1stPlayer MK6 Bullet Hunter Mechanical Keyboard Review
1stPlayer MK6 Bullet Hunter Mechanical Keyboard
Publisher:
Developer:
Genre:
PEGI:
Comments:
As most gamers know, the faster you play, the better you are. This is one of the main reasons that helped mechanical keyboards make a resurgence in the world of PC peripherals. Unlike the mechanical keyboards of the past, modern versions are stylish and full of secondary functions that are targeted towards player convenience. With all of these features often comes a hefty price tag. But not always. Today we are looking at 1stPlayer’s MK6 Bullet Hunter RGB keyboard which promises a fully operational experience complete with RBG lighting and media controls at a fraction of the cost of some comparable big name keyboards. But how does it really stack up? Let’s find out!
When I first opened up the MK6 Bullet Hunter, I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality, which was immediately recognizable. Made of an aluminum alloy, the base of the keyboard feels extremely sturdy and durable, and the keys are raised to make the keyboard water and splash resistant. This means that as long as the keyboard is not submerged in water, it will keep on going even if you spill water all over it. The media keys, and especially the roller, feel as though they are a slightly cheaper quality, but they are still very usable and do not feel flimsy or hard to use whatsoever.
The keys themselves are Cherry MX Blue equivalent and as such have very satisfying bounce and response times. As they are blue switch equivalents, they provide the same tactile bump and click as other Cherry MX Blue switch keyboards offer. While it did not bother me at all, keep in mind that these keyboards do tend to be a little louder on the keys than Brown or Black switch keyboards. I actually enjoy this sound and tactile bump, as it provides a satisfying feedback when I need to type quickly or button-mash while gaming. Always be sure to choose the right switches for you and your environment!
The keyboard design is very clean, with the media buttons conveniently in the top right corner, which has become the standard location. The media keys work as expected, integrating seamlessly with Windows and audio programs like iTunes and Spotify to control your listening experience. All of the other keys are exactly as you would imagine them to be. This may seem like a silly point to make note of, but all too often does a PC accessory company decide to “fix what ain’t broke” and slightly modify the keyboard configuration, or change the size of certain keys. These changes rarely do any good, so I am quite glad to see the MK6 Bullet Hunter has not fallen into this pitfall.
While 1stPlayer’s MK6 Bullet Hunter is not wireless, it comes with a braided cable of more than sufficient length and to be honest, all of PC peripherals, keyboards have the least to gain from being wireless. Wireless headsets allow you to get up and walk around while listening to music or without losing communication with your friends while wireless mice have the benefit of not being tugged or pulled or experiencing any resistance due to the cord. Keyboards, on the other hard, are largely stationary within the confines of your desk, and can function just as well with or without being wireless.
The only less than intuitive feature of the MK6 Bullet Hunter is the customizable RGB lighting, which does not rely on software to control, but rather the keys on the keyboard itself. Once you figure out the system it becomes second nature but at first it can be puzzling. If you scrutinize the keys, you will notice that some have additional symbols such as the Up and Down arrow keys which have Brightness Up and Brightness Down icons, as well as the Plus and Minus keys which have a Up and Down arrow. While instructions for this are included, I found a little trial and error was required to fully understand them.
Essentially, to change the lighting of the keyboard, hold the function (FN) key and click one of the keys that has a secondary function, like the ones listed above. This will do everything between change the brightness of the keyboard, the lighting pattern, the pattern cycle rate, the colour scheme and more. For instance, Insert through Page Down are labeled 1-6 and these are your different lighting pattern options. Again, once you understand to look at the keys for the extra function and then know simply to hold FN while clicking the various adjustment keys, the system becomes second nature.
Overall, the MK6 Bullet Hunter is a surprisingly high quality keyboard with a sleek design that is chock-full of features and is offered at a very reasonable price. For $50USD, it is a serious contender for any gamer looking to upgrade to a satisfying and reliable mechanical keyboard. As it ships to North America from overseas, you will have to wait a few days for shipping but trust me, it is worth it.
The MK6 Bullet Hunter can be purchased in North America from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/1STPLAYER-Backlight-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switches-PC/dp/B07BMC5FCM