Testing the mouse
Testing the mouse
We've stated this many times; nest to testing audio there's nothing more controversial than reviewing, explaining and testing a mouse. Now I've been using the mouse for a little while now just to check out how well I like it on gaming and normal desktop usage. You need to understand that this old geek still is using the good old Microsoft Trackball Explorer series.
Truth be told, like most mice, I had to get used to the MX780. It is light in weight, yet felt a little bulky. It also feels a little bigger than your average mouse. However, after one day that feel disappears and appreciation comes into play as it started to feel really good. The design works well, making the mouse a near perfect fit for both the right and left-handed geeky gamer. The mouse is responsive and of course, does everything you can expect from a mouse in this price-range and more as its got lights. I say 'this price range' on purpose, as right now we see it coming online in web shops for 60'ish EUR, which is a lot of money for a mouse. Then again you do get a quality mouse, dare I say professional grade mouse with great design, features and that RGB bling.
I like the easy to magnet system for the thumb rests, you get two choices, normal and wide. I predict that everybody, however, will end up using the wide thumb rest as it feels just really good. Programmability, you can do so with the mouse application software. Playing games then: The mouse is responsive, very responsive in Battlefield 1, you easily navigate through everything in the field. Once you reach your enemy and get into a shootout you'll quickly cycle to a lower DPI level so you can aim a little more accurately. Selection of the DPI works nice but is not fast as you have to cycle through all modes step by step. Typically you have two buttons to switch DPI up and down, now with just one button, you need to cycle through them all. That is my one comment and quirk with the mouse. Why do I like the feature and ability to switch DPI on the fly in games? Example: when I'm sniping I want precision and the mouse to function not too erratically; so I set it at low DPI with the flick of a button. When I take my shot and have to move out of the danger zone quickly I take another weapon and go into a more shoot 'em up scenario; then I want that mouse to behave really fast and could take it to a higher DPI. The difference is really distinct and handy. The mouse can scan 16,000 DPI, but does it really matter if that laser light is scanning 1100, 2600 or 5600 dots per inch? Well, that's the subjective part I guess. I, however, do enjoy this mouse. Precision is really good. And thanks to the use of a wire you do not have lag or slowdown that you might experience. So the response time and accuracy again feel proper as well. The optical engine combines high precision movement with a balanced weight, making the mouse easier to move quickly and repeatedly. Personally, I really like the programmable DPI levels, it just really makes the difference in first person shooters with fast high action, versus say a sniper level where you quickly want to lower your DPI precision so that your mouse pointer can be steered towards your target more accurately. The macro usage is very convenient as well if you like to quickly swap a weapon with a specific configuration, that's where it really helps.
The feel then -- The mouse does feel right in many ways, I love the soft paint yet slightly rubberized thumb grip and the choice of thumb grip area. The magnets do make the mouse a little more heavy, that you will need to get used too. The right side also has a rugged rubber insert. Overall it's just a really good and comfortable grip in the hand as well. The mouse itself, like many others, is just on par with everything alongside a powerful software suite. Pretty much all buttons are positioned just right and the mouse sits comfortably in my hands, aside for that one finger I mentioned a couple of times already, your right-hand side pinky has no place to go, and that does feel a bit uncomfortable.
