Choosing a mechanical gaming keyboard is never easy. You have to find the best switches and sometimes the choice is quite difficult. In terms of build quality and longevity, mechanical gaming keyboards do not always have the best reputation, especially among those who make mechanical keyboards a real passion.
Despite this, the term “gamer” still resonates negatively in the ears of many, and it is for these people that Asus introduced the Strix Scope PBT, a keyboard that emphasizes quality and not aesthetics or features.
Asus offers us here an innovative keyboard with ROG RX Red switches, which change the feeling that we can have with other keyboards. The Asus ROG Strix Scope RX, very good but as noisy as possible in its version with blue switches.
Lets compare: Asus ROG Strix Scope PBT vs Asus ROG Strix Scope RX.
Pros and Cons
| Asus ROG Strix Scope PBT | Asus ROG Strix Scope RX |
| Cherry MX RGB switches | Speedy Optical Switches |
| Solid build with Aluminum top | Outstanding, refined design |
| Wide Ctrl key | Fairly priced |
| Non-detachable cable | No extra buttons |
Specification
| Asus ROG Strix Scope PBT | Asus ROG Strix Scope RX | |
| Dimensions | 440x137x39 mm | 440x137x39 mm |
| Weight | 1140g | 1.07kg |
| Color | Black, Red, Gray | Black |
| Connectivity | Wired, USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Mechanical | No | Yes |
| RGB | – | Per-Key RGB LEDs |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Numpad | Yes | Yes |
| Software | Armoury II | Armoury II |
| Compatibility | Windows | Windows |
Design
Asus ROG Strix Scope PBT- Despite all the talk of quality, when it comes to design, the appearance of the Asus ROG Strix Scope PBT remains essentially a gamer. There is a trendy floating key design that can find on many keyboards these days, such as the Razer Huntsman TE that we have already tested on the site. This design brings the advantage of making the keyboard easier to clean.
Thus, the keys float directly above the fully exposed backplate. This is a gray-colored aluminum plate, with one part of the plate matte and the other shiny. This mix of effects adds a little fun to the keyboard while remaining in something sober.
Sober, but the fun is the perfect description of what Asus is trying to accomplish with this keyboard. We, therefore, find several shades of gray, preventing monotony while not entering the territory at all colored. However, we can see some keys in red so that the keyboard is not completely boring either. These touches of red are also very welcome and give the keyboard an aesthetic that we very much appreciate.
Speaking of keys, these are gray for letters, numbers, and functions, then black for modifiers (Shift, ctrl, backspace). This diversity in terms of colors makes it possible to compensate for the absence of backlighting while still providing color variations even though there is no color. In addition, the use of a set of two-tone keycaps is something more commonly found on handmade mechanical keyboards (custom builds), which shows us directly what audience Asus is targeting with this. Product.
Asus remaining a commercial brand, they had to place their logo somewhere. We thus find the mention of “Republic of Gamers” at the level of where one would put his left wrist to reach the ZQSD keys, as well as a logo above the numeric keypad. Both are rather subdued gray but light enough that the logos can be seen. Personally, that doesn’t bother us, but even more, discreet branding could indeed have brought a sober edge to the product.
We mentioned a numeric keypad, as the ROG Strix Scope PBT is a full-format keyboard, therefore including a numeric keypad, directional arrows, and a full line of dedicated function keys. However, despite this, the product manages to keep the width as small as possible. The edges of this keyboard are exemplarily thin, allowing it to keep a numeric keypad while taking up as little space as possible.
As for the back of the keyboard, the latter has several design elements that we find very nice, but the question arises, was it useful to spend the slightest extra penny to heavily design a part of the keyboard that we do anyway not see? Not to mention the money that had to be invested in more complex plastic molds. Does not this back, pretty certainly, but unnecessarily aesthetic, bring an unnecessary additional cost?
As for the cable, the keyboard unfortunately is not detachable. It is rather thin and easily flexible. The latter should not break easily, which is reassuring given the impossibility of changing it easily.
Finally, in terms of weight, we end up with a keyboard of 1.14Kg, which is a very reasonable weight.
Razer Huntsman Mini- In terms of aesthetics, we find a rather crude keyboard with very sober and rectilinear aspects, which does not try to be false originality. One small thing that we can underline, we do not find here screws widely visible, as we had on the Roccat Vulcan Pro. Asus has taken care to hide the screws under the FX keys of its keyboard here.
If we go down just under these keys, we find a metal plate, which is nice to bring certain robustness and a certain aesthetic to the keyboard. Asus does not offer us complex things, and we are largely satisfied with what we have here. The base of the ROG Strix Scope RX, on the other hand, is made of solid and thick enough plastic, allowing you to hold everything without worries.
On the trap part of the keyboard, we also notice a small inscription of the range of the keyboard: “Republic Of Gamers.” Never mind, the ROG logo at the top right of the keyboard is backlit. It mixes with the keyboard backlighting effects.
Keycaps side, there are floating keys on the surface, which is done more and more, to the detriment of the classic keyboard with the keys that fit into the keyboard. Also, at the expense of finesse, is it really the finesse we are looking for in a mechanical keyboard? Not so much to tell the truth. Asus offers on its keycaps a rather thick engraving and with a font-oriented “gaming.” This is a good thing because it allows us to see the backlighting of the keys clearly. We also note that the letters are quite large, which makes them easier to read.
If we return the ROG Strix Scope RX, we find the two adjustable feet and many pads, allowing the keyboard to stand without worries on any surface. Also, we find the ROG logo drawn in the textures that we have under the keyboard. Asus has gone to great lengths for something that we will see once in a while and again …
The cable exits directly from the keyboard and does not pass below the keyboard. So forget all that is gutters and the like. The cable, as we said, is quite thick. However, the latter actually allows two cables to be passed. There is room for the one to connect the ROG Strix Scope RX to the computer and operate and another to operate the USB port of the keyboard. The latter is located on the right of the upper part, under the screen print, pause, etc., keys.
We regret pressing the Fn key (function) on the keyboard to activate the FX keys (F1 to F12). By default, the multimedia functionality is activated using the F5 key. However, Asus has thought of a handy little additional feature that we are going to see.
Typing Comfort
Asus ROG Strix Scope PBT- As for functionality, the lack of software for the Strix Scope PBT might suggest that this keyboard does not have any, but this is far from true. Despite the absence of software, it is quite possible to record macros. We will let you be guided by the instructions from Asus on how to do it in detail. The lack of dedicated keys puts us off a little when it comes to using the feature, but knowing that the feature is always nice.
The most visible feature remains the huge left Ctrl key. As wide as the shift key just above it. The size of this key almost reminds us of the format of keyboards that can find on a Chromebook.
Asus indicates that this size is supposed to improve accuracy in video games so that you do not press the Windows key next to it. And it works pretty well because, given the size of the fingerboard, it’s literally impossible to miss it. That large size does, however, require a little readjustment of muscle memory for all things productivity because where you would expect to press the Windows key, it’s still the Ctrl key.
As for the haptic side, the feel of the key is more like the Shift key. For those who rely heavily on touch, this might not be calming, but it hasn’t been our case, and we think it’s nothing more than a matter of habit.
Finally, if, despite this, you still manage to get the wrong key, you can always disable the Windows key and other combinations that could close your game or bring you back to the desktop.
Another feature that we find on the Stix Scope PBT is the private mode on the F12 key. The latter cuts off the sound of the computer and returns to the desk. This can be useful if your family ever knocks on the door while watching Garfield 2 for the fifth time this week; otherwise, unless you are working with very confidential data, we have a hard time seeing a real interest, especially on a gaming keyboard.
Speaking of the F keys, the multimedia controls are on them. The only problem is that the keyboard comes with constant “Fn” mode. So if you press F5, your web page will not refresh, but your music will play. To refresh your page, you will need to press Fn + F5 in the default configuration. Rest assured, it took us a while to notice it, but it is possible to reverse this by pressing Fn + Insert. Once this is done, to adjust your music and access the other features on the F1 to F12 keys, you need to press Fn.
Asus ROG Strix Scope RX- First of all, let’s go back to the function keys. These can be activated using the Fn key pressed at the same time. But Asus has, however, thought of a little trick to avoid having to suffer this little inconvenience when you are in the game, however. All you have to do is press the Fn key and “Ins” (insert, on the small island of 6 keys just above the arrows). This locks the Fn functionality. Where Asus has been smart, it is in terms of the layout and engraving of the keys.
We find the main function in the middle of the key, with the Shift key activated, on the other hand, for the keys above the alphabet. The secondary function, the one without the Shift key activated for the keys above, is found at the top, and the last one, that with the Alt key activated, at the bottom. But it is not the last because additional functionalities with the Function key come to be placed in the height of the keycaps. We, therefore, find on some keys additional practical features. This is the case for the “Ins” keys, the keys above the alphabet, from 1 to 6, Windows, Alt, F5 to F12, the Esc key, and the 4 directional arrows.
As for now the feeling of the keys, we must admit that these new Asus switches are exciting. They have the power to stand out from the classic switches we know so much about. They offer a scissor-shaped effect, which you can clearly see when you approach a switch and try to see the reaction inside. These are actually two small slats that cross and flatten once they reach the end of their travel. The activation force here is 45 grams, and the stroke is 1.5 mm to activate the switches. *
On a classic switch, you have a small cross in the middle and the keycaps that fit over it. Here, it is a bit the reverse; there is a space in the middle to put the LEDs correctly. There are also 4 small holes on the switch, allowing the keycaps to be perfectly housed. This is what makes all the difference. Each key is, in fact, perfectly stable, regardless of whether you place your finger in the center or on one of the sides of the latter.
Thus, we find a perfectly uniform and totally straight stroke. This is what makes the Strix Scope RX so interesting. Despite all this, the keyboard is perfectly fluid. The keys return to their initial position quite quickly, although you can see, especially when you type fast enough, that they do not return to the position as quickly as with my old keyboard. . Notwithstanding this minor concern, because will use this keyboard mainly for playing, the feeling of the keys is charming.
Backlight
Asus ROG Strix Scope PBT- As for lighting, it’s going to be simple; the ROG Strix Scope PBT doesn’t. Not even non-programmable LEDs of a solid color. It’s a pretty daring choice when all other keyboards, no matter the price, now have the ability to shine in all colors.
From a functional point of view and for those like us, have not looked at their keyboard to write for a long time, the lack of lighting is not a big problem. The presence or absence of the latter does not affect our typing speed or our ability to use the keyboard. Conversely, it has a rather big negative impact on usability for those who have not yet memorized the keys’ positioning.
Asus ROG Strix Scope RX- The backlight is not faulty and does not let itself be tamed by the first strand of light. Each key is backlit completely independently. Unlike some other manufacturers, the keys are backlit over their entire surface here, which is appreciable!
The backlighting is obviously not uniform over the entire surface of the key, but all the same, we must salute Asus’ performance at this level! The new switches help a bit, it must be said. However, the latter will undoubtedly be a little distorted by the red of the switches. Indeed, the red switches here are clearly visible due to the transparent supports. Therefore, the underside of your keys will almost always be tinged with a little red, which will remain predominantly here.
It is possible to adjust the backlighting via the Asus Armory Crate software, of course, but also via the Function key and the directional arrows. We also have the option to change the lighting effects as needed. By default, the fairly classic wave is available.
Conclusion!
Asus tries to give the Strix Scope PBT the identity of a keyboard that prioritizes the quality of its keys over functionality and lighting. It’s just a shame that PBT keycaps aren’t that good, and including RGB in 2020 doesn’t cost a thing anymore.
The Asus ROG Strix Scope RX is a perfect mechanical gaming keyboard. The switches are very pleasant, and their design allows almost perfect backlighting on the entire surface of the button. We can only appreciate this very quiet but mighty keyboard.
