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ROCCAT introduces Isku illuminated gaming keyboard at CeBIT

By Paul Ridden
March 01, 2011
ROCCAT introduces Isku illuminated gaming keyboard at CeBIT
The new ROCCAT Isku with Talk technology that allows the keyboard and mouse to talk to each other
The new ROCCAT Isku with Talk technology that allows the keyboard and mouse to talk to each other
View 9 Images
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard back-illuminated keys for ease of use in low lighting (or in the dark) gaming
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard back-illuminated keys for ease of use in low lighting (or in the dark) gaming
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard incorporating the company's EasyShift[ ] technology, that allows certain keys to have double functions
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard incorporating the company's EasyShift[ ] technology, that allows certain keys to have double functions
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with back-illuminated keys for ease of use in low lighting (or in the dark) gaming
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with back-illuminated keys for ease of use in low lighting (or in the dark) gaming
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard has 123 medium height, back-illuminated keys
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard has 123 medium height, back-illuminated keys
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with extra large wrist rest and three programmable thumbster keys built in
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with extra large wrist rest and three programmable thumbster keys built in
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with extra large wrist rest and three programmable thumbster keys built in
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with extra large wrist rest and three programmable thumbster keys built in
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with extra large wrist rest and three programmable thumbster keys built in
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with extra large wrist rest and three programmable thumbster keys built in
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with 8 programmable media keys
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The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with 8 programmable media keys
The new ROCCAT Isku with Talk technology that allows the keyboard and mouse to talk to each other
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The new ROCCAT Isku with Talk technology that allows the keyboard and mouse to talk to each other
View gallery - 9 images

CeBIT 2011 is near enough home turf for Hamburg's gaming specialist ROCCAT, so it's no surprise that the company has a new product to show off. As the name suggests, the Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard features 123 medium height, back-illuminated keys for ease of use in low lighting (or in the dark) gaming. The keyboard also offers new gaming possibilities with some wizardry that allows it to communicate with a mouse and technology that can double up certain keys for even more functionality.

ROCCAT has developed a new protocol called Talk that allows the mouse and keyboard to communicate with each other, opening up new options for gamers such as the ability to take advantage of the EasyAim feature on the KONE[+] gaming mouse by pressing a key on the keyboard.

The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with back-illuminated keys for ease of use in low lighting (or in the dark) gaming
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard with back-illuminated keys for ease of use in low lighting (or in the dark) gaming

Making its first outing on a keyboard, the company has also brought its EasyShift[+] technology to the Isku, which was first featured in the KONE[+] announced in October last year. This allows certain keys to have double functions and advanced anti-ghosting means that gamers can hit multiple keys at the same time. A 1000Hz polling rate makes for lag-free keyboard response time and gaming in low light is made possible with blue key backlighting, with six brightness levels and a timed dimmer function.

The Isku also benefits from extensive macro functionality, including an integrated Macro Live! Recording button for straightforward in-game macro recording, the ever useful Macro Manager (which allows users to record their own macros while also supplying presets for the top 20 PC games, as well as several Office apps) and the ability to choose from up to 25 functions to assign to each of the eight media and hotkeys, and the 12 configurable F-keys.

The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard has 123 medium height, back-illuminated keys
The new ROCCAT Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard has 123 medium height, back-illuminated keys

Up to five gaming profiles are supported with the active profile indicated by status LED at the top of the keyboard and the extra large wrist rest has three programmable thumbster keys built in.

ROCCAT's Isku keyboard penciled in for Q2 release at a suggested retail price of EUR79.99 (US$110).

View gallery - 9 images

Tags

GamesKeyboardGamesComputerCeBITCeBIT 2011
2 comments
Paul Ridden
Paul Ridden
While Paul is loath to reveal his age, he will admit to cutting his IT teeth on a TRS-80 (although he won't say which version). An obsessive fascination with computer technology blossomed from hobby into career before hopping over to France for 10 years, where he started work for New Atlas in 2009. Now back in his native Blighty, he serves as Managing Editor in Europe.

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2 comments
4Freedom
Looks similar to the Razer Lycosa. I hope it won\'t have the same problem that the Lycosa did. (Keys randomly stop working. Have to unplug/replug the USB connection to temporarily fix, but it will happen again about once a day. This makes the keyboard unusable for gaming.)
Aside from it\'s problem, the Lycosa was a good keyboard. There were many things about it that I would like to see in a stable successor. This could be it.
Terry Penrose
Looks nice, but can ROCCAT get their act together on the drivers front? or will it be plagued with software issues like the mouse, repeatedly failing to save settings and no fix in sight?