Gaming mice provide many features that are unavailable in standard mice. These options include higher DPI, the inclusion of counterweights, Teflon feet and precise tracking speeds. The two biggest names in the Gaming Mice arena include Logitech and Razer. Well, move over boys, there is a new contender. Hades Gaming has released the H1 Optical Gaming Mouse and this mouse holds it own against the big boys.
At DragonSteelMods we have looked at other Hades Gaming products including their excellent mouse pads. Today, I will examine the H1 Optical Gaming Mouse and determine whether it is worthy of your gaming dollar. Let’s get started….
Hades Gaming Ares H1 Optical Gaming Mouse
Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
Hades Gaming Ares H1 Optical Gaming Mouse
Hades-Gaming is going to provide the best professional optical gaming mouse, H1. All the features of H1 are designed for pro-gamer, and the extremely high performance will demonstrate H1 is the king of gaming mouse.
H1 makes the cursors moving in a high accuracy, stable status. It such matches the request of the FPS (First Person Shooting) games such as Counter-Strike Series, Unreal Tournament Series, Call of DutySeries, Quake Series, DOOM Series, Painkiller, Half Life Series etc.. At the same time, the high resolution feature also satisfied the RPG, RTS games like World of Warcraft, Diablo, Dungeons & Dragons Series, Ultima Series, Might & Magic Series, Wizardry Series, Men of Courage, Age of Empire Series, WC, Red Alarm Series
The optical engine of H1 is the most powerful of the world, of course, it just one of the features of H1. The 4 levels adjustable resolution, keyboard commands saving, weight adjustment, full speed USB, PTFE (Teflon) mouse feet. All the features above make the H1 become the most powerful weapon for gamers.
Specs/Features:
Built-in 2 modes:
-standard mode
-gaming mode
-Tracking speed: 40 inches/sec
-Frame rate: up to 12,000 FPS
-Resolution: 100~3,200 DPI (4 levels, up to 8 levels)
-Adjustable USB report rate: 100Hz~1,000Hz
-Extra counterweights: 5pcs, 5gw/ each (25 g total)
-Teflon mouse slider
-Gold plated USB connector
-Carrying case
-Dimension: 120 × 77 × 41 (L × W× H, mm)
-Weight: 128g (with cable)
{mospagebreak title=A Better Look at things}
A Better Look at Things
:
The H1 Optical Gaming Mouse arrives in a square crimson red and white box. The Hades Gaming logo is on the top and has the appearance of something out of the Diablo gaming universe.
The sides of the box list specifications, features, specific buttons of the mouse and the package contents.
Upon opening the box, one sees the Hades Gaming H1 Optical Gaming Mouse.
Beneath the mouse, one finds the H1 Utility CD, a black padded carrying pouch and Teflon mouse feet.
The H1 Optical Gaming Mouse is primarily crimson red and slate grey. This mouse also comes in a black colored model, if red is not your thing.
On the left hand side of the mouse, we find the front and back buttons found on most modern mice. Just above these buttons heading towards the middle, are four blue and two red indicator lights. The blue lights indicate the DPI speed and the red ones indicate whether the mouse in gaming or work mode. The left and right click buttons are slate grey and have a rubbery feel to them.
The center of the mouse has a click wheel which lights up red when the mouse is on.
Below the wheel are two buttons, the one closest to the wheel controls the DPI and the one below it, selects the mode. At the rear of the mouse, one will see the Hades Gaming logo in red against a dark gray oval background.
The underside of the mouse has four Teflon mouse feet. Hades Gaming includes a set of eight extra feet, so when you wear down the originals, just pop them off and you are back in business! Towards the rear of the mouse is a door that secures five five gram counter weights which help gives the mouse extra weight for those who prefer their mice to be on the heavier side.
Since this is a wired mouse, there is a USB connector cord emanating from the front of the mouse. This cord is clay colored silvery red and measures about six and a half feet in length.
Hades Gaming includes a black padded mouse carrying case made of a cloth material. The H1 Utility CD comes in an oval shaped booklet. Unfortunately, there are no instructions included with the package.
Installation, Testing and Comparison
Installing the H1 Optical Gaming Mouse is simple. Just plug in the mouse and let the Windows OS detect the mouse. Luckily the drivers for the mouse are built into it.
Now the mouse itself is rather big. I have big hands, so the size does not bother me. Ergonomically, the H1 takes a little getting used to, especially if you use a Logitech mouse that has the recessed left side. Unlike the Logitech G5 mouse which is contoured for right handed users, the Hades H1 is a symmetrically shaped mouse. Since the back and forward buttons are located on the left side, it is hard to call this an ambidextrous mouse. The back and forward buttons are raised and easily accessible.
The scroll wheel is notched and moves smoothly with a slight click detected with each turn. Clicking the scroll wheel is responsive. The scroll wheel lights up red which is a nice aesthetic quality.
The DPI selector clicks forward or backward depending on the DPI speed selected.
No additional software is needed to get the full functionality from the H1 Optical Gaming Mouse. Hades Gaming does include the H1 Utility to let you tailor the mouse’s settings. Software options include: Button Configuration, Script Programming, Feature Configuration, Favorite Profiles and Favorite Search Engines.
When I tried to test out this software, I was able to use most of the options, but the Favorite Search Engine setting would not allow me to set to one of the three save-able choices. A perk of this software is that is does not install itself onto your PC and can be run from the CD and the settings can be stored in the mouse’s built in ROM. My main complaint about this software is the lack of documentation included.
There are four DPI speeds which range from 100 to 3,200 DPI and can be adjusted in the Features Configuration Menu in the H1 Utility Software. Macros are another option; here is an example of setting up one click yielding three separate shots – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrpWTz_UdNk.
My main gaming mouse is the Logitech G5 Rev. 2. After using the H1 in games such as Team Fortress 2, Oblivion, Half Life 2 and F.E.A.R. and using it as an everyday mouse, I found it performed just as well as the Logitech G5.
Summary:
Overall, the Hades Gaming H1 Optical Gaming Mouse is a professional looking gaming mouse and holds its own against other mainstream gaming mice. If you have small hands then this mouse may be slightly cumbersome to use.
There are a plethora of customizable options available. The ability to use macros, especially in certain games can be the difference between pwning and be pwned! However, the H1 software could use some form of documentation to help with the customization of the mouse’s settings.
I think this is an excellent addition to any gamer’s armamentarium and if you are in the hunt for a new mouse, take a serious look at the mouse from HELL, errr I mean Hades Gaming.
DragonSteelMods gives the H1 Optical Gaming Mouse a 4.5 out of 5 score.
Pros:
– Quality Finish
– Well Constructed
– Highly Customizable
– Counterweights
– Macros
Cons:
– Poor Documentation
– Ergonomically could be better
– Large shape may bother small handed gamers
I would like to thank Hades-Gaming for the chance to review the H1 Optical Gaming Mouse and for their support of DSM.
review# 427