The Azoth is a notable product, but if it is lacking for your needs, ASUS still has something to offer. In our ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review, we will look into their wireless, full-function 96% gaming keyboard.
Scope II 96 sports an efficient layout that frees up disk space. It comes with the Omni Receiver + a tri-mode connection, and SpeedNova wireless technology.
The keyboard also features hot-swappable pre-lubed ROG NX Snow & Storm mechanical switches and a distinct dampening silicone foam design. The latter has switch damping pads to enjoy an excellent typing experience.
Learn more about the product and read our ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review. Get insights on its design/functions, specs, features, and performance to determine if it is the perfect keyboard for your setup.
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Packaging
Like Azoth, Scope II 96 ships in a black and red-themed package with an image of the keyboard in front. You can also find its name, company branding, and several features of the keyboard. The back of the box displays more information about the product.
Inside, the keyboard is securely packed with several accessories and tools. These include the following:
- Wrist Rest
- Wireless Receiver
- 2-in-1 ROG keycap & switch puller
- USB extender
- ROG-themed spacebar keycap
- USB cable
- Quick Start guide
- Warranty Booklet
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review – Design and Functionality
After unboxing the product for this ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review, we noticed its premium, solid build. The keyboard is all-black, with a black plastic chassis, metal top plate, and double-shot PBT caps. The latter has primary shine-through legends plus secondary printed ones.
Each key has customisable RGB lighting, which we consider pretty and vibrant. However, it is not as bright as the lights from other keyboards. For us, it was adequate and pleasing to the eyes.
The product is sturdy, well-constructed, and quite heavy for how it looks. Plus, it comes with a plastic chassis and aluminium-alloy top plate for a premium feel.
The internal part of the Scope II 96 consists of a layer of distinct dampening foam featuring switch-dampening pads. You will also find a layer of silicone foam for taking in pinging noises from its case.
Its base features a quintet of slender strips crafted from a rubbery, anti-skid substance. It also has dual pairs of extendable supports designed to modify the incline of the keyboard.
The mix of the anti-skid material and the keyboard weight ensures minimal displacement of the keyboard upon your workspace.
At the top edge of the Scope II 96 is a power switch. It enables you to shift between Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz wireless.
Aside from these, the area also features a power switch for shifting between Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz wireless. Lastly, it has magnetic dongle storage for the wireless 2.4GHz USB-A dongle.
It is worth noting the keyboard only has a single charge port on the left part of the keyboard. Also, there are zero pass-through ports on the product too.
There is nothing fancy about its wrist rest. However, it is padded adequately, making it fit the keyboard. We also love its soft leatherette cover that wipes well when cleaning is needed.
Multi-Function Key
On the upper-right corner of the keyboard is a multi-function key. It features the ROG logo that works with a clickable roller.
The multi-function keys cycle between four modes: media, volume, lighting, and a customisable option. The latter can be configured and set via Armoury Crate from ASUS.
LED Indicators
The current mode the keyboard is in is reflected on a small icon strip between the num pad and primary keys. We also recognised the icon strip while using the product for this ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review.
It is an indicator for the caps lock, num lock, scroll lock, and Windows key lock. It also shows the status of the Bluetooth device connection.
Key Features of the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard
With many gaming keyboards on the market, how do you determine which option is best? Of course, you will need to consider its features.
ASUS claims that the Scope II 96 offers excellent typing and gaming experiences. But what unique elements allow it to perform excellently?
Let us find out by discussing its primary features in our ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review.
Three Connection Modes for Optimal Versatility
The Scope II 96 lets you choose from 2.4GHz RF, Bluetooth, and wired USB modes. ROG SpeedNova wireless technology for 2.4GHz RF mode offers up to 1500 hours of stable connectivity without latency. When using Bluetooth, you can simultaneously connect up to three devices.
Of course, wired USB mode allows you to play nonstop while the keyboard is charging. Also, using a cable connection guarantees zero latency.
ROG Omni Receiver
The Scope II 96 is the first ROG keyboard to have the ROG Omni Receiver. It enables wireless connection to one compatible mouse and keyboard with a single USB receiver. The best thing about this feature is it does not compromise performance.
Hot-Swappable Switches
This keyboard allows customisation by swapping and installing your preferred switch type to achieve a unique feel.
ROG NX Mechanical Switches
ASUS tuned the ROG NX Mechanical Switches for excellent keystroke consistency and feel while achieving fast actuation. These have lubricated base housings and stems to eliminate spring-bouncing noises and provide smoother clicks.
The ROG NX Snow are linear mechanical switches that provide ultra-smooth keystrokes with clean, solid acoustics. On the other hand, the ROG NX Storm are clicky mechanical switches offering crisp, clacky acoustics.
Both switches use composite POM material for the stem with PC housings. The walled stem prevents dust from entering while enhancing the stability of the keys. In addition, ASUS pre-lubed and specially tuned these switches to improve quality.
Advanced Sound Dampening
The dampening foam design with additional switch-dampening pads absorbs echoes and pinging noise to improve keyboard acoustics.
UV-Coated ABS Keycaps or PBT Doubleshot Keycaps
You can use ABS or PBT keycaps with the Strix Scope II 96. The ROG UV-coated ABS keycaps sport a UV hard coating layer for shine resistance. The ROG PBT doubleshot keycaps have a mid-height profile to reduce wobbling and increase comfort.
ROG Keyboard Stabiliser
ASUS lubricated and optimised the ROG keyboard stabiliser to reduce keystroke friction more than conventional stabiliser mechanisms. As a result, you get smoother and more stable keystrokes, even for longer keys like Shift and Spacebar.
Quick Access with Pre-Mapped Hotkeys
The pre-mapped F1 to 5 are hotkeys for the Xbox Game Bar and recording functions.
Continue reading this ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review to learn more about its performance and specs. These will help determine if the keyboard is what you need for your setup.
Specifications
- Connectivity: USB 2.0 (Type-C to Type-A), RF 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.1
- Anti-Ghosting: N Key Rollover
- Size: 96%
- Lighting: Per-key RGB
- Macro Keys: All Keys Programmable
- RF 2.4G Report Rate: 1000 Hz
- USB Report Rate: 1000 Hz
- Cable: 2m USB-A to USB-C Braided Cable
- Software: Armoury Crate
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Dimensions: 377 x 131 x 40mm
- Weight: 1012g without cable
Hands-on with the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard
We used Scope II 96 for one week to share our experience with the product. Our ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review will discuss our typing experience, connection stability, consistency, and more.
When we typed on the keyboard for the first time, we noticed the stabilisers. These were excellent out of the box and sounded perfect without ticking and wobbling. Plus, the switches had no friction due to the added lube.
The textured keycaps and overall keyboard design offered a pleasant typing experience. We did not need to make adjustments since we were already satisfied with the product out of the box. Also, this keyboard allowed us to type fast and accurately.
We loved the consistent and stable connection of the Scope II 96. 2.4GHz and Bluetooth delivered excellent performance without latency, which gave us a pleasant experience. It was also seamless when we connected the Omni Receiver.
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review Summary
The Scope II 96 walks between gaming and enthusiast keyboards by giving you the best of both worlds. It has superb features like gamer-friendly linear switches, 2.4GHz connectivity, and an Omni Receiver for connecting a compatible mouse. Aside from that, it offers a satisfying user experience.
When we tested the product for this ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard Review, we enjoyed typing on it. The mechanical switches, sound-dampening foam, and stabilisers made each keypress feel smoother and better. It has a solid, high-quality build that feels durable enough to last for years.
The Scope II 96 has many features ideal for gaming, working, and programming. We highly recommend it to anyone who wants a versatile premium keyboard that works for multiple purposes.
Learn more about the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Keyboard by visiting the official product page of ASUS.
