You can view more information about the switches, keycaps and more in my original Claymore Core review here.

Build Quality

As with the Claymore Core, the build quality of the Bond is impeccable. With a full metal shroud and Mayan inspired etchings (the same etchings found on the ROG Whetstone mouse pad), it shares all of the features I came to love in the Claymore Core with a few minor additions. At the top, the keyboard sports a volume wheel (also metal) that has a tactile response and a mute function (by clicking down). The keypad also features two metal bolts which gives the keypad an industrial look.

Compatability

The Claymore Bond is surprisingly easy to attach to the Claymore Core. All you need to do is remove the rubber protectors and slide the Bond into place on either the left or right side of the Claymore Core. I love how ASUS has given people the power of choice over whether they put it on the left or right side, opting for more modularity than other brands. The only downfall of this is that the keypad can be disconnected if bumped. ASUS has tried to combat this by making the disconnect point high up on the Bond with about 5 millimetres of lift before it disconnects.

Once the Bond is connected it will automatically pick up the RBG colour of the ASUS Claymore Core using AURA sync. After a brief firmware update, the ROG Armoury software will also show the Bond attached to your keyboard. This software isn’t my favourite and you can read more about that on my Claymore Core Review.

Switches

The Claymore Bond is available in all of the switches that the Claymore Core comes in making it a consistent feel across your keyboard. I opted for the red switches to match my Claymore core but here is a bit of information if you’re making your choice.

Cherry MX Red: extremely fast and linear response (Actuation force: 45g)

Cherry MX Blue: fast response with light tactile and audible feedback (Actuation force: 60g)

Cherry MX Brown: fast response with tactile feedback (Actuation force: 55g)

Cherry MX Black: fast and linear response (Actuation force: 60g)

Verdict/Bottom Line

Pro

✔ Stunning build quality
✔ RGB lighting (with AURA sync)
✔ N-Key rollover (100% anti-ghosting)
✔ Easy installation
✔ Ability to use it on the right or left side of the claymore core

Con

✖ Very expensive
✖ Can disconnect if bumped

The build quality of the Bond is stunning. It strikes a similar cord to that of the Claymore Core keyboard. With its easy attachment and Aura Sync it’s a worthy companion for those who truly need a keypad. The price is, however, absurd. Retailing in most of the major Australian online stores at $99-120 AUD, you can almost buy an entire keyboard which includes Cherry MX switches. This really begs the question, is a keypad that important to you? My advice… buy it in a bundle when you buy the Claymore Core; you will save around $30-40 AUD. As a standalone product and due to its high price, I rate this product 3.5/5.

3.5/5

Warning: This must be used in conjunction with the Claymore Core and cannot be used as a standalone.

What’s in the Box?

– Quick Start Guide
– ASUS ROG Claymore Bond
– Valour Protection Sleeve

If you like this review and want to check out more please visit TryTech: Here.

Coming from my much loved Ducky Shine 4 I entered the peripherals market with the sole intention of buying the the updated Shine 5. I was however, presented with a number big brands such as ASUS, Corsair and Razer trying to vie for Ducky’s minimalistic, expensive and so far unique take on the keyboard design. Having never owned an ASUS peripheral before but having both an ASUS motherboard and an ASUS graphics card I decided that I would give the ASUS Claymore Core a go. It also came highly recommended from multiple other review sites and friends. Here is my take after a year of use.

Key Features

✯ N-Key Rollover (100% ghost free)
✯ Genuine Cherry MX Keys
✯ Two variants, 100% size and 80% size (without the keypad)
✯ 1000Hz Polling Rate (The keyboard will check for a keystroke every 1ms)
✯ Height adjustable feet that lock into place
✯ 16.8 million individually lit keys with both software and non-software adjustment
✯ Hotkeys that can adjust fan speeds and boot settings when linked with a ASUS motherboard
✯ Durable aluminium design
✯ Standard Micro USB Cable for easy replacement

Build Quality

Design & Layout

The ASUS claymore is available in two layouts, the 80% tournament sized keyboard without a keypad (claymore core) and the 100% sized board with a keypad. In Australia you are looking for a retail price of around $220 for the core variant and $280 for the full sized claymore. This definitely puts the keyboard into the high price tier.

The build quality on this keyboard definitely feels and looks expensive. The Republic of Gamers are well known for changing their brand from year to year with new releases. In 2015-16 it was the owl-inspired range with their graphics cards and peripherals adopting the round eyes of an owl and their mascot being a robotic owl. This year they have opted for what they describe as a  mayan-inspired design with sharp edges and etchings in-line with nvidia’s new 10 series GPUs. Personally, I prefer this design to the owl but it’s obviously up to personal preference. (Side Note: Some of the lower ASUS graphics cards maintain the owl design)

This brings me to my first standout feature: the detachable keypad. For those with minimal desk space such as myself this will come as a much needed feature. You can purchase the board with or without the keypad and can be attached or detached with ease. You also have the ability to purchase the keypad at a later date if you don’t want to fork out the extra cash straight away. Personally, I am use to the tournament sized board and am not missing my keypad but it’s nice to know that the upgrade is available if I so desire.

Here you can see the height difference with and without the feet. The feet add about 3-5cm of raise although it is not adjustable. You can also see the connector where you can slide the keypad in place (gold 6 pin connector).

I will try to be subjective here and just stick to the facts as I think that looks are a personal thing.  

The keyboard takes a minimalistic design approach. The top is adorned with a black set of keycaps that sit out of the boards housing. At the top the housing is covered in a full metal shroud with mayan-inspired etchings. This can attract a lot of dust but with the proper care I prefer the cold metal touch and durability this brings. The internals are secured at the bottom with a plastic housing that reminds me of a bat. It uses sharp edges to prop up the keyboard in an appropriate manner and has two plastic feet that flip out and secure with a tight click for angled keyboard use. There is a cut out for the cable to run through. A downside to this minimalistic design is the lack of a palm rest which is obviously a personal preference. I would love to see ASUS include an attachable one for those who prefer to use them (especially at this price). In total it weighs in at 770G with the cable so it carries quite a bit of weight.

On the left you can see the back of the keyboard which reminds me of a bat. On the right you can see the height difference compared to my old ducky shine 5. Both have the keycaps removed showing the Cherry MX (Red) switches.

RGB

The claymore is another example of 2016-17(s) LED push from the gaming community with ASUS introducing their AURA RGB technology. Their RGB lighting has 16.8 million different colour variations with 5 different dedicated profiles that you can change on the fly via your macros or software. Through the ASUS AURA suite users have the ability to sync these lighting effects with other AURA enabled graphics cards, motherboards and peripherals. We even found some cases such as the In Win 805 infinity that lets users sync the LEDs on the case to this keyboard. Here is an example of the AURA sync in action (unfortunately I couldn’t find a video with the keyboard syncing to other components);

The standout feature for me here is the ability to customise your lighting scheme on the fly through dedicated macros found on the keyboard. This differs from other companies who usually use software based product customisation. ASUS has in this case opted to put a large number of their functional keys on the actual layout which are controlled via the FN and macro switches as shown below;

I seemed to have some dull areas on my unit and not sure if this is a fault or a design flaw but I don’t have another unit to compare it to.

OVERALL

The ASUS ROG claymore is the company’s most ambitious attempt into the peripheral market yet. The keyboard boasts features that are quickly becoming the cornerstone of the Republic of Gaming (ROG) product line and a design that represents plenty of gaming flair while still being discreet enough to show your girlfriend. This is an in-depth look into the much anticipated claymore keyboard series.

Pro

✔RGB Lighting
✔Metal Construction
✔N-Key Rollover (100% anti-ghosting)
✔Lightning Fast Overclocking
✔Key Bot Features
✔Micro USB Detachable Cable
✔Detachable Keypad
✔Control Lighting via Function Key
✔Very Nice Packaging

Con

✖Price
✖Open Switch Design Attracts Dust
✖Consistency with AURA Products
✖Some Dull RGB Areas (unsure if specific to my unit)
✖No Optional Palm Rest
✖AURA and ROG armoury are not compatible

RATE : 4.5/5

Read more details about this review please click HERE