July 31, 2015 at 14:56Mad Catz did what was requested. Super Light Tournament Mice Review
Hi Geektimes! Last year, Mad Catz released two very remarkable gaming mice - the RAT TE (Tournament Edition) and the MMO TE . Despite the fact that the new products were positioned as two different products, in essence, MMO TE is a slightly improved version of RAT, tailored specifically for online RPGs, so in this review we will consider both products at once.
This pair of mice is positioned as a logical continuation of the Mad Catz range of manipulators, but with a different philosophy, functionality and capabilities.
Firstly, they differ in very low weight, while at the same time having furnished many competitors from the same price segment with the accuracy of cursor positioning. For the relief of branded rodents, fans of the brand have been asking for a long time. Asked and received. :) Secondly, the customization of the geometry was minimized to reduce the cost.
High accuracy is achieved thanks to a Philips laser sensor with a resolution of up to 8,200 dpi and automatic adjustment to the work surface on which the device is located. In addition, the laser sensor detects and completely ignores extraneous signals caused by dust and sunlight. All this provides a truly high accuracy, which is extremely important in serious gaming tournaments. The manufacturer also announced a long service life of the device - up to 5 years, even with extremely intensive use, which is achieved through the use of extremely durable materials of the body and switches of the OMRON system under the main buttons.
The key difference between MMO TE and RAT in the field of capabilities is an additional 12-button block under the thumb. All buttons are fully programmable, which makes it easy to customize any game where the player requires a lot of actions and manipulations that are not related to each other.
The mice are shipped in branded Mad Catz boxes with a beveled angle. On the front side - the image of the device, on the sides and on the back - detailed technical, warranty and marketing information. Like many modern mice, Mad Catz RAT and MMO are delivered quite Spartan - in addition to the device itself, the package contains only the product passport and several branded stickers. The lack of a disk with software in 2015 is not surprising, but the lack of interchangeable legs is a minus.
Of course, first of all I want to discuss the design of the mice - well, something else would have paid attention to yourself when you first met, if we are talking about the Mad Catz product. Such an unusual mouse design is, frankly, rare. The feeling that you are holding in your hands a part of the control panel of some starship. Or a combat drone. The case, on the one hand, strives for the correct geometric lines, on the other hand, it is completely asymmetric and, as if hastily assembled from the first parts that fell into the hands of some crazy inventor. Add sophistication and color scheme to the mice - there are blue-black, and acid-black, and bright red, and white with an orange border. In our case, both mice were in "branded" tournament coal-gray liveries with blue elements.
The dimensions of the devices are average, it is possible to lengthen the mouse by means of a movable back plate (you can lengthen the device by 5, 10 or 15 mm). Mice, by the way, are really very light, as already mentioned in the introduction. At the first use, the cursor will also have to get used to this unbearable lightness.
The profile is quite low - definitely a plus, as it provides more complete control over the device and also ensures that the mouse fits the most different sizes of the palms (although only under the right, as is probably clear from the photos). The backlight is only on the button for switching profiles and on a small indicator of the level of sensitivity. So if you like the mouse to shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow in a dark room, then RAT TE and MMO TE are not for you :)
RAT TE has just three additional buttons (customizable) under the thumb, while MMO, as already mentioned, has a whole panel of 12.
The 1.8-meter mouse cables have a fabric braid, and the USB connector has gold plating.
As usual with gaming devices, most parameters for RAT TE and MMO TE are configured through the shell of the proprietary driver, which is available for download on the manufacturer’s official website. Mad Catz provides versions for Windows and Mac.
Firmware features are similar to products from other manufacturers. There is also a system of profiles in case more than one person uses the computer, the ability to customize all the buttons on the device, as well as the “Custom Commands” section for personalizing actions in specific games.
There are also some unexpected for the gaming device options for customizing the mouse in the browser and operating system. A trifle, but nice. As a cherry on the cake, the Mad Catz website has predefined profiles for most popular games.
The behavior settings are divided into groups, they work simply and clearly:
In the settings it became possible to change the lift-off parameter (that is, the height of the mouse’s gap from the surface, after which the cursor is forced to stop):
Basically, this feature is needed for those who play with “ rearrangement of the mouse at low sensitivity. The remaining users are quite happy with the default value.
Compared to what RAT had previously had, the software was certainly prettier. And the window became larger, and the settings are easier, and profiles can be managed without problems ... The
trouble is that many things for the mouse were still developed by aliens. Software, for example, swings separately, and the driver for the mouse - separately. In one place, but in two different menus on the site. And on some systems, drivers are installed with a tambourine, the Internet, smoking manuals, and such and such a mother. In general, it’s good that they are changing and doing something better, and what could be done right the first time, as they did in SteelSeries, is bad.
RAT TE is designed primarily for dynamic network shooters such as Unreal Tournament, so this mouse was tested primarily in such games. Of course, it should be noted that at first the main thing that attracts attention is the design and layout of the case, because of which the device feels extremely, extremely unusual.
However, a good device differs from a bad one in that the hand will still get used to the good one after some time - and Mad Catz products are fine with this. After several hours of active play, you feel the mouse quite normally, and after a day or two of operation, you can already give a correct assessment of its behavior.
And it’s impossible to find fault with the behavior of RAT TE. No slippage, misses the cursor and any other problems. The mouse is surprisingly undemanding even to such bases as plain paper and low-quality plastic mats. In all conditions, accuracy is pleasantly amazing. The main keys hit the switches Omron, like many much more expensive devices. Functional buttons (for example, the DPI switch) are distinguished by the effort of pressing, but this just provides additional control over the mouse: it is almost impossible to accidentally switch the sensitivity or profile. Only with a conscious movement. For this - a solid five.
The behavior of MMO TE is also not satisfactory, even though the filling is also on the level: a modified Avago ADNS-9800 sensor with custom software settings. It is worth noting only that getting used to this mouse will take longer than to the previous model - the 12-button panel requires a really thorough “grinding” of the hand to it.
RAT TE and MMO TE are very good manipulators in their lineup and in their price category. They fully correspond to what they aspire to - the role of devices for serious tournaments and an active game in MMO.
They differ in compactness, powerful functionality and really good accuracy indicators, and the design clearly distinguishes them among a host of repetitive mice in the modern market. The only gripe about weight is that not everyone is comfortable using light mice, and this, together with the inability to make devices heavier, slightly narrow the circle of potential product users. However, for fans “harder” there are good old RAT 7 and 9. But if you do not belong to those, then RAT TE and MMO TE are your choice. Have a good battle!
And yet we wrote the following in gaming iron:
" Logitech G910 Orion Spark: made on the conscience
" Daedalus Apex: looking for points of contact
" Razer Deathstalker: mixture bulldog rhinoceros
" Roccat Tyon Black: mouse hybrid Controller
" mice Evolution Razer on DeathAdder example and Naga
Firstly, they differ in very low weight, while at the same time having furnished many competitors from the same price segment with the accuracy of cursor positioning. For the relief of branded rodents, fans of the brand have been asking for a long time. Asked and received. :) Secondly, the customization of the geometry was minimized to reduce the cost.
High accuracy is achieved thanks to a Philips laser sensor with a resolution of up to 8,200 dpi and automatic adjustment to the work surface on which the device is located. In addition, the laser sensor detects and completely ignores extraneous signals caused by dust and sunlight. All this provides a truly high accuracy, which is extremely important in serious gaming tournaments. The manufacturer also announced a long service life of the device - up to 5 years, even with extremely intensive use, which is achieved through the use of extremely durable materials of the body and switches of the OMRON system under the main buttons.
The key difference between MMO TE and RAT in the field of capabilities is an additional 12-button block under the thumb. All buttons are fully programmable, which makes it easy to customize any game where the player requires a lot of actions and manipulations that are not related to each other.
Options and appearance
The mice are shipped in branded Mad Catz boxes with a beveled angle. On the front side - the image of the device, on the sides and on the back - detailed technical, warranty and marketing information. Like many modern mice, Mad Catz RAT and MMO are delivered quite Spartan - in addition to the device itself, the package contains only the product passport and several branded stickers. The lack of a disk with software in 2015 is not surprising, but the lack of interchangeable legs is a minus.
Of course, first of all I want to discuss the design of the mice - well, something else would have paid attention to yourself when you first met, if we are talking about the Mad Catz product. Such an unusual mouse design is, frankly, rare. The feeling that you are holding in your hands a part of the control panel of some starship. Or a combat drone. The case, on the one hand, strives for the correct geometric lines, on the other hand, it is completely asymmetric and, as if hastily assembled from the first parts that fell into the hands of some crazy inventor. Add sophistication and color scheme to the mice - there are blue-black, and acid-black, and bright red, and white with an orange border. In our case, both mice were in "branded" tournament coal-gray liveries with blue elements.
The dimensions of the devices are average, it is possible to lengthen the mouse by means of a movable back plate (you can lengthen the device by 5, 10 or 15 mm). Mice, by the way, are really very light, as already mentioned in the introduction. At the first use, the cursor will also have to get used to this unbearable lightness.
The profile is quite low - definitely a plus, as it provides more complete control over the device and also ensures that the mouse fits the most different sizes of the palms (although only under the right, as is probably clear from the photos). The backlight is only on the button for switching profiles and on a small indicator of the level of sensitivity. So if you like the mouse to shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow in a dark room, then RAT TE and MMO TE are not for you :)
RAT TE has just three additional buttons (customizable) under the thumb, while MMO, as already mentioned, has a whole panel of 12.
The 1.8-meter mouse cables have a fabric braid, and the USB connector has gold plating.
Customization
As usual with gaming devices, most parameters for RAT TE and MMO TE are configured through the shell of the proprietary driver, which is available for download on the manufacturer’s official website. Mad Catz provides versions for Windows and Mac.
Firmware features are similar to products from other manufacturers. There is also a system of profiles in case more than one person uses the computer, the ability to customize all the buttons on the device, as well as the “Custom Commands” section for personalizing actions in specific games.
There are also some unexpected for the gaming device options for customizing the mouse in the browser and operating system. A trifle, but nice. As a cherry on the cake, the Mad Catz website has predefined profiles for most popular games.
The behavior settings are divided into groups, they work simply and clearly:
In the settings it became possible to change the lift-off parameter (that is, the height of the mouse’s gap from the surface, after which the cursor is forced to stop):
Basically, this feature is needed for those who play with “ rearrangement of the mouse at low sensitivity. The remaining users are quite happy with the default value.
Compared to what RAT had previously had, the software was certainly prettier. And the window became larger, and the settings are easier, and profiles can be managed without problems ... The
trouble is that many things for the mouse were still developed by aliens. Software, for example, swings separately, and the driver for the mouse - separately. In one place, but in two different menus on the site. And on some systems, drivers are installed with a tambourine, the Internet, smoking manuals, and such and such a mother. In general, it’s good that they are changing and doing something better, and what could be done right the first time, as they did in SteelSeries, is bad.
Behavior
RAT TE is designed primarily for dynamic network shooters such as Unreal Tournament, so this mouse was tested primarily in such games. Of course, it should be noted that at first the main thing that attracts attention is the design and layout of the case, because of which the device feels extremely, extremely unusual.
However, a good device differs from a bad one in that the hand will still get used to the good one after some time - and Mad Catz products are fine with this. After several hours of active play, you feel the mouse quite normally, and after a day or two of operation, you can already give a correct assessment of its behavior.
And it’s impossible to find fault with the behavior of RAT TE. No slippage, misses the cursor and any other problems. The mouse is surprisingly undemanding even to such bases as plain paper and low-quality plastic mats. In all conditions, accuracy is pleasantly amazing. The main keys hit the switches Omron, like many much more expensive devices. Functional buttons (for example, the DPI switch) are distinguished by the effort of pressing, but this just provides additional control over the mouse: it is almost impossible to accidentally switch the sensitivity or profile. Only with a conscious movement. For this - a solid five.
The behavior of MMO TE is also not satisfactory, even though the filling is also on the level: a modified Avago ADNS-9800 sensor with custom software settings. It is worth noting only that getting used to this mouse will take longer than to the previous model - the 12-button panel requires a really thorough “grinding” of the hand to it.
conclusions
RAT TE and MMO TE are very good manipulators in their lineup and in their price category. They fully correspond to what they aspire to - the role of devices for serious tournaments and an active game in MMO.
They differ in compactness, powerful functionality and really good accuracy indicators, and the design clearly distinguishes them among a host of repetitive mice in the modern market. The only gripe about weight is that not everyone is comfortable using light mice, and this, together with the inability to make devices heavier, slightly narrow the circle of potential product users. However, for fans “harder” there are good old RAT 7 and 9. But if you do not belong to those, then RAT TE and MMO TE are your choice. Have a good battle!
And yet we wrote the following in gaming iron:
" Logitech G910 Orion Spark: made on the conscience
" Daedalus Apex: looking for points of contact
" Razer Deathstalker: mixture bulldog rhinoceros
" Roccat Tyon Black: mouse hybrid Controller
" mice Evolution Razer on DeathAdder example and Naga