ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe Review

ASUS Republic of Gamers created the world’s first RGB mechanical keyboard with a detachable Numpad. Today, what we have here is Strix Scope Deluxe, the world’s first keyboard with an enormous CTRL button, having the same size as the left shift with 2.25u. Let’s see in this review if the 2.25u ctrl button will have a positive or negative effect on FPS games.

The ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL deluxe package contains a wrist rest (deluxe), a braided and detachable type C to type A usb cable, the keyboard itself and a manual. As you all know, ROG doesn’t skimp on the packaging, the inner box has soft padded cushions to protect the keyboard itself during transport.

• ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe
• Detachable Wrist Rest
• Detachable USB type C cable
• Manual

The ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe is a TKL keyboard as the name says, with an ANSI layout. The top plate is a mix of sandblasted(left) and brushed alum(right) design. It is quite thick enough to prevent the keyboard from flexing.

The Strix Scope TKL Deluxe has a floating key design which makes it easier to clean the accumulated dust in time and the switches are plate mounted.

It has a very unique layout with a 2.25u control key and a 6u spacebar which makes it a non-standard and it is quite hard to find some keysets for this board.

At the back of the keyboard, you can see some grooves as part of the design, together with the ROG logo and 2 flip-out feet with rubber pads. Additionally, the connectivity of this keyboard is a detachable type C which is a plus for me since type C is one of the durable connections. Also, underneath the keyboard is an RGB lightbar, that is somewhat unique to mainstream keyboards. We usually see the RGB lightings on the keys and side of the keyboard but rarely do we see some boards having an underglow RGB.

The ROG Strix Scope TKL deluxe has a Cherry MX switch (red) and it has a clear housing with SMD led. The switches are soldered on the board so you need to desolder the switches when some of them become faulty or chatters.

ASUS ROG decided to use costar stabilizers for the Strix Scope TKL deluxe. It is a little bit better compared to a cherry stabs that are usually rattly and unlubed. However, costar stabs are very hard to use if you plan to use after-market keycaps.

MATERIAL

The material used here is ABS. ABS (short for “ Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ”) is a commonly used plastic and shines easily.

TYPE

The keycaps are also just UV coated ones, which will result in the fading of legends over time.

Meanwhile, the sub legends are also the same, but will not fade since it is in front which will not be affected by typing.

PROFILE

The ROG Strix Scope TKL has an OEM profile keycaps. It is quite standard for gaming keyboards to have this kind of profile.

SOFTWARE, LIGHTING AND OTHER FEATURES

The ROG Armoury is very simple and outright. All the needed settings are included there. First, the customization of lighting effects up to 11 different modes with 5 different profiles that will suit your mood. Most gamers still look for programmable macro keys, ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe has the feature installed in their ROG Armoury. The third tab is the ASUS aura sync, which you can use if you have more than 2 ROG products with the Aura Sync compatibility. Lastly, you can monitor your keypress with the ROG software, showing what keys you are usually using. However, you can’t set the underglow light independently since it is sync with the RGB lighting on the keys so whatever mode you are using, it will just follow.