SteelSeries announced two products today, a headset and rather interesting looking keyboard. Both products are very much gamer-centric, with specialized features to make them of particular interest for the hard core LAN party player.

Let’s start with the headset; the SteelSeries 7H has 50mm drivers in passive noise canceling ear-cups, and keep out the background noise so you can get the drop on what direction that sniper is shooting at you from. The 7H also has the choice of leather or cloth ear cushions, based on your preference. When you’re done, the 7H can be broken down into 4 pieces so you can stuff it in your backpack without worrying about busting the thing up. SteelSeries puts retractable microphones in many of their headsets, and the 7H includes this feature in both the USB or standard version. The standard version is available for pre-order for $119.95. The USB version has it’s own 7.1 virtual surround and is also available for $149.99.

Next the 6Gv2. Don’t be fooled by the harmless sounding name, this is the real thing. The 6Gv2 is a mechanical keyboard with 18k gold plated switches, so it’s pretty much bulletproof. No fancy macro keys here, the 6Gv2 is designed to be smaller then the normal gaming keyboard setup. SteelSeries states that due to the way it’s designed, you should see a life expectancy of 10x more then a conventional keyboard. The 6Gv2 has the buffering system of the 7G, which allows you press pretty much every key on the keyboard at the same time without missing a beat. The 6Gv2 does have volume, mute, and limited audio controls, but it does lack the audio ports and USB ports on the 7G. The SteelSeries 6Gv2 is available for pre-order now for a quite reasonable $99.99.

Short version: A competent, but unremarkable keyboard. If you like Microsoft keyboards, spend the extra cash for the fancier and cooler X6.

Features:

• Anti-ghosting (press as many keys at one time as you like)
• Six programmable macro keys with switchable profiles
• Backlit keys
• Media controls
• Calculator button!

Pros:

• Big and solid
• Anti-ghosting is good to have, even if you don’t notice it

Cons:

• Media keys launch Windows Media Player
• Only one color of backlight and two brightness settings
• No USB ports

Full review:

What we have here is… well, a normal keyboard, basically, with some macro and media keys. The trouble is, if you’re the type of gamer who uses macros a lot, you probably want a little more keyboard than this offers. There are lots of options out there, including the unique and cool Sidewinder X6, which I liked a lot.

Functionality is as you see: some macro keys on the left there, which are useful in all the situations you’d expect, and the configuration thereof works just fine, though it’s extremely spartan. There’s a nice long list of handy commands you might want to use, something which developers often fail to include.

The media keys worked out of the box with Winamp, though irritatingly if Winamp is not open, pressing the Play/Pause button will launch Windows Media Player. You can’t disable that, unfortunately; there’s no option to select another default player. I’m not sure I dig the layout, either.

Doesn’t that seem a little weird to you? I think play should be in between previous and next track, though that may just be me. But why is mute attached to the play controls cluster? Shouldn’t it be over with volume up and down? Not a big deal, obviously, but if you could choose between a keyboard that has them laid out in an intuitive way, and one that didn’t, which would you choose? Right, me too.

Lastly, for a gaming keyboard, it sure doesn’t have any extra connectors, like USB or audio. That’s kind of an important part of a gaming keyboard, and really, I just realized that the X6 has the same problem, as well as a similar media key layout. Well, consider this criticism retroactively applied to that thing as well.

Conclusion

Like so many devices in the crowded “gaming enthusiast hardware” field, the X4 is simply outmatched by the competition, which is too close in price to warrant a downgrade. Microsoft’s own X6, for instance, can even be found for cheaper than the X4, and it certainly offers a cooler feature set. Logitech and Razer also offer compelling alternatives for similar prices. Sorry, X4, but there’s just too much good stuff out there.

Product Page: Sidewinder X4 Keyboard

So you’ve got a G19 keyboard with 3 sets of 10 macro keys and a mouse with 15 (or more) buttons. That will allow you to take any one of dozens of actions instantaneously with twitch of your hand. But you need more. Well, what are you doing with your feet right now? Probably not pressing buttons. Can you smell what I’m cooking here?

The StealthSwitch II is a button for you to step on. That’s it. It can be assigned to a keystroke or macro, and… it goes when you put your foot on it. Now, I have to say I’m a little disappointed by this thing. You’re trying to add a whole new dimension of interactivity with a computer, and you give the thing one button? A foot can do more than stop, guys. Why not hair triggers on the left and right so we could assign them to lean directions? In fact, that’d be pretty awesome.

But no, it’s just one button. Sure, you can daisy chain them and stuff, but there’s a lot of potential for a truly custom device here. For $15-$30, though, you can’t expect miracles.

I appreciate the idea, but come back when you’ve done more than execute it perfunctorily.

[via Gadget Review]

So you’ve got a G19 keyboard with 3 sets of 10 macro keys and a mouse with 15 (or more) buttons. That will allow you to take any one of dozens of actions instantaneously with twitch of your hand. But you need more. Well, what are you doing with your feet right now? Probably not pressing buttons. Can you smell what I’m cooking here?

The StealthSwitch II is a button for you to step on. That’s it. It can be assigned to a keystroke or macro, and… it goes when you put your foot on it. Now, I have to say I’m a little disappointed by this thing. You’re trying to add a whole new dimension of interactivity with a computer, and you give the thing one button? A foot can do more than stop, guys. Why not hair triggers on the left and right so we could assign them to lean directions? In fact, that’d be pretty awesome.

But no, it’s just one button. Sure, you can daisy chain them and stuff, but there’s a lot of potential for a truly custom device here. For $15-$30, though, you can’t expect miracles.

I appreciate the idea, but come back when you’ve done more than execute it perfunctorily.

[via Gadget Review]

• Intro
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Fancy Mouse
• HD Webcam
• Rugged HDD
• Secure HDD

Peripherals, they say, are the spice of life. Well, maybe they don’t say that, but they do say it about variety, and peripherals add variety to your computing life. If you’re reading this on a stock HP desktop, clicking on links with the mouse that came with it, and trusting your data to that 512MB USB stick they gave you at work, then you should consider accessorizing.

There are lots of things out there that make your computer better, more secure, or more comfortable. Why not treat yourself or a loved one to one of them?

Keyboard

Logitech G110 keyboard: $80

Now, I haven’t used this keyboard specifically, but I did review its big brother, the G19. The essential difference is that the G110 doesn’t have the big, expensive LCD on it, which, while cool, wasn’t really adding much to what was otherwise a great keyboard. It’s comfortable, good-looking, and full of extra stuff like macro keys for games or frequently typed phrases, colored backlighting, and handy media controls. Logitech makes great keyboards, and this one is probably their best deal.

Product Page | CrunchGear Review (kind of)

Mouse

Logitech G500 Gaming Mouse: $70

Anyone who spends a lot of time with a computer likely spends a lot of time with their mouse. So why should they be stuck using whatever $5 piece of junk came with the computer, or whatever was in the impulse buy section at Radio Shack? There’s a world of mice out there for differently sized and shaped hands, and it can make a huge difference in terms of comfort and efficiency. The G500 is a great mouse with a proven and familiar shape, and at $50 (street price) it’s a bargain as well. Any gamer or big PC user will appreciate it.

Product Page | CrunchGear Review

Fancy Mouse

Razer Mamba: $130

The Mamba is the final word in mice at the moment. A revision of the Death Adder shape, which was popular for a reason, the Mamba adds two extra buttons and wireless operation to the mix. I found it comfortable, accurate, and extremely good-looking. If you’re willing to spend the dough, this is the best mouse you can buy.

Product Page | CrunchGear Review

HD Webcam

Microsoft LifeCam Cinema: $80

Chances are if you or anyone you know has a webcam, it’s either built into your display or a cheapie one that’s no better than that. Well, a new generation of webcams is coming out that support high-def video, and the first representative is Microsoft’s LifeCam Cinema. It’s got a nice wide angle on it, has more clarity than those pinhole webcams, and the clamp it uses is really convenient. One for you and one for a kid going off to college would be a great way to stay in touch; Microsoft’s video chat software is pretty decent. You can find it for around $60, which isn’t bad at all if you use your current webcam much.

Product Page | CrunchGear Hands-On

Rugged HDD

Lacie Rugged XL 1TB: $160

Lacie’s Rugged series isn’t so much rugged as merely protected from everyday life. While your average external hard drive would probably go belly up if you spilled on it or dropped it, the Rugged XL will take a (minor) licking before rolling over. I’d be much more comfortable bringing this on a long trip than any other drive. There’s a premium for the ruggedness (street price is around $140), but whoever get this will thank you later when the dog knocks it off a table.

Product Page | CrunchGear Review

Secure HDD

Lenovo keypad-secured USB drive (160GB): $150

For your loved ones that are security-conscious, or simply paranoid, I recommend this great drive. Spacious it’s not, and you’re paying a lot for the gigs you’re getting, but the built-in keypad is just too cool to pass up. Not only is it very secure, but it’s also very well-designed. Since you’re actually pressing buttons, there’s no need to worry about administrating it or security software — just set it up once (keep the instructions just in case) and you’re good to go. You can also get a 320GB version for around $200.

Product Page | CrunchGear Review

Gamers have it made nowadays. In the old days, they would have to deal with computer peripherals that were meant for an office environment and not tailored to meet their gaming needs. But that’s changed. Now even Alienware has a line of gaming accessories. Previously, Alienware showed off the OptX LCD monitor and TactX Headset, but apparently there is a TactX keyboard and TactX mouse coming soon. Look out Razer, Steelseries, Logitech, and Microsoft, Alienware is here.

The details are a little light on both right now as the product pages aren’t live yet, but both are shaping up nicely. The TactX Keyboard has 6 customizable macro keys and a WASD gaming cluster with anti-ghosting technology. Plus, the whole damn thing lights up and can be configured for two lighting zones.

The Tact Mouse comes with a radical design that is sure to leave some skeptical. Like me. That’s a monster ass for sure. But at least the specs are solid: 5000 DPI laser with on-the-fly sensitivity adjustments, 5 user profiles, 9 buttons, and back lighting. We only wish we could pass along the pricing and availability, but they’re not available yet.