alloy pro. Its a tenkeyless keyboard which means it does not have a numberpad, but aside from that its standard. It uses mx red switches which are linear like the blacks in the 6gv2 except a little easier to press. I'm quite satisfied with it, good construction and after much looking around it was one of the best bang for buck keyboards with cherry keys I could find. It's regularly on sale, i picked it up for around $90 canadian, or about $60 us?
I use the 6gv2 as well and its my favorite keyboard too, luckily at the moment mine is in perfect health, but even if it were to break i would hunt for another. I can find the odd one in the UK atm (where im from) so i am ok as of today. Not sure what i would do without the 6gv2 Every other keyboard seems to be flashing lights mode now which isn't what i want, i guess the one TotalBiscuit was promoting the WASDKeyboards website where you can custom build one would be the way i would probably have to go.
I have a WASDkeyboard, it adds some 15-20(?) milliseconds of latency compared to a perfect keyboard which more than doubles my keystroke-to-pixels lag. It's an ancient V1 though so maybe they improved it since then.
On April 11 2019 22:07 Cyro wrote: I have a WASDkeyboard, it adds some 15-20(?) milliseconds of latency compared to a perfect keyboard which more than doubles my keystroke-to-pixels lag. It's an ancient V1 though so maybe they improved it since then.
What doesn't add that input lag out of interest? I have a Filco Majestouch myself, no complaints. there. I've never noticed that kind of input lag, but I'm starting to wonder if it might be a factor too. I want to get a full custom 10keyless job from WASD to both have a smaller spare, and also have browns so it's quieter for certain environments. Plus indulge myself and make a truly ridiculous looking keyboard.
I used to help run local amateur tournaments for SC2 over here, and if there's nothing outside of masochism in playing the bloody game that is pretty common about SC2 players it's their love for mechanical keyboards.
Imagine the business card scene from American Psycho, only with keyboards, pretty much how it goes down. It's pretty nice though, it's actually basically impossible to get hands-on experience in mucking around with mechanical keyboards, one has to research and buy them blind.
I find, for the most part they're all much of a muchness OP, the only thing I've really ever felt differentiates some of them is in terms of layout, I actively disliked some of the Steelseries ones I've used and especially some of the Razer ones, but that's purely preferential. Leopold, Ducky, WASD are all equally good in my experience, that's all I can recall getting my hands on.
My recommendation is just find the one that is most similar to what you're used to layout and switch wise and just get that.
Or just get a couple of 6gV2s second-hand if you really want. Mechanical keyboards aren't going to really get any better (just more unnecessary gimmicks), and they last a pretty bloody long time. I think my Majestouch is at least 8 years old now and it's still as good as new (although I could probably do with cleaning it sometime), and it was never marketed as a 'gaming' keyboard.
Stick to what you are used to, unless it's an obvious upgrade or something you actively want to change. My friend hoovered up about 5 Logitech G9Xs when they were discontinued, I wish I had myself as mine needs re-cabled. I really, really like my current G903 but it has taken me ages to get used to and feel comfortable with as I used my G9X for bloody ages.
Muscle memory is a thing and just interrupting that for what is 'better' I just don't think is a great idea.
Iirc your keyboard has black switches in it, I'm personally a blue user myself. I wouldn't recommend changing the switch unless you have a specific reason to (I have friends who got quieter keyboards to take to work with them for example). Yes it's relatively small, but if you're used to depressing black switches it'll feel a bit weird using blues, or browns and vice-versa.
I tend to take the same tack with my other loves, especially guitar. I do like new toys to play with, but I try to keep the neck length identical across guitars, where my fingers are fretting, and the bridge layout roughly similar, where I'm picking the same. So I get guitars with different features and strengths, but play as identical to each other as possible.
On April 11 2019 22:07 Cyro wrote: I have a WASDkeyboard, it adds some 15-20(?) milliseconds of latency compared to a perfect keyboard which more than doubles my keystroke-to-pixels lag. It's an ancient V1 though so maybe they improved it since then.
Well the issue i mentioned WASDkeyboards is becasue they look like the 6GV2, aka plain. That might be why he likes the 6gv2 the same way i do, because it doesn't have a disco party light background lol or turn into a nightlight when its dark.
But yes i didn't know either that the lag is that bad.
EPT
Every other keyboard seems to be flashing lights mode now which isn't what i want, i guess the one TotalBiscuit was promoting the 
