Introduction
After the previous review of the SL5000 we’re now arriving at the PL6000. How is this chair compared to the SL5000 or other chairs? You’ll read it here!
Specifications
Let’s get started with the specs!
Model: VG-PL6000
Colors: White / Camo / Carbon Black / Red / Blue / Green
Max Load: 200 kg
Recommended Height: 203.2 cm
Recommended Weight: 169 kg / 372.581 lbs
Materials: Steel (frame), UPHR Foam, PUC Leather, Aluminum Alloy (base)
Package Dimension: 83 x 72 x 33 cm
Overall height (incl. base): 1285-1385 mm
Backrest Width (shoulder): 510 mm
Backrest Width (lumbar): 520 mm
Seat Width: 550 mm
Seat Depth: 480 mm
Net Weight: 26.4 kg
Gross Weight: 30.8 kg
Unboxing
Vertagear has supplied me with the 2 following chairs:
– SL5000 – This review has been online for a while. 🙂
– PL6000 – Which i am currently reviewing
Vertagear took the time and care to neatly package the product to make sure it stays in pristine condition during transit.
The Vertagear PL6000 is being delivered as a small DIY kit, but no worries, you can use it in no-time. They took care and time to make the process as easy as possible!
Also included is the following:
– Two pillows, one for your neck and the other for your back,
– One gas spring,
– A manual,
– A tilt mechanism,
– Five wheels
– Aluminium bottom part
– 4 screws and an interesting looking Alan/Hex key.
– Backrest and seating
The seat and backrest are fitted with a PUC Synthetic artificial leather. What does that mean exactly? Well..Vertagear describes it as follows:
PUC Combines the best attributes of Polyvinyl Chloride and Polyurethane artificial leather in one. The durability of PVC for daily use, whilst remaining comfortable and soft due to the PU artificial leather. Less maintenance, more durability without sacrificing comfort.
And it definitely makes a difference. The PUC feels firmer. Normal PU-leather has issues with durability and starts tearing due to the thinner fabric. I feel that this chair has a longer lifespan, however I’ve only been able to use this chair for a few months for this review, so a definitive conclusion is something that I can not give at this point of time. Of course it’s also dependent on how someone would use this chair. Shuffling often whilst wearing denim jeans or any other coarse material, or perhaps performing circus acts on the Vertagear PL6000 will surely have an impact on the material.
Not only has PUC been infused in the Vertagear PL6000, there’s also a fabric by the name of HygennX in play. From Vertagear themselves they describe it as follows: HygennX, from Vertagear, uses patented technology of grinded coffee nanotechnology in a breathing fabric to provide a natural solution to odor control included with a silver coated stitching to neutralize the growth of bacteria whilst it prolongs the durability and accessories. (roughly translated, welcome to the 21st century!).
The backside of the backrest is a little boring in my opinion. The only thing portrayed is the Vertagear logo with some lines for a more sporty look.
Personally, I’m quite pleased with these wheels. The so-called rollerskate like wheels will ensure you can race around. The big wheels are also a huge bonus. If you happen to have carpet/laminate protector under the wheels, using the big wheels would make it easier as opposed to the small ones. Something I’ve noticed with other brands that had wheels the size of marbles, is that it’s easier to lift your whole chair up as opposed to repositioning…
Gas spring is located in the bottom frame so DO NOT forget to take the red cap off of it. Like I’ve said before, I made the mistake once, and had to pay with taking it all apart again. You’ve been warned once again!
The PL6000 is equipped with a 4D-armrest so you can position them to your liking perfectly.
Another plus about Vertagear’s chairs is that both armrests are already affixed. Other brands will make you work for it, not Vertagear thankfully! So we can sit down faster and do whatever we want to 🙂
In comparison to the lackluster tilt mechanism of the SL5000, the PL6000 has made some great changes! This one can be locked whilst reclining in whatever angle you’re in and that is a personal favorite of mine. Example whilst using it is watching a show on your computer/laptop/potato or whatever you use, and you want to rest your feet on the desk.
The PL6000 makes it easy and comfortable, as opposed to having all the weight on your knees. By locking the mechanism whilst reclining, the weight is distributed on the chair as it should be, and not on your body.
Vertagear has provided an Alan/Hex key that outperforms rivals that include tools in their products. I recall Sharkoon once providing me with a key that was so long, that I couldn’t even turn it once due to it bashing against the frame. With the Vertagear one you can easily affix it and it’s a good key to add to your collection too!
The PL6000 already has the 4 screws on the bottom in place. Some of them were affixed a little too tight. The armrests are thankfully already in place.
If the tilt mechanism is in place, the gas spring can be placed on top of that.
This area is where Vertagear shines brightly. The backrest has gaps on the side which slide perfectly into the frame on the seating. This helps tremendously and makes sure you don’t have to work with plastic caps on the side to cover up the screws. Well done Vertagear!
Like I mentioned previously, the chair comes with a back and neck pillow. The only personal point of criticism would be that there are no holes in the backrest which makes it slightly more difficult to put the back pillow in place. You’ll have to let the elastic band run all over the topside of the backrest, which looks a little odd.
The plus side is, there’s a zipper in the pillows so you can always add more padding if that is deemed necessary.
These pillows are equipped with a memory foam like texture. And in my personal opinion, it’s a bit too firm. But per usual, they’re optional, and you’re fine without them.
Got some incredibly tedious and boring meetings at work? Or are you tired after gaming? (Which I also count as hard work sometimes!) Just recline the chair and rest for a while, but don’t forget to turn the camera off if you’re in a meeting. Or else you’ll be reminded of it during a yearly review…
Differences with the SL5000
The main difference between the SL5000 and PL6000 courtesy of Vertagear, is that the PL6000 is considered its big brother. The backrest of the PL6000 is not only bigger, but also flatter on the sides of the backrest. The SL5000 protrudes more in that area.
Besides that, the seat of the PL6000 is bigger in width and length compared to the SL5000. The SL5000 has higher sides which stick out.
Long story short, if you’re on the ‘bigger’ spectrum of anatomy, I’d choose the PL6000 over the SL5000. If the SL5000 seems like the best fit, this would definitely suffice for all your needs.
The PL6000 has a more advanced tilt mechanism which also adds more height, allowing it to be higher than the SL5000. So make sure to take a good look at the specifications of both chairs – but that counts for everything you want to purchase!
Last but certainly not least, the wheels. The PL6000’s wheels are bigger, and roll even easier than its little brother. Bigger wheels also means slightly more elevation, of course.
Practical use
I’ve been using both chairs for a few months now. The SL5000 was already used by me and reviewed not too long ago, and immediately I switched to using the PL6000. Like I mentioned in my previous review, I’ve used an IKEA chair worth around 200 euros which was fine for the time being. Even though it wasn’t cheap. And after using it for a while, the seat rest was flatter than a wooden board. And it felt like that as well! With these chairs from Vertagear there’s an obvious difference in quality, whilst not being 8x more expensive.
Let me preface this by saying, these chairs aren’t cheap. But getting a cheap one isn’t an investment for you back, and you are worth a whole lot more, so choose wisely!
As i was able to use both the SL5000 and the PL6000 i’ve been quite impressed with Vertagear’s chairs. It certainly feels different than other available brands, and the more flavors to choose from, the merrier!
Is it a good chair to play games on? Absolutely! Can you work on it? The answer is also yes. I’ve worked 9 hour days on these chairs, and at the end of the day I didn’t leave my desk looking like the hunchback of Notre Dame. And I didn’t have a doubt that was going to be the case anyway!
The Vertagear SL5000 got a point deducted from the 5 stars due to the basic tilt mechanism. The PL6000 has everything I desire in the tilt mechanism, you can simply lock it in place wherever you want. And what more can you want from a chair besides all the options and comfort it offers?
Conclusion
Vertagear was unknown to me until now. By sheer chance I came across someone from them at the last Tweakers Awards. (A reviewing website based in the Netherlands.)
And started talking to them about their products. It’s not a huge name in the market of chairs, whilst it deserves to be with the showcase of all their products. And that is something they prove with the Vertagear SL5000 and of course the PL6000. It’s incredibly firm, and makes use of high quality products.
The PUC-leather did feel weird at first to me when I compared it to other brands. This type is considerably thicker compared to AKRacing or Arozzi chairs.
Vertagear is also quite the innovator in my opinion. Being able to easily slot the backrest on the bottom frame instead of having trouble affixing it like other brands, is progress in my book. And having the option to have a full RGB disco is just a cool extra feature. Something perfect for livestreams. And as everyone knows, the more RGB you have, the more skill you have as a gamer…Even though it’s in your chair this time around.. 😛
One of the many good things about Vertagear is the 4D-armrest. You can also pinpoint the perfect position for your arms. And of course the backrest that has an angle of 80 to 140 degrees is easily adjustable.
Thank the heavens for the tilt mechanism. Being able to be in your chair whilst you recline and lock it is exactly the addition I wanted!
Does the PL6000 have any cons? Good question. If you’re like me, a bit too much like cookie monster, the size of the chair is great. If you skip the cookie jar or your metabolism is amazing, you might want to have a look at the aforementioned SL5000. Which also has a little bit more support on the sides. The PL6000 is designed for ‘larger’ users sitting in it, and they’ve done a great job! Because too much support on your legs/shoulders/torso isn’t comfortable, the PL6000 finds that balance very well.
The Vertagear PL6000 is currently being sold voor 369,90 euros. And that’s quite a bargain for the chair you get. If we look at the amount alone, comparing it to other chairs, for example the AKRacing Master Premium i’ve reviewed, that one currently sells for 389 euros.
Whilst sitting at a price of 479 euros at AKRacing itself.
In my opinion, the Vertagear SL5000 and PL6000 respectably will give you more chair for the price.
The Vertagear PL6000 rightfully earns 5 out of 5 stars. A whole lot of chair for a good price.
As for now, time to relax…Until the next review!
