Asus ROG Falcata
Delve into the innovative world of gaming keyboards with the Asus ROG Falcata, a model that challenges the norm and offers a unique experience for enthusiasts. Despite its appearance, Asus doesn’t label the ROG Falcata as an ergonomic keyboard, though it boasts features often associated with such designs. Instead, it’s a gaming powerhouse offering customizable options with a focus on space optimization for your gameplay needs.
Often the allure of a segmented keyboard is its potential ergonomic benefits, but Asus positions the ROG Falcata as a fully split gaming keyboard, enhancing space for gaming movement. According to Asus, this split design allows for the detachment of the right part of the keyboard, which can appeal to gamers who appreciate having more space for mouse activities. Beyond its creative split functionality, the ROG Falcata is a compact mechanical keyboard equipped with ROG HFX V2 magnetic switches, 8 kHz polling, RGB per-key lighting, and a multi-function media wheel—all combined with a price tag that invites scrutiny.
While not the most costly keyboard from Asus, the investment of around $420 (£335) demands considerable confidence in its capabilities. The ROG Falcata does exhibit certain flaws, but when its strengths are embraced, it delivers an outstanding performance.
Experiencing Gaming Excellence
The gaming experience offered by the ROG Falcata is profoundly satisfying. The sensitive HFX V2 switches deliver an incredibly fast and responsive experience that redefines engagement during intensive gaming sessions. This sensitivity is adaptable, allowing gamers to fine-tune to align with individual preferences and gameplay styles. The keyboard’s design includes features like silicone layers and Poron pads, ensuring a cushioned keystroke that minimizes sound, resulting in a sublime tactile experience devoid of any distracting noises. Of course, gamers benefit from functionalities like rapid trigger and Speed Tap, enhancing precision and control during intense moments.
Customization through Asus’ browser-based Gear Link control software brings further personalization, enhancing the gaming experience. The upgradable functionality allows users to dictate which keys benefit from features like rapid trigger, catering to personal gaming strategies. Although Speed Tap requires manual activation, it applies strategic advantages, particularly when assigned to keys like A and D for maneuverability.
Embracing Gaming Comfort with a Nod to Ergonomics
The design of the ROG Falcata subtly nods to ergonomics, offering a split chassis that naturally aligns the shoulders for comfort during prolonged sessions. It includes optional silicone pads which, when attached, enhance the overall experience by providing a soft feel. Adjustable feet allow for tenting and tilting, which can aid in aligning wrist posture favorably. Regrettably, the inability to achieve tenting and tilting simultaneously and the height disparity in wrist pads means that it may fall short in providing comprehensive ergonomic solutions.
Notably, the wrist support is shallow, influenced by the high-profile keys, which may lead to discomfort over extended periods. This could explain Asus’s decision not to market the Falcata as an ergonomic keyboard, as it lacks the depth needed to potentially overshadow competitors like the Kinesis Gaming Freestyle Edge.
Connectivity and Interface Concerns
While the ROG Falcata astounds with its technological prowess, it stumbles when it comes to connectivity. Offering USB Type-C, Bluetooth, and a 2.4 GHz dongle with an impressive 8,000 polling rate, it excels in performance yet is weighed down by a cable-dependent design.
The constraint of using a proprietary cable between the keyboard halves restricts flexibility, a drawback not associated with more cost-effective rivals. Adding to this limitation is the deceptive appearance of these being standard USB Type-C cables, presenting compatibility challenges when substitutions are attempted. The result leaves users with a strong wish for a fully wireless future iteration of the model.
Persistent Issues and Future Potential
A feature expected to revolutionize the interface, the multifunction media wheel, becomes a frustration due to its stiffness. The wheel, crucial for controlling a host of settings from volume to lighting, doesn’t perform with ease, leading to aggravation during use. Although this defect could be isolated to specific units, the potential for inconvenience may deter potential buyers.
The Gear Link software, while rich with features and relatively user-friendly, lacks macro setup capabilities—a minor drawback given that the keyboard lacks additional keys to spare. However, given Gear Link’s beta status, continued updates might eventually fill this gap, evolving the system’s versatility and mapping options.
Final Verdict
The Asus ROG Falcata stands tall as a remarkable gaming keyboard, boasting unrivaled speed and responsiveness. Its concise footprint and customizable nature make it a delightful option for dedicated gamers, but as an ergonomic solution, it leaves room for improvement. However, its current pricing grants access to other noteworthy gaming keyboards, leaving potential buyers at a crossroads—contemplate the possibility of existing or future flaws or revel in the innovative joy that the ROG Falcata brings to the gaming arena. Ultimately, its value lies in recognizing and embracing its strengths while being mindful of its limitations.
