Released two years ago now the Strike Pro includes many of the features we look for in a quality mechanical gaming keyboard. Complete with fully backlit keys with Cherry MX switches the Strike Pro also includes a USB hub, audio inputs, macro support, onboard memory and a braided USB cable. Some early reviews reported that the audio ports weren’t labeled and that the retractable feet collapse under pressure. Our sample did feature audio port labels and if anything the retractable feet were too stiff, making them difficult to retract.
The LED backlighting features a dual color scheme which I was surprised by how good it looked. Some have commented that the dual color scheme looks tacky and while I can understand it’s not for everyone, overall I felt the effect looked quite nice.
Measuring 441mm long, 136mm deep and 34mm thick the Strike Pro’s dimensions are fairly typical for a full size mechanical keyboard. The Strike Pro is wrapped in plastic and feels as though it has a similar build quality to that of the CM Storm QuickFire TK.
The inverted F-keycaps also look nice and they make it clear what each keys secondary function is. Like the Corsair Strafe, CM Storm QuickFire TK and Tt eSports Poseidon Z for example the Strike Pro doesn’t feature any dedicated multimedia of lighting keys.
Ozone has also been quite clever by offering six macro keys that are shared with the inset, home, page up, delete, end and page down keys. These macro keys can be programmed with up to 30 different configurations though we should mention that the software is quite clunky and certainly nowhere near the level of the software offered by companies such as Logitech or even Cougar.
Underneath the Strike Pro is fairly standard as it offers two small legs and a few options for routing the keyboards braided cable.
The only real problem I had with this keyboard was the lack of a real wrist rest. Ozone has extended the bottom of the keyboard slightly but it’s not enough to rest on while typing or gaming, which makes longer gaming or typing sessions quite uncomfortable. A bigger, detachable wrist rest wouldn’t go amiss.
The short wrist rest might also be an issue when trying to use a third party rest, so that is something to keep in mind. Despite the lack of a full wrist rest the Strike Pro was quite comfortable to use and I really liked how the keycaps looked and felt on this model.
