ASUS RoG STRIX Scope Keyboard Review

A Closer Look

The keyboard looks every bit as gorgeous as I had hoped. Of course, it’s still just a keyboard at heart, but it’s when you get in closer you realise why ASUS can command a more premium price tag on this one. For starters, it’s full size, but only just. The bezel is pretty much not there on the sides, meaning it’s full size, yet takes up as little width on your desk as physically possible.

The build quality certainly isn’t compromised by the lack of trim either. The top panel of the keyboard is made from some very nice quality aluminium that’s got a lightly sandblasted finish to it that gives it a stunning premium look. However, it only covers 2/3rd of the keyboard, as the right side has a brushed finish at an angle, giving it a fantastic two-tone effect.

Extra Functions

The keyboard doesn’t have macro keys and extra function keys stuck all over it. However, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features. Along the top numbers, you’ll find a range of easy to access macro and profile functions for on-the-fly changes.

They’ve put the multimedia controls as the dominant features for the F5-F11 too, although you can obviously toggle between either set as you please to suit your typical usage. But that’s not the most interesting part…

The sneaky F12 key is basically like a “boss mode” key. It’ll hide open programs and windows for you in a single keystroke. I’m not saying you’ll be using it to hide your porn when someone walks into the room, but you’ll be using it to hide your porn when someone walks into the room.

While the keyboard does have an Fn-Shift function, the Ins key also has FN-Lock. This is what allows you to permanently toggle the extra functions on the keyboard, such as the F-keys or multimedia keys. I should say, you can do all of this in the software too, should you desire. However, unless you’re setting some custom layouts, macros, or bother to tinker with more advanced RGB features, it’s unlikely you’ll need the software that often, if at all.

FN-Lock

A lot of features are tucked right into the keyboard, so you can skip the software and do it all on-the-fly anywhere. Music, volume, profiles, lighting, it’s all here, which is fantastic.

Up in the corner, you’ll find all the usual LED indicators, plus one for the FN lock and Windows lock. There’a stylish ASUS eye here too, which is mirror finished, but also RGB when powered on.

On the underside, that two tone finish is reversed too. The sandblasted side has angular lines, while the brushed aluminium side has a textured finish. It’s a fun detail to have, even if no one will ever see it. There’s a channel to route the cable left, right or out the back, and two durable kickstands to give you extra angle should you need it.