Review: ThermalTakes' eSports brand is coming of age, and the Element Black is a real contender for any serious gamer.
It’s like someone has littered cheese all over the Atomic labs. We’ve got mice coming out of the woodwork in such numbers that our mousing hand is cramping up with all the testing! This one, another of ThermalTake’s Tt eSports range, is the new Element Black, and while it’s pretty much typical of the modern gaming mouse, it does have a few interesting diversions from the mischief (which, by the way, is the collective noun for mice – see, you learn something every day).
One thing that’s obvious right up front – this mouse is actually symmetrical! That means left-handers will find it just as comfortable as righties. Oddly, though, the button configuration is not symmetrical, somewhat undoing its utility. There are three buttons on the left-side, where a right-hand thumb can easily reach them, but only one button on the right. The entire mouse is sheathed in the seemingly standard rubber coating, making it easy and comfortable to grip, while at the same time boasting largely flat surfaces that should resist a build up of grime.
The ergonomics are comfortable, though it is very narrow. Our slighter hands fit nicely, but we still find that our pinky finger has no place to rest or sit, leaving it dragging across the desktop. If you’ve even a slightly larger than average sized hand, this may not be the mouse for you.
In actual gaming, the Black delivers a solid experience. You can really feel the extra smoothness of the 6500dpi sensor. Our runs through Modern Warfare’s kill house level were fast and accurate once we got used to the Black’s narrow profile. The lighting system, which illuminates the scrollwheel and two strips running down the mouse’s flanks is neither here nor there, but if you like bling and already have a lit case, this will fit in nicely. The five profile settings and onboard memory mean you can program a mess of macros for a mess of games, and be able to take the mouse with you wherever you go – great for LAN players.
This is probably one of ThermalTake’s better gaming products to date. It’s well-priced and accurate, but it’s small profile is limiting. If it fits your hand, though, it’s a great choice.
Issue: 137 | June, 2012