Compact but full-size: review of the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless gaming keyboard

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is an interesting gaming keyboard for those who are looking for a smaller model, but do not want to give up an additional number pad. Thanks to the 96% form factor, the keyboard is approximately 5 cm narrower than standard models. But this led to the use of a rather unusual layout. ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is equipped with high-quality PBT plastic keycaps and wonderful proprietary ROG NX Snow switches, which are lubricated from the factory and are hot-swappable. To this should be added effective proprietary stabilizers, as well as the use of foam and additional shock-absorbing pads to reduce noise. The keyboard supports cable, Bluetooth and radio connections and has very good battery life. Additional advantages worth noting are the multifunction key and scroll wheel. ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has a durable and reliable design and RGB lighting for lovers of colorful keyboards. The only factor that may discourage you from buying a keyboard (apart from the unusual layout) is its high price. It’s hard to find direct competitors; there’s nothing like it in this form factor. If we focus on price and the ability to replace switches, then among the popular brands there is the Logitech G715, but it does not have an additional digital unit. Or look at models from more specialized manufacturers like Keychron. Now the keyboard costs 8,650 UAH.

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless

Wireless Gaming Keyboard with Variable Switches and Noise Canceling

Wireless mechanical keyboard with a reduced form factor of 96%, hot-swappable ROG NX Snow mechanical switches. Supports cable connection, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, has RGB backlighting, noise reduction, and an additional multi-function button with a wheel

Replacement switches

6 reasons to buy ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless:

• high-quality, durable, hot-swappable ROG NX Snow linear switches;
• durable and reliable design, caps made of high-quality PBT plastic;
• supports cable connection, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth;
• long battery life;
• silicone foam and additional shock-absorbing pads for noise reduction;
• multi-function key and wheel.

2 reasons not to buy ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless:

• unusual layout that takes time to get used to;
• high price.

Fast transition

1. What's included?
2. What ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless looks like?
3. How convenient it is to use?
4. What the keyboard can do?
5. Dry residue

What's included:

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless comes in a large box, typical for the ROG line, in black and black with a lot of printing. Including an image of the keyboard itself and all the main features. In addition to the keyboard itself, the kit includes a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, an adapter with a clothespin from a USB Type-A port to a USB Type-C port, a USB receiver, an additional space bar cap made of ABS plastic, and a tool for removing caps and switches, wrist rest, set of stickers and documentation.

What ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless looks like?

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has a skeleton design, that is, the switches are not hidden by an additional cover, but protrude slightly above the topcase. These keyboards are much easier to clean. The colors and materials are quite classic, like for gaming models. The keyboard is made primarily of practical matte black plastic, the top plate is made of thick dark gray metal. As the name implies, the keyboard has a 96% format, that is, it is more compact than standard models, but the number of keys is almost standard. This is possible due to the displacement of the additional digital block close to the main one. This entailed some features of the layout, which we will talk about a little later.

Among the interesting unusual elements, it is worth noting the multifunction key with the ROG logo and backlight, as well as the wheel in the upper right corner of the keyboard. They allow you to control the playback of multimedia files, adjust the sound volume and customize the keyboard backlight. We have already seen something similar in ASUS ROG Azoth.

The indicators are placed in a slightly unusual manner. Between the main and digital blocks in a vertical orientation in three groups. At the top are the standard Windows indicators (CapsLock, NumLock, etc.), then there is an indicator of the operating mode of the multifunction button and wheel. And the third group is an indication of a device connected via Bluetooth. In total, the keyboard can connect to three devices, between which you can quickly switch.

The keyboard uses PBT plastic keycaps, which are produced using Doubleshot technology. They have a rough, pleasant surface and are very resistant to abrasion. But there are also disadvantages: such plastic is not translucent. It is for this purpose that the interior and symbols are cast from ABS. Therefore, from the factory there are only Latin characters. For users accustomed to blind typing, this will not be a problem. But these are not all potential keyboard owners. The keycaps have a standard height, but a shortened stem to reduce key swing when typing.

There are several important functional elements on the back of the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless. Closer to the left edge there is a connection mode switch and a Type-C connector. It is almost not recessed into the case, so using third-party cables should not be a problem.

On the other side there is a pocket for a USB transmitter. It has a magnet inside that holds the dongle tightly enough so that it won't fall out accidentally.

At the bottom there is a plate with the necessary technical information, a lower zone with decorative diagonal lines and the ROG logo, rubber inserts, as well as double folding legs. Thanks to rubber inserts and solid weight, the keyboard sits securely on the table and does not slip.

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless can be placed at three angles relative to the table.

The included wrist rest has a plastic base and a nice soft faux leather top. It is attached to the keyboard exclusively with magnets. There are six large rubber feet on the bottom to prevent slipping.

The Type-C cable is 2 meters long, has a braid and a rubber tie. The cable is quite thick, but not very heavy and fits well into the desired position. Although for a keyboard (especially a wireless one), the quality of the cable is not critical.

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has a durable design with almost no flex or twisting. The dimensions are slightly smaller than those of standard keyboards: 377x131x40 mm, and the weight is quite adequate, as for good mechanics: 1012 g

How convenient it is to use?

The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless layout has several features due to its reduced size. The digital block is placed close to the main one, so there is no separate block above the arrows with Ins, Home, PgUp, Del, Eng, PgDown. The buttons are located at the end of the F row, some functions are implemented via Fn. The F row itself is also slightly different from the standard: there are no gaps every four buttons (as in standard keyboards), I sometimes missed the first few days. The arrow block is also shifted slightly to the left and down, it is moved to the left of Alt, Fn and Ctrl, the menu button is missing, and the right Shift is slightly reduced. So after standard keyboards you will need to spend some time getting used to it.

The keyboard uses foam and additional shock-absorbing pads to absorb noise, vibration and echo when you press the keys. Such solutions are increasingly found not only in the most expensive keyboards, which is good news.

The keyboard uses new proprietary ROG NX Snow mechanical switches. ROG NX Snow are linear switches that feature a walled stem design for added stability. Full stroke is 3.6 mm, before actuation – 1.8 mm, initial force – 40g, actuation force – 45g, maximum force – 53g. The resource of the switches is 70 million clicks. They are lubricated from the factory and have an even, smooth and pleasant ride without sand. Hot swap supported.

The long keys use proprietary ROG stabilizers, which are also pre-lubricated. They perform their function well, the keys do not wobble and have a smooth stroke.

The included adapter from Type-C to Type-A is designed to place the USB receiver closer to the keyboard. This is done to improve the stability of the wireless signal. Although there was no such need during use, the keyboard never lost connection with the PC.

What the keyboard can do?

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless supports three connection types: cable, Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connection with the included ROG Omni USB receiver. It uses ROG Speednova technology, which (according to ASUS) provides minimal latency, stable wireless connectivity and energy efficiency. Another useful feature of the ROG Omni receiver is the ability to connect several compatible devices to it at once, which is especially important with a small number of USB connectors.

The keyboard supports N-key roll over (NKRO), which means that it can handle any number of simultaneously pressed buttons. There is a built-in memory in which you can save up to 6 profiles, switchable by pressing the key combination Fn + 1-6 (6 is the standard profile). Much can be configured without proprietary software. Backlight modes, brightness, switching profiles, Bluetooth devices, checking battery charge, recording macro on the go, etc. There are many key combinations and it will be difficult to remember everything at once. But on the side edges of the caps there are additional designations of functions launched via Fn.

The multi-function key and three-position wheel have three operating modes. By default, these are volume (pressing the wheel turns off the sound), playback control, brightness and duplicating the mouse wheel (the latter mode can be reconfigured in the proprietary software).

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has RGB backlighting with individual settings for each button, a large number of modes, support for AURA synchronization effects.

ASUS claims that the keyboard can last up to 1,500 hours over the air on a single charge with the backlight off and 90 hours with the backlight on. When using the keyboard in daily operating mode with maximum backlight brightness, the keyboard worked for 10 days. There is support for fast charging. It is claimed that half an hour of charging will be enough for 35 hours of operation. To configure all keyboard functions, use the common Armory Crate application for all ASUS gaming devices. In it you can reassign key actions, record macros, profiles, customize the keyboard backlight, three-way joystick actions, power saving settings and update the firmware.

The bottom line: three things you need to know about ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless.

• ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless – wireless mechanical keyboard with ASUS ROG NX Snow switches and support for hot swapping.
• Has a reduced form factor of 96% and a slightly unusual layout.
• Supports three connection types: cable, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth.