Introduction

As a company based entirely around the gaming peripheral industry, Roccat have gained a reputation for manufacturing top quality, high-performance products that deliver for all levels of gaming.

The Valo, the company’s first venture into the keyboard market, was conceptually very good but a software typing bug and the phenomenally high price tag were the undoing of the keyboard. Roccat have moved swiftly in launching the Arvo; marketed as a compact gaming keyboard and at a much reduced price, Roccat seem to have finally hit the right ballpark. That said; let’s see if Roccat have been able to iron out all the bugs this time and come up with a winner? Read on to find out.

Roccat on the Arvo

“More space on the desktop without the need to forgo all the usual functions. This, and a whole lot more besides, is offered by the compact ROCCAT™ Arvo. It’s the first keyboard to offer a gaming mode integrated into the numpad and unique thumbster keys. These three extra keys can be assigned macros or the practical timer function, which can’t be found on any other keyboard on the planet.

As part of the ROCCAT™ Smart Desktop Management System, the ROCCAT™ Arvo only has a tiny desktop footprint compared to other standard keyboards. The idea behind the SDMS of creating space, order and efficiency is reflected in the keyboard’s compact design. As a result, neither the mouse pad nor mouse will get in your way during gaming – plus optimum use is made of the desktop gaming zone.

The compact design has been made possible simply by combining the numpad and arrow-key pad. The ROCCAT™ Arvo’s dual-assignment numpad means the keyboard takes up considerably less space while at the same time retaining all the functions you’d find on a standard keyboard. It’s easy to switch between normal and gaming mode simply by pressing the mode switch button.

Three unique macro keys are positioned beneath the spacebar which increases the opportunity to use the thumb during gaming, meaning it doesn’t need to be used purely for hitting the spacebar. The three thumbster keys can be individually programmed and easily operated using the thumb.”

Features

• COMPACT DESIGN
  creates optimum gamespace
• MODE SWITCH BUTTON
  for switching between Num Pad function and Gaming Mode
• 3 PROGRAMMABLE THUMBSTER KEYS
  easy to reach with your thumb
• 2 ADDITIONAL MACRO KEYS
  for individual keyboard commands
• MACRO MANAGER
  create complex command sequences
• ANTI-GHOSTING CAPABILITY
  for simultaneous keystrokes
• MEDIUM-HEIGHT KEYS 
  with an optimum keystroke response and perfect pressure point
• HIGH DURABILITY
  with robust metal base
• 6 ILLUMINATED STATUS KEYS
  directional keys, mode switch button and Caps Lock key
• KEY DEACTIVATION
  for disabling Windows, Menu, Caps Lock and Tab keys
• ULTRA EFFECTIVE NON-SLIP BASE
  with special lock-on keyboard feet for a comfortable gaming height

Specification

• Compact Keyboard Layout with 97 Keys
• 1000Hz polling rate
• >1.5m USB cable, cable diameter: 3mm