Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review

There is a possibility that the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile will be the first that I genuinely come to like. As a consequence of my preference for the additional tactility and clunk that a good old-fashioned high profile keycap provides, I have never been a fan of low profile decks. As a result, I have never loved skipping over a set of shorter keys. Yes, I have tried low profile keyboards when I was traveling (my current go-to keyboard from Cherry is pretty worn in at this point), but I have never found them to be gratifying enough to use in full desk rotation. However, this is a very other ballgame.

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review

In comparison to the majority of its 65% peers, the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile comes with a price tag that is somewhat more than its launch price of $169.99 or £169.99 per. It is one of the finest gaming keyboards now available on the market because it features a wonderful design, a small chassis, and a sleek typing experience, all of which contribute to its remarkable level of performance.

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review: Key Specs

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review: Design

The Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is a gaming keyboard that is very slimline and has a multitude of hidden capabilities that are built into the design of the keyboard itself. An invigorating break from the typical black and gray that we often find on the shelves is provided by keycaps that are entirely white and a base that is silver.

This thin form factor is further supported by a design that seems to float off the primary base plate, which extends slightly beyond the plastic wedged base by a little less than a centimeter.

Before I got my hands on the Falchion RX, one of the things that I struggled with the most with low profile keyboards was, humorously enough, their height. When I am sitting in my chair, I like to have a decent basis to work off of, with an elevated set of keys that are readily accessible, regardless of how horribly slumped I am. What makes me glad is the fact that I am still able to reach the number row even if a chiropractor is getting ready to earn millions off of me.

With the bigger of the two flippable feet extended, the ROG Falchion RX isn’t quite as high as the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air, but it’s definitely a more comfortable elevation level than your regular low profile deck. This is a dream in comparison to the Cherry MX LP 2.1, which is quite flat by comparison.

The white casing that comes with the keyboard is a significant factor that contributes to the keyboard’s height even somewhat. The textured plastic cover may be used on top of the deck to protect the keys when traveling. Additionally, it can be slid neatly beneath the keyboard to give additional grip while still enabling access to all of your ports and functions. When it comes to the design, it is a one-of-a-kind feature that I have never seen before, but it is a useful addition for those who are always on the go.

‘Republic of Gamers’ is printed across the center of the top of the deck, which also contains a sequence of RGB stripes that run the majority of the length of the top bezel. The top of the deck also features an RGB LED display. In order to provide a visual depiction of the activities you do when scrolling, these stripes react to the motions that you make on the slide bar, which is placed at the very top of the deck itself. In my experience, I have not seen a control function that is similar to this one. However, the panel that is slightly sunken is readily accessible from the main deck, and it also has a series of tactile bumps that will assist you in navigating the space.

The overall construction quality is of a very high standard here. Although it is not as lightweight as Cherry’s low profile variant, it has a satisfying heaviness that demonstrates the high-quality materials that were used in its creation. Even though it is a slimline package, everything has a sturdy and secure feel to it. The main base plate is rock solid, and there is no creaking or bending throughout the main deck. ABS keycaps are not the most stable over the long run on their own, but they have a wonderful feel to the fingers, and Asus has put a UV coating to protect them from any greasy sheen that may occur.

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review: Features

The ROG Falchion RX Low Profile comes included with the low profile optical switches offered by the company, which may be offered in either a red or blue flavor. My apparatus is equipped with a set of red linear clickers that have an actuation point of 1 millimeter, an actuation force of 40 grams, and a total force of 55 grams. The actuation point of the switch is quite sensitive, yet it manages to be a fairly lightweight switch. Additionally, each switch is equipped with centralized RGB illumination in order to avoid bleed as much as possible.

Access to a wide variety of connection possibilities is likely to be one of the most important characteristics for those who are looking for a wireless gaming keyboard for travel. In this case, you will have access to Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections, which are ideal for use with a variety of devices. Additionally, you will have complete compatibility with Mac software (and the legends that belong to it). In the world of gaming keyboards, it is a very uncommon occurrence; nevertheless, over the last few months, I have seen an increasing number of decks that are compatible with Apple’s technology. Among the products that I have compared, the Asus comes out on top in terms of connection. In contrast to Roccat, which is only dependent on its USB dongle, Cherry provides both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, although it does not support Mac computers. Additionally, Asus goes one step further by using their Omni receiver, which is capable of connecting many devices that are compatible via a single connection.

Additionally, it is uncommon to see separate media controls on a gaming laptop that is 65 percent, but the Falchion has us covered in this regard as well. As was indicated before, the sliding bar that runs over the top of the deck enables a variety of various inputs to be configured using Armory Crate. Additionally, it enables media playing, volume control, and brightness settings to be adjusted. A tiny button located on the left side of the deck is used to change each mode, and the slide bar itself is used to make adjustments. Swipe from left to right inside the slide bar to play the next track, adjust the volume and brightness, and swipe from right to left to play the opposite track. In the beginning, I had some reservations about this bar since it is made of the same gray plastic as the rest of the deck and it does not seem to be as sensitive as it really is. With that being said, it was able to pick up orders instantaneously regardless of how softly I was sweeping, which indicates that there is some sort of magic going on here.

In the inside of the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile, there are two layers of sound-absorbing foam: one layer is located under the main plate, while the second layer is located below the printed circuit board. In spite of the fact that I have used gaming keyboards with a great deal more modifications performed, the sound profile of this keyboard is still nicely muffled, and it also has a gentle landing.

In addition to all of that, you will have complete programmability and the ability to record macros on the fly, which is something that the Cherry model does not have on its list of features. Even more impressive is the fact that Asus has provided room for up to six profiles, which is a little improvement above the typical count of five that I see.

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review: Performance

Using the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile provides a typing experience that is more akin to sliding on freshly fallen snow. Particularly pleasurable is the feeling that is brought about by the very lightweight switches, the soft keycaps, and the soothing sound profile. The switches themselves are sensitive enough to retain some significant speed while also delivering a super quick debounce for repetitive pressing. This is in addition to the fact that they are sensitive enough to keep some serious speed. Even with these linear switches, there is a tactile snap that makes flying over the deck seem pleasurable and controlled, while still providing a smooth glide from one keypress to the next.

The Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air, on the other hand, has a much more aggressive sound profile with a rattling and hefty feel to it. There is a little increase in the weight of the Cherry MX-LP 2.1’s keypresses, and the overall feel of the keyboard is more scratches. All things considered, Asus comes out on top when it comes to the overall typing experience here; everything is silky smooth, and it sounds wonderful as well.

To tell you the truth, over the course of my testing of the Falchion, I only ever encountered a single issue. Because of the shorter shift key, the sensitive switches, and the limited distance between the keys, I often found myself accidentally setting the caps lock to the highest possible position. It is not a significant problem, and it is something that can be easily fixed by increasing the amount of muscle learning you perform, but if you do depend on these keys for the majority of your macros or keybindings, it is something that you should take into mind.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile?

If you are looking for a low profile gaming keyboard with a 65% profile, I would suggest the Asus ROG Falchion RX above anything else that I have had the opportunity to try up to this point. It has a battery life of up to 430 hours, a superb typing experience, and unique additional capabilities such as discrete media controls. It is a gadget that is very portable and extremely adaptable.

Those who are searching for the ideal experience beneath their fingers would not want to purchase the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 since it has a harsher typing sensation, scratchier switches, and flatter elevation. However, it is available for $40 or £30 less than the Cherry MX-LP and is available for purchase. Additionally, you will be losing the functionality of MacOS as well as those media controls as a result of this sacrifice.

If you are not bothered by the low profile keycaps, the Endgame Gear KB65HE is now in the running for my favorite 65% gaming keyboard that is currently available on the market. It has a keycap design that is more conventional, but it also includes hall effect switches, which allow for the customization of actuation locations, and it also includes beautiful Ducky PBT caps. Endgame also has a hot-swappable keyboard, which is a feature that you may be looking for. I would still suggest going with Asus if you are going to be traveling quite a bit; but, the fact that the deck of Endgame weighs one kilogram and only has a cable connection makes it a difficult item to pack.

The Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro is now our top pick for the best low profile gaming keyboard overall, as of the time this article was written. Nevertheless, the Asus ROG Falchion RX has the potential to alter that. This entry from Razer is a full-sized gadget, but it comes with a price tag of $249.99 or £249.99 and does not come with a significant number of additional capabilities to back up its price tag. There is no question that you will get the number pad and complete navigational keys, but in this day and age, it is not something that is worth an additional $80. This is particularly true when you consider that the Deathstalker provides almost everything else that is available.

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