AZIO CASCADE 98 SLIM Wireless Backlit Mechanical Keyboard User Guide

June 12, 2024
AZIO

AZIO CASCADE 98 SLIM Wireless Backlit Mechanical Keyboard

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product

Product Information
Package Content & Specs

  • CASCADE Slim Wireless Backlit Mechanical Keyboard
  • Quick Start Guide
  • USB Type-C Cable
  • RF Dongle
  • Keycap and Switch Puller

Specifications

  • Interface: Bluetooth + USB Hybrid
  • Mechanical Switch: Hot-Swappable with Default Gateron Switch
  • Backlight: 8 RGB Colors / 17 Backlight Modes
  • N-Key Rollover: NKRO via USB and BT
  • Battery: 3000 mAh Li-ion
  • Charging Connection: USB Type-C Cable
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 414 x 146 x 29 mm
  • Weight: 2.45 lbs / 1111 g
  • System Requirements: Windows 10 & above / macOS USB Port or
    Bluetooth

Product Usage InstructionsKeyboard Setup
Keyboard Mode Switch
The AZIO CASCADE 98 Slim Keyboard is a versatile keyboard that supports Mac and PC and can be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired via USB. The interface mode switches are located on the back of the keyboard.

  • Wired Mode: Connect the included USB Type-C cable to the keyboard and your computer. The keyboard will automatically begin charging and the backlight will turn on. To turn off, unplug the cable.
  • Wireless Mode: Connect the keyboard to your computer wirelessly. The backlight will automatically turn on. After 60 minutes of inactivity, the keyboard will hibernate. Simply press any key to wake up and reconnect automatically.

Pairing the Keyboard in Wireless Mode

  1. Switch the keyboard to Wireless mode using the mode switch located on the back of the keyboard.
  2. Select which Bluetooth profiles to connect to by pressing the FN key with 1, 2, or 3 keys together for 3~5 seconds. The corresponding key’s backlight will flash blue slowly.
  3. On your Mac, navigate to “System Preferences” and select “Bluetooth”. Find the “CASCADE 98 1.0” and click on “Connect”.
  4. For Windows 10, go to “Bluetooth Settings” and select “Add Bluetooth or other devices”. Once the setup wizard finds “CASCADE 98”, click on “Pair”. Once pairing is successfully completed, the keyboard backlight will stop flashing.

Connecting the Keyboard through USB Connection
To connect via USB, switch to Wired mode and use the Type-C Cable included in the package. Connect the cable to the Keyboard USB Port and to your computer. When the connection is successfully established, the keyboard will light up and be ready for use.

Connection Light Modes
Pressing the FN key with certain keys will indicate the type of connection and the corresponding color. Refer to the user manual for specific key combinations.

Pairing the Keyboard with RF Dongle

  1. Insert the RF dongle into an available USB port. The RF dongle is located at the bottom of the keyboard.
  2. Switch the keyboard to Wireless mode using the mode switch located on the back of the keyboard.
  3. Press the FN key with 4 keys. The Wireless icon will blink yellow when connecting and shine yellow when it is successfully connected.

PACKAGE CONTENT & SPECS

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PACKAGE CONTENTS

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SPECIFICATIONS

  • Interface Bluetooth + USB Hybrid
  • Mechanical Switch Hot-Swappable with Default Gateron Switch
  • Backlight  Hot-Swappable with Default Gateron Switch
  • N-Key Rollover  NKRO via USB and BT
  • Battery  NKRO via USB and BT
  • Charging Connection  USB Type-C Cable
  • Dimens. (LxWxH)  USB Type-C Cable
  • Weight  USB Type-C Cable
  • System Requirements Windows 10 & above / macOS

KEYBOARD SETUP
KEYBOARD MODE SWITCH
The AZIO CASCADE 98 Slim Keyboard is a versatile keyboard that supports Mac and PC and can be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired via USB. The interface mode switches are located on the back of the keyboard. (Fg 01)

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  • Interface Mode
  • Charging Port

Wired: In Wired mode, please connect the included USB Type-C cable to the keyboard and your computer. While in Wired mode, the keyboard will automatically begin charging and the backlight will turn on. To turn it off, unplug the cable.
Wireless: In Wireless mode, you may connect the keyboard to your computer wirelessly. While in Wireless mode, the backlight will automatically turn on. After 60 minutes of inactivity, the keyboard will hibernate, simply press any key to wake up and reconnect automatically.

KEYBOARD SETUP

PAIRING THE KEYBOARD IN WIRELESS MODE

Step.1 Switch the keyboard to Wireless mode. The mode switch is located on the back side of the keyboard.

Step.2 Select which Bluetooth profile to connect to by pressing the FN with 1, 2, or 3 keys together for 3~5 seconds. Once the keyboard is in pairing mode, the backlight of 1, 2, or 3 keys will flash blue slowly. For example, when pairing with Bluetooth profile 1, press the FN key and 1 key together for 3~5 seconds, the 1 key will flash blue light slowly.

Step.3 On your Mac, navigate to ‘System Preferences’ and select ‘Bluetooth’. Find the ‘CASCADE 98 1.0’ and click on ‘Connect’. For Windows 10, go to ‘Bluetooth Settings‘ and select ‘Add Bluetooth or other devices’. Once the setup wizard finds ‘CASCADE 98’, click on ‘Pair’. Once pairing is successfully completed, the keyboard backlight will stop flashing. The keyboard is now ready for use.

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PAIRING THE KEYBOARD WITH RF DONGLE

Step.1 Insert the RF dongle into an available usb port. The RF dongle is located at the bottom ofthe keyboard.

Step.2 Switch the keyboard to Wireless mode. The mode switch is located on the back side of the keyboard.

Step.3 Press the FN with 4 keys. The Wireless icon will blink yellow when connecting and shine yellow when it is successfully connected.

CONNECTING THE KEYBOARD THROUGH USB CONNECTION
To connect via USB, switch to Wired mode and use the Type-C Cable included in the package. Please connect the cable to the Keyboard USB Port (Fg 03) and to your computer. When the connection is successfully established, the keyboard will light up and be ready for use.

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CONNECTION LIGHT MODES
Pressing the FN key with the following keys will indicate the type of connection and the corresponding color:

  • Pressing the FN with ~: USB and a Green color
  • Pressing the FN with 1: BT1 and a Blue color
  • Pressing the FN with 2: BT2 and a Pink color
  • Pressing the FN with 3: BT3 and a Light Blue color
  • Pressing the FN with 4: RF and a Yellow color

CHECKING THE BATTERY LEVEL
When the battery level is less than 20%, the battery indicator light (Fg 04) will start blinking in red. When plugged in, the indicator light will stop blinking and stay a static blue, indicating that the keyboard is charging. The keyboard can be charged in any mode – Wireless, Wired, or OFF mode. To check the battery power level of the keyboard, press the FN key and ESC key. The Battery Level Indicator Keys (Fg 03) will flash, with each key from F1 to F10 indicating 100% of total power. If all 10 keys light up, this indicates that the keyboard battery is full.

KEYBOARD DIAGRAM

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HOT KEYS LEGEND

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BACKLIGHT CONTROL HOT KEYS LEGEND

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HOT-SWAPPABLE SWITCHES
REMOVING SWITCHES
You will need the Keycap & Switch Puller provided in the package to begin removing your switches. Use the rectangular side of the puller to gently pull and wiggle the keycaps off. Please make sure not to yank the keycaps off as you may damage the switch. With the keycap off, you should be able to see the switch underneath. Use the tong side of the puller to hook underneath the switch, pushing down onto the two plastic tabs on the top and bottom of the switches. Now you may gently pull and wiggle the switches out. Please avoid yanking on the switch.

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INSTALLING NEW SWITCHES
When you are ready to install new switches, please make sure that the pins on your new switches are straight. Start by lining up the switch pins with the sockets on the keyboard and gently pressing down until the switch glides into place. If properly lined up, the switch should settle in and feel secure in place. Once you’ve installed all the switches, you may test the keys with an online key test to see if they were properly installed. If any of the keys are not working, you may have a bent pin on your switch. In this case, take out the problem switch and straighten out the pins with the switch puller then re- install the switch.

SUPPORT & WARRANTY

AZIO Corporation warrants only to the original purchaser of this product, when purchased from an AZIO authorized reseller or distributor, that this product will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for the length of the warranty period after purchase. AZIO reserves the right, before having any obligation under this warranty, to inspect the damaged AZIO product. Initial shipping costs of sending the AZIO product to the AZIO service center in Los Angeles, California, for inspection, shall be borne solely by the purchaser. In order to keep this warranty in effect, the product must not have been mishandled or misused in any way. This warranty does not cover any damage due to accidents, misuse, abuse, or negligence. Please retain the dated sales receipt as evidence of the original purchaser & date of purchase. You will need it for any warranty services. In order to claim under this warranty, the purchaser must contact AZIO and obtain an RMA # which is to be used within 15 days of issuance and must present acceptable proof of original ownership (such as an original receipt) for the product. AZIO, at its discretion, shall repair or replace the defective unit covered by this warranty. This warranty is non-transferable and does not apply to any purchaser who bought the product from a reseller or distributor not authorized by AZIO, including but not limited to purchases from internet auction sites. This warranty does not affect any other legal rights you may have by operation of the law. Please contact AZIO through email, chat, or one of the technical support numbers listed for warranty service procedures. No AZIO supplier, dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to alter or extend the terms of this Limited Warranty or to make any representation whatsoever. AZIO reserves the right to amend the terms of this Limited Warranty at any time without notice.

HELP RESOURCES
Before lodging a claim on the Limited Warranty, please review the online help resources at aziocorp.com/support. If the product is still not functioning properly after making use of these resources, please contact AZIO through aziocorp.com  support or your authorized distributor or dealer. You may be required to assist with the diagnosis process to verify and ascertain any issues which you may be facing with the product. Service options, parts availability, and response times may vary depending on the country in which the Limited Warranty claim is lodged.

HOW TO MAKE A LIMITED WARRANTY CLAIM
If you purchased the product from an AZIO reseller, please contact the AZIO reseller in regard to your Limited Warranty claim. If you are unable to return the product to the AZIO reseller for whatever reason, or if you have purchased the product directly from AZIO at AxiCorp.com, then please follow the steps below:

  • Email support@aziocorp.com to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number (“RMA Number”).
  • Note the RMA Number in a visible place in the shipping box or write it on the shipping box.
  • Enclose a Valid Proof of Purchase inside the product’s package. Please visit aziocorp.com/warranty for examples of Valid Proof of Purchase.
  • Send the product to the following address:

AZIO RMA 19933 Harrison Ave, The City of Industry, California 91789 Do not send AZIO any product without a valid RMA Number. We advise that you select a method of shipping that is traceable (e.g. UPS, DHL FedEx). Any expense of claiming under this Limited Warranty will be borne by the person making the claim (including any shipping and handling charges in returning the product to AZIO, as well as any applicable customs, duties, or taxes in relation to the claim). If the product is validly returned under the terms of this Limited Warranty, AZIO will be responsible for postage expenses for shipping the product back to you (but not any customs charges, duties, or taxes). You are responsible for ensuring that the product is properly packaged and will bear the full risk of loss or damage for any product that is returned improperly packaged. Risk of loss or damage in the returned product only passes to AZIO when the product is received by AZIO and AZIO shall not be responsible for items lost in transit to our address. In the event that the procedure herein is not followed, AZIO reserves the right to accept the delivery of the product on such terms that it may determine at its sole discretion.
Returns Not Covered by this Limited Warranty.

If AZIO receives a product from the purchaser that does not meet the requirements of this Limited Warranty, including (but not limited to) a product that (a) lacks a valid RMA Number, (b) is not accompanied by a valid Proof of Purchase, (c) is no longer covered under the Warranty Period, or (d) does not have a defect covered by this Limited Warranty, you may be responsible for an assessment fee, return shipping and handling fees, and other reasonable fees as may be required by AZIO prior to the product being returned to you.

General
This Limited Warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the product and is non-transferable. No AZIO reseller, agent, distributor, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension or addition to this held to be illegal or unenforceable the legality or enforceability of the remaining terms shall not be affected or impaired.

SAFETY WARNING & CERTIFICATION

FCC STATEMENT

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the Instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
  • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

BATTERY WARNING
THE AZIO CASCADE 98 Slim keyboard contains a Li-ion rechargeable battery. The general life expectancy of the batteries used is based on actual usage. If you suspect the battery’s contained power is low, please use the included USB connection cable to recharge the battery.

Caution
Please do not open, manipulate, or expose to conducting materials (metal), moisture, liquid, fire, or heat. Conducting any of the above actions may cause batteries to leak or explode, resulting in personal injury. Please do not leave the rechargeable battery discharged or unused for an extended period, which might affect the life usage of the battery.

CA PROP 65 WARNING
This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

CE STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH EU DIRECTIVE
AZIO CORPORATION declares that the AZIO CASCADE 98 Slim Keyboard is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 2014/53/EU.
The full Declaration of Conformity can be requested via the following:
Company: AZIO CORPORATION
Address: 19933 Harrison Ave, City of Industry, California 91789
E-mail: support@aziocorp.com

WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT INFORMATION
Correct Disposal of This Product (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) (Applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection systems) This marking shown on the product or its literature, indicates that it should not be disposed of with other household wastes at the end of its working life. To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please separate this from other types of waste and recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable reuse of material resources. Household users should contact either the retailer where they purchased this product, or their local government office, for details of where and how they can take this item for environmentally safe recycling. Business users should contact their suppliers and check the terms and conditions of the purchase contract. This product should not be mixed with other commercial wastes for disposal.

SAFETY WARNING & CERTIFICATION
IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION GUIDE
SAFETY GUIDELINES
In order to have maximum safety while using AZIO Cascade 98 Slim, we strongly suggest that you adopt the following guidelines:

  1. Should you have trouble operating the device properly and troubleshooting does not work, please unplug the device and contact AZIO support or go to www.aziocorp.com for support. Do not attempt to service or fix the device yourself at any time.
  2. Do not disassemble the device (doing so will void your warranty) and do not attempt to operate it under abnormal current loads.
  3. Keep the device away from liquid, humidity, or moisture. Operate the device only within the specific temperature range of 0°C (32°F) to 40°C (104°F). Should the temperature exceed this range, unplug and/or switch off the device in order to let the temperature stabilize to an optimal level.

COMFORT
Research has shown that long periods of repetitive motion, improper positioning of your computer peripherals, incorrect body position, and poor habits may be associated with physical discomfort and injury to nerves, tendons, and muscles. Below are some guidelines to avoid injury and ensure optimum comfort while using your AZIO Cascade.

  1. Position your keyboard and monitor directly in front of you with your mouse next to it. Place your elbows next to your side, not too far away and your keyboard within easy reach.
  2. Adjust the height of your chair and table so that the keyboard and mouse are at or below elbow height.
  3. Keep your feet well supported, posture straight and your shoulders relaxed.
  4. During usage, relax your wrist and keep it straight. If you do the same tasks with your hands repeatedly, try not to bend, extend or twist your hands for long periods.
  5. Do not rest your wrists on hard surfaces for long periods. Use a wrist rest to support your wrist while gaming.
  6. Customize the keys on your keyboard to suit your style of usage in order to minimize repetitive or awkward motions.
  7. Do not sit in the same position all day. Get up, step away from your desk, and do exercises to stretch your arms, shoulders, neck, and legs.
  8. If you should experience any physical discomfort while using your keyboard, such as pain, numbness, or tingling in your hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, or back, please consult a qualified medical doctor immediately.

MAINTENANCE & USE
For the metal and plastic parts of the keyboard, once a month we recommend you unplug the device from the computer and clean it using a soft cloth or cotton swab with a bit of warm water to prevent dirt buildup. Please do not use soap or harsh cleaning agents. Remember to dry off any leftover moisture on the metal parts of the keyboard. We are dedicated to providing our products with premium materials and presenting them in the best condition, but it also needs love and care to keep it at optimum.

By phone: 866.468.1198
By email: support@aziocorp.com
On FB: www.facebook.com/aziocorp
The multilingual instruction guide is available for download at www.aziocorp.com > Support > Keyboards > CASCADE 98 Keyboard

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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Download This Manual (PDF format)

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