The irony when he spoke about the mouse 😂😂😂😂 To be honest, when I switched from a Basilisk V3 to a normal OP1, there were so many changes. The weight was cut by halved from 100-110g to around 50g, the thumb rest on the side was removed and it’s also slightly more narrow. The clicks are very light & easy to press, with the same going for the side buttons. To be honest, this mouse is pure perfection for me. I was actually thinking of getting the OP1 8K, but it was just out of stock before my mother managed to buy it, so I went with the OG version. I’m thinking of getting the 8K version, even if it’ll cost an extra $20.
Went from the g502 to the superlight 2. Yeah it's a brick, but it's a brick that still lives in my top drawer. It's just great to use for certain games.
I think the mouse market has just gotten so good It's a non issue for most people regardless of which mouse you go with, since there are so many good options.
No. I can’t find suitable mouse and I didn’t get updated g305 (dont know where to put my pinky on all other mice) :( with type c and stuff love that mouse
I bought the Z1 Rail around the time when it came out and I don't ever want to switch my mouse again! But hearing about you designing new mice is getting me soo excited
I see a g703 remake, but I guess I just don't see real potential in a new g403. Does it really fill some kind of niche that other mice don't? A new lightweight mouse with that old metal scroll wheel sounds sick though.
You were the one who convinced me years ago to have two different mice. One for productivity tasks and browsing and one for gaming. Best choice I made so far. And yeah, you're right. There isn't much to improve upon with what's on the market right now.
The hump in the back is a little too in the way for me. Also not enough ring finger support. But it might work well with some hands! I went for the Zowie U2.
Wootings are just the best. Speaking of what's next, I wish they'd make a keyboard that you could plug your mouse into, and it would merge with the function layer system. I've gotten so used to pressing Alt or Win in my games as a modifier for other keys, and I really wish I could extend this to the mouse buttons. I know Razer has something similar called Hypershift, but it's _extremely_ lackluster and requires keyboard and mouse that are both Razer.
@@Mezurashii5 Oh, damn! I knew of reWASD, but wasn't aware it was that powerful - thanks. I need to look into it, although I would easily have paid many hundred bucks for an elegant hardware solution. I know if I install reWASD, I need to implement a workaround for the fact that Apex kicks you for it, lol.
@@Visstnok It wasn't the installation, it was the fact that there's a process running in the background. They did something to fix it in the last update, according to their posts. Dunno if that means you can use the remapping or if they just turn the process off automatically when the game is launched.
When it comes to shapes, makes me sad how we don't have much to choose from. Even the once classic MX518 shape isn't available in lightweight version - mouse industry playing it so safe that we can't even have a proper thumb groove anymore for better grip! Thumb groove gives the option to more effectively squeeze the mouse if necessary, which improves control for some players (just as the control can be better when the player has the option to push the mouse into mousepad when stopping). I'll always have respect for RJN for coming up with the MZ1 shape which was actually something different. Was disappointing to see how many of the reviewers couldn't celebrate innovation, and instead gave reduced review scores because the MZ1 shape didn't happen to suit their personal preference.
Funnily enough a few of the other reviewers eventually came around to it... after they gave it enough time and got used to the shape, which is why I'm trying to stress that as a community, we need to give mice a proper chance. 3 weeks is what it took me to get used to the Razer Diamondback, so that's the mark I set. And yeah agreed, it's just too safe now, we gotta start encouraging risks.
Can't wait to see your new projects. I'm hoping to see something a little wider without the holes and RGB. I really liked the MZ1 wireless, I even modified it with a smaller battery to better suit my needs, but unfortunately after a while I started getting hand cramps. My aim was really good (same as w G PRO Wireless) and I think there was potential to be a bit better, but my consistency was worse, and the cramps remained even after 3 months. Unfortunately, the worst thing was the quality control. After 3 months, I was having trouble double clicking the left button. I tried adjusting the screw position first, then the debounce setting, but I didn't feel safe playing with debounce at 8ms. The only solution was to change the switches. Luckily, I had spare switches on hand when I changed them on my G PRO Wireless.
YES! THE SHAPE AND SIZE ARE ABSOLUTELY THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR. i went to a viper mini to the updated version only has a slight height in the hump where the mouse fits in the middle of the palm...and it made all the difference...💯
Heck Yeah I'm stoked to see what you come out with next. No matter what I pickup I always end up back on the MZ1 it's just too good! (I hope the new design will include split mouse keys again, as someone with a 1/3/1 grip being able to rest my middle finger between the scroll wheel and PgDn is so handy for stability!)
I've been using the G403 since forever. It occasionally registers the infamous double-click issue but has otherwise been fine. I don't really have a need to change it but I really want to get a wireless lightweight mice.
Zy's music has been burned into my head from all the gaming mouse videos I watched in 2016. Something I'll never forget even if the video production has slowed down
dude you one of the few people that are so passionate about gaming mice and improving aim, its amazing. good luck your your new designs. one problem that I always had with mice is that I cant feel comfortable with griping a mouse that doesnt have a lot of space in thumb position, so I cant really try smaller mice. hope you make a shape for me too! :D
You truly are to gaming mice what Gamers Nexus is to computer case performance. Thank you for still giving us the occasional video, even though it is not your focus anymore, after you designed your peak mouse ^_^
i recently grabbed a keychron m4 cus i wanted to try a fingertip mouse. It's been really fun to try, and has made me more open to try different mice in the future. I'm excited to see what you and the mouse enthusiast industry has in store!
When I got my xlite v2, I finally understood how important shape is. Playing it for about a year and I think it is my perfect mouse. That said, I am excited for future videos with interesting shapes 🤟🏻
Just ordered my Basilisk V3 Pro in white, and as much as ive been testing lightweight, medium weight, heavy weight etc etc ive noticed weigbt really doesnt matter. Its down to the tech and the shape period. Dropping record kills and top frags in many games using a heavier mouse vs a light one proves you have more control, but just depends on how you play sens wise, and movement wise. I see success in heavier mice, even using a viper v3 Hyperspeed, throwing a AA rechargable battery in it to make it 88 grams was much better than converting a AAA lithium to make it 70ish grams. Personal preference but weight is just simply not a real factor, thats why many pros still rock older heavier mice today, the tech is the only thing holding them back to being that much better. Mice are generally all around balanced now tech wise, but Razer is king of tech no matter what, and that little bit is alot when it shows.
Definitely to continue iterating on shapes, while obviously having top sensor, polling rate, full shell and low weight. When using current mouse over time I can notice where I could see it improved for me, be it how I hold a certain finger, or certain size dimension change. Noticed that lowering main clicks to have more vertical finger pressure on them helps.
Recently I've thought the same thing. Right now, sensors and switches have gotten so good, but there is one common problem that every company is sharing, "safe" shapes. I always bought a mouse based on your opinion and reviews, the first was back in 2018. I've tried a lot of your top choices, but every one of them always had a strange feeling. Right now, I've been using a Deathadder V3 wired for almost a year, but I found myself in multiple situations thinking that this mouse is missing something. One day, I decided to take a look in my storage and found some old mice, but one stood out from the others, the Rival 310! I immediately decided to feel it again and man... this mouse is crazy good in ergo and feeling for today's standards, so much better compared to a Deathadder V3. So now I've made a decision, i'm gonna mod it by using some TTC Gold switches, a new Kailh encoder, some PTFE skates and if possible some weight reduction. After all of those years there is still a lot of potential in that shape. Thank you for what you have done all these years, you have always been the one I trusted for mice recommendations, and I will continue to do so.
Thank you for all the work you do, I just picked up a Pulsar X2V2 mini for my finger tip grip because it had optical switches. Next mouse you release please have those and I'll buy it!
I switched from potato Superlight to Pulsar xlite v2 wireless, it was little too small for my hands and extremely light, I gave it a go for 30 days, moved on to EC2 CW, the shape, perfect, the weight, perfect. I love it, I know this is the mouse for me, I never knew why I missed the shot, or why I had to adjust my hand everytime, now with the zowie ec2cw I know why Ive missed, I know what to improve on, my hand is always at the same place, my fingers always know where to be on the mouse, I can hold it for a whole day and have no issues. Trial and error
Do you ever considered to have an second host, or more helpers to the channel? RJN is such a legendary name in this nich to slow down on posting, mouses are better now, but we are going back to some topics like polling rate because of other creators lack of knowledge, and that influentiates the market and the buyers and kind miss the most important points while chosing an mouse to help you get better.
Do you think that FPS input method will change? With the addition of AR and VR. In somewhat far future we could be aiming with our bare hands. True 0 weight.
Yeah but to controller with aim assist. Seriously though, aim is one thing, movement is another... I think VR would just make you sick if you played Quake with it, especially if you tried to rocket jump. I think for now, mice are going to be the best. Maybe pens eventually, maybe hand gestures in the even more distant future. The mouse just makes so much sense though, for now it's the best for aiming and movement.
Thanks for the video, but i have a question, im considering getting a mouse, and I've been interested in the Cobra Pro, but i hear there are problems. i wanna know what they are? (Btw to note, i need an ambidextrous mouse)
There are absolutely still things that could be innovated on and improved. For example: - Figuring out ways to add unobtrusive and comfortable-to-use extra buttons to the current standard "safe shape" mouse. I maintain that it's an absolute travesty that noone has ripped off Steelseries' Rival 5 thumb lever design yet, for example. It is so much better than the 502 top buttons. - Mouse wheels that don't suck. Bonus points for coming up with tilt/freescroll wheels that aren't mushy and don't misfire inputs, since that would also help with previous point.
My Xtrfy mz1 started disconnecting after 8 months. Apparently a know problem with the cord breaking. causes mouse to freeze for a few seconds often in clutch sitatuations lol. I reached out to customer support today.
Replacing the battery and removing the battery sliding compartment shaves off about 7 grams on the Xtrfy MZ1. Cutting out more of the plastic shaves also off a few more grams. Mine is under 50 grams. Bearded Bob's got some really good video mods for this mouse. It's one of the best mice for medium hands with finger-tip grip. Love this thing!
I bought a G PRO super light on release, changed the encoder and switches and literally haven’t asked for more. My different mouse count before it was over 15!
I think you're right about once someone finds something they like, they lose interest in the hobby to some degree. I had 5 mice at one point which even for me was unnecessary but I enjoyed buying new ones and giving them ago because relative to other hobbies, it was super cheap to get into. But then you realise that listening to every review about a mouse all sounds the same and none of them can tell you whether or not you'll like a mouse. For me, I hated having a small dense mouse but they were constantly getting recommended and I could not get them to feel natural. Ultimately I ended on the viper v2 shape and now v3. Not least because they feel the most consistent both in shape and weight, but quality control. I've owned a bunch of newer, smaller brands of mice and they all paled in comparison when it came to quality of product compared to Razer or Logitech. Honestly, I feel mousepads are even worse for recommendations, that's why I bought a glasspad and refuse to go back. Any cons are just outweighed but the incredible upside which is consistency and not needing to clean it constantly like a fulltime job.
I always associated Razer with bad QC and taking shortcuts while doubling down on gimmicks. I recently got the orochi v2, and my god, I don't think I've ever used a mouse with worse clicks. I've seen them get flak for the fake mechanical keyboards, and they keep trying to create an ecosystem like Apple's to massively overcharge for shit purely based on things like "the rgb matches". Interesting to see them described as the opposite.
I think it's safe to say the next step would be to evolve into VR-style. When you think about what a mouse does, the only function it serves would be to translate physical analog motion, into X and Y value to move the pointer on a 2D plane. So the next step would be to adopt VR controllers, where the motion is no longer tracked by using optical sensors, but rather gyroscopic sensors, or IMUs. If you can make it light enough and accurate enough, with a bit of software magic it is entirely doable. The technology already exists today, but none is trying. I think the next company to make a VR wand type pointer device is going to dominate the market.
6:17 this is true! if you want to change your mouse, try it atleast 3 weeks or even 1 month to adapt before you decide whether you keep it or sell it for another mouse. i've been using g502 clone for the past 3 years and it's a good mouse, just a bit heavy so i remove the back outer shell and put some holes in it, then i switch to Cobra Wired exactly 1 month ago and at first i feel the mouse is too small and a bit uncomfortable to hold with my hand and i can't aim because of that so i'm thinking to sell it to get a real g502, but i give it another chance and now i love it!
The mz1 wireless has been my main mouse for more than a year, i've modded and shaved the interior to bring down the weight, but the shape and size is why it remained as my main even though so many competiting mice has cropped up. If RJN is designing more mice with different companies, I would love to try them out and see if they feel better, or if the mz1 remains as my main mouse
The true innovation is 3d printing, optimum tech and various others have been going ham on the diy field lately, what we really need is a commercially available "gutted" version of a mouse that is a lightweight flawless sensor wired and wireless motherboard with software attatched (preferably open source) and with the option not to download anything on your pc but be able to control basic functions through physical inputs. And a basic stl file that contains mounting points for the motherboard. Which ever business makes it so that they sell basic motherboards and instead sell optional shells for a lower price and kits is going to make bank. Imagine a world where instead of buying a new mouse you buy a shell for it, ive had the xtrfy m42 which uses a similar concept where you can hotswap parts of the mouse and especially the hump in the back (no back/low hump/high hump) and different colored parts and to put it frankly it was an awesome mouse till i broke it.
Cool idea, but doesn't really apply to the majority that buy mice. It's a niche thing and having a low price for that low volume doesn't make sense business-wise. Love to be proven wrong though.
See I bought the G Pro X when it came out and just haven't felt the need to upgrade. I do miss your old videos from back when I was in Highschool, like 2018ish? Generally giving advice was really cool, its been a while since I watched. Its kinda cool to see how far things have come though I will say, both on your Channel and in this market.
I still prefer the Zowie EC2-A or the razer deathadder 2013 shape over everything else, but zowie doesn’t want to release a light weight version, the lightweight clones are not 1:1 and the new razer deathadder is a “safer” shape :(
I'd love a G703 but a superlight version. I love the shape of that mouse. The closest I found was Viper V3 Pro, so I'm using that until something else comes out.
What the hell happened to Zowie? EC2B was the last competitive mouse I bought back in 2018, still going strong for me but I'm surprised the brand wasnt mentioned at all in this video, it was my reference for a quality brand
To be fair to Zowie they did focus on the shape with U2. And I wouldn't call it totally mind blowingly unique but it's definitely a new shape to the market.
When I first switched to pc I wasn't comfortable using my left hand to hit commands and prompts the g502 was a godsend to slowly get me comfortable with a keyboard for gaming there was a period where I was eagerly trying to find the next great mouse, buying every single mouse I could get to find the best one now i just use the g pro superlight no thought in my head when I go to grab it, no want for anything lighter or different shape it just fits, its comfortable and it works every time
Even I switched from the g403 to the g305 I did start seeing why shape is the most important thing on a mouse. I since then moved to a razer viper mini, another great shape if you need a small mouse.
I really really hope we can get more lightweight ergo shapes on the market since companies have been milking smaller shapes to death. The DAV3P is the only mouse I can use comfortably for multiple hour sessions and I would love a new 50 gram or less DAV3P clone to come out (idk if making a mouse that size would be possible)
Since many of us, that is to the the market for prospective gaming mice, have likely found a shape of mouse that is shaped suitably enough, is comfortable enough, and plays well enough, as an investment it is difficult to warrant increased innovation. But there is still room for this market to grow, so hats off to you for your continued efforts. I can think of a product I would buy for casual browsing that would be ideal for me personally, but like you say, this is a very niche market.
Shape is the most important thing for me. Many many years ago, almost 2 decades actually, Logitech released a multi-media mouse with a shape which is now inherited by M510. I worked at software dev company which shared an office space with a local tech newspaper and these guys were testing hardware all the time. Including mice. I was lucky enough to test drive many of them myself. And this specific shape - it was simply made for my hand. So, for the last almost two decades I'm using a non gaming mouse, but it's shape is perfect for me. I tried switching away, but I always get back to it. I went through all iterations of this mouse shape, it was MX at some point in time, it was something else, now it's M510. It might not be the best performer, but my hand with this mouse IS.
All I want is even lighter Cooler Master MM 720 for the rest of my life. Thank you Mr Spawn for this beatifully shaped piece of tech. I could still improve the shape a little to my likings but its near damn perfect. What a gem. I threw away all of my mice that I had piled up. The ones I would recommend are: SS Rival 300, Deathadder V3, Roccat Kain and Burst, Logitech G403.
In regards to what can be improved on mice it is absolutely texture. For years mice continue to use slick or semi-slick surfaces, which is silly for a device I need to grip onto. The slicker it is, the more grip force I need to exert, which throws off your aim and contributes to hand fatigue. Its to the point that I use a 3D printed version of the rail that has a matte grainy texture to get the benefit of both shape and texture. I really hope in your exploration of shape with companies that you also push grip texture.
Have you tried the Zowie U2? I got it yesterday and it has such a unique shape! It fits so well when using claw grip. It's agile yet perfectly supports my ring finger & thumb. Zowie is all about shape as well.
I got large hands, so when I first bought the MZ1 I put it away after a few weeks. Tried some other shapes the last year or so and I got bored and wasn't seeing any improvement. Got the MZ1 out again on a whim, started breaking aiming records. I don't hold it flat or fingertip like maybe I should, but for claw grip it's been really good for me even with larger hands. Recently got the wireless version and love the click improvement. It didn't come with the original back mold b/c I bought it used but I'm going to 3D print it and I think I'll be set for a long while.
So Pulsar is doing CUSTOM mice with custom internals plus diff external colors for their X2 shaped family of mice. Having a standard form factor for internals (still with custom options for switches, batteries, sensors, etc.) but user-changeable external shapes/materials would be more valuable for customers, but of course prolly sell fewer mice.
My friend and me made the mod for my g300s shell. I used the interiors of a g pro wireless (A razer viper v2 would be better but i don't have one) and I freaking love it. I didn't find a similar shape or a mod for the mouse, so I said, fuck it, i'll try it, and it when pretty well. I'm proud of our creation cx
Got my first FPS mouse from watching your channel, years ago. Still use it til this day on my 2nd PC. I think gaming FPS mice are in a current stalemate. I'm more interested in MMO game mice now a days which is even more of a cliche market and has stalled for the past several years. Really would love to see some kind of real innovation in either market
I think the future of the gaming mice industry needs to incorporate educating aimers how to optimize a PC for latency. The mice are reaching heights that many PC's and games can't even take advantage of properly yet. Defining the best practices to optimize the system you have for input latency would be a good start though. I think it would be really beneficial for the whole community if you were able to partner with an independent testing review outlet with scientific testing experience like Rtings to pioneer something like this.
tbh i am completely out of the loop with mice for the past 2years, maybe i already found my "endgame" for real this time but i've beenusing the lamzu atlantis og and the xm2we and just switching them up with each charge. Both have some drawbacks though and my absolute dream would be - atlantis shape with its crispy af left and right click, but with xm2we coating, side buttons and wheel.
It will be interesting to see the new designs. I eventually got the MZ1. It's great. The only issue I have is I keep pushing the side buttons by accident and active the ability in QC when I don't plan to :P
I'd love for more of a push for ergonomics. We like our traditions and often play it safe but lets start looking at our hands and ask ourself If we continue to game for the next 15years is it going to be sustainable with the positions we put our wrists in while aiming?
what bothers me is that we need new shapes but my favorite design, the MX518, was canceled. It was an acquired taste and people said it was an outdated shape, but apparently it didn't make enough sales and now its canned, and my mx518 still has the same issues as older mx518s, g400s, etc, with the cable disconnecting. I can't nab a new one for cheap anymore, and wish I did. If companies can't make mice technically better they should at least work on quality and reliability as you mentioned.
That's exactly it. We've basically hit a plateau when it comes to mice, especially regarding the actual hardware. It's cool that mice are now capable of 30K+ DPI and 8K polling rates, but how much of a difference does it actually make, except for the price that keeps getting more and more expensive? All companies can do now is experiment with shapes, but even that has its issues because most players go for a safe shape from one of the major brands. So what's next? Who knows, but I think we've reached the peak of mouse technology for now.
MZ1 v2 when? Also. I miss the days of the Zowie box of shapes. Where you could "rent" shapes to try out before you buy. Especially in this day when money is getting tight.
Also, don't forget that many of these mice aren't easily testable, which means that you'd have to order them blind to test out a new shape. I had to return a mouse made by a smaller company once, because it just didn't work for me, and felt really bad about it, because I wanted to support them, not create extra costs for them as a "reward" for trying something new...
Oh my fucking god the cut to the brick when he mentions the g502 and then pretends like nothings wrong 😭
The irony when he spoke about the mouse 😂😂😂😂
To be honest, when I switched from a Basilisk V3 to a normal OP1, there were so many changes.
The weight was cut by halved from 100-110g to around 50g, the thumb rest on the side was removed and it’s also slightly more narrow. The clicks are very light & easy to press, with the same going for the side buttons. To be honest, this mouse is pure perfection for me. I was actually thinking of getting the OP1 8K, but it was just out of stock before my mother managed to buy it, so I went with the OG version.
I’m thinking of getting the 8K version, even if it’ll cost an extra $20.
spit my drink at 2:26
for a brick, the aim is pretty good
Went from the g502 to the superlight 2. Yeah it's a brick, but it's a brick that still lives in my top drawer. It's just great to use for certain games.
@@Spillow-C Nice Halo reference.
RIP
I didn't even realise what this comment was about at first because it looked right to my brain.
I actually can't get over the 2:26 either lmaoo. Thank you.
I think the mouse market has just gotten so good It's a non issue for most people regardless of which mouse you go with, since there are so many good options.
Yeah I'd agree, but I think shape could change that.
yea garbage qc and same shapes 7-24. fk mouse market.
Using the REDDRAGON 913 mainly for the shape.@@RocketJumpNinja
@@okanakgonul4473 lmao
No. I can’t find suitable mouse and I didn’t get updated g305 (dont know where to put my pinky on all other mice) :( with type c and stuff love that mouse
Best B-roll of the G-502 that I've seen recently. 💯
mans did a cinematic on a brick
The popularity of the razer viper mini is a great example of shape being king, wired, 3399, and an amazing shape everyone loves!
With it being cheap it was a no-brainer to pick one up and see if i like it, even if it was way smaller than what i was used to
I detest the viper mini, gpx is the true king
Been using the viper mini since its release. Honestly completely forgot about mice since using it, its so reliable.
Problem is razer's trash tier qc, or I'd probably have mained it before the op1
@@VileVamp I had one. Scroll wheel malfunctioned in literally a month.
Oh man, telling me to step off the MZ1 is a hard bargain, man. Those new shapes better be exciting.
_clearly the future is trackball_
I lowkey think trackball is insane in the right hands :D
I bought the Z1 Rail around the time when it came out and I don't ever want to switch my mouse again!
But hearing about you designing new mice is getting me soo excited
G403 could use an update
I still can't believe they have not made a g403 superlight it would be such an easy sell.
we need a real OG based G303x and a G703x (I guess they would call them that judging by the g502x name scheme lately.)
I see a g703 remake, but I guess I just don't see real potential in a new g403. Does it really fill some kind of niche that other mice don't? A new lightweight mouse with that old metal scroll wheel sounds sick though.
@@baconberries8097 what are u on? G703 = wireless g403
@@josko144 G703 is 95g. That is way too heavy.
You were the one who convinced me years ago to have two different mice. One for productivity tasks and browsing and one for gaming. Best choice I made so far. And yeah, you're right. There isn't much to improve upon with what's on the market right now.
UPDATED MZ1 WHEN???
SHAPE IS SOO GOOD.
Same
I always intrigued with flat mouse designs like mz1
Yeah, I would buy it if the sensor was updated.
Been tempted to buy one a few times but just never pulled the trigger. If it was to be updated, and possibly without holes, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
The hump in the back is a little too in the way for me. Also not enough ring finger support.
But it might work well with some hands! I went for the Zowie U2.
I think the next advancement in mice tech should be the addition of hall effect switches for the clicks, like what Wooting keyboards have.
Wootings are just the best. Speaking of what's next, I wish they'd make a keyboard that you could plug your mouse into, and it would merge with the function layer system. I've gotten so used to pressing Alt or Win in my games as a modifier for other keys, and I really wish I could extend this to the mouse buttons.
I know Razer has something similar called Hypershift, but it's _extremely_ lackluster and requires keyboard and mouse that are both Razer.
@@Visstnok that exists. It's called rewasd, and I've used it a ton because I can't use a keyboard, meaning I need a lot mapped onto the mouse.
🤯
@@Mezurashii5 Oh, damn! I knew of reWASD, but wasn't aware it was that powerful - thanks. I need to look into it, although I would easily have paid many hundred bucks for an elegant hardware solution. I know if I install reWASD, I need to implement a workaround for the fact that Apex kicks you for it, lol.
@@Visstnok It wasn't the installation, it was the fact that there's a process running in the background. They did something to fix it in the last update, according to their posts. Dunno if that means you can use the remapping or if they just turn the process off automatically when the game is launched.
When it comes to shapes, makes me sad how we don't have much to choose from. Even the once classic MX518 shape isn't available in lightweight version - mouse industry playing it so safe that we can't even have a proper thumb groove anymore for better grip! Thumb groove gives the option to more effectively squeeze the mouse if necessary, which improves control for some players (just as the control can be better when the player has the option to push the mouse into mousepad when stopping). I'll always have respect for RJN for coming up with the MZ1 shape which was actually something different. Was disappointing to see how many of the reviewers couldn't celebrate innovation, and instead gave reduced review scores because the MZ1 shape didn't happen to suit their personal preference.
Funnily enough a few of the other reviewers eventually came around to it... after they gave it enough time and got used to the shape, which is why I'm trying to stress that as a community, we need to give mice a proper chance. 3 weeks is what it took me to get used to the Razer Diamondback, so that's the mark I set.
And yeah agreed, it's just too safe now, we gotta start encouraging risks.
Just got the MZ1 wireless today, and I wanted to thank you for designing such an amazing mouse!!
Shape, weight, quality... All this was perfectly combined in Zowie U2. For me is the best shape for last 5 years.
Ah the brick reference to the G502, I can't agree more haha. Great video king!
We want an updated MZ1! It's the best.
Here's to hoping you're working on a pen mouse.
Can't wait to see your new projects. I'm hoping to see something a little wider without the holes and RGB.
I really liked the MZ1 wireless, I even modified it with a smaller battery to better suit my needs, but unfortunately after a while I started getting hand cramps. My aim was really good (same as w G PRO Wireless) and I think there was potential to be a bit better, but my consistency was worse, and the cramps remained even after 3 months.
Unfortunately, the worst thing was the quality control. After 3 months, I was having trouble double clicking the left button. I tried adjusting the screw position first, then the debounce setting, but I didn't feel safe playing with debounce at 8ms. The only solution was to change the switches. Luckily, I had spare switches on hand when I changed them on my G PRO Wireless.
YES!
THE SHAPE AND SIZE ARE ABSOLUTELY THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR.
i went to a viper mini to the updated version only has a slight height in the hump where the mouse fits in the middle of the palm...and it made all the difference...💯
alternate back shell mz1 is my actual endgame I really hope xtrfy don't abandon the shape, thank you for designing it.
Heck Yeah I'm stoked to see what you come out with next. No matter what I pickup I always end up back on the MZ1 it's just too good!
(I hope the new design will include split mouse keys again, as someone with a 1/3/1 grip being able to rest my middle finger between the scroll wheel and PgDn is so handy for stability!)
I just want a 60g 8k Razer Mamba elite pro Wireless! Razer please make it happen!
There are so many things to improve in the shape design. I've been searching for a perfect gaming mouse since the beginning of this century!
I have 0 actual reason to buy a new mouse until I break the one I have, since its so good. G pro my beloved
Same.
I've been using the G403 since forever. It occasionally registers the infamous double-click issue but has otherwise been fine. I don't really have a need to change it but I really want to get a wireless lightweight mice.
I use a G502 for everyday tasks, I love it and if it breaks down I'll buy another, but for gaming, the superlight is where it's at.
Zy's music has been burned into my head from all the gaming mouse videos I watched in 2016. Something I'll never forget even if the video production has slowed down
Looking forward to the new mice you are developing.
so excited for your mice shape designs.
Man, that G502 B-roll was cool, it emphasizes the greatness of the G502 and why it's still one of the top sellers.
dude you one of the few people that are so passionate about gaming mice and improving aim, its amazing. good luck your your new designs. one problem that I always had with mice is that I cant feel comfortable with griping a mouse that doesnt have a lot of space in thumb position, so I cant really try smaller mice. hope you make a shape for me too! :D
You truly are to gaming mice what Gamers Nexus is to computer case performance. Thank you for still giving us the occasional video, even though it is not your focus anymore, after you designed your peak mouse ^_^
always try new shapes, it's what makes gaming fun imo. like choosing a weapon
been going back to my mm720 and i love it
i recently grabbed a keychron m4 cus i wanted to try a fingertip mouse. It's been really fun to try, and has made me more open to try different mice in the future. I'm excited to see what you and the mouse enthusiast industry has in store!
When I got my xlite v2, I finally understood how important shape is. Playing it for about a year and I think it is my perfect mouse.
That said, I am excited for future videos with interesting shapes 🤟🏻
but tbh i miss your videos. it was such a good guidance for my next mice to buy. maybe im just getting old now but youre the best mice reviewer
Just ordered my Basilisk V3 Pro in white, and as much as ive been testing lightweight, medium weight, heavy weight etc etc ive noticed weigbt really doesnt matter. Its down to the tech and the shape period. Dropping record kills and top frags in many games using a heavier mouse vs a light one proves you have more control, but just depends on how you play sens wise, and movement wise. I see success in heavier mice, even using a viper v3 Hyperspeed, throwing a AA rechargable battery in it to make it 88 grams was much better than converting a AAA lithium to make it 70ish grams. Personal preference but weight is just simply not a real factor, thats why many pros still rock older heavier mice today, the tech is the only thing holding them back to being that much better. Mice are generally all around balanced now tech wise, but Razer is king of tech no matter what, and that little bit is alot when it shows.
Definitely to continue iterating on shapes, while obviously having top sensor, polling rate, full shell and low weight. When using current mouse over time I can notice where I could see it improved for me, be it how I hold a certain finger, or certain size dimension change. Noticed that lowering main clicks to have more vertical finger pressure on them helps.
JFC, the G502 looks so solid there, it's truly a foundational building block for the mouse community.
Recently I've thought the same thing. Right now, sensors and switches have gotten so good, but there is one common problem that every company is sharing, "safe" shapes. I always bought a mouse based on your opinion and reviews, the first was back in 2018. I've tried a lot of your top choices, but every one of them always had a strange feeling. Right now, I've been using a Deathadder V3 wired for almost a year, but I found myself in multiple situations thinking that this mouse is missing something. One day, I decided to take a look in my storage and found some old mice, but one stood out from the others, the Rival 310! I immediately decided to feel it again and man... this mouse is crazy good in ergo and feeling for today's standards, so much better compared to a Deathadder V3. So now I've made a decision, i'm gonna mod it by using some TTC Gold switches, a new Kailh encoder, some PTFE skates and if possible some weight reduction. After all of those years there is still a lot of potential in that shape. Thank you for what you have done all these years, you have always been the one I trusted for mice recommendations, and I will continue to do so.
Thank you for all the work you do, I just picked up a Pulsar X2V2 mini for my finger tip grip because it had optical switches.
Next mouse you release please have those and I'll buy it!
I switched from potato Superlight to Pulsar xlite v2 wireless, it was little too small for my hands and extremely light, I gave it a go for 30 days, moved on to EC2 CW, the shape, perfect, the weight, perfect. I love it, I know this is the mouse for me, I never knew why I missed the shot, or why I had to adjust my hand everytime, now with the zowie ec2cw I know why Ive missed, I know what to improve on, my hand is always at the same place, my fingers always know where to be on the mouse, I can hold it for a whole day and have no issues. Trial and error
Do you ever considered to have an second host, or more helpers to the channel? RJN is such a legendary name in this nich to slow down on posting, mouses are better now, but we are going back to some topics like polling rate because of other creators lack of knowledge, and that influentiates the market and the buyers and kind miss the most important points while chosing an mouse to help you get better.
Do you think that FPS input method will change? With the addition of AR and VR. In somewhat far future we could be aiming with our bare hands. True 0 weight.
Yeah but to controller with aim assist. Seriously though, aim is one thing, movement is another... I think VR would just make you sick if you played Quake with it, especially if you tried to rocket jump. I think for now, mice are going to be the best. Maybe pens eventually, maybe hand gestures in the even more distant future. The mouse just makes so much sense though, for now it's the best for aiming and movement.
Well said RJN, cant wait to see what you bring 👍
Thanks for the video, but i have a question, im considering getting a mouse, and I've been interested in the Cobra Pro, but i hear there are problems. i wanna know what they are?
(Btw to note, i need an ambidextrous mouse)
Like for me im more of a casual player so if there is a mouse thats the size of like a plusfire haste it would be great
So happy to be part of this community :D
There are absolutely still things that could be innovated on and improved.
For example:
- Figuring out ways to add unobtrusive and comfortable-to-use extra buttons to the current standard "safe shape" mouse. I maintain that it's an absolute travesty that noone has ripped off Steelseries' Rival 5 thumb lever design yet, for example. It is so much better than the 502 top buttons.
- Mouse wheels that don't suck. Bonus points for coming up with tilt/freescroll wheels that aren't mushy and don't misfire inputs, since that would also help with previous point.
My Xtrfy mz1 started disconnecting after 8 months. Apparently a know problem with the cord breaking. causes mouse to freeze for a few seconds often in clutch sitatuations lol. I reached out to customer support today.
Replacing the battery and removing the battery sliding compartment shaves off about 7 grams on the Xtrfy MZ1. Cutting out more of the plastic shaves also off a few more grams. Mine is under 50 grams. Bearded Bob's got some really good video mods for this mouse. It's one of the best mice for medium hands with finger-tip grip. Love this thing!
I bought a G PRO super light on release, changed the encoder and switches and literally haven’t asked for more. My different mouse count before it was over 15!
I think you're right about once someone finds something they like, they lose interest in the hobby to some degree. I had 5 mice at one point which even for me was unnecessary but I enjoyed buying new ones and giving them ago because relative to other hobbies, it was super cheap to get into. But then you realise that listening to every review about a mouse all sounds the same and none of them can tell you whether or not you'll like a mouse. For me, I hated having a small dense mouse but they were constantly getting recommended and I could not get them to feel natural. Ultimately I ended on the viper v2 shape and now v3. Not least because they feel the most consistent both in shape and weight, but quality control. I've owned a bunch of newer, smaller brands of mice and they all paled in comparison when it came to quality of product compared to Razer or Logitech. Honestly, I feel mousepads are even worse for recommendations, that's why I bought a glasspad and refuse to go back. Any cons are just outweighed but the incredible upside which is consistency and not needing to clean it constantly like a fulltime job.
Glass pad is goated
I always associated Razer with bad QC and taking shortcuts while doubling down on gimmicks.
I recently got the orochi v2, and my god, I don't think I've ever used a mouse with worse clicks. I've seen them get flak for the fake mechanical keyboards, and they keep trying to create an ecosystem like Apple's to massively overcharge for shit purely based on things like "the rgb matches".
Interesting to see them described as the opposite.
We need optical scroll wheel encoders more common.
I think it's safe to say the next step would be to evolve into VR-style. When you think about what a mouse does, the only function it serves would be to translate physical analog motion, into X and Y value to move the pointer on a 2D plane. So the next step would be to adopt VR controllers, where the motion is no longer tracked by using optical sensors, but rather gyroscopic sensors, or IMUs. If you can make it light enough and accurate enough, with a bit of software magic it is entirely doable. The technology already exists today, but none is trying. I think the next company to make a VR wand type pointer device is going to dominate the market.
6:17 this is true! if you want to change your mouse, try it atleast 3 weeks or even 1 month to adapt before you decide whether you keep it or sell it for another mouse. i've been using g502 clone for the past 3 years and it's a good mouse, just a bit heavy so i remove the back outer shell and put some holes in it, then i switch to Cobra Wired exactly 1 month ago and at first i feel the mouse is too small and a bit uncomfortable to hold with my hand and i can't aim because of that so i'm thinking to sell it to get a real g502, but i give it another chance and now i love it!
I don't know but everything in gaming has already surpassed what I thought it could as a kid so it's all bonus from here on out.
good to hear from you!
He has returned
The mz1 wireless has been my main mouse for more than a year, i've modded and shaved the interior to bring down the weight, but the shape and size is why it remained as my main even though so many competiting mice has cropped up.
If RJN is designing more mice with different companies, I would love to try them out and see if they feel better, or if the mz1 remains as my main mouse
what I want is exac G703 shape being updated with latest tech
The true innovation is 3d printing, optimum tech and various others have been going ham on the diy field lately, what we really need is a commercially available "gutted" version of a mouse that is a lightweight flawless sensor wired and wireless motherboard with software attatched (preferably open source) and with the option not to download anything on your pc but be able to control basic functions through physical inputs. And a basic stl file that contains mounting points for the motherboard.
Which ever business makes it so that they sell basic motherboards and instead sell optional shells for a lower price and kits is going to make bank.
Imagine a world where instead of buying a new mouse you buy a shell for it, ive had the xtrfy m42 which uses a similar concept where you can hotswap parts of the mouse and especially the hump in the back (no back/low hump/high hump) and different colored parts and to put it frankly it was an awesome mouse till i broke it.
So... the G305. There's about a billion people making re-shells for the G305 because of how easy it is to re-shell one.
Great ideas.
Cool idea, but doesn't really apply to the majority that buy mice. It's a niche thing and having a low price for that low volume doesn't make sense business-wise. Love to be proven wrong though.
Too bad ordering prints makes no sense financially.
Still rocking the OG viper. At first it felt big, but got used to it. Good enough and it takes me 2-3 months to get used to a new shape.
See I bought the G Pro X when it came out and just haven't felt the need to upgrade. I do miss your old videos from back when I was in Highschool, like 2018ish? Generally giving advice was really cool, its been a while since I watched. Its kinda cool to see how far things have come though I will say, both on your Channel and in this market.
I still prefer the Zowie EC2-A or the razer deathadder 2013 shape over everything else, but zowie doesn’t want to release a light weight version, the lightweight clones are not 1:1 and the new razer deathadder is a “safer” shape :(
I'm looking forward to seeing what shapes you come up with, very interesting.
And I still use your MZ1 too ;)
I'd love a G703 but a superlight version. I love the shape of that mouse. The closest I found was Viper V3 Pro, so I'm using that until something else comes out.
What the hell happened to Zowie? EC2B was the last competitive mouse I bought back in 2018, still going strong for me but I'm surprised the brand wasnt mentioned at all in this video, it was my reference for a quality brand
To be fair to Zowie they did focus on the shape with U2. And I wouldn't call it totally mind blowingly unique but it's definitely a new shape to the market.
When I first switched to pc I wasn't comfortable using my left hand to hit commands and prompts
the g502 was a godsend to slowly get me comfortable with a keyboard for gaming
there was a period where I was eagerly trying to find the next great mouse, buying every single mouse I could get to find the best one
now i just use the g pro superlight
no thought in my head when I go to grab it, no want for anything lighter or different shape
it just fits, its comfortable and it works every time
Even I switched from the g403 to the g305 I did start seeing why shape is the most important thing on a mouse. I since then moved to a razer viper mini, another great shape if you need a small mouse.
truely shocking
nvm wrong video
Gtfo and spell properly as well. Truly disappointing.
Nah he is the new GOAT of gaming mice
He will get bored as well.
it was nice to hear some adult perspective on the mouse community. thanks zy
I really really hope we can get more lightweight ergo shapes on the market since companies have been milking smaller shapes to death. The DAV3P is the only mouse I can use comfortably for multiple hour sessions and I would love a new 50 gram or less DAV3P clone to come out (idk if making a mouse that size would be possible)
The g302 was one of my favorite mouse shapes that they stopped making, industry def needs more irregular shapes
2:27 "The g502"
*shows an actual brick*
HAHA had me fucking dying.
Since many of us, that is to the the market for prospective gaming mice, have likely found a shape of mouse that is shaped suitably enough, is comfortable enough, and plays well enough, as an investment it is difficult to warrant increased innovation. But there is still room for this market to grow, so hats off to you for your continued efforts. I can think of a product I would buy for casual browsing that would be ideal for me personally, but like you say, this is a very niche market.
Shape is the most important thing for me. Many many years ago, almost 2 decades actually, Logitech released a multi-media mouse with a shape which is now inherited by M510. I worked at software dev company which shared an office space with a local tech newspaper and these guys were testing hardware all the time. Including mice. I was lucky enough to test drive many of them myself. And this specific shape - it was simply made for my hand.
So, for the last almost two decades I'm using a non gaming mouse, but it's shape is perfect for me. I tried switching away, but I always get back to it. I went through all iterations of this mouse shape, it was MX at some point in time, it was something else, now it's M510. It might not be the best performer, but my hand with this mouse IS.
All I want is even lighter Cooler Master MM 720 for the rest of my life. Thank you Mr Spawn for this beatifully shaped piece of tech. I could still improve the shape a little to my likings but its near damn perfect. What a gem. I threw away all of my mice that I had piled up. The ones I would recommend are: SS Rival 300, Deathadder V3, Roccat Kain and Burst, Logitech G403.
We need a G502 buttons with a Sensei rear. Lose the thumb ledge and extra buttons. The raised M1 along with it's spring is fantastic.
In regards to what can be improved on mice it is absolutely texture.
For years mice continue to use slick or semi-slick surfaces, which is silly for a device I need to grip onto. The slicker it is, the more grip force I need to exert, which throws off your aim and contributes to hand fatigue. Its to the point that I use a 3D printed version of the rail that has a matte grainy texture to get the benefit of both shape and texture.
I really hope in your exploration of shape with companies that you also push grip texture.
one of the only youtubers that when they upload i have a 95% chance to just click
Have you tried the Zowie U2? I got it yesterday and it has such a unique shape!
It fits so well when using claw grip. It's agile yet perfectly supports my ring finger & thumb.
Zowie is all about shape as well.
I got large hands, so when I first bought the MZ1 I put it away after a few weeks. Tried some other shapes the last year or so and I got bored and wasn't seeing any improvement. Got the MZ1 out again on a whim, started breaking aiming records. I don't hold it flat or fingertip like maybe I should, but for claw grip it's been really good for me even with larger hands. Recently got the wireless version and love the click improvement. It didn't come with the original back mold b/c I bought it used but I'm going to 3D print it and I think I'll be set for a long while.
RJN really pioneering the competitive mouse industry now lol
So Pulsar is doing CUSTOM mice with custom internals plus diff external colors for their X2 shaped family of mice. Having a standard form factor for internals (still with custom options for switches, batteries, sensors, etc.) but user-changeable external shapes/materials would be more valuable for customers, but of course prolly sell fewer mice.
My friend and me made the mod for my g300s shell. I used the interiors of a g pro wireless (A razer viper v2 would be better but i don't have one) and I freaking love it. I didn't find a similar shape or a mod for the mouse, so I said, fuck it, i'll try it, and it when pretty well. I'm proud of our creation cx
That brick threw me off guard...
Got my first FPS mouse from watching your channel, years ago. Still use it til this day on my 2nd PC. I think gaming FPS mice are in a current stalemate. I'm more interested in MMO game mice now a days which is even more of a cliche market and has stalled for the past several years. Really would love to see some kind of real innovation in either market
I think the future of the gaming mice industry needs to incorporate educating aimers how to optimize a PC for latency. The mice are reaching heights that many PC's and games can't even take advantage of properly yet. Defining the best practices to optimize the system you have for input latency would be a good start though. I think it would be really beneficial for the whole community if you were able to partner with an independent testing review outlet with scientific testing experience like Rtings to pioneer something like this.
tbh i am completely out of the loop with mice for the past 2years, maybe i already found my "endgame" for real this time but i've beenusing the lamzu atlantis og and the xm2we and just switching them up with each charge. Both have some drawbacks though and my absolute dream would be - atlantis shape with its crispy af left and right click, but with xm2we coating, side buttons and wheel.
A updated Mz1 with solid shell,Nice coating. 50 grams, no rgb, keep the high hump. Thats the future of gameing mice
It will be interesting to see the new designs. I eventually got the MZ1. It's great. The only issue I have is I keep pushing the side buttons by accident and active the ability in QC when I don't plan to :P
I really enjoyed the Cooler Master MM 720. Its just so sad that it died just 2 years after purchase
Think that's why I like gwolves so much cause they will toss some random designs along with the safe ones
I'm stil rocking a G305 (with lithiums) based on your reviews back in the day. I agree, I haven't found any need to upgrade to any new mouse :)
i had a g403, now i got a vxe r1 pro max and this is the best mouse i've ever owned, 0 plans about buying another mouse.
I'd love for more of a push for ergonomics. We like our traditions and often play it safe but lets start looking at our hands and ask ourself If we continue to game for the next 15years is it going to be sustainable with the positions we put our wrists in while aiming?
what bothers me is that we need new shapes but my favorite design, the MX518, was canceled. It was an acquired taste and people said it was an outdated shape, but apparently it didn't make enough sales and now its canned, and my mx518 still has the same issues as older mx518s, g400s, etc, with the cable disconnecting. I can't nab a new one for cheap anymore, and wish I did.
If companies can't make mice technically better they should at least work on quality and reliability as you mentioned.
That's exactly it. We've basically hit a plateau when it comes to mice, especially regarding the actual hardware. It's cool that mice are now capable of 30K+ DPI and 8K polling rates, but how much of a difference does it actually make, except for the price that keeps getting more and more expensive? All companies can do now is experiment with shapes, but even that has its issues because most players go for a safe shape from one of the major brands. So what's next? Who knows, but I think we've reached the peak of mouse technology for now.
MZ1 v2 when?
Also. I miss the days of the Zowie box of shapes. Where you could "rent" shapes to try out before you buy. Especially in this day when money is getting tight.
I’m all about that ec2b
Also, don't forget that many of these mice aren't easily testable, which means that you'd have to order them blind to test out a new shape. I had to return a mouse made by a smaller company once, because it just didn't work for me, and felt really bad about it, because I wanted to support them, not create extra costs for them as a "reward" for trying something new...