SteelSeries - Merc Stealth Gaming Keyboard

I'm using a SteelSeries Merc Stealth gaming keyboard. I've had it for several years after the previous one of the same model had to be retired after just over 12 years in service. Not because it technically broke, but it was an older version that required software to handle the key bindings correctly. But after a Windows update, the software stopped working. Luckily, I had a second, newer version which doesn't need that software. I hope that will last until the end of my gaming days because I'm not sure if I can handle any other format on a keyboard now. Paired with a RedDragon M908 mouse, I hardly need to move my hands over to the rest of the keyboard.

yeah I'm still using my merc stealth till it dies.

The Merc Stealth is one of the greatest keyboards ever made. Still use it. I have a 2nd broken one that I salvage for parts/keys if and when they break. It's old as hell but damn if I can't find anything to replace it with.

I have one sitting in my cupboard. I loved it, don't know if I want to go back to it or try to sell it. Going from mechanical back to membrane might be tough...

I agree. Not sure why everyone is complaining about the ergonomics, I had a Merc Stealth and it was so comfortable to game with. The slight angle on the left side helps a bunch, and the buttons are positioned so you don't need to position your hand the same way as with a standard numpad like the G13 or Tartarus.

I had a Merc Stealth and a G13. The G13 was way less comfortable because it was basically just a numpad with no ergonomics in mind. The butterfly WASD and positioning of the keys on the Fang/Merc were waayyyy more comfortable to use and it was much easier to hit all the keys. I might be remembering incorrectly, but I thought you could actually map the buttons to whatever you wanted with the software, just like modern keyboards (though you'd have to ignore the printed characters on them).

Another voice for the Merc Stealth and the Fang, here. Don't really care about the swappability, but that Fang/Merc's layout was amazing. Any attempts to do something similar like Razer's Tartarus or Logitech's G13 are pale imitations because they're basically just straight numpads without any ergonomics thought of. The Fang's/Merc's butterfly keys, along with the numpad across two rows, and the different feels for the different buttons, were unbeatable. Steelseries, since having bought out ZBoard, are fully aware of how popular the Merc Stealth is. People are BEGGING them for a new one, and they even made a big deal about giving away their last one(s) from their warehouse. There must be some reason why they won't redo it...maybe the manufacturing cost is just too high?

I had that SteelSeries Merc Stealth, and it was by far the best keyboard I've ever owned. It was the most comfortable thing ever for gaming, and I still can't understand why they discontinued it. The worst part is I replaced it while it was still working with a mechanical one, and none of those lasted as long or came even close to 1% of its comfort. I played so much WoW with that keyboard, Cataclysm times!

Sounds like someone who never owned a merc stealth. There is a reason why everyone who owned one considers it the best keyboard they ever had.

Steelseries Merc Stealth. But they don't make it anymore and I don't think it's supported by modern versions of Windows so you and I are both SoL.

Bro what? I'm still rocking mine and am sweating the day it finally kicks the bucket. NOTHING out there comes close to the merc stealth in ergonomics for MMO/FPS.

I regret not buying a new in box one for $200 on ebay 10 years ago. Now they're like $600. Still have my original but it's worn down and I don't know what I'll do when it finally dies. 😭

I had a Steelseries Merc Stealth untill very recently but the z-board side "W" started to stick because the membrane broke and I couldn't repair it. Despite what everyone is saying I really enjoyed the ergonomics of it. I have a large hand with slender fingers and the z-board really felt natural to me. Can I, and do I still game on a regular keyboard? Sure, and I've been used to it for decades now. There was just something much more comfortable and intuitive to me with that layout. I also wish they would bring a modern version of it. The membrane and reponse time did suck though.

I had the Merc and Merc stealth. Steel series bought them out and discontinued them. Closest approximate is the razer orb weaver and that's in it's way out so I plan on pickingb one or two up before they are completely gone.

Ive never come across anything close to quiet.. Everything is always like try the new super quiet cherry mx blah blah.. Its all too loud for me. I honestly don't want a click at all.. I loved my old steelseries merc stealth. It was membrane, but it was quiet AF... Plus the left side keypad was amazing. I've hated every keyboard since then but there has never been a good option.

Still use my Merc Stealth, and have 2 more backups for when it dies ;) I don't understand why nobody replicated the form/design, surely Steelseries TM has expired by now...

I miss my stealth merc