Roccat's latest membrane keyboard can
talk to mice. Sort of.
The high end keyboard market tends to be
split into two separate categories. In one are the membrane keyboards filled to
the brim with features, macro keys and lights, and in the other are mechanical
boards that offer unmatchable typing experiences and high build quality but
comparatively fewer features. Roccat's $120 Isku FX falls distinctly into the
former grouping.
Aimed at hardcore gamers, the Isku FX is
designed much the same as the original Isku, with an angular aesthetic and two
tone black plastic finish. The glossy black plastic around the keys picks up
fingerprints with ease, though, making it a questionable choice for a keyboard.
The textured plastic edging and wrist rest is nicer, being neither too sticky
nor too slippery in use.
Roccat
Isku FX - Multicolour Gaming Keyboard
The reliance on fairly light plastic means
the board isn't nearly as solid as other mechanical boards in the price range.
On the rear of the board you'll find some
channels to help you keep your desk free of cable clutter, as well as the
flip-up feet. Having these feet up definitely provides the best typing angle,
and the grip on them is also good, ensuring that the board doesn't slide around
your desk in use.
Five macro keys to the side and three well
placed Thumbster' buttons beneath the space bar join eight media keys along the
top of the board. The Caps Lock button has been replaced by an Easy-Shift one,
which graces the macro, Thumbster and twenty more keys in the WASD zone with a
secondary function while it is held down (while normal Caps Lock use can also
be configured). It's a neat way of adding functionality without smothering the
keyboard in extra keys.
These functions can be assigned in the
intuitive software, which allows the Isku FX to store up to five profiles. Each
profile contains loads of settings, but mainly these are primary and secondary
key functions, backlight settings and macro editing. You'll find plenty of
preset functions for all your favorite programs and games, but the
comprehensive macro editor will allow you to customize the keyboard's
functionality to your heart's content. There's even a record button, which
allows you to record and assign macros on the fly.
These
functions can be assigned in the intuitive software, which allows the Isku FX
to store up to five profiles.
In most ways the Isku FX is identical to
the Isku before it, but two new (and sadly unexciting) features on the newer
model are the backlighting and Talk FX. The backlight color can now be set in
the software to any one of 16.8 million colors thanks to RGB LEDs. There are
also five levels of illumination (as well as an off mode). Sadly, the thumb
buttons and profile lights remain blue no matter what color is set, somewhat
spoiling the consistency of the look.
Talk FX is merely an extension of Roccat's
Talk driver found in the original Isku. It turns the keyboard into the Pied
Piper of the peripheral world, allowing it to communicate with a handful of
compatible Roccat mice (allowing one to activate the Easy-Shift functionality
of the other, for example). Talk FX is also supported by a few Roccat mice, and
allows software to take over the backlighting of the hardware, supposedly to
increase in-game immersion. However, very few applications support it, and it's
essentially the dictionary definition of a gimmick anyway.
Roccat
Isku FX back
The keys themselves are shaped, spaced and
textured well, and also fairly secure. The Thumbster buttons require a bit too
much pressure to activate, but otherwise the lowered key height and reduced
actuation distance makes the Isku FX feel more responsive than many other
membrane boards, and the anti-ghosting technology works well too. There are still
occasional problems of key presses not registering and a touch of sponginess
too, however, so despite a good effort it still doesn't come close to the
typing experience offered by mechanical models.
As membrane keyboards go, the Isku FX is a
decent high end model that offers an above average typing experience and enough
features and customization to keep even the most hardcore MMO players
satisfied. However, the same can be said of the original Isku, and the FX
offering brings little new to the table. Also, as most people don't need as
much functionality as the Isku FX provides, the majority of people shopping in
this price range will be better served by a mechanical board.
|
Specifications
·
Product Code:
ROC-12-900
·
Dimensions: 24.7cm x
50.9cm
·
Usable Keys:
123 Medium-Height Keys
·
Programmable Keys: 3 Thumbster Keys (T1-T3), 5 Macro Keys (M1-M5)
·
Easy-Zone Keys:
20 Additional Macro Keys (w/ Easy-Shift[+])
·
Length of USB:
Cable 2m
·
Polling Rate:
1000Hz
·
Response Time:
1ms
·
System Requirements: Windows XP/Vista/7/8; Internet Connection (for driver
installation); USB 2.0 Port
|
