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Mad Catz developing R.A.T. professional gaming mouse
Gaming accessory manufacturer Mad Catz has announced development of the R.A.T. Tournament Edition, a mouse designed for the eSports-minded player. The R.A.T. TE features tracking speeds up to 8200 DPI, decreased weight, dynamic surface detection, lift-off height calibration, programmable button mapping and is designed for Mac as well as PC. We stress that the R.A.T. TE is not to be confused with a tournament edition rat. Rats do not have configurable buttons. And if your rat does, please do not bring your cyborg rat to a gaming tournament. You may, however, bring your R.A.T. TE after it releases in early 2014.
The Naga 2013: Improving on a classic by degrees
One of the hardest things to do is look at something you've created and try to make it better. Because sometimes you can't. I first picked up a Razer Naga back when I was first working at Massively, mostly because it suited my piloting style in Star Trek Online. Once I had it in my hand, I never wanted to let it go. It was small, which was a welcome fact for someone with small hands. It had a useful thumb-pad for keys that felt comfortable and intuitive. It was responsive, it was attractive, it was everything I could want from a gaming mouse. Of course, the Naga was getting a bit long in the tooth. So it got redesigned. I was sent a review copy of the mouse to take for a spin, to see if this new edition of the product was nearly as good as the existing mouse that I've been using for nearly four years. Is the new Naga a worthy inheritor, or did something beautiful get ruined by a redo?
Razer unveils redesigned Naga MMO mouse
Razer has just revealed the newest edition of its MMO-centric Naga gaming mouse. Changes to the peripheral range from big to small: the 12-key thumb grid is receiving mechanical keys that are easier to access and a slight redesign, the mouse wheel now features tilt-clicking, and the interchangeable body pieces of the Naga 2013 have been replaced by a one-size-fits-all design. Also new with this edition of the Naga is an in-game configuration tool that allows users to set keybindings to the device directly from the game of their choosing. The tech specs look like this: 19 programmable buttons, 8200 DPI 4G sensor, green LED backlighting, 7-foot braided cable, and 1000Hz ultrapolling. Perhaps most interesting: Razer is releasing both right-handed and left-handed versions of the new Naga. Our own Eliot Lefebvre is taking a run with the updated mouse and will be reporting his findings here once he's put it through its paces. [Source: Razer press release]
Genius Gila gaming mouse hands-on
What does it feel like holding a CES Design and Innovation nominee in your hand? If Genius is any indication, it feels an awful lot like a $100 mouse. A pretty nice $100 mouse, mind you -- one with all sorts of flashing lights and rubber-injected sides. The Gila GX Gaming Series fits nicely in the hand, as one might expect from a peripheral designed for extended MMO marathons. It's also got a nice weight to it already, but if that's not enough, that's no problem: there's a trap door in the bottom that opens up. Inside, you can slot a tray of watch battery-sized weights, which pop in and out to adjust the thing to a suitable level, up to 30 grams. Also cool is the DPI gauge on top of the mouse, to let you know where you currently stand in the 200 to 8,200 range. There are 12 buttons jammed into the thing, and as you'd imagine, there's button assignment and macro options, so you can set up to 72 keys on the thing. There's also a slew of color options for the various lights on the mouse, in case the glut of buttons aren't showy enough for your gaming needs. Sadly, Genius isn't quite ready to debut the second generation Ring Mouse, but we've been promised a glimpse in the very near future. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Jon Fingas contributed to this report.
Razer's ambidextrous Ouroboros mouse now shipping, ready to placate left-handed gamers
Had your eye on Razer's symmetrical gaming mouse? Peek at your email -- the firm's online storefront is quietly tipping customers that the Ouroboros is now shipping. Much like that other transforming rodent, the Ouroboros can change its shape by extending its palm rest or swapping out select components to favor specific grip styles. If your favored grip happens to be southpaw, don't sweat it -- this tail-chewing snake is designed to fit both of your mitts comfortably. The price of a left-handed fit isn't cheap, however, but the mouse's $130 asking price includes 11 programmable buttons, a dual sensor system topping out at 8,200 DPI and a charging dock. Check out our Gamescom hands-on to see how it fit in our hands, or skip on over to the source link to take in Razer's official spiel.
IRL: Nuu SoftKey, MacBook Air and Thermaltake's eSports Cyclone Edition gaming mouse
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Welcome back! This week in real-life adventures with gadgetry, Sharif recommends an $80 gaming mouse and Dan pleads with you all not to buy a certain keyboard case for the iPad. As for Philip, he just purchased his first Apple product after years of buying Windows laptops and Zune players, which means he's got a little explaining to do.
BMW and Thermaltake made this weird-lookin' gaming mouse (just look at it!)
Gaming mice aren't normally our jam here on Joystiq, but we'll make exceptions when something really interesting comes along. Take, for instance, the new 'Level 10' mouse from Thermaltake and ... BMW? That can't be right, hold on.Nope, it's BMW. Anyway, the mouse has five programmable buttons and a "Z-key" that lets the user swap through pre-programmed button configurations while playing. Additionally, the laser resolution can be adjusted from a default of 5,000 DPI up to 8,200. While not explicitly stated, we're assuming that BMW's designers are responsible for the brushed aluminum chassis and the top section's adjustable height/angle design.Surprisingly, the Level 10 doesn't cost eight times more than it should (like everything else with a BMW badge) and is available now at the peripheral retailer of your choice for a smooth $100.
BMW and Thermaltake's Level 10 M gaming mouse is real, costs $100
Thermaltake and BMW DesignworksUSA's Level 10 M gaming mouse has made the transition from concept to reality. Unlike its teasing appearance in January, the unit now has some real-world specifications, including five programmable keys and a Z-key that'll change your gaming profile on the fly. The optical unit's DPI was a closely guarded secret, but the companies have confirmed it'll default to 5,000, but can be tweaked up to 8,200 if you need it. Sweaty-palmed gamers will appreciate the holes drilled in the top, preventing your secretions from loosing your grip from the handset. It's available right now for $100, just make sure you've worked out if you're gonna call it a "Beemer" or "Bimmer" before you buy -- and yes, we're resolutely in the former camp. Update: Well, this is odd. The image above was supplied by BMW (give or take the odd creative addition), but Thermaltake's version, included after the break, makes the unit look very different indeed.
Razer Ouroboros gaming mouse hands-on
You recall the Ouroboros, right? Nope, not the mythical snake yarn, the latest gaming mouse from Razer that inadvertently broke cover over at the FCC. While it's been official for around a month, Germany's annual gaming convention has offered us our first chance to get to grips with it. Razer has tied itself in a ergonomic knot over the Ouroboros, with most of the mouse's dimensions happily adjustable to suit practically any gamer hand. We get customizing right after the break. %Gallery-162518%
ROCCAT's new Kone Pure mouse streamlines things, while ISKU FX keyboard adds some color (hands-on)
ROCCAT's latest addition to its family of mice is the Kone Pure, toned down to 91 percent the size of the original Kone. Now both smaller and flatter, it's dropped the menu button above the four-direction scroll wheel, and that scroll wheel now goes only up and down. It's a trade-off, but ROCCAT has added a new 'easy shift' side trigger which it hopes will ameliorate that fall in the button-count. This acts as a mouse-based shift function and you can customize how all of the device's other buttons behave when the side-trigger is depressed. ROCCAT also threw in a new FX version of its ISKU keyboard here at Gamescom, adding some customizable color skills and upgraded keys that are far more legible when not backlit -- a common complaint with the original ISKU keyboard. Switching from black to white fittings under the keys has also improved the keys' visibility. Take a tour of both devices in the galleries, then jump after the break for a little more detail -- including a new prototype. %Gallery-162489% %Gallery-162507%
Thermaltake cures clamminess with $80 Cyclone Edition gaming mouse
Just when we needed a modern-day equivalent of sailing down the Nile while being fanned by Assyrian slaves, we get this: the Black Element Cyclone Edition gaming mouse, which has a 6,000 rpm rotor directed right at the point where slick skin meets plastic. Pictures of the device have been floating around the web for a while, but we've just heard from its creators -- TT eSports, Thermaltake's sub-brand for peripherals -- that it'll be available in US stores any day now (or officially, "in August") priced at $80. The patent pending design promises to keep noise down to a sub-environmental 21.7dB, while delivering an airflow of 2.6 cubic feet per minute -- which, if you're lucky, should be enough to not only keep your digits dry but also reach your palm. The fan can alternatively be removed, in which case you'll be left with a 6,500 dpi laser sensor, an adjustable weight of up to 22.5 grams, "military-grade" grip coating and an abundance of natural oils.
Razer Ouroboros gaming mouse gets official: fits both hands, changes shape
Launching alongside new iterations of its BlackWidow keyboard, Razer's latest gaming mouse just went official. We spotted the ambidextrous Razer Ouroboros just a few months ago, courtesy of some federal filings, and now we have the official line on its specs and layout. The symmetrical body means it'll even suit southpaws, while an adjustable palm rest and two interchangeable sides can contort the mouse into claw, palm or hybrid grip styles. If cables frustrate, the good news is that the Razer Ouroboros works in wireless mode too, while the 8,200 DPI sensor and a built-in clutch trigger button should keep you on the edge of accuracy. Razer reckon its new dual sensor system can detect surfaces ten times faster than its last generation sensors. The mouse is priced at $130, but you'll have to hold out until Q4 before it arrives in stores. Meanwhile, Razer's gaming keyboards have appeared in several new guises -- though they may not wow like the Ouroboros. The BlackWidow 2013 adds improved anti-ghosting feature will allow up to 10 simultaneous key presses, with an anti-fingerprint finish coating the whole thing. An Ultimate version adds backlit keys, while the Tournament edition is ten key-less, dropping the number pad to ensure a tinier footprint for gamers on the move. Prices start at $80 for the Tournament version, up to $140 for the Ultimate, with the whole familia BlackWidow set to launch next month.
SteelSeries announces Sensei RAW gaming mouse duo, glossy and rubber options for $59.99
SteelSeries has unveiled a pair Sensei RAW mice for all of those intense Diablo III gaming sessions. The duo takes aim at those who seek a serviceable mouse without the customization that the original Sensei's 32-bit ARM processor affords. Glossy and rubberized anti-sweat variants both feature a 6.5-foot braided cord, CPI toggle for on-the-fly tweaks, three zones of custom LEDs, a pro-grade laser senor and programmable controls / sensitivity. If you fancy simplicity in your gaming mouse, you can snag either of the RAW options now for $60 via the source link below. %Gallery-160534%
Razer rolls out Taipan ambidextrous gaming mouse, we go hands-on
It's not the mouse we expected to see here at E3, given what slid through Uncle Sam's FCC fingers a few weeks ago, but Razer has unveiled its new Taipan gaming mouse here at E3 2012. Apparently, Razer has learned to love lefties from the jump with its most recent rodent, as the Taipan is an ambidextrous unit suitable for any gamer. The outside of the Taipan is swathed in tactually-pleasing matte black plastic, with a glowing Razer logo in the palm rest and a clickable scroll wheel ringed in similar neon green lighting. It's got nine programmable buttons in all: right and left click, the clickwheel, plus two buttons just south of the scroller and two more embedded in each of the Taipan's flanks.%Gallery-157358% In addition to its ergonomic design, it's got one 8200 dpi sensor under the hood to precisely track two-dimensional movements, plus a second optical sensor for z-axis tracking -- so it knows when you've lifted the mouse off your desk and keeps your cursor right where you left it. Furthering this focus on ultra precise mousing, the Taipan is a 32-bit peripheral and has a 1,000Hz polling rate, which means your cursor moves exactly when you want it to. Naturally, it uses Razer's Synapse 2.0 technology, so after initial set-up the Taipan brings your settings to any new PC as soon as you plug it in. It goes on sale next month for $79.99, and if you're lookin to learn more in the meantime, check out the PR after the break.%Gallery-157361%
ROCCAT's Lua and Kone XTD gaming mice shown off at E3, we go hands-on
Before the craziness commenced here in Los Angeles, ROCCAT got its E3 party started with announcements concerning two gaming mice. The outfit unveiled the three-button Lua and the more high-end Kone XTD to suit gamers who prefer a truckload of programmable options and those who fancy a much simpler set-up. We grabbed some hands-on time with the pair on the show floor to see just how the two stacked up. We were particularly impressed with how both felt in the hand and how comfortable they were to use for all our gaming-related movements during the mini session. For a close look at both the Lua and the Kone XTD, stop by the gallery below or head on past the break for a few thoughts on the gaming peripherals. %Gallery-157345%
ROCCAT's new Lua three-button mouse is thirty dollars away from your FPS
How many buttons does a gaming mouse need? If you ask ROCCAT -- for today at least -- the answer is three. Evidently not happy with the current choice of tri-buttoned peripherals, it's launching a new "Lua" model at both Computex and E3. As well as the aforementioned triplet of clickable appendages, it houses a Pro Optic R2 sensor which will let you jack the DPI setting from 250 up to 2000 and back again on the hop, battlefield, or wherever you may be. The ambidextrous device launches internationally sometime in late July early August, with a $30 price-tag.
SteelSeries announces Sensei Major League Gaming edition, keeps palms eager until August
For most of us, the humble mouse is but a tool for effective computer navigation, for gamers though, it's a matter of life and (virtual) death. SteelSeries knows this, and hopes its new Sensei Major League Gaming edition mouse will keep a few more of its faithful out of the MASH. It looks like much of the credentials of the original Sensei have been kept intact, the same 10.8-megapixel sensor, the 150 inches per second movement detection, 32-bit ARM processor, LCD display and so on. What's new then? For the main part, the CPI, which can now go from one to 8,200, or all the way to 16,400 if you use the double CPI feature. You'll have to wait until August to get your hand on it, with pre-orders (but no price as yet) set to open at the MLG Championship next week.
Razer's Ouroboros gaming mouse outed by the FCC, transforms to fit lefties
Looking for a rodent to help you frag your way through the competition, southpaw style? The FCC may have just uncovered your new best friend: The Razer Ouroboros gaming mouse. Like the Cyborg RAT series, the Ouroboros features a sliding palm rest and swappable side panels to better fit your mitt. Unlike the RAT, however, Razer's rodent is completely symmetrical, and therefor, ambidextrous. While Ouroboros may not actually devour its tail, it can at least detach it, switching between wired and wireless modes with relative ease. The versatile vermin appears to pack nine buttons (the regular left and right triggers, three buttons on each side, plus the mouse wheel), a toggle for on-the-fly DPI adjustments, left / right trigger locks, compatibility for Windows 7 and MAC OS X and a charging stand. No word yet on the device's max DPI sensitivity or price point, but we'll let you know when Razer makes things official. In the meantime, feel free to browse the rodent's manual at the source link below.
ROCCAT Savu hybrid mouse ready to assault PC gamers' senses for $60
If ever there were a prime candidate for Pimp my Mouse, ROCCAT's Savu would be it. The R.A.D. peripheral (no, really, that's the acronym) incorporates a category-first: an achievements application that rewards players for "a wide range of gaming feats, such as mouse movement, button clicks, scroll steps, etc." The tricked-out mouse also features an adjustable 4000 DPI optical sensor and Easy-Shift+ tech to let gamers program up to two dedicated functions per button. But, wait, there's more superfluousness to endure. In the event you feel the need to take this whole affair to 11, the company's also tossed in a customizable rear light bar that can be preset to one of 16.8 million colors. If you're a fan of over-the-top desktop accessories, you can snag this posterboy peripheral now for $60 at the virtual (or brick-and-mortar) retailer of your choice. Need more convincing? Then click on past the break for the hyperbolic presser from this extra-ordinary PC gaming kit.
Razer Naga MMO mouse gets some work done, fresh for 2012
It's fair to say we admire the Razer Naga MMO 'round these parts -- as much for its thumb-thrashing controls, as for its democratic diplomacy. Now the original is back, and updated for 2012. What's new? Well, there's a redesigned anti-slip, fingerprint-fighting finish, three interchangeable side panels and a re-optimized button placement. It's all designed to stop your fevered swipes from landing your mouse on the other side of the LAN, and help fend off a dreaded bout of "Warfare-wrist". Reckon you deserve an upgrade? US and EU gamers can get their $80 dollar-laden hand on it now, and the rest of the realm later in Q2.
