GG’s Ironclad V2 is a one-of-a-kind keyboard due to the work done on optimizing its typing experience. Let’s discover this model, which reshuffles the cards of this very competitive market.
The keyboard gamer Ironclad V2 is like a UFO in today’s market. It doesn’t seem to shine with its design, but it shouldn’t be underestimated either. The creator of the brand has done very meticulous work in the bowels of the keyboard to offer a typing experience that is light years away from what the giants of the sector offer.
Thus, a lot of work has been done on the lubrication of the switches, as well as on the reduction of their noise. All these improvements, not very visible on the outside, tend to place the Ironclad V2 above all its competitors available to the general public.
This second iteration of the Ironclad has new switches and is offered at the recommended price of 139 euros. A price that remains reasonable, given the services offered.
A little history
Before going further in this test, and to fully understand why the Ironclad is so special, it is necessary to take stock of the current market for keyboards for gamers. Since the adoption of mechanical switches, most manufacturers have developed their own switches with varying degrees of success.
In parallel with the market dominated by Logitech, Corsair or Razer, some more demanding users have started to build their own keyboards by carefully selecting the chassis, switches and electronic components. Behind this approach, the objective is very often to significantly improve the typing experience, which is still very uncertain on the keyboards of the major manufacturers.
This includes manual lubrication of switches and stabilizers, to make them as smooth as possible. The stabilizers are the mechanisms combining plastic and metal found under the large keys such as the shift key and the space key.
Apart from lubricating the switches, the addition of acoustic foam and a more solid plate to receive them helps to reduce noise and resonance as much as possible. Although some manufacturers are beginning to make efforts on these points, the rendering remains incomparable to what is found on “handmade” keyboards.
This is where GG comes in by bringing the experience and the requirement of the world of keyboards custom, in a model accessible to the general public, preassembled and relatively inexpensive compared to the usual cost of these devices. Beyond this already important work, the Ironclad V2 has double injection PBT keys, more durable, interchangeable switches and a firmware open source (in beta) which will allow the keyboard to continue to evolve, even after the end of its official support.
A very classic design
Visually, the Ironclad V2 does not shine with its originality. The keyboard revolves around a hard plastic shroud and has no “visible” features that could make it stand out from its competitors. However, it is very well built and its high weight gives it an appreciable impression of solidity.
These design choices go hand in hand as the Ironclad V2 tends to be closer to keyboards custom which are generally very clean. No logo is present on the chassis and the area above the numeric keypad has the sole interest of hosting the indicator LEDs.
This timeless design is also marked by the cutouts in the shell which accommodate the keys and switches. These are therefore set back from the rest of the keyboard and this choice goes a little against the current trend.
To return to the keys, these are logically made of a double injection PBT plastic. This choice, usually reserved for high-end keyboards, guarantees a much longer lifespan for the keys and also avoids grease deposits which are very quickly visible with traditional ABS plastic.
RGB lighting is also included and it correctly illuminates all the characters cut out on the keys. While this sounds normal, it’s not necessarily the case since big brands like Razer still don’t offer this even on their most expensive models.
Under the chassis, we take advantage of a clever cable passage system. Indeed, the supplied braided USB cable is removable and, if it connects to the center of the keyboard, it can be routed to the left or to the right, according to the preferences of the user. Two retractable feet at two heights are also installed in order to choose between three different inclinations.
The Ironclad V2 comes with a tool to remove keys and switches, but also a few replacement keys to add system volume control. Some spare switches are also provided.
We regret that the wrist rest is not included in the box since you have to pay a few euros more to get it. However, it is very comfortable and perfectly matched with the keyboard. Its only fault is not to be magnetized.
A complete software, less the visual aspect
If it does not have dedicated multimedia keys or volume control wheel, the Ironclad V2 nevertheless benefits from many shortcuts accessible thanks to the Fn key. Only downside: these shortcuts are not indicated on the keys, so you will have to learn them by heart.
As often, it is mainly at the level of the software proposal and therefore, of the functionalities that the “young” brands are struggling to convince. However, the Ironclad V2 is accompanied by relatively complete software that offers most of the essential features. However, we will not dwell on the visual aspect of the application on which there is still work to be done.
The utility first allows you to customize the RGB lighting of the switches. The options are comprehensive with numerous presets and the ability to customize the lighting key by key. At this level, GG does as well as the competition.
The functionality of the keys will also be able to be changed with many actions ranging from keyboard shortcuts to multimedia and system functions. It is also possible to assign macros, which can be recorded directly within the application.
Finally, other more specific settings are included, including the possibility of activating game mode, which deactivates the Windows key. You can also enable or disable anti-ghosting, customize the debounce in order to adapt the behavior of the keyboard to the switches which are grafted to it and to modify the frequency of polling.
Profiles can be created to save different settings. Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to associate these profiles with games or applications to automatically switch from one to the other automatically.
Ironclad V2 will eventually be compatible with the firmware alternative QMK. This feature will allow it to remain customizable and scalable even if official support was no longer assured.
An exceptional typing experience
While the Ironclad V2 doesn’t necessarily stand out for its design or features, it’s a whole other story when it comes to the typing experience. It’s simple: no keyboard gamer general public does not currently offer such a service.
The switches benefit from excellent quality lubrication which gives them a fluidity that is unmatched by what the big names in the sector can offer. Only Asus manages to come close with its ROG RX switches, without being able to really compete.
The larger keys also benefit from special treatment with lubricated stabilizers. We add an excellent work on the acoustics which provides extreme satisfaction when typing by approaching what we find with a keyboard custom.
Regarding the characteristics of the switches, they are here similar to the traditional ones switches Cherry or Gateron red. They are therefore linear switches with a necessary activation force of 45 g. Overall reactive, they reveal their potential on FPS and other demanding titles of the genre.
The excellent experience provided by typing on these switches also makes them suitable for editorial use. Writing this test, logically done using the Ironclad V2, was a real pleasure. Note also that it is possible to get the Ironclad V2 with more classic Gateron Blue and Brown switches.
Finally, let’s not forget that the switches can easily be replaced using the accessories provided and that the keyboard can therefore evolve according to the tastes and desires of the user.
GG Ironclad V2 price and release date
The GG Ironclad V2 keyboard is available at the recommended price of 139 euros.