Verdict
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a rattling wireless gaming keyboard . It extend the benefit of being both a traditional gambling board and partizan - floor features – take things to another storey . There are comfortable and smooth switches alongside upright looks and vibrant RGB light . Just look out out for that slightly fluky software system .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
2023 looks to be the twelvemonth that Asus is going all in with keyboards that glaze over the lines between gaming and fancier - grade dining table – inscribe their late creation , the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless .
It bring with it an challenging layout choice , as well as lubricate switches and a live - swappable PCB . There are some excellent and speedy wireless connectivity to offer a well - rounded choice .
pass the brand ’s anterior efforts with theAsus ROG Azoth , one of the best mechanically skillful keyboards of 2023 , this Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has a lot to survive up to . Let ’s do some excavation , and find out how well it perform .
Design
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless provides a solid shape with a credit card chassis and metal top plate . There ’s no deck flex to speak of , and Asus ’ latest candidate brings with it a decent amount of heft . It ’s not as heavy as the likes of the Azoth , though at just over 1 kg , but this is a well - made ‘ circuit board .
Its 96 % layout is an challenging one , go the nav cluster to the office row and get the number pad and arrow discover nearer to the main alphanumerical set of keys . This is an odd layout for a ‘ gaming ’ board to use , but one that ’s become a dearie of enthusiasts over the years . It ’s also sometimes known as an ‘ 1800 layout ’ , given the origins of this layout lie with the Cherry G80 - 1800 , a keyboard from the German manufacturer that dates from around twenty - five years ago .
Besides this maverick layout choice , the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless look like an ROG product , gross with an aggressive typeface on the keycaps . They ’re comprised of a textured PBT , much like the Azoth ’s are , and feel fantabulous under the finger . PBT is a much more undestroyable and heavily - hold out plastic than the chintzy type AB , that is more traditionally used in keyboard at vary price gunpoint and is also resistant to the refulgence experienced on tacky keycaps with extended use .
You do n’t get an OLED display , but there are convenient measures elsewhere , include keycaps with dedicated sub - caption for controlling recording functions on Windows Game Bar , as well as a multi - function clit and hair curler for control mass medium playback and lighting , which is gracious . There is also a comfortable wristrest that goes with the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless , too . It impound via magnets , and stays in office moderately well , give you a solution for even better ergonomics .
In terminal figure of its interface and connectivity , things are kept dainty and easy , with everything you need to be housed on the keyboard ’s top side . There you ’ll find aUSB - Cport for pumped up connectivity and charging , as well as a switch to ferment the keyboard on and choose between connectivity modes . The receiver is house inside the keyboard , which means you could conceivably use the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless as more of a portable keyboard if you wanted to .
The publicity is comprised of composition board , with the Strix Scope II 96 radio amount in a ROG - stigmatize fabric cup of tea , while the wrist - rest ’s formative bag is the only foretoken of the material upon closelipped review . Asus defecate no environmental claims regarding the textile used in this keyboard , though .
Performance
Inside the ROG Strix Scope II 96 radio , Asus has bundled its own pre - lubricated NX Snow switch , a light and linear switch with a 45 g weight . With that topographic point of lubrication , they ’re supremely smooth , with no form of scratchiness . Compared to the NX Reds , they also offer a ten per cent shorter travel with a full space of 3.6 mm and 1.8 mm actuation detail ( compared to 4 mm and 2 mm on the NX Red ) , leading them to palpate snappier under the finger , which made them a joy to expend in examination .
Lubrication can also make a difference in a keyboard ’s acoustic , too . It aid in muffle the auditory sensation and remove any pinging or rattling . There is n’t any to speak of with the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless , while the improver of layer of foam inside the casing also aid it to volunteer some excellent acoustics .
fancier will also be pleased to know that the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is live - swappable , meaning you could puke in any electrical switch you care , as long as they conform to the MX measure of 3 or 5 - pin mounting . It allow you with near innumerable customisation of switch choices if you are n’t fond to the NX Snow . Swapping switch out is well-fixed , and can totally change the feel of the keyboard and your experience with it . To change them , you simply grab a switch puller from inside the box , pull gently to get the switch out , and then interchange it by making sure the PIN number line up with the socket , and then press down until it click into shoes .
With the nonpayment NX Snows inside , the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless feel well-situated to use with quiet actuation and light-headed force . This also makes them an idealistic switch for gambling when have their curt change of location length into account , giving them a merry keypress . They may not be analogue or have adjustable propulsion points , but they offer a light keypress , build them a brilliant all - round choice .
The Strix Scope II 96 Wireless features some excellent radio connectivity options , working over both Bluetooth and the bundle 2.4GHz pass catcher . Switching between the two modal value is n’t laborious either , thanks to the strong-arm switch on the top of the keyboard . Both association are also rather dependable , while the 2.4GHz pass catcher offers a lower latent period connection than Bluetooth does .
There ’s also some marvellous survival on offer here . The Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is blackleg to last for up to 1500 hour when using the 2.4GHz receiver , as long as you ’ve got the excellent RGB ignition turned off . That gives you over a year ’s Charles Frederick Worth of bursting charge , and in my week of testing , I did n’t have to charge the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless once . If you do turn the ignition on , expect to get between 80 and 90 hr of endurance , which is less impressive , but still gives you two working week ’ worth of charge before needing to be plugged in .
Software and Lighting
Asus has give up on the lighting side of things with the Strix Scope II 96 tuner , proffer a full spectrum of vibrant and intense lighting that brings out the well in the keyboard ’s looks . Asus ’ lighting has always been adequate , but this previous range of keyboard seems to have take things to another degree .
However , ROG Armoury Crate continues to be a number of a pain in the ass with slow payload metre and okay functionality , liken to what other keyboards and their software package offer . It ’s a demand , as opposed to being an optional duplicate , as you need it to update the keyboard ’s firmware . You get access to remap keys , as well as to custom-make the RGB firing and the functions of the wheel and button in the top correct corner . There is only one function stratum , though , so power users may want to look elsewhere .
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Should you buy it?
The Strix Scope II 96 Wireless provides salutary looks , a self-colored chassis and loads of customisation with swappable switches .
The Strix Scope II 96 Wireless provides lots of chance for computer hardware - driven change , but its computer software offer less .
Final Thoughts
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless stay the brilliance we saw earlier in the class from theROG Azoth . It impart a more improper layout yet most of the same features , all for a much more stomachable price . It ’s the complete package , deftly glaze over the lines between traditional play boards and more maverick enthusiast choices with bright execution .
This is a well - made keyboard with a solid metal and plastic frame , all over with the fun of an additional magnetic wristrest . What ’s more , its pre - lubed linear switches are smooth and great for typewriting and gaming , although it ’s nifty that Asus has bundle in the option for you to convert them virtually at will . It ’s here where the Strix Scope II 96 radio notch up a notable victory against the recently releasedLogitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed .
blend with this good battery life , an arguably more convenient mean of vary between connections , and a keyboard that ’s also a little act punk , it ’s quite an easy win for Asus over the competition . My only issue is the software , but that ’s a modest trouble in comparability to the ease of what ’s on offer here . The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 radio really is a stratum - leading keyboard . For more option , feel free to see to it out our list of thebest mechanical keyboards .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we try for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll hold back it for ease of purpose and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres , admit FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also go over each keyboard ’s computer software to see how well-fixed it is to customize and coiffe up .
FAQs
Yes , the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is hot - swappable , meaning you’re able to change the switches out without any need for bonding or desoldering .
