Asus ROG Azoth review: Better than a dedicated gaming keyboard

I by no means thought I might have a greater gaming-ready keyboard on the market A customized mechanical keyboard that I constructed final yr. However right here we’re.

When Asus introduced the ROG Azoth, I instantly knew it was one of many Probably the most anticipated product of the yr. Based mostly on the spec sheet, it is a toolkit sandwiched between The very best gaming keyboards You should buy. I did not anticipate it to be higher than a devoted enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard, and it’s. Nonetheless, there are two small areas I might prefer to see Asus enhance with the second model.

Enthusiastic Design, Key Options

The look of ROG Azoth is immediately recognizable to anybody within the fanatic mechanical keyboards world. It is 75% design, following within the footsteps of Wonderful GMMK Professional and drop sense 75. Nonetheless, there are some vital modifications.

The highest is an aluminum body, however there is not any aluminum all through the physique just like the GMMK Professional or Sense75. The Azoth is a cumbersome keyboard, however it’s not almost as heavy as these different Fanatic fashions due to its plastic backside.

There is a good motive for plastic right here. The distinguishing function of Azoth is that it helps 2.4GHz low latency wi-fi and Bluetooth in addition to a wired connection. No different keyboard of Azoth’s caliber helps wi-fi connectivity, primarily as a result of it’s troublesome to transmit a wi-fi sign via the aluminum. Asus took a threat, and I am glad about that.

Battery life can be distinctive, even with the feature-rich OLED show on board. I began utilizing Azoth out of the field with out charging (I obtained to about half battery). After every week of each day use, I solely wanted to cost it as soon as, and I nonetheless have half the battery left as I write this evaluation.

Dream-like writing

The Azoth’s 75% kind issue does not robotically make an fanatic’s keyboard, and Asus has loads of justification for the $250 record worth. I do not examine Azoth to consoles like Razer Huntman v2.0 — and it is equally costly — as a result of it comes with options and a typing expertise worthy of an fanatic’s badge.

It makes use of a mount gasket, which was beforehand reserved for very costly keyboards comparable to Offended Miu Cyber ​​Board R2. The pad is offset on silicone gaskets, which give a mushy cushion to your happy keystrokes Collision sound Superior mechanical keyboard.

Asus combines a gasket mount and stabilizers that make massive keys just like the area bar really feel easy irrespective of the place you hit them, plus plate foam to chop down on the undesirable metallic ping of mechanical keyboards. Outcomes? An excellent typing expertise that even high-end keyboards cannot match.

The one exception is the keys. Asus contains its personal NX switches, both crimson (linear), blue (click on), or brown (tactile). I used the brown switches, and so they’re higher than the garden-variety Cherry switches you discover on keyboards like Corsair K70 RGB Professional. The keys come pre-oiled, and really feel effectively well worth the worth. However it is a keyboard that requires upgrades, and people upgrades are the place it shines.

Make it your individual

Azoth is absolutely customizable, and its actual worth is in selecting up a number of different keys and keycaps and making the keyboard your individual. You’ll be able to change keys with a built-in instrument, much like final yr Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animal.

I reached for some Akko Wine Crimson switches and an affordable set of keycaps I discovered on Amazon—usually, about $50 for an improve—and utterly modified the typing expertise. I nonetheless favor my customized GMMK Professional with the inventory configuration, however with a number of minor upgrades? It is laborious to let go of Azoth.

Nonetheless, I’ve some minor issues right here. For starters, the included keycaps aren’t nice. It is dual-shot PBT and is rugged, however Asus contains some bizarre extras. For instance, you’ll normally discover a raised edge in a file F And j to point the place your private home row is, however Asus strikes this to a file w key as a substitute. I perceive it is a gaming keyboard, however whereas gaming, the raised edge turns into extra of an annoyance than a helpful information.

One other downside is that Azoth makes use of a north going through PCB. The RGB LEDs are positioned on the highest of the change housing as a substitute of the underside. That is to permit mild to shine via the semi-transparent legends on the keycaps, however a north-facing PCB can intrude with sure keycaps and result in an undesirable really feel of sound and typing.

Even with these points, there is not any denying Asus is pushing mainstream mechanical keyboards the place they’ve by no means gone earlier than, and I am on board with it.

Practical OLED display screen

I am not too fascinated with gimmicks on keyboards, however the OLED show on the ROG Azoth is not a gimmick. It is a extremely useful multipurpose hub that makes it straightforward to navigate settings, change brightness, and add a bit of aptitude to your desk.

On the aspect, there’s a change which you could change up and down to vary quantity, alter brightness, and so on. You can even maintain it down for an additional perform and use a button on the aspect for an additional. Collectively, you may cycle via media controls, brightness settings, and lighting results with only a few clicks.

You’ll be able to customise these features on the Asus Armory Field as effectively. The OLED show goes a lot additional and might show customized animations, textual content, and even some restricted system info like CPU and temperature. All of those settings are saved in a profile, and you can too retailer as much as six profiles onboard.

That is the form of mainstream performance you do not discover on an fanatic keyboard. Asus brings the most effective of each worlds right here.

The gaming keyboard to beat

Even with every part I’ve lined on this evaluation, Azoth brings extra options, together with macOS help and a greasing station to your keycaps. Asus excels fanatic keyboards on the entrance and reigns supreme on the standard entrance.

What’s surprising is that Asus does not cost a lot of a premium, as a result of $250 is not low cost for a gaming keyboard. This is similar worth Corsair K100 And $50 extra SteelSeries Apex Professional. You will get a high quality keyboard with the Asus ROG Azoth for this worth.

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