Asus is once again splurging with its ROG brand and tackling hardcore gaming with a collection of peripherals specially designed for picky gamers, especially lovers of competitive gaming. It is with this desire that the firm released a keyboard, the ROG Stryx Scope II 96 Wireless. A very classy peripheral in search of performance and precision, whose mission is to meet the expectations of players. Successful bet ?
ROG Stryx Scope II 96 Wireless, a long name, so dear to this type of gear, which hides a keyboard that is as accessible as it is complete. The ROG Stryx Scope II presents itself as a rather compact keyboard (377 x 131 x 40 mm) which ultimately changes the layout of the keys very little compared to standard keyboards. No question of blowing up keys like the competition, here the keyboard has all its teeth, right down to the numeric keypad. The keys are ultimately only tighter and we therefore gain in ergonomics and responsiveness (in game). Perfect when it comes to being lively during tense exchanges during competitive games, or raids in MMOs for example.
Small, but sturdy and well finished
Although it is smaller than the standards, the Scope II is quite incredibly robust. With 1012 grams on the scale (without cable) and with an absolutely perfect level of finish, the keyboard is a small behemoth of its kind. But such weight also implies foolproof stability. Once placed, the keyboard does not move a bit, even if you are a little nervous while playing. The icing on the cake is that it has small anti-slip pads at the back ensuring perfect grip.
As a bonus, you can adjust small feet to choose your preferred inclination from 3 available. The ultimate in comfort, the keyboard comes with a removable wrist rest that magnetizes itself on the lower part. Unfortunately, it doesn’t hold masses as long as you move your wrist a little too much, but nothing alarming. Without a doubt, the ROG Stryx Scope II is of absolutely perfect quality and comfort. As a bonus, it’s quite pretty and benefits from RGB Aura Sync technology. A trip to the Armory Crate will allow you to play with colors, by the way.
Quality switches, very pleasant and responsive typing
We also feel this same finish and precision when typing. The mechanical switches are equipped with shock absorbers and a foam finishes everything off ensuring a soft typing and the absorption of some of the noise and echo. The clicking of the keyboard is ultimately very pleasant. The keys and typing are also as the switches are of quality. These can also be changed on the fly and easily using a small pliers provided in the box. In addition, their design prevents dust infiltration, an excellent point and an obvious guarantee of longevity. On the other hand, the AZERTY versions of the keyboard will have to use ABS plastic caps, less expensive than the PBT of the QWERTY versions but also less resistant to shine. The caps are, however, treated with a special coating supposed to make them more resistant. After weeks of intensive use, RAS on our side. A view on the long term.
In game, the keyboard is impeccable. Ultra responsive and rather compact, we can easily chain our macros without getting too tired. MMO or MOBA fans will certainly appreciate the responsiveness.
Versatile connections, 3 quality modes and a revolutionary receiver
Still with this aim of offering comfort to the user, the ROG Stryx Scope II 96 Wireless has a small wheel in its upper right part. The latter allows you to adjust most multimedia parameters such as sound or your Spotify playbacks, without any prior adjustment. The keyboard is also extremely malleable since it has three connectivity systems: in wired mode using the reinforced, anti-twist USB cable provided, via Bluetooth or wirelessly using the dongle discreetly stored on the upper edge of the keyboard.
The latter is also equipped with a ROG Omni receiver, a first. This revolutionary technology for the brand allows you to connect several compatible peripherals to the same receiver, such as the ROG Harpe ACE Aim Lab Edition mouse (our test is coming) for example. This is an obvious space and ergonomic saving for users. The autonomy in wireless mode is also quite crazy, without being able to really quantify it, I used it for several dozen hours without ever plugging it in, the battery didn’t flinch one iota. It commands respect.
And like all ROG peripherals, you can take a look at the Armory Crate, the in-house software, to customize colors or even create macros. It is also from here that you can easily make your updates. As usual, the accessibility of the software commands respect. It is therefore difficult to be choosy with this ROG Stryx Scope II, although the price displayed at €190 may deter small budgets, the fact is that the keyboard is extremely solid and very well finished, even if the purists come to complain of the choice of ABS for the caps. But there isn’t much more to say about this excellent, very precise and very comfortable keyboard, in addition to being relatively customizable.
ROG Stryx Scope II 96 Wireless data sheet
- Starting price : €189.99
- Dimension : Keyboard 96%, 377 x 131 x 40 mm
- Weight : 1012g without cable
- Keys : ROG NX Mechanical Switch
- Connectivity : USB 2.0 (reinforced anti-twist cable), Bluetooth 5.1, Wireless (with dongle provided)
- RGB : Yes
- Anti-Ghosting :N Key Rollover
- Software Support : Armory Crate
- Programmable macro keys (via Armory Crate software)