ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe Review: Wireless Gaming Mechanical Keyboard

Today we will talk about the brand new keyboard from ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe. This is a gaming mechanical keyboard with ROG NX switches and Aura Sync RGB backlighting, one of the features of which is support for both wired and wireless connection.

For gaming “equipment”, the concept of “wireless” sounds quite controversial, because the cable provides greater stability and signal transmission speed. Nevertheless, the whole world (and not only the gaming world) one way or another tends to abandon wires. Firstly, it is convenient, and secondly, it gives new opportunities in using such a familiar device as a keyboard. So, let’s take a look at ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe and find out what ASUS has come up with.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Specifications of ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe

2. Pricing and positioning

3. Delivery set

4. Design

5. ROG NX switches

6. Connection methods

7. Features and software

8. Conclusions

Specifications of ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe

Connection: wired, wireless
Interfaces: USB 2.0, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz
Size: full-size (100%)
Key type: mechanical
Type of switches: ROG NX Brown
Pressing force: 58 grams
Stroke to the point of operation: 2 mm
Key life: 70 million keystrokes
Backlight: RGB, synchronization with Aura Sync
Dimensions: 440×137×39 mm
Weight: 933 g
Materials: metal, plastic
Cable: Type-A/Type-C 1.8 m, braided
Autonomy: Bluetooth – 316.5 hours without backlight, 78 hours with standard RGB backlight, in 2.4 GHz mode – 315 hours without backlight, 60 hours with standard RGB backlight
Features: magnetic palm rest, stealth button, on-the-fly macro recording, two-component PBT plastic caps, charge indication

Pricing and positioning

ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe does not belong to the budget segment at all. At the time of writing the review, the average price for the new product was around $203. What will the buyer get for this money?

Delivery set

ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe keyboard comes in a nice branded box. Inside there is the keyboard itself, a magnetic stand for hands, a cable with an adapter for wired connection, accompanying literature, as well as a small leaflet with ROG branded stickers.

Design

ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe is a full-fledged gaming “mechanical” in a Skeleton case with a rather neat design for a gaming device. The laconic appearance is influenced by the absence of any buildup on the sides of the main keys, which can often be seen in gaming keyboards. Therefore, if you remove the palm rest and switch on neutral backlighting, such a keyboard can be used in the office without any problems, for example.

The case here combines plastic (bottom) and metal with a mat surface, and its dimensions are 440×137×39 mm. The keyboard weighs 933 g without the palm rest, and with it and the wire the total weight is 1166 g.

Among the branded “distinguishing marks” on the facade you can see a small inscription “Republic of Gamers” on the lower edge of the bottom, which is completely covered when using the stand, as well as the branded emblem “ROG” in the upper right corner next to the Lock-indicators. By the way, the logo backlight is here not only to amuse the eye, but it also has a functional task. Usually it is illuminated in unison with the keyboard, but it can inform about the charge level. At high charge level the logo will glow green, at medium – blue, and at low – red. The “red” or critical charge level can be set manually in Armoury Crate – from 10% to 50%.

The lower part is made of corrugated plastic with a large “ROG” emblem. There are retractable legs on the top corners, with the help of which you can change the keyboard tilt angle. There are rubber inserts on the top and bottom corners and in the center at the bottom, which prevent the keyboard sliding on smooth surfaces. The same inserts are used on the legs. The left bottom corner is also supplemented with a sticker with marking and serial number.

The main controls are located in the upper end. Here in the “pocket” there is a USB Type-C connector for charging and wired connection, as well as a tray for storing an adapter for 2.4 GHz mode. The mode switch is located higher at the very end, near the indication. The switch has 3 positions: central (to turn off the wireless connection, which is also used for wired connection), on the left – 2.4 GHz mode, on the right – Bluetooth mode.

And a few words about the palm rest. It is rectangular with beveled corners at the bottom and a neat logo on the right. The base of the stand is made of plastic, and the top is made of soft and pleasant to the touch artificial leather with foam-like filler. It has the same five-point rubber legs at the bottom as the keyboard itself, and it is attached to the keyboard with the help of magnets. During long typing sessions or long gaming evenings, the stand comes in handy and reduces tension in the palms.

ROG NX switches

ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe uses mechanical ROG NX switches. There are three types of ROG NX – Red, Blue or Brown. We have the last option on review. You can read more about the differences between each type on the official website, and we will focus on Brown.

Among the three types of ROG NX switches, the Brown version is actually the golden middle between the smoother Red and the more “clicky” Blue. They have a 2mm actuation point with a full stroke of 4mm, a press force of 58g, and a click ratio of 33%. The switches have a lubricated stem and base body to eliminate noise during spring movement, smooth operation, and a resonant click. ROG NX Brown has gold-plated contacts for a long service life, which is designed for 70 million clicks.

The test model uses two-component caps with the Latin alphabet, which are made of PBT-plastic by injection molding and have a pleasant rough texture. However, there will be a version with the Cyrillic alphabet, but it will not be made of PBT, but of ABS plastic. The only disadvantage of PBT-plastic, in my opinion, is that dust collects on the keys very quickly from all sides, which makes the keyboard look untidy.

But let’s get back to the switches. ROG NX Brown switches give the keyboard a clear and pleasant stroke, which is well felt and controlled with each press. However, in my opinion, the buttons are still quite loud. For those who are accustomed to the barely audible rustling of ordinary notebook keyboards, the difference is very noticeable. However, this is a mechanical keyboard with open keys and much greater depth of travel than in laptops, so it is not surprising. But at first, of course, it is unusual. However, I do not think that those who use independent keyboards will need time for adaptation.

Connection methods

ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe can be connected to a PC or laptop in several ways. First, it can be connected using the bundled USB-A to USB Type-C cable, which, by the way, is also used for charging. The wire is braided and has a length of 1.8 m, and it is supplemented with a USB Type-C (input) – USB-A (input) adapter. Secondly, through a 2.4 GHz adapter. And, thirdly, via Bluetooth.

The first two options are perfect for the gaming scenario. Everything is clear with the wire in terms of connection quality, but the 2.4 GHz wireless mode provides almost the same stability and reliability as the cable. Fast Bluetooth connection is more suitable for work or non-gaming leisure, as well as if one keyboard is used on several devices. ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe supports simultaneous Bluetooth connection to 3 sources, so it can be simultaneously connected, for example, to a PC, TV and console.

It is also worth noting the autonomy for wireless connection. The manufacturer says that the battery life via Bluetooth is 316.5 hours without backlighting and 78 hours with standard RGB-backlighting. In 2.4 GHz mode the keyboard is able to work 315 hours without and 60 hours with backlighting.

Features and software

Of course, we cannot but mention Aura Sync backlighting – it impresses with smoothness of effects and color saturation. Even the default modes are enough to get stuck to the keyboard like to a Christmas tree.

Built-in memory allows you to store 6 backlight modes, 5 of which the user can create independently. As usual for ASUS gaming keyboards, advanced settings are available in the Armoury Crate utility.

In the first tab, you can set the action for any key (except Fn), as well as disable the Alt+Tab and Alt+F4 combinations. In the second tab you can adjust the RGB indicator. The third allows you to play with the backlight effects, and the fourth allows you to configure the power modes and the remaining charge indication. The last tab is traditionally needed to update the software.

Armoury Crate

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Among the interesting features are the enlarged Ctrl on the left, the “Stealth” button, which guards privacy and minimizes all open windows with one press, and convenient keyboard shortcuts with Fn. So, for example, by pressing Fn and the up/down buttons you can increase or decrease the brightness of the backlight, and in combination with the left/right buttons – change the backlight mode.

ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe

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There are tooltips on the corresponding buttons, so everything is clear and convenient. Another convenient thing is recording macros on the fly without using Armoury Crate and quick switching between keyboard profiles using Fn and buttons 1-6.

Conclusions

ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe has all the features of a top gaming keyboard, which, by the way, can be used not only for gaming, but also for work. It is well thought out and convenient for any use scenario. I would especially like to note the performance and design, which on the one hand can be called gamer’s, and on the other hand – appropriate for office use, really cool proprietary backlighting and convenient software, the mechanism of buttons, which is both smooth and at the same time has a pleasant tactile response, as well as the possibility of both wired and wireless connection, which expands the options of the keyboard function.

Additional features also add to the attractiveness of the model. The ergonomic palm rest, quick switching between backlight modes, convenient indication and the possibility of simultaneous connection of up to 3 devices via Bluetooth are among them. The only drawbacks are the surface, which noticeably collects dust and, in my opinion, the loudness when you press the key. For some, this may be critical, but if you weigh all the pros and cons of ASUS ROG Strix Scope NX Wireless Deluxe, the first are many times more.

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Delivery Set 10
Design 10
Materials 9
Software 9
Backlighting 10
Additional features 10
Price 7