The 6Gv2 is the lower priced mechanical gaming keyboard from SteelSeries. Compared to other gaming keyboards, the SteelSeries 6Gv2 doesn’t come with a lot of spectacular features. It focuses on the most important aspects and gives you good value for your money. The SteelSeries 6Gv2 uses original Cherry MX Black Switches.
It’s heavy
Additional to its cheap price the SteelSeries 6Gv2 primarily tries to convince with its durability. The keys are mounted on a metal plate within the keyboard and the plastic material used to create the keyboard has also metal elements (to improve durability). All these metal parts obviously increase the overall weight of the keyboard and provide high stability.
SteelSeries 6Gv2 characteristics
The SteelSeries 6Gv2 has a USB cable, but also comes with a USB-PS/2 adapter. The purpose of this adapter is not to support old computers, but rather to use the practical advantages of the PS/2 connection. SteelSeries recommends to use the adapter whenever it’s possible. On the one hand, the processing of the keyboard signals requires less CPU time if connected by PS/2 and on the other hand, the adapter works as Anti-Ghosting measure. Connected by PS/2 an arbitrary amount of keys can be pressed at once.
The 6Gv2 doesn’t have a windows key, it got switched with a “SteelSeries-key”. The SteelSeries key converts the function keys to media controls. This has the clear advantage, that there won’t be any accidentally minimized games by the windows key anymore, but you also have to live without the windows key when not playing a game.
That’s basically it, the SteelSeries 6Gv2 doesn’t offer a palm rest, has no USB Passthrough, no illumination at all and no separate media controls or macro keys.
Tech Specs for SteelSeries 6Gv2
Further Information on Amazon.com
Mechanical Keyboard Score
The mechanical keyboard score is our overall score for a keyboard. The score is based on the available ratings and critics and makes an easy comparison between different mechanical keyboards possible. It is also used for our mechanical keyboard ranking.
Reviews
March 20, 2014
"The 6GV2 is built like a brick house, but it doesn't deliver the performance and features to warrant its price tag."
PC Advisor
October 19, 2011
"All in all, the SteelSeries 6Gv2 is a decent model at a decent price, but unless you hate your Windows key with a passion you might want to look elsewhere."
(Review not available online)
August 19, 2011
"This pro gaming keyboard helps avoid ghosting in videogames with its multiple key presses, but is uncomfortable for typing."
June 11, 2011
"At last, a mechanical keyboard that doesn’t break the bank!"
June 10, 2011
"No fancy lights, macros, remapping or ports. The SteelSeries 6Gv2 simply offers an exceptionally high quality mechanical keyboard experience for a price which matches other high end traditional gaming boards."
If you want MX black, and a stable mechanical keyboard without bells and whistles – this is the one to get. Simple, heavy and affordable.
got it again, owned 7G, but 6gv2 has less bells and whistles like you say, and 7G held 5 years, and still going, just juice made 1 key malfunction after all these 5 years of spilling and drying, heh
I have this for + 12 years, and its a workhorse and still going strong.
Same here. I believe I got 6GV2 as a birthday gift from my dad back when I was a retarded 16 year old so it’s been like what 13 years? approaching 14? and through some miracle still works as it always did even though it has survived through multiple catastrophes such as:
-An entire wine glass spilled directly on the keys which after a wipe down still continued to use. Days later I noticed keys got sticky but after tear down and cleaning with alcohol went back working as usual.
-Dropped on hard wood floor from chest height. No issues.
-Had to endure lots of gamer rage fist-to-keyboard violence back when I used to rage at competitive games.
-During a house party had a friend vomit a bit on it as I tried to make him stand up and go to the bathroom. As I was drunk too I just unplugged and sprayed it down in a shower, next day opened up dried it down and was good to go.
-Has had tons of tobacco and ash as I used to smoke while on PC.
-Had blood on it from the time I used to get drunk while on discord call and play that game where you stab the empty spaces between fingers in a rhythm.
-No service done whatsoever no “lubing” or anything.
That’s just what I can remember pretty sure more abuse had happened but anyway its a fantastic keyboard. I basically grew up with it, played games with for thousands of hours.
I came here to see if there are any cool keyboards I could buy but now, thanks to your comment, pretty sure I will continue using out of sentimental reasons since it has served me for so many years it would be a shame to just toss it away for practically no reason at all other than it’s old.