Introducing Electro Punk
ASUS has found a very successful recipe of mixing in culture with their products. Whether it be their motherboards, laptops or peripherals, ASUS and particularly their gaming brand ROG, has found its way into gamer lifestyle. With that being said, the ROG brand has pushed some very distinct products in the past and has been a cultural brand way before the mainstream renaissance of gaming. With many companies pushing for pastel and pink product color schemes, ROG has followed suit with their initial ROG PNK edition peripherals and earlier this year this collection is joined by another collection with the announcement of the ROG Electro Punk collection.
Sporting a hot pink color scheme, ROG’s Electro Punk lineup features a laptop and a set of peripherals. In this review, we’ll be covering the peripheral set as a whole and some of these we’ve already looked at in the past so we’ll be re-reviewing those briefly but provide an updated opinion on the workflow and gaming experience when using the set combined.
In this review, we’ll run the four members of the ROG Electro Punk gaming set which includes the following:
- ROG Strix Scope Electro Punk TKL Mechanical Keyboard
- ROG Strix Impact II Electro Punk Gaming Mouse
- ROG Strix Go Electro Punk Wireless Headset
- ROG Sheath Desk Mat
ROG Electro Punk
ASUS has an internal story video about Electro Punk and here’s a quick summary of that video:
“At the beginning we wanted to find a color that is eye-catching and we also wanted to try something different that is not the tradition flavor of males.
The neon pink is the color of vigor and strength. And it is often used in some dark scenes or similar materials to create a dystopian atmosphere in movies and games Also there was a lot of examples existed in sportswear industry.
To build a different attitude and flavor the balance and texture is the matter. That is to say the pink is a combination of functional highlights and self expression.”
– Diane Chen, Industrial Designer – ROG Strix G
There’s really no deep reason for the color choices, not even a gender-fueled one. It’s mostly a thematic choice since it is true that hot pink is usually the lighting we see in futuristic sci-fi scenes and right now a lot of gamers are choosing to go with the teal-pink mix in their backgrounds as well.
Here in Back2Gaming, our brand color is #FF2654, a darker shade of hot pink and is closer to red. I chose this color as its actually much easier on the eyes than pure red, which is our earlier brand color during our earlier years. Black and red being an overdone colorway, I decided to go with the hot pink scheme. In the same vein, ROG seems to have veered from the black and red and have favored other colorways. ROG Electro Punk’s color hex value is #F7266B. I’m sharing this information to impart some background to the design process to give an idea that this is not just about getting girl gamers into mix fitting a theme, etc.
ROG Color Evolution
The images above should give you a background on how ASUS has dropped the black and red scheme 5 years ago to arrive to a more neutral scheme. This neutral scheme works for motherboards and to some extent laptops, but other things like headsets and keyboards need to stand out a bit. Enter Electro Punk.
Sneakerheads will be familiar with colorways and the Electro Punk is ASUS’s way into exploring colorways for their products. While the original PNK edition features different products, the ROG Electro Punk pushes that approach even further, including a laptop to the mix. That said, this article will briefly touch on what we have at hand and go over some details. In our conclusion, we’ll share our thoughts if this set is something you’d want to have or not. Read on!
ROG Strix Scope Electro Punk TKL Mechanical Keyboard
Click here for our original review of ROG Strix Scope but with the Electro Punk release, its my turn on this keyboard and I have to say I’m actually impressed. Let’s get this out of the way: we originally reviewed the ROG Strix Scope when it was released and it had an SRP of Php7500+. Today, the ROG Strix Scope Electro Punk comes in at only Php6900 SRP so prices have fairly come down which is good. Still, this is steep for a TKL keyboard but anything ROG has always been a bit on the premium side.
Still, its a more simplistic approach compared to the ROG Claymore, which was quite gimmicky although it was a functionally-sound keyboard. The ROG Strix Scope is more bare bones and while being an essentials-first mechanical keyboard, offers some expanded function set that isn’t readily available on most TKLs.
The ROG Strix Scope features a dual-purpose F5-F12 keys along with other keys that can be altered via holding the Fn key. This expands the regular key sets with media keys which allow the ROG Strix Scope to maintain its small and tight footprint.
Speaking of tight, ROG has decidedly kept this keyboard with a very minimal footprint and that means no extras on the sides and around the plate. This makes the Scope quite compact although I think design considerations could’ve been had for a volume wheel which is sorely lacking in this product.
Other than that the awkwardly larger left Ctrl key might be a bit unwieldy for working people as it cuts in the now smaller Windows key but its a small learning curve a little bit of usage time can get around of.
The ROG Strix Scope TKL can operate driverless and can be used using only the ASUS Armory Crate software for RGB configuration. Outside of that, everything is out-of-the-box and works with any device that supports USB keyboards.
For the Electro Punk version of the ROG Strix Scope, ASUS decided to not only dress up the keyboard in pink lighting (which RGB does fine anyway) but also include some new keycaps. The left and lower key banks are done in Electro Punk pink as well as the backspace key. Adding to that is the choice to do the same hot pink for the status lights.
Illumination is still in RGB but default lighting has been switched to Electro Punk pink just to keep it in theme.
All in all, its still the same ROG Strix Scope TKL that we know and the dash of hotpink really sets it off and as the central installment in the ROG Electro Punk peripheral set, it’s off to a good start. Funtionally, the keyboard is surprisingly easy to get into and if you’re unlike me who is an Excel nut and can’t live without the full offering of a standard layout keyboard, there’s a learning curve to a TKL but ASUS makes that transition easy with the Fn keys although you’ll need a separate Numpad still for number entry if that’s your thing. Overall though, the pink theme is what I’m after and this is definitely a good foundation for my desk.
ROG Strix Scope Electro Punk Official Product Page
ROG Strix Scope TKL Full Review – Back2Gaming
ROG Strix Impact II Electro Punk Gaming Mouse
The second component of the Electro Punk set is the Strix Impact II. To be perfectly clear, the original Impact was not something I’d recommend. Three years ago, ASUS was still figuring out how to position their peripheral products and the original Impact was a confused mess. The new Impact II fixes a lot of that confusion and finds its place in entry-level esports glory as a simply, mid-range DPI mice whose light weight and overall design makes it an easy, portable option for serious gamers.
The ROG Strix Impact II features a faux ambidextrous design and light body which may lend itself nicely to FPS gamers. There are no special buttons as well so everything is just out-of-box. The only special button of sorts here is the DPI switcher located at the bottom of the mouse.
The Impact II has 4 levels of preset DPI maxing out at 6400. Now that may sound low for some folks but a lot of gamers never really go past 4000 DPI and even 4K gamers may not feel the need to drive their tracking higher than 4000. At the end of the day though, this might prove a limitation so if you’re twitch shooter on steroids and capable of stopping at a dime, the PAW3327 sensor on this mouse might prove lacking.
Still, performance is decent and I hold this mouse with higher regards versus its free laptop mouse ancestor, the original Impact. There’s no more tight angles on this mouse which was one of my problems with the Impact, with the Impact II favoring smooth curves. Speaking of smooth curves, the finish is smooth on the topside of the Impact II with shallow grooves on the side for improved grip. ROG uses a smoked black translucent material for the Impact II.
Going over the Electro Punk touches on the Impact II, there’s really already a few spots they can make changes to. First off the scroll wheel and buttons have been done in hot pink and the bottom DPI switcher. To compliment this, stock lighting is also done in pink but of course you can change that thru Aura Sync.
Overall, this is an easy call. Priced at Php2,200, this is a great entry-level mice and competes well with my G203 and G303 as my go-to starter mice.
The Electro Punk touch makes it match but really doesn’t make it stand out so paired with the ROG Strix Scope TKL Electro Punk, the Impact II Electro Punk gives only subtle hints. Whether it’s intentional or not, this allows flexibility for the mouse itself to blend with any desktop or laptop but makes it a second-class citizen in this pairing. If you like the theme to be subtle, this works but for people who like that pink to pop, this is lacking. They could’ve done the click buttons in hot pink to really stand out. This is offset though by RGB lighting.
ROG Strix Impact II Electro Punk Official Product Page
ROG Sheath Desk Mat
The only true ROG branded product in the Electro Punk gaming peripheral set, the ROG Sheath as a table-sized desk mat.
Reinforced edge-stitching, done in neon pink, is one of the most noticeable feature of this oversized mousepad and is meant to reinforce the entire structure of the pad. This part of the pad does not have the undersize grip material so edges will slip and slide a little bit during use.
Fully laid out, one can notice that this mat is definitely very different from the original ROG Sheath. The original ROG Sheath went with a completely black theme with a large ROG logo in a matrix-like artwork on the right side. ASUS switched that up on the Electro Punk edition, switching the design to ROG abstract cybertext on a gradient hot pink on area on the left. The right side is now kept clean with a smaller ROG logo on the right corner.
Performance-wise, the ROG Sheath is meant for a balance between grip and speed with a fine-grit surface that works well for optical and laser sensors. The grit should definitely give a nice experience and regardless which mouse you use, the ROG Sheath should prove quite useful. Pairing it with the ROG Strix Scope TKL Electro Punk and ROG Impact II Electro Punk, it brings the colors much better. There are plenty of custom mouse mat makers out there and if you’re technically running this set with the ROG Strix laptop, a desk mat is sometimes purely optional.
Still, priced at only Php1910, it the cheapest ROG product you can grab and while the value is trivial, I feel this is purely optional but if you’re spending nearly $400 or Php20,000 for the entire set, it’s definitely not something I’d put off.
ROG Sheath Electro Punk Official Product Page
ROG Strix Go 2.4 Electro Punk Wireless Headset
The ROG Strix Go 2.4 is certainly the second ROG headset I’ve actually grown to love. The first one of course is the ROG Delta. Since the Delta came out, ROG has had numerous new releases like the Theta but outside of those high-end products, the ROG Strix Go 2.4 definitely stood out for me.
First off, this was the first ROG headset which is actually portable. Earphones aside, the ROG Strix Go 2.4 looks and feels like its made for the street. The folding band, the compact earcups, etc. Everything was just meant to be portable for the ROG Strix Go 2.4 The name itself suggests this. What makes the ROG Strix Go 2.4 much more special is its sheer versatility. Compared the JBL Quantum 400 we’ve reviewed before, the only lacking feature on the JBL was a wireless feature which was reserved for higher models. The ROG Strix Go 2.4 is a Php8,530 model, a hair pricier than the JBL but provides a more subdued style as well as total wireless support.
The two headsets collide though in sheer versatility. The ROG Strix Go 2.4 offers support for nearly all current-gen consoles as well as 3.5mm devices. This versatility would surely please people who may be like me and have a lying down console area as well as a sitdown desk gaming area where I don’t really want to keep a headset for both. The wireless nature of the ROG Strix Go also means it can be used with your mobile device with getting tangled in cords. For Xbox though, you’re stuck but for PS4 and the Switch, you’re pretty much free as a bird and that is one of the strong points of the ROG Strix Go 2.4 headset.
As part of the ROG Electro Punk series, the ROG Strix Go 2.4 feels the most optional. Many users would still prefer to use speakers and while the color blocking on the ROG Strix Go is certainly stylish, add to that the tampograph prints on the headband makes this headset a really nice design piece and for the Electro Punk, it’s certainly a standout design but its ultimately a subjective addition to the set and would still be optional whether used on a desktop or with the laptop.
Performance-wise, the ROG Strix Go 2.4 is fine. Its nowhere near an M50x in terms of sound quality but its not trying to be. Ultimately though, audio quality falls between a touch below mainstream audio gear right now when listening in wireless mode. The headset itself might be susceptible to interference from other wireless devices.
All in all, the ROG Strix Go 2.4 is quite usable but would not please any audiophile. Still, the headset performs reasonably for its weight-class and provides and the versatility of this headset far outweights its shortcomings, which in terms of audio quality, will always be subjective.
ROG Strix Go 2.4 CORE Electro Punk – Wired version of this headset
User Experience & Conclusion
I’ve always had the idea of reviewing these products individually and I may do that in the future but as of right now, the recurring question from some of our readers is “is the set good?” and for almost $400 or just under Php20,000, I would understand the concern. ASUS did offer these products in a promotion during launch but with interest still in limbo due to close proximity with the ROG PNK edition release as well as being closer to the stock ROG color set, the hype is not as intense like it was during the heat of the PNK edition.
That said, the question remains unanswered and for me, I say its worth. Despite individual nitpicks, all the components of the ROG Electro Punk gaming peripheral set are individually good and together, there’s no gestalt form to bring out a functionally superior entity but to quantify a peripheral ecosystem is quite the challenge. For the most part, any PC gamer would choose his or her own peripherals and that’s that but there exists PC builders who adhere to strict brand loyalty. It is these people that ASUS and ROG is looking to to offer these products. To basically confer their undying allegiance to ROG and to a specific color theme.
In closing, if it makes you feel good I can agree with that decision and as a personal owner of this set at this point, I don’t have the PC to fit with the peripherals but its definitely something more livelier that what I had before with a mixed set and people have definitely been noticing the theme much more than my previous RGB keyboard and holey mouse. So, if that’s something that you’re into this is definitely the easiest way to a hotpink route without getting pricier keycap set and repainting your other gear.
The ROG PNK peripheral set definitely had a larger marketing backing its campaign hence its more prolific in some streamers. The ROG Electro Punk seems to be a more subtle release and that’s expected as this more of a palette swap rather than a full-on recolor like the previous PNK colorways. Still, with a much more mature product set, the ROG Electro Punk gaming peripherals offer better overall value and whether you get it individually or a set, you’ll have a great gaming experience.
The ROG Strix Electro Punk gaming peripheral set is backed by a 1-year standard warranty from ASUS and receives a collective B2G Recommended Award as well as a B2G Silver Award!