Natec's Genesis GX88 looks like it's bristling with features compared with similarly priced mice, and the same goes for its specs list too. The 8,200dpi Avago 9800 laser sensor offers adjustment between 200 and 8,200dpi in 200dpi steps, so fine-tuning the sensitivity is certainly a strong point. What's more, the resolution for both the X and Y axes can be tweaked independently.
Perhaps more interesting is the fact that you can perform any of these tweaks without the software if need be; the F.S. button gives you access to the X or Y axis modes on the fly to make adjustments to one of the four dpi presets. Sadly, the way this information is displayed on the mouse using two lines of LEDs isn’t particularly clear, and the dpi preset LEDs themselves are located on the side of the mouse, and are onlyjust visible at a glance.
A rocker switch beneath the thumb buttons enables you to flit between the dpi presets, which is roughly as easy as switching the usual buttons located behind the scroll wheel on most gaming mice, but not quite as quick to access as the switches on Logitech's G402 Hyperion Fury, which sit to the side of the left mouse button. The raised arch means the thumb buttons rest a fair way from your thumb too.
Meanwhile, the scroll wheel acts as a further three buttons, as it can be depressed, and tilted to the left and right, while two more buttons sit to the side of the right mouse button. All of this brings the total number of programmable buttons to nine, and 11 if you include scroll up and down; the dpi rocker is fixed to switch between dpi presets, so you can’t reassign it. You can optimise the mouse’s lift too, although you need to assign a button to this task, as it isn’t set by default.
The software allows a fair degree of customisation, such as the dpi modes, USB polling rate and scroll acceleration, in addition to macros and custom button assignments. There are also five different modes for assignments too, which are colour-matched to LEDs on the GX88’s mode button, giving you five separate gaming profiles.
In terms of grip styles, the GX88 is large and tall, so it’s best suited to claw and palm-grip types. It’s relatively weighty, but it glides smoothly across most surfaces and provides good support for all your fingers, except the end of your pinky. The mouse movement on-screen is equally responsive, and you quickly get used to the GX88’s shape in your hand. That said, despite its large size, other mice such as the Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury are even more comfortable to use, and have slightly better button placement too.
The GX88 is a little complicated to set up, especially if you don’t use the software, and the super-granular dpi adjustment can be tricky to tune on-the-fly. However, the software is good, it's generally comfortable to use and it has plenty of programmable buttons and modes. Its price isn’t bad for the features on offer either. Its only problem is that the gaming mouse market is very crowded and it’s up against some seriously stiff competition from the likes of Logitech and Mionix. ANTONY LEATHER
A reasonably priced and well-made mouse with plenty of customisation options, but it's up against tough competition.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connection Wired, USB
Cable 2 m, braided
Resolution 8,200dpi
Material Plastic
Extras Replacement Teflon feet