Pros
Extremely customisable
Comfortable to make use of for lengthy intervals
Software permits for additional customisation
Cons
Not many choices for left-handers or MMO gamers
Expensive
Key Specifications
Review Price: £149.99
Wired
Three “pinkie” rests
Three scroll wheels
Two thumb rests
Three palm rests
Two units of toes
Choice of three sensors when buying – two lasers (8200dpi) and one optical (5000dpi)
What is the Mad Catz R.A.T Pro X?
If the Xbox One Elite Controller is the most effective of the gamepads, you may assume that the Mad Catz R.A.T Pro X – with its varied components and customisation choices – is the Elite Controller of mice.
It comes with a plethora of customisation choices, together with three scroll wheels, however will price you a small fortune at simply shy of £150. Is it price it?
Before I dive into the specifics of the modules and the unimaginable capability for customisation that the Pro X presents I wished to, at this juncture, advocate it. Regardless of the staggering vary of choices on provide, the Pro X is the most effective mouse I’ve ever used. It suits my arms, it’s responsive, it has an excellent weight to it and is ideal for each single operate that I might want. However, you really want to get into specifics of the Pro X to determine whether or not or not it’s definitely worth the excessive worth of entry for every gamer.Related: Best Gaming Mouse 2016
Mad Catz R.A.T Pro X – Design and Features
I ought to preface this overview by saying the costliest mouse I’ve ever used was about £30 and had an extra two buttons on the facet. It was revolutionary, or so I assumed. So when the Mad Catz R.A.T Pro X arrived I used to be just a little intimidated. For one, the field is big. The mouse sits proudly on the opposite facet of the clear plastic whereas, behind it, one thing lurks. I smashed the field open (sorry Mad Catz) and tore by way of the cardboard like a baby at Christmas, determined to get at what was inside. I obtained in and out of the blue I had a handful of alternate components for the Pro X. I rapidly pulled aside the mouse with its fast but reassuringly safe click on and take away design, experimenting with each doable mixture of modules to seek out the appropriate match.
I’ve huge arms and, spending plenty of time on a PC each working and gaming, there are a variety of essential components to my satisfaction such because the monitor, the chair, the keyboard and, crucially, the mouse. I can’t have my large clown arms wrapped round a small mouse for the chance of cramp and the Pro X, whatever the bits I selected, is the proper match.
Related: Best Gaming Headsets 2015The mouse comes with two units of toes (teflon for pace of motion and ceramic toes for management), three palm rests (plastic, matte and aerated), three finger rests (a impartial one, one with a relaxation in your ring finger and little finger, and one simply to relaxation your little finger), two thumb rests of various width and three sorts of scroll wheels (one rubber and two steel.) The scroll wheel is an especially spectacular piece of expertise. Aside from the usual scrolling and clicking choices that I’m used to you possibly can transfer it each left and proper, including an analogue choice to your mouse as properly. You also can dive into the mechanics of the scroll wheels and set the resistance to fit your choice. The mouse comes with one sensor however you should buy and swap that half as properly (selecting between the Philips PLN20137 laser sensor, Pixart ADNS 9800 laser sensor and the Pixart PMW 3310 optical sensor). In addition to altering and swapping all these components you’re additionally free to regulate positions of the rests, loosen or tighten the scroll wheel, alter your mouse sensitivity and extra. There are so many choices and till you’ve begun to make use of and experiment with every you possibly can’t actually get a really feel for what is going to swimsuit you. To the PRO X’s credit score, nonetheless, lots of the choices really feel extraordinarily totally different.One of the options that isn’t fairly proven off in that picture above is that tiny silver button just under the scroll wheel. This button, when pressed, ups the DPI of the mouse. In laymen’s phrases which means your mouse turns into extra delicate. This is a operate that can have FPS gamers specifically licking their lips; permitting them to rapidly up the sensitivity to drag off response photographs, earlier than dropping it again down for slower, extra deliberate actions. It’s possibly not as helpful in different genres (MOBAs, RTS or MMO) however I can’t think about not having it for FPS video games after having used it. The cable is an honest size too, coming in at virtually 2 metres lengthy, giving even probably the most unconventional set ups loads of leeway to stretch round, below or over something you might need strewn in your desk. Some folks may argue that such a characteristic listing is superfluous, however for these folks for whom such options are needed that listing could be what ideas them over into a purchase order. Having stated that MMO gamers might properly discover the shortage of buttons (which appears like an odd factor to say) irritating given the quantity they’re used to customising for his or her rotations. Also the 2 thumb buttons can’t be connected to the appropriate hand facet of the mouse, rendering them virtually ineffective for left handed folks.
Mad Catz R.A.T Pro X – Software
The software program that comes with the system, too, is extraordinarily spectacular (if just a little obtuse at occasions). It’s simple by nature; permitting you set instructions to each button on the mouse bar proper click on, create profiles, change varied settings and, maybe better of all, hyperlink your created profiles to particular person video games. There are, although, plenty of caveats to debate right here. Assigning instructions is just a little ungainly as it’s a must to drag and drop choices from a menu, relatively than clicking and selecting one.
As you create your profiles doing this you possibly can take the mouse with you to different computer systems and change between your created profiles utilizing a small button on the underside of the PRO X itself. It’s just a little bit cumbersome to assign these particular profiles to video games although; as an alternative of linking one profile to at least one program, every time you create a brand new hyperlink you get the choice of enhancing your 10 profiles once more. It’s positive in principle, however, like a lot of the software program, may do with being just a little extra consumer pleasant.
Plus, after I first used the mouse I used to be too excited to make use of the software program and simply wished to play. So, I loaded up Battlefield 4 to place it to the check. The default profile meant that proper click on (which lets you scope your weapon) additionally had assigned itself one other operate; particularly swapping between single store and burst fireplace modes of the weapon (V on the keyboard).
It’s an especially particular drawback however customers ought to be conscious that they need to discover the software program earlier than enjoying something. Having stated that, it appeared that this problem was unique to Battlefield 4.
Should I purchase the Mad Catz R.A.T Pro X?
For me? Well I’m nonetheless just a little torn on the Pro X. The options are most likely just a little past what I and the common PC gamer would usually want, however the really feel, weight and performance it presents are second to none.
For many, and for me, the sticking level would be the worth. Starting at about £140 the Pro X is expensive, way more so than the smaller Pro S. In my overview for the Pro S I requested two query to find out whether or not or not the acquisition was price it, and I’ll ask them right here as properly: Can you reside with out the in depth performance of the Pro X? Do you baulk on the worth of the Pro X? If the reply to both is ‘Yes’ then the smaller and extra reasonably priced Pro S could possibly be a sensible choice for you. There’s additionally the superb wi-fi Razer Mamba to think about too, with its tight efficiency and barely cheaper £134.99 price ticket.
For anybody with a extra modest price range, the £49.99 wired Logitech G303 is a superb addition to your gaming set-up.
However, if the PRO X is inside your price range or that characteristic listing is just too good to be with out, then you definately’re getting a mouse that’s prime of the road in each division.
Verdict
An costly, excessive finish mouse that succeeds in virtually each division. Given the value, although, I’d count on a number of extra choices for left handed gamers and MMO avid gamers and a software program package deal that’s flawless, relatively than simply good. The customisation is what units this mouse aside although, however regular PC customers or extra informal avid gamers ought to most likely search for one thing just a little cheaper.