Asus Azoth keyboard review: Crazy customization ruined by software

Keyboards are getting ridiculously costly, and gaming keyboards doubly so. Roccat needs $230 for its finest keyboard as a result of it’s actually, actually shiny. Corsair’s is $280, as a result of it’s skinny.  Razer’s most costly mannequin is $250, as a result of it’s Razer. Asus needs the identical for the ROG Azoth…however may really be capable to justify it. 

See, the Azoth is certainly a gaming keyboard, but it surely’s additionally a mechanical fanatic keyboard. It’s packing all of the high-end options like a rotary wheel, pre-lubed switches, PBT keycaps, built-in case foam. And on prime of that it additionally has some severe gaming chops, together with a considerably bodacious built-in OLED display screen. I haven’t seen a type of since earlier than mechanical keyboards turned the norm. 

Price When Reviewed

249.99

Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Azoth keyboard

$249.99

$249.99

Is it price it? Well, sure…if you happen to’re within the very particular area of interest of wanting each an enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard and a high-end wi-fi gaming keyboard. It’s additionally a fairly nice place to begin if you wish to dive into the deep finish of the mechanical keyboard customizing scene. But a few of its signature options—the display screen and three-way knob specifically—are let-downs. And the horrible software program really manages to make in any other case good {hardware} materially worse. 

Further studying: See our roundup of the best gaming keyboards to find out about competing merchandise.

Asus Azoth options

For the sake of brevity, I’m going to record out the options of the Azoth as a substitute of describing them in prose. Because I ain’t acquired all day, and neither do you. 

• USB, 2.4GHz wi-fi, and triple-device Bluetooth connection
• Popular 75% structure (solely the correct Shift secret is non-standard) 
• High-quality PBT keycaps 
• Pre-lubed ROG NX switches and stabilizers 
• Hot-swap change sockets 
• RGB lighting 
• OLED display screen for controls, animations, and system data 
• Three-way management knob 
• Gasket mounting 
• Triple-layer inside case foam 
• Aluminum-polycarbonate physique with dual-stage keyboard toes 
• Onboard reminiscence and on-the-fly macro recording 
• Switch lubing package included 

That is a lot of keyboard options, even for the excessive $250 price ticket. It covers kind of every part you can ever need out of each a high-end gaming keyboard and a high-end, pre-made mechanical keyboard, with the doable exception of oddballs like optical switches. “Azoth,” an historic alchemical time period for an end-all, be-all treatment, an “endgame” drugs if you’ll, is acceptable. 

I truthfully can’t determine what’s the extra outlandish function: an OLED display screen (beforehand seen years in the past on gadgets just like the Logitech G19, or in a newer modular kind in Corsair’s iCue Nexus) or a built-in station that helps you disassemble and lube your switches. And sure, the package consists of lube and a brush. 

What is the display screen on the Asus Azoth for?

Let’s give attention to that display screen, because it’s the obvious standout function. It’s about two inches diagonal, black and white solely—as a result of shade would simply be ridiculous, proper?—and paired with what Asus calls a “control knob” sitting on the correct facet of the board. This features a little toggle that may additionally click on in, along with a giant, spherical facet button. It is NOT a wheel, although it’s the place you’d anticipate a wheel to be on a keyboard like this. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The display screen switches between pre-programmed capabilities with a press of the massive facet button, at which level the toggle does various things. Pressing the button will cycle via quantity adjustment, multimedia controls, lighting brightness, OLED display screen brightness, and the keyboard’s RGB lighting impact. 

You could be considering, “Hey, there’s nothing in there that I can’t control with standard function keys.” In which case, you’re proper! But on prime of a brand new and extra visible technique to management all these capabilities, when not in lively use the OLED display screen can show system data like your CPU and GPU temperatures, present a music equalizer, a little bit of {custom} scrolling textual content, or in its most superfluous mode, a pre-made or {custom} animation. These are, mainly, display screen savers. 

Frankly, I discovered the display screen an especially superfluous addition to the keyboard. The solely actual profit is a continuing readout of system info, which may simply as simply be proven in-game overlays on the monitor—you realize, that factor your eyes are already . 

Michael Crider/Foundry

But I’d be capable to ignore this, if it weren’t for the knob. See, in going with a toggle with a click-in operate (sort of like a thumbstick on a contemporary recreation controller), Asus has nearly actually re-invented the rotary wheel. That click-in operate—which defaults to a mute button in my most well-liked quantity setting—is extraordinarily finicky, and I typically discovered myself urgent it whereas attempting to lift or decrease the amount. Ergonomically, it’s a step backwards from the extra frequent wheel design. 

Towards the top of my testing interval, I discovered myself going to my custom-bound mouse controls, holding down a thumb button and utilizing the mouse scroll wheel, to vary my quantity. Let me repeat that: I went to a sub-function of mouse controls moderately than the devoted knob that’s presupposed to make this operate simpler. That’s a giant L by way of usability. So essentially the most distinctive features of this keyboard’s bodily design, the display screen and the knob, are superfluous at finest and actively detrimental at worst.

How is the Asus Azoth as a mechanical board? 

As talked about above, the Azoth ticks just about each single field within the premium boutique mechanical keyboard guidelines. Our evaluation unit got here with Asus’ {custom} NX Brown switches, that are certainly a good bit smoother than abnormal tactile Browns, presumably owing to being lubed from the manufacturing facility. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The triple-layered inside foam is spectacular—much more than you often get with premium designs—although considerably wasted with tactile switches. If you need a “silent” construct this can be a good spot to start out, simply swap out the switches for something with some sound damping and also you’ll have it about as quiet as it may possibly get. The stabilizers are pre-lubed as nicely for some good, easy journey, and even the house beneath the house bar has some extra-generous foam. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Stylistically, I’m not in love with the board. The PBT keycaps really feel good, a really tough texture that’s nice for typing. But the legends are very onerous to identify when the backlight isn’t on, and the white printing on the numerical and performance keys clashes with the all-black gamer look. The case has plenty of extraneous geometry, very in line with the ROG theme, however I just like the easy-to-find energy mode change and helpful USB dongle each on the highest facet. Both are nice decisions for a board that makes touring companion. It’s undoubtedly chunky and heavy, however lower than it might need been because of a plastic backside. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

In phrases of typing, I discovered no faults. The personalized switches and gasket mounting give it a premium really feel with medium give. And if you happen to didn’t perceive that sentence, that’s high quality, please indulge me in my keyboard nerddom: It’s good. But you’ll should forgive me once more, as a result of Asus embrace an entire further set of instruments on prime of the same old keycap and change puller—a bona fide change lubing station. 

Asus Azoth change lubing package

For the uninitiated, it’s doable to (very rigorously and slowly) disassemble all of the plastic elements in a keyboard change and lube them as much as make them really feel much more easy, optionally changing bits just like the stem or the spring from different switches. For these with the time, cash, and saintly endurance, this creates an extremely {custom} expertise. It’s the keyboard equal of custom-tuning your automobile. And whilst a self-avowed mechanical keyboard nut who’s constructed a number of of his personal by hand, I admit I’ve by no means gone this far. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The lubing station consists of a plastic brace to carry your change, a grabber device that can assist you pull it aside and put it again collectively, a tray on which to relaxation your disassembled switches, a brush, and a small little bit of lube in a tube. It needs to be famous once more right here that each one the switches that include the board and even the stabilizers (these further bits underneath the lengthy keycaps) are pre-lubed, so if you happen to persist with the Asus switches, you received’t have to mess with any of this for six months to a yr. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

And you received’t want to take action after that both, as a result of lubing switches is one thing that solely essentially the most obsessive keyboard nerds do. But seen as an inclusion for a set that’s meant as an entry level for final customization, it’s a pleasant bonus. Perhaps not so good that I might have paid further for it, however I actually doubt that’s the case right here—if something’s pushing the worth up it’s that display screen. 

How is the Asus Azoth software program?

So we’ve established that the Azoth is spectacular as a boutique-grade mechanical board. How is it for gaming? Again, fairly darn good. The tactile switches that got here with our evaluation unit aren’t ultimate for fast-paced gameplay, however they’re so easy that I actually didn’t thoughts. The 2.4GHz connection and 1,000Hz polling price are perfect for a wi-fi board, the battery lasts per week with the lights on and a couple of U.S. election cycle with the lights off. All fairly nice. 

There is one enormous draw back for the Azoth, and it applies to each typing fanatics and players. It’s Asus Armoury Crate, the administration and driver program. Normally I discover even the worst of those are at the very least straightforward to disregard when you’ve arrange your settings the primary time, however that OLED display screen required a bit extra testing and tweaking. And by the way, it’s in all probability why it was inconceivable to make use of one thing common like VIA or QMK, as much less gamer-focused boards do. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

And Armoury Crate is, in no unsure phrases, crap. I by no means managed to open the rattling program with out at the very least a minute of ready. Whenever I did, it needed to replace my motherboard (additionally from Asus, and also you surprise why I haven’t put in its Windows driver program?). 

Just discovering the a part of this system that really manages the keyboard is a ache, as a result of this factor can also be attempting to serve up advertisements for various Asus {hardware}, create system-wide app-based efficiency profiles, set Asus-brand desktop wallpaper, launch video games from completely different PC recreation shops (in a number of tabs, for some cause), and promote me video games in these shops! 

Asus, what absolutely the hell? You know you’re making gadgets for PC players, proper? PC players who hate software program bloat that slows down their techniques? Who do you suppose goes to a driver program seeking to purchase new PC video games?! 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Once I managed to truly get into the a part of this program that’s designed to handle the keyboard itself, it’s serviceable. Extremely gradual and annoying, however serviceable, and it’s the one means you’re going to customise that display screen and management knob. But good grief, that is the worst software program I’ve ever needed to take care of for a PC peripheral, and it’s actively discouraging me from attempting different Asus {hardware}. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Asus, strip all of the pointless crap out of Armoury Crate on the earliest alternative. Failing that, launch a model that solely manages your {hardware}, and doesn’t attempt to do anything to Windows. Or promote me stuff. Good freakin’ grief. 

Is the Asus Azoth price it?

Asus positions the ROG Azoth as each an entry level for individuals who need to get into the premium, customizable mechanical keyboard world, and an “endgame” for a similar folks, an end-all, be-all of mechanical keyboards. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

It isn’t that. Frankly, anybody who’s that obsessive about keyboards goes to go to a gaggle purchase or construct their very own. And if you happen to’re simply interested by this market, you’re not able to drop triple digits on a keyboard anyway—try the excellent and frugal G.Skill KM250, and use the distinction to purchase some enjoyable video games. Or maybe a lubing station and a few further switches, if you happen to’re actually all-in on the customization.

But as a $250 various to different super-premium keyboards that supply lots much less performance, like Corsair’s Ok100 Air, the Azoth is fairly good. Premium supplies, structure, and good extras just like the lubing package make this a good center floor between a premium keyboard for players and for obsessive tweakers. I might take or go away the flamboyant display screen, and I’d a lot moderately have a daily dial — perhaps a less expensive “Azoth Lite” mannequin with out the OLED and a extra typical dial could be a good suggestion. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

It’s only a disgrace that an in any other case first rate expertise is ruined by such horrible software program. And due to the character of the display screen and knob, you’ll don’t have any alternative however to interact with them at the very least a few of the time. Asus wants to repair Armoury Crate, or put off it solely and change it with one thing smaller and fewer scatterbrained. It’s actively hurting the {hardware} it’s presupposed to be enhancing.