The once-humble computer mouse has become one of the most hotly contested areas in the modern market, thanks to the extreme importance that this category of input device has in gaming. And gaming, no matter how strong the console market may be, is massive for the PC market.
So innovation is important when it comes to mouse devices. In fact, it is becoming crucial. And so Roccat have introduced a very simple, yet extremely innovative idea in devices like the Kone XTD Optical mouse – Easy-Shift [+].
With the press of a button on the side of the mouse, a “shift” function is enabled. That means that every button on this mouse (well, seven of the eight, really) can have two functions. It’s almost like a MMO mouse without the ridiculous grid of buttons under your thumb.
Aside from the great Easy-Shift [+] idea, the Kone XTD is a very capable mouse (although it does struggle a bit against some of the ‘big boys’). It is armed with a 6400 dpi sensor which is customisable in terms of sensitivity via downloadable software – a range of 100 to 6400 dpi. Also customisable is the Kone’s set of 4 LEDs. Additionally, up to 20 grams of weight can be varied, thanks to a simple to use system of four weights which can be added to or removed from the device.
Also handy is the 576kb of on-board memory, which serves to store various macros and settings.
The robustly built Kone XTD is a good looking mouse, with an asymmetric device (making it a nonambidextrous mouse) that really looks the part. It is sloped downward towards the outer edge for a more comfortable hand position and features an elongated shape, lengthening towards the right side for a more comfortable, natural finger position. It is a fairly large mouse – perhaps a little bigger than Razer’s popular Mamba – but it sits under the palm very comfortably. That, combined with the adjustable weight, makes the Kone XTD pretty comfortable to use.
And it’s built to last. Rugged materials combine with components that take a lot of punishment, including switches powered by Omron and a specially designed mouse wheel that stays strong and reliable for a long time (in theory, at least).
Another great facility exists for those who apply the Roccat treatment to their entire desktop. Roccat Talk technology allows Roccat devices used with the Kone XTD optical (like the Isku FX keyboard, also reviewed in this issue) to work in close concert, allowing the user to take advantages of what Roccat jokingly term “set bonuses (like wearing a set of armour in a game, see?).
On the whole, it’s a decent mouse. It is responsive, tough and accurate, and allows for a good degree of customisation.
With a 6400 dpi sensor and plenty of customisation options, the Roccat XTD Optical is a tough, reliable mouse.
SPECS
6400 dpi sensor
Customisable lighting
Easy-Shift [+] technology
Roccat Talk technology
8 buttons
32 bit Pprocessor