Today for review I have another product from our friends at Raptor-Gaming, it is their M3 gaming Mouse, this mouse is not your ordinary mouse, it has numerous special features and even looks like no other I have seen. The Raptor-Gaming M3 mouse has a shape that had me wondering at first, but after using it I’ve found I love it, and like other ‘gaming mice’ out there this one does have adjustable DPI and varying weights as well. The main point I’m trying to make here is that this is one cool mouse that has become my favorite…So read on to check this mouse out, it’s got some extra cool special features that you’ll learn about as well…
RAPTOR-GAMING M3 Gaming Mouse
Reviewed by: Kristofer Brozio AkA Dracos
Sponsor: RAPTOR-GAMING
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
RAPTOR-GAMING M3 the new Hardcore-Gamers weapon, delivers even more options for individualization.
The resolution of the new RAPTOR-GAMING M3 laser mouse can be adjusted in steps from 400 up to 2000 dpi. An OSD secures that the Gamer always knows which dpi level is activated. In addition the integrated LED on the topside of the mouse indicates the selected resolution. The dpi can also be changed by software with the completely new RAPTOR-ADJUST-Driver. This driver enables the Gamer to fine tune the dpi level in steps from 400 up to 2,400 dpi.
Another highlight of the RAPTOR-GAMING M3 is the individual customization of the weight of the mouse in 9 steps. (120 gr., 122,5
gr.,125 gr., 127,5 gr., 130 gr., 132,5 gr., 135 gr., 137,5 gr. and 140 gr.)
The innovative ergonomic right-hand design and the special soft-touch surface secures that Gamers hands will never slip off the mouse again. The elegant silk-black and silver mouse also includes two additional sets of mouse gliders and a flexible cable with a length of 2.5 m. To complete the extensive feature set of this Hardcore-Gamers weapon, two additional neoprene-bags are included in the
delivery content. One bag is specially designed for the secured transportation of the Mouse (RAPTOR-MOUSEBAG) to LAN-Parties. The second, smaller bag, is designed for the secured transportation of the 8 different weights (RAPTOR-WEIGHTBAG).
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Technical details:
High resolution laser gaming mouse
Resolution adjustable by hardware in steps (400 dpi, 800 dpi, 1600 dpi, 2000 dpi)
Resolution adjustable by software in steps (400dpi up to 2400dpi)
9 different weight settings (120gr. – 140gr.)
Special Design for right-handed use
Special Soft-Touch Surface
Flexible 2.5m USB cable
6 buttons incl. mouse wheel
2 sets of additional mouse sliders
Delivery Content:
RAPTOR-GAMING M3
8 additional weights (2,5 gr., 5 gr., 7,5 gr. , 10 gr. , 12,5 gr. , 15 gr. , 17,5 gr. & 20 gr.)
RAPTOR- MOUSEBAG RAPTOR-WEIGHTBAG
Quick installation guide (German and English)
2 sets of additional mouse gliders
Application software CD
(always get the most current version on www.raptor-gaming.com)
Hardware- and Software requirements:
-Pentium or IBM compatible PC with Win 98/ 2000/ ME/ NT/ XP
-64MB RAM memory or above recommended
-Programmable 3 rd., 4 th., 5 th. button and tilt wheel function require driver in Win 98/ 2000/ ME/
NT/ XP
-One free USB port
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A Better Look at Things
:
As usual the first thing we look at is the packaging and the packaging for the Raptor-Gaming M3 mouse is very well done, the actual box is a tin, around that we find a slipcover and over that is clear plastic.
I really expected the tin to have the Raptor-Gaming logo on the it, the Raptor Eye, but was disappointed that it wasn’t there.. oh well, would have been cool though…
Finally opening the tin up, the first thing we see is the carrying bags for the weights and the M3 itself.
Under that we find the M3 wrapped in bubble wrap for protection, users manual, driver disc and weights.
A whole slew of things come with the Raptor-Gaming M3 Gaming mouse, here’s and overview shot, on the next page we’ll take a closer look at a few of the items. In the picture we can see the manual, disc, weights, carrying bags, screws, the M3 mouse itself and Raptor-Gaming even included two additional sets of mouse feet or skates, lots of companies don’t include any extra feet let alone two sets like we have here…
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A Better Look at Things
Continued:
The first thing we’ll take a closer look at is the carrying bags, they are a soft cloth material with zippers for easy access, the Raptor-Gaming log and website address on printed on them.
The insides of the carrying bags are very soft and slightly padded to protect the M3 and the weights. They seem very well made, and should be able to last for quite some time through many travels.
The next item to look at is the weight set, there are eight weights total in the set. They are funny shaped, but there is a reason, it is to make sure they are in the center of the mouse so it is evenly balanced when they are installed.
Each weight has a sticker with the weight in grams on it, there I can point out my first complaint, the stickers won’t last long, especially with the weights sliding against each other in the bag, why not etch the weight into the weights to make it last…
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A Better Look at Things
Continued:
Now for a look at the M3 itself, the Raptor-Gaming M3 is very unique, especially in how it is shaped, that is the first thing that you will notice.
The right side of the Raptor-Gaming M3 has a large ‘wing’ that sticks out, and even the left side has a smaller ‘wing’ as well.
The left side of the M3 is where we will find two buttons, normally set to ‘forward’ and ‘back’, but they are fully configurable, you’ll also notice the Raptor-Gaming website address on there as well.
You’ll notice that the Raptor Eye is on the back of the M3, but also notice the lines, those lines are actually break points for the weight compartment cover to slide off. In the second picture you can really see how far the wing sticks out of the M3.
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A Better Look at Things
Continued:
The right wing of the mouse is very interesting, it is supposed to be a rest for your fingers actually, and I found it very useful in controlling the mouse more accurately.
The main part of the Raptor-Gaming M3 Mouse is near the scroll wheel, the scroll wheel itself is very nice, it is double the size of any other I have have used. Directly behind the scroll wheel are three slits, these slits are actually red LED indicators to let you know what dpi resolution the M3 is set at. The first setting or 400dpi is actually no LED lit, 800dpi would be one lit, 1600dpi would be two lit, and 2000dpi would be all three lit up. Then behind that row of LEDs we have another button, this is to change or set the dpi of the mouse, pressing it makes it light up blue, then moving the scroll wheel makes an on-screen display pop up so you can select the resolution you want, pushing the button again locks the dpi setting in for you.
The texture of the M3 is not quite smooth, it feels as if it is coated with rubber actually, and it has a soft feel to it.
On the bottom of the M3 we find four small feet, and we can really get a nice profile view of the M3 to see how the wings stick out.
And if you didn’t notice before, the M3 is a mouse with a laser sensor in it.
At first I really wasn’t sure about this mouse, the odd shape was what really made me wary of it, it just looked weird, but after using for a while I’ve really grown to like it a lot. The wing on the right side is actually very useful, I’ve found that it actually helps you to control the mouse a lot better and it makes it more comfortable to use as well. The other Raptor-Gaming products I’ve reviewed have impressed me quite a bit, and the M3 mouse is no exception to that, I am very impressed by it many features and original design. Continue on to the next section to learn a lot more about the M3…
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Installation, Testing and Comparison
The first thing I did for my installation was to add the weight to it, I like a heavy mouse so I used the heaviest one in the pack of course. To do this you’ll need to slide the back of the M3 off to gain access to the weight compartment.
The weight sits in a specially designed compartment, and Raptor-gaming included two small screws as well to secure the weight if need be using the center pole. The cover is very easy to get off, and I thought it was actually almost to easy, I pictured to falling off while I was using it, but I’ve been using the M3 for about two weeks now and have had no problems at all, it seems the weight and grip of your hand naturally helps to hold the cover in place.
For the real installation, Windows will recognize and install the M3 with no problems and you can use it that way, but to fully configure and utilize the M3 you’ll want to install the Raptor-Adjust software. The Raptor-Adjust software will allow full control over the M3, you can change many settings, create macros, and do quite a few other things as well.
The first page is where you can change the functions of the buttons, there are many choices to change them to all done with a drop down box. There is also a box to turn on a ‘keep shooting option’ that obviously allows for auto-fire in games, you can turn the on-screen DPI display on of off, and to make sure the scroll wheel is compatible with everything.
The next two pages deal with sensitivity, here you can fine tune the double click button, and also fine tune you dpi settings to exactly where you want them to be and change the scroll rate of the M3 wheel.
The next two pages, ‘Application’ and Macros’ are kind of obvious, they are for setting the application to be opened and for creating macros, the macros can be created using the keyboard or the mouse or a combination of both!
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Installation, Testing and Comparison Continued:
Ok, let’s get into the coolest part of this mouse, well at least I think it’s cool, the on-screen display. Pressing the button behind the scroll wheel makes it turn blue, indicating the M3 is ready to change resolutions, moving the scroll wheel makes the OSD appear for you to make your selection. You makes the selection by moving the scroll wheel up and down to highlight the desired dpi, and then right click to select it, you lock it in by pressing the resolution button once again.
I’m sure some of you are thinking that can be a real pain, but it’s actually very easy to do once you get used to the system, as with anything new it takes time to learn
The resolution button lights up a bright blue when activated, and the red bars let you visually know which setting you are on.
Ok, that’s it for the pictures, let’s get down to my observations and my second small complaint I have about the Raptor-Gaming M3 mouse.
As I mentioned before, and showed you the M3 mouse is very odd shaped and did take a bit to get used to, but in the end I found it very comfortable and easy to use, it actually made controlling the mouse much easier and less fatiguing.
I used the M3 on cloth and hard surface pads, it never missed a beat, tracking was excellent on all surfaces I tried, no problems to report there. The ability to fine tune the different resolutions is very nice as well, as is the ability to fine tune the double-click right through the software. The feet of the M3 seem to be very high quality and offer low friction to allow it to glide across any surface with ease, the addition of the two extra sets is a nice bonus as well.
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For everyday use the M3 is great, I had no problems with it all all, but gaming is where it really excels, recently I finally really got into playing BF2142 and have been spending quite a few hours per week playing it, and if you were wondering the OSD does pop up during gaming as well, at least in the few games I’ve had the time to play. Anyway, gaming is great with the M3, I’ve mentioned that the wings allow more control over the mouse and while gaming this is what you really need and want in a mouse, the M3 is an excellent gaming mouse.
One thing I really like about the M3 is the large scroll wheel, it just makes it so much easier to use, and it feels more comfortable under the finger. You can slip off it and you can’t miss it either, but yet it’s not to big as to get in the way, it sits lower into the mouse than other scroll wheel do.
The two buttons on the side could be a bit larger or wider, as they are they are they do work fine and are very responsive to the touch, it’s just my personal preference about the size.
The wings on the M3 add another dimension to the whole mousing experience, using the M3 seems much ‘nicer’ than other mice out there. The feel of the M3 is also a big bonus, it has a texture like rubber which allows you to keep a good grip on it no matter what you do.
The other complaint I have is that the M3 seems to take to long to come out of ‘sleep’ mode, I didn’t experience this during gaming, but while doing everyday activities, if I walk away from my computer for any extended period of time and come back to do something I find that the M3 takes a few seconds to wake up and start tracking my movements. This only happens after long periods of inactivity, like at least 10 minutes, but it can be annoying nonetheless. I would guess this is a power saving feature, but it needs to be tweaked just a bit to improve the response time to wake up.
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Summary:
To summarize this review I can honestly say if you are looking for a quality mouse that is well made and comes with lots of features and extras then the Raptor-gaming M3 would be the choice for you. The M3 is a different kind of mouse and I feel that anyone who tries it can and will appreciate it for how it works, feels and performs. I’ve found myself a new favorite mouse, I can easily recommend the M3 to anyone who wants a quality mouse that offers more than the others that are out there today…
DragonSteelMods gives the RAPTOR-GAMING M3 Gaming Mouse a 4.5 out of 5 score and our Recommended Award as well.
Pros:
-Adjustable weights
-Very cool looking and functional
-Fully configurable
-Adjustable DPI via on-screen display!
-Comfortable to use
-Tracks very well
-Nice extras
Cons:
-Wake time could be better
-Non-permanent markings on the weights
I would like to thank Raptor-Gaming for the chance to review the M3 Gaming Mouse and for their continued support of DSM.
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