• TWEAK
• Hardware
• Keyboard

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless

We start by taking a closer look at the specifications of the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless from ASUS, which I found via their website.

Specifications of the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless

• Type: 96%
• Materials: Aluminum and plastic
• Contacts: ROG NX Snow mechanical
• Backlight: Yes, RGB
• Connection: Cable (USB-A to USB-C), Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz
• Battery: 1500 hours
• Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
• Response Rate: -
• Profile in built-in memory: Yes
• Media control: Yes through Function Key (FN)
• Backlight intensity button: Yes again FN keys
• Windows lock button: Yes
• Software: Armory Crate
• Dimensions: 377 x 131 x 40mm
• Adjustable height: Yes
• Weight: 1012 grams (without cable and wrist rest)
• Compatible operating systems: Windows

All about the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless

The ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a mechanical wireless keyboard, the model I got to test is with ASUS' own switches ROG NX Snow. They can probably be most compared to RED, as they have a linear and "silent" profile. The keyboard had to have 1500 hours of battery time. Using ASUS own technology ROG SpeedNova wireless technology. Next to that, it also gives the option of being able to connect a keyboard and mouse to the same receiver.

In the box, of course, we find the keyboard itself, together with a wrist rest, a cable with USB-A to USB-C, an adapter, dongle, an extra space button and finally some manuals.

ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has a nice aluminum design, combined with some rough switches. In the upper right corner, we have a switch with the ROG logo, which also functions as a multimedia button, between the "enter" button and the numpad there is an elongated display that shows various multimedia functions, as well as bluetooth connection 1-3 if these are used. The keyboard has a solid weight and the overall quality feels incredibly high.

ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has no direct battery status. Instead, you can use FN + - to see the status. Next to that, RGB switches to red when the keyboard is under 20% left.

To be able to charge the keyboard, a sleeved cable with USB-A to USB-C is of course included. An adapter is also included so that you can connect the dongle to the same cable, and therefore ensure that the cable has more functions.

On the back, we have coating to keep the keyboard firmly in place, even on slightly more slippery surfaces. You can also adjust the height of the keyboard. Where it can be adjusted to three different heights.

As previously mentioned, the keyboard is 96% in size. The keyboard also lacks 4% of the full size switches, but still shares almost the same size as a regular TKL keyboard. ASUS has also managed with that space to add an incredible number of functions, including the multimedia button, which can control things from the sound level, pause and start the music, brightness of the keyboard and MACRO settings.

Software

If you want to delve further into the options on the keyboard, we have to use the software Armory Crate. It is ASUS' own software to bring together all their products and the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is no exception.

The first menu is "keys", here we have the option to change functions on the keys themselves. It is also possible to disable functions alt+tab or alt+F4 when gaming.

Subsequently, we have Lighting, where we can choose what kind of lighting the keyboard should have. It can be anything from static light, rainbow, raindrop and many more. It is also possible here to select brightness, which can be adjusted from 0 to 100%.

The next is the RGB indicator, where it is possible to set the ROG logo, to either know battery function or synchronize with the light itself in the keyboard.

Next we have the multiwheel. Which is the ROG button, as well as the wheel. Here it is possible to see what the various functions do when, among other things, the light is turned down or the button is pressed when it is on the keyboard's brightness. It is also possible to change the last menu "M" based on your own wishes.

The last one we review is effect. Here we can see how much power is left on the keyboard, and we can set when the keyboard should go into sleep mode. It is also possible to tell when the keyboard should go into a power-saving mode. The last one that we do not go through is the firmware update, where you can make sure to keep your keyboard up to date.

The test – Use and comfort

It has now become time to test the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless from ASUS. As always, my own keyboard is being replaced, and the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is going to be thrown through a few different things, both to feel the comfort, the quality, the response. I do this by taking it through normal PC use, along with some gaming, and as something new, I use a website that can provide some information about ms on keyboard presses and an estimated scan rate.

***Remember this is not professional equipment, but compared to keyboards in the future, it can still give an indication of the actual response of the keyboard.

If we start by looking at the numbers, I got spammed with the keyboard on the website, which ended up giving me some numbers called, shortest keyboard press, with 19ms and an estimated scan rate of 52.6116Hz wirelessly. Cabled, it came down to 16ms and 62.5000Hz scan rate. -

Let's move on to the slightly more personal part of the test, where it is my experience with the keyboard. Then we start with actual writing and general use of the keyboard. The rough surface of the keyboard provides an incredibly good grip, and it gives a really good feeling when using the keyboard. Combined with the ROG NX Snow switches, which are incredibly silent and have a linear pressure. The keyboard as a whole is also easy to type on. Where you just have to turn to the size of the keyboard and the location of some buttons is, for me, the Share button.

It is a button that I sometimes use a lot, especially when typing, and here I could often find that I hit the wrong button. Since it has been stored up at the top, between Ins and PgUp.

During gaming, I used the wireless connection on the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless. Although I've usually stuck with optical switches and have now moved to mechanical. However, I have also experienced that I almost want to use the mechanical ones on the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless, with their NX Snow. They come with an incredibly good sound, response, and the rough surface works really well, where I feel a much better grip. Another thing that ASUS has been good at with many of their keyboards is the palm rest, which is more the rule than the exception. It has a suitable hardness to provide a good transition.

Price

I have been able to find a price for the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless from ASUS, which is 230$. As in some points, well may seem to be a high price, but compared to what you get, I would think the price is good.

If you want to find more information about the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless from ASUS, you can click on the banner above.

Conclusion

It is not because 96% of keyboards are new, and with a quick search, it is easy to see that there are also other players on the market. Therefore, there is still room for the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless, which comes with many cool features, and the well-known quality we know from ASUS and the ROG series. What further distinguishes it from those I have been able to find is the possibility of wireless connection and the additional possibility of being able to connect selected ASUS mice.

ASUS has also stated a battery life of 1500 hours, however, I may well have my doubts about this part, and if it is to be met, I will assume it is with RGB switched off and other measures. It still holds power nicely, so it's not because it performs worse than other wireless keyboards.

Then I can return to the NX Snow switches, developed by ROG. They are amazing to use and I would almost say that my days of red switches are over. It's as if ASUS has created a combination of switches that, in theory, are no different from other manufacturers, yet it feels like a different experience, and they've been incredibly good to work with. The space key can make a significant "clunk" when typing quickly, but the noise level is down to an acceptable level, where you will not disturb your surroundings.

The materials, design and finish are top notch, and it is clear that ASUS wants to create a product that is also worth its weight. The RGB colors themselves are beautiful and adorn the keyboard very well.

If we go further down the list, there is also the multimedia button. Here, ASUS has not just chosen to make a button that can turn up and down, as well as pause the music. But they have made it possible to make more settings, as well as give the user the opportunity to choose which functions the last menu should have. It gives a really good flexibility, which I think many will appreciate their keyboard had.

Then we come back to size. 96% offers some compromises, and whether you come from a TKL, but miss the numpad, or you come from full-size, but want a keyboard to take up less space, and still want a numpad. So 96% makes perfect sense. It's a keyboard that tries to bring both worlds together, and the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless does this part very well. It still requires some getting used to from the user, and even after longer tests, I still found myself pressing incorrectly on some switches.

Where many will especially fall away is the price. For around 1500 kroner is a lot, although I would think the price is justified. Especially when you also look at other 96% keyboards, which are wired, we unfortunately end up close to 1000 kroner, and that might make a lot, will end up settling for either full-size or TKL.

I therefore end the test by giving 10 out of 10 together with the "Editors Choice" award. Although the price may speak against it, I still think it is worth all the money, and you will get a really good experience with the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless. However, it is especially reserved for those who want to keep the numpad, but do not need the keyboard to take up too much space on the table.

Pros

• Possibility of wireless and wired solution
• Great design and finish
• NX Snow
• Great RGB lighting
• Solid and rough buttons
• Solid materials
• Numpad
• Can connect mouse and keyboard with the same receiver
• 1500 hour battery
• Multimedia button, with possibility of adjustments

Cons

• Price

Score: 10 + Editors' Choice