The SteelSeries 6Gv2, modeled after the award winning SteelSeries 7G
keyboard, is the lower priced mechanical keyboard designed to improve 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 PS/2 and gold-plated USB connectors as well as 18K
gold-plated mechanical switches with a switch lifetime of 50 million
operations, more than 10 times the lifespan of a typical “membrane"
keyboard.
Its increased response times and extreme durability make the SteelSeries 6Gv2
the ultimate keyboard option for gamers.
MEET THE 6Gv2
What is a gaming keyboard? Up until the release of the SteelSeries 6Gv2 it
was clear that in order to be considered a “gaming” keyboard it had to in
some way glowed in the dark. Don’t take that the wrong way, we do like things
that have lights and can be a bit flashy, but we don’t believe that’s what
should define or set apart a keyboard for gaming. As we began to design the
6Gv2, we wanted to offer a keyboard that would do more than emulate the bridge
console on the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 and instead, we focused on raw
performance and durability.
We took a long look at the most extreme use scenarios for keyboards and
designed a keyboard that would meet and (in most cases) exceed every one of
them. That’s why we refer to the 6Gv2 as the “heavyweight of gaming
keyboards”. It’s not the prettiest chick in the beauty pageant. It
doesn’t glow or pulse. But it packs a punch. A serious one.
MECHANICAL SWITCHES
SteelSeries 6Gv2 is built with mechanical no-click switches. The users
experience with mechanical switches is very different compared to using the
“soft feel” keys found on conventional keyboards or even laptops. So how is
it different? Read on!
50 MILLION KEY PRESSES
Traditional keyboards are built with small rubber domes under the keys. It is
these rubber domes that provides the “soft feel” level of resistance when
you type. When you operate a rubber dome keyboard, the keys needs to be pressed
down until a membrane switch is activated. These membrane switches will slowly
wear out, typically after one to five million key presses. You may already have
tried this. After a while you will find yourself pressing harder and harder to
get the keyboard to register key presses. Typing gradually becomes annoying and
irritating – but when you’re gaming and you start missing critical in-game
commands, frustration sets in. The 6Gv2 offers a lifecycle of 50 million key
presses per key, which is more than 10 times of the amount than conventional
keyboards.
TACTILE FEEDBACK
But the 6Gv2 offers more than just a long lifecycle. The rubber domes on a
conventional keyboard will, over time,lose their tactile feeling due to rubber
flexing. The keys you use the most will start to feel different. The physical
construction of the mechanical switches used in the 6Gv2, and the strict
tolerance levels in which the switches are manufactured, is what allows the key
presses on this keyboard to always feel consistent.
TRAVEL DISTANCE
It gets even better. With the 6Gv2 you don’t have to press the keys all the
way down for them to register. Our mechanical switches will register key presses
fast; the travel distance will be roughly 50% shorter than a conventional
keyboard. You will type faster, with a consistent tactile feeling. Your Actions
Per Minute (APM) can reach new heights with the 6Gv2 thanks to this feature.
ACCLIMATION
It will take a while to get used to a mechanical keyboard, most gamers or
typists acclimate in approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Once you are properly
acclimated you will appreciate better tactile feedback, superior response times
and ultimately greater control. Simply put: You will become a better
typist.
AND IT’S HEAVY
We don’t just call it “heavyweight” because it packs the best
performance in the industry. The 6Gv2 is also physically heavy. All keys are
mounted on a metal plate within the keyboard to ensure durability. The plastic
material used to create the keyboard has metal elements, also to help to improve
durability. We’re just like you. That’s why we know you can get
“frustrated” when you lose a game. You may even hit something in front of
you when it happens… like a keyboard… We tried to take that into
consideration when we designed the 6Gv2. Disclaimer: Don’t hit your stuff.
It’s not nice.
PUNCH WORTHY
The design and build quality of the SteelSeries 6Gv2 keyboard stands up to
fast fingers, fists and furious slams. Its iron-infused plastic surface and keys
present an optimal feel that when coupled with Cherry™ Black MX switches,
gamers will find faster registered key presses and increased Actions Per
Minute (ACM).
NOT A FRUIT
Cherry™ Black MX switches are the toughest and highest quality key switches
available on the market. SteelSeries’ 6Gv2 is the only gaming keyboard on the
market that has them. They bring the lifecycle of a keyboard up to 50 million
key presses (the average is only about 6 million). Wow, that’s a a lot of
gaming…and typing.
REDEFINING “ANTI-GHOSTING”
Ever tried pressing a few keys on your keyboard and getting a beep sound? It
either happens when you press too many keys at the same time, or when you press
too many keys within the same cluster at the same time (like the keys around
WASD which often used for movements in games). If your keyboard exhibits this
behavior it will hinder your ability to perform certain actions, movement in a
FPS games being one example. The industry has labeled this anti-ghosting. When
using USB, you can use up to 6 keys plus modifiers at the same time, which is
the highest spec limit a USB connection can accommodate.
USB OR PS/2?
The 6Gv2 is built with a USB as standard, but we also included a USB to PS/2
adapter in the box. The choice is yours.
We absolutely recommend using the PS/2 connector when possible. First,it will
give you total freedom with no limit to the amount of simultaneous key presses.
And, equally as important, using the PS/2 may just improve your overall gaming
experience. The reason is that when you use a USB keyboard your computer is
actually using CPU time polling your keyboard. The higher the polling rate the
more CPU time is used to perform the polling. And because of the built-in
debounce rate found on any quality keyboard, any polling rate above 200Hz is
simply a waste of CPU time and really just a result of pointless
marketing hype.
Unlike USB keyboards a PS/2 keyboard isn’t polled at all. The keyboard
simply sends a signal to the computer as key presses are made, which causes a
hardware interrupt, forcing the CPU to register the signal.
NO WINDOWS KEY!!
We like the Windows key for certain things and in certain situations. But not
when we are in the middle of a gaming session. We have replaced it with a
SteelSeries Key that won’t wreak havoc during a gaming by minimizing your game
or by opening a menu. The SteelSeries Key serves a different purpose: it’s a
function key for the Media Controls found on the 6Gv2.
To keep the 6Gv2 compact and easy to transport, we decided against adding
additional rows of space consuming keys for this. Instead you can press the
SteelSeries key and access the Media Controls via the first six F-keys on the
keyboard.
