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On the face of it, you would be forgiven for thinking that the Roccat Isku+ Force FX is no different to its predecessor. It is true that it keeps the tried-and-tested Isku design and layout, but this keyboard is most notable for its 6 analog keys. Will this really give you ‘total gaming domination' as Roccat claim?
It looks like Roccat is actually the first keyboard manufacturer to come to market with an analog keyboard, fending off crowd-funded solutions like Wooting one. That alone makes the Isku+ Force FX an interesting keyboard, but when you add in tons of macro options, RGB lighting and Roccat's accomplished Swarm software, could Roccat be on to a real winner here?
Specification
- RGB Illuminated Keyboard with 123 Keys
- Pressure-sensitive Key Zone, Recognizable as Controller, with Pressure-sensitive QWEASD Keys
- 36 Easy-to-reach Macro Keys, Including 3 ROCCAT Programmable Thumbster Keys
- Medium-height Keys, with an Optimum Keystroke Response
- Talk FX + AlienFX Support, Lighting Effects for Your favourite Games
- Improved RGB Key Illumination, Enhanced Lighting, 6 Adjustable Brightness Levels
- Macro Live! Recording, with Dedicated M-Rec Button; for Up To 180+ Macros Stored in 5 Game Profiles
- ROCCAT Swarm, Software Suite Optimised
- 3 Unique Easy-Shift[+] Zones, for Easy Key Duplication
- 8 Configurable Media & Hotkeys, for Quick Access to More Than 25 Functions
- Extra-large Granular Wrist Rest, with Newly-improved Sweat-and-smudge-resistant Surface
- Enhanced Anti-ghosting Capability
- 5 Programmable Macro Keys
- 3 Status LEDs (Caps Lock, Easy Shift[+], Num Lock)
- 1000Hz Polling Rate
- 1ms Response Time
- 1.8m USB Cable
I’ll probably get a lot of stick for this, but i personally prefer membrane keyboards to mechanical keyboards.
I find the keys are far more comfortable on membrane boards for typing and general use, I also find that mechanical keyboards, especially ones with Blue Cherry MX switches are overly sensitive. So for someone with large, heavy hands like myself, it doesn’t take very much to accidentally press a button. Not great if you’re stealthily trying to approach someone or something.
The analogue keys certainly sound cool, and it’ll be interesting if they actually do give me an edge. Only time will tell.
Agreed. I can feel my knuckles getting arthritis every time I use a mechanical keyboard 🙁