The Microsoft Habu: Mouse Review
Today, Carolyn Koh takes a look at The Microsoft Habu, a mouse that came out of a collaboration between Microsoft and Razer.
The Microsoft Habu is a Razer / Microsoft collaboration. The technology of Razer melded into the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer form factor. The resulting offspring, the Habu (a particularly venomous snake found in Japan & other Southeast Asian countries) - a lightning fast mouse with Razer's signature "fanged" head and the Microsoft IE 3.0 mouse's round back and plump butt.
Out of the Box
The Microsoft Habu arrived with a sheet of instructions and a software CD. The gold-plated jack was covered with a green sticker warning you that proprietary software was necessary run the mouse and to install the software on the CD before using the mouse. The Quick Start Guide then of course instructed the user to... Ha-ha... 1. Plug the mouse in, and 2. Install the software.
;)
The fact is that you probably should install the software first. Although I was fool enough to ignore the warning and did not have any issues, some users warn that you're going to need to be a rocket scientist to discover how to install the Habu driver if you did not install the software first before installing the mouse. Perhaps it's because I ended up uninstalling and reinstalling the software.
Take a look at the CD. If yours is version 1, surf onto the Razer support site at http://www.razersupport.com and download the latest Habu software and firmware. If you install the older version, you'll just double your installation time as you find yourself uninstalling the original software and installing the new version as the software prompts you to seek updated software, and the new version prompts you to uninstall whatever older version you've already installed!
Installing the software & firmware will provide you with some pre-programmed features and I highly recommend it. The mouse starts out with the darned slowest speeds and sensitivity as a default and the software makes programming the mouse much easier.
Physical Features
Size wise - I've compared it to the Logitech G5, a regular Logitech mouse and the Razer Diamondback - the Habu doesn't look much larger, however, the high profile hump makes it a larger mouse that is designed to be moved with the entire hand, unlike the Razer Diamondback - admittedly a high-sens mouse - a feather-weight which is designed to be moved with the fingers.
;)
Designed for the right hand, the Habu has a pleasant smooth textured feel and large rubber coated buttons which provide good friction-contact. Sweaty or cheeto-oil laden hands won't slip off this mouse easily.
The mouse measures 5.08" with a height of 1.7" - the surface length measures 6" from the base, over the scroll button to the edge. The high-profile hump and hence, more surface real estate makes it a pretty large mouse and for my small hands (6.5" from base of palm to tip of middle finger) - uncomfortable. The buttons take up almost half the mouse and that was a good thing as I tried getting used to using it.
The Habu has a total of seven programmable buttons - the right and left buttons, the wheel, two buttons in the wheel well and two thumb buttons. In what I feel is a great feature to make the mouse more ergonomically compatible for users, Microsoft provides an interchangeable panel for the thumb buttons. Depress a button on the underside of the mouse and the panel pops out. I switched that panel out almost every day as I strove for comfort in using a much larger mouse than I am accustomed to.
Also on the feature-plus arena, a spare set of Teflon pads are included in the Quick Start Guide - do not throw that out. Again a nice extra, even if I don't think I'll ever use it.
Why Choose The Habu?
The Habu has an impressive list of features plus bling, starting off with the most important to a gamer:
;)
Sensitivity - The default is 800 DPI but is adjustable from 400, 800, 1600 to 2000 DPI either via the control panel or on-the-fly by selecting a mouse button that activates this feature when pressed down continuously. While the button is held down, the sensitivity is adjusted by moving the scroll wheel. If enabled, an on-screen bar will show the selection as it is being made. If the Razer software is installed, the selection is pre-programmed into the two buttons in front of the scroll wheel. The front steps it up, the back steps it down. The scroll wheel is stepped and that allows for better control of things like the on-the-fly sensitivity as well as scrolling of web pages.
High-speed motion detection, 16 bit Data Path and 1000 Hz Ultrapolling - the Habu has a 16 bit data path for increased bandwidth with high-sensitivity mouse activity. Increased data path improves response time and the Habu is designed to allow for 20-G acceleration and more than 7,080 frames of measurement per second. What this means is that the Habu is fast, accurate and has the bandwith to transfer that data to your PC very quickly.
32KB onboard memory - Razer's "Synapse" cache of 32KB of onboard memory, is also present on the Habu and that allows the user to save up to five customized profiles for specific games directly on the mouse. That means that you can take your mouse and software profiles with you from PC to PC. Even if you have a hard drive crash, you won't lose your customized mouse profiles.
Always On - this is a particularly nice feature for the MMORPG gamer as the laser engine is always on, no lag while waiting for the mouse to wake up and catch up after a spell of inactivity if you're resting up after a fight or waiting while a raid forms up.
Wired - the Habu is wired. Make no mistake about it. This mouse is a gaming mouse. Until wireless technology can match the speed of wired, the gaming mouse of choice will always be wired.
Bling - What's a nifty gaming gadget without the bling? The Habu has a gold plated USB port and side pipes and a wheel that glows a pleasant blue. Gold does not corrode like copper or steel, and the blue glow is just pretty darned cool, and adjustable through the software control panel.
;)
Razer Configurator
The Razer control panel is a doddle to use, making the programming of the Habu a piece of cake. Each button has a drop-down menu to select its function and advanced functions allow you set a single key - again with drop down menus available for Basic commands such as Cut, Copy, Print & Save, etc. Additional commands such as Open Explorer and Close Windows, and Media Functions such as Play/Pause and Volume control - or set a Macro.
The control panel further allows for setting the universal scroll speed and mouse click speed as well as set the X & Y axis sensitivity, pointer speed and acceleration. The light on the glow-pipe around the mouse and the scroll wheel are controlled separately, and as mentioned in the features, there are five profiles that can be saved onto the mouse itself.
A tray icon is installed but the menu allows it to be disabled. No need to hunt around for that. A rather nice feature for those of us wanting to reserve processing power for the game itself and begrudge even the littlest bit taken up by tray icons.
Reviewer's Opinion
The Habu is a low-sens mouse. In comparison to the Diamondback, it requires your entire hand to move (unless you have very large hands), although with the high sensitivity, a little movement goes a long way. All the buttons have a long click and require some definite pressure. Something that I actually preferred as I thought of the number of times I accidentally clicked the buttons of my Diamondback when I picked it up or just put my fingers on them.
I've tested the mouse on a cheap cloth pad, the slick bare wood of my desk, a textured as well as a smooth "precision" mouse pad. The large Teflon feet slid very well over every single surface and as MMORPGs are in essence, low-sens games, it performed just as well on each surface although I preferred the performance on the smooth plastic pads over the textured pads (including cloth). In fact it flew on the surface of my desk.
;)
Likes - The on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment. I enjoy having the high-sens when fighting, in turning my characters, changing my camera views, and being able to switch it easily to low-sens for GUI heavy functions such as tradeskills. I absolutely love the 2000DPI setting as I like my mice to fly and yet stop on a dime.
The "Always On" feature is great for MMORPG applications and I particularly like the idea of the changeable thumb button plates and the convenience of the on-board mouse profiles for different games as well.
Dislikes - Unfortunately for me, the shape and size of the mouse just does not work. I've never liked the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer because of its size, and I cannot wrap my hand around the Habu either. If not for this, this review would be all "pros."
The bottom line - As your input gadget, you need to be comfortable with your mouse. Whether you like the feel of a mouse is a very individual thing. For features alone, I would definitely recommend the Habu, and it is easily recognized as one of the top gaming mice on the market at this time.
*sniff*
I took so many nice pics too. Borrowed a pro camera and light even. I had a size comparison with the G5 and the Diamondback, and a glowy in the dark pic.
I would absolutely love the mouse if I could get my hand wrapped around it.
~ Carolyn
{Edit} Loaded it up. :)
It's not a very good picture and our graphics guy has his standards. This one I took with my point and shoot camera. :D
cant see why ppl buy so meany find one u like and stick with it
I wish this review had been out before I'd bought my Diamondback. There's a very important point made here (and other reviews have touched on it also) about the sensitivity of the mouse and how it's designed to be clicked and moved. The Diamondback is VERY sensitive, to anything: movement, pressure, a strong breeze... You get the idea. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE this mouse, and I've had excellent results with it, but the buttons are almost too sensitive at times. I probably at least three times a day end up clicking when I don't intend to. Most of the time that's not a problem, it's just an irritant, but in a MMOG, when you might be hovering over the buy or the sell button and haven't yet decided, a click at the wrong time can be extremely painful. Now in all fairness, the sensitivity can be gotten used to, and I find the Diamondback to be one of the most comfortable mice I've ever used, even though I'm more partial to the ones you can sort of drape your hand over. It's worth mentioning that you may want to think twice if you're moving from a more robust mouse to something like a Diamondback, as it requires a fair bit of time to get used to that sensitivity.
I've had my Habu for a few months now and absolutely love. I had a G5 and liked the tech behind it, but the feel of the Intellimouse was always much preferred. This is the best of both worlds. Lack of side to side doesn't bother me as I like my scroll wheel to be precise in gaming and side to side motion usually causes it to slip one direction or the other.
I just got my Reclusa keyboard in, matches extremely well and a very good keyboard. Best combo I've ever had.
I'd like other opinions before I buy.
I for my part have been using a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer quite a few years. Now the 'mousewheel-button' wasn't reacting reliably anymore and I decided that if I get a new mouse it could as well be one of these 'gaming thingies'. ;)
I'm not a pro-gamer and I'm not too precise with my hands so I went to a store where I could paw them all. :P In the end all those 'ultra sensitive highest end gaming mice' had far too sensitive buttons for my hands ... except for the Habu. Trying the Razer Death Adder, Diamondback, Logitech G5 and a few other gaming mice I always ended up accidently pushing the buttons.
In addition to that, as mentioned in the review, the Habu is rather 'bulky' compared to the other gaming mice. I personally like to 'rest' my hand on the mouse. If I need to react quickly in situations that require fast reactions I can still break up the comfortable position, but having something under my hand ... I guess I just got used to that over all the years using the Intellimouse Explorer. Even though I don't have big hands I feel mor comfortable with the Habu than I did with the Death Adder for example.
I've been using the Habu for about two weeks now and I'm glad I didn't choose any of the alternatives. :)
I must be in some way impaired. I do not notice any delay in the response of my Microsoft G7 wireless laser mouse. My only problem is the battery life, as the battery needs to be swapped seemingly once every eight hours of continuous use. It takes about three seconds to swap, but still, it can catch you off-guard, even with the charge indicator.
I use this mouse and I must say I'm very happy with it. I'm not used to having a mouse with such sensitive before, but I learned pretty fast. It works good and I like the shape of the mouse, fits perfectly for my hand. I like some of the features like changing the sensitivity with the use of buttons on the mouse and such. It doesn't weigh very much and it slides perfectly. Not that I'm very critical, but still...
The ergonomics match my hand very well, and I am indeed one of those players who moves his hand to guide the cursor (old school FPS, what can I say). I love that the buttons can be remapped, as i put the DPS switch on the side panel, mainly for FPS games.
Overall, it's a good mouse. I don't think the habu dethrones any logitech models past the G5. It is however a decent step forward from the intellimouse.
I can only say the Quality HAS to be superior since I have had the bog standard MS mouse on most of the systems I used for work and they lasted a pretty long time.
I bought the Razer Diamondback after the last article here and was sorely disappointed for three reasons;
1. WAY too quick . There just didn't seem to be a middle of the road setting no matter how I tuned it from the windows standard software to the Razer driver software.
2. The Razer mice I looked at including the Diamondback were all a little TOO small for MY hand ;) BUT the main issue was the NO WEIGHT factor, the cable tended to PUSH the mouse around when you parked it and all the ones I saw in the store were pretty much the same. Basically I prefer a heavier mouse that can withstand it's own cable flexing it away from wher I put it. To be honest, how HEAVY can a mouse be? They are not like pushing a BRICK.
3. And the last boils down to the QUALITY I stated at the onset, MS have a pretty decent standard of quality, I know ANY company can have a bad product and maybe MY experience is a one off, but the Razer buttons failed within 2 weeks which I find disturbing. Phantom clicks and not clicking THAT soon? I play MMORPG's and SL, so SPEED isn't so much an issue but accuracy IS usually nice to have AND reliable buttons.
After all this I am still using the best mouse I EVER bought, an old MX518 Logitech. It never had any issues with drivers or buttons failing and it has the sexiest look ;)
As stated by others, these are just my own opinion. (with a smattering of observations)
A "No Life" onliner - average 6 hours per day gaming.
The Wiz that Waz
Im not trying to be rude, but I have both the logitech and the razer copperhead. The logitech was given to me, but that really doesnt matter. What does matter is that the Razer copperhead is one of the best mice on the market. I dont see any reason why one would really want a microsoft branded mouse over the better looking razer one. You really do not need to get any more advanced, because gaming doesnt need ultra sensative mice. Its fine where the razer left off. Why get a microsoft brand mouse when the razers look better, all the microsoft mouse really is, is a rebranded razer with some tweaks.
Im not really impressed. The keyboard on the other hand looks promising, but again, there are better looking gaming keyboards out there, even with screens attached to them.
If microsoft is trying to go after the gamer this time around, they need to ditch the big white MICROSOFT text they put over everything and style it after the xbox franchise. Just my opinion anyways.
My question is does it worth the money to buy a bluethoot set ? Better wireless quality ?
Thanks
to play MMOs a wireless set will do just fine, but i wouldn't recommend it -.-
A friend of mine was able to get me a deal on one of these babies - just about the time my mouse was crapping out. Not good when your a daily online gamer as I am.
Anyway - the install of this mouse is a nightmare - following all the instructions - if my friend hadn't told me of his nightmarish experience with the constant rebooting - uninstalling and reinstalling of software (after the firmware update) I would have given up and thought this mouse is crap.
But, after 3 or 4 reboots the software finally recognized my mouse - I mainly wanted to explain for people who maybe purchasing this -have some patience with the install.
The mouse works great but, the buttons on the side????????? I hate them - they have almost killed me several times in WoW.... What did I do to remedy the situation? I jerked the removable/swappable side button panel out - unscrewed the plate that holds the button sensors in - removed the mini circut board - and now I'm good to go. Even if you disable the side buttons - if you accidentally are pressing one (as they are right next to where my thumb grips the mouse) it will interfer with other clicks - so basically you will get a non response.
Basically Microsoft tried way too hard with this thing... And as nice of a review as the fellow here stated (I'm sure for the free mouse and future free mice he had to be nice) - this mouse is overcomplicated.
Basically I like it because well.. I paid for it - and after adjusting it for me - it works well enough.
I do not recommend this mouse - get a logitec.
Microsoft failed me with the Zune (overpriced and too late - Apple wins) and this mouse (overcomplicated - logitech wins)
Stick to operating systems microsoft.
I read this comment today after reading the review on this site. I have used Intellimouse for a couple of years now and though it was bulky when I first bought it, I have now become used to the size of the MS mouse. Having read that this person also used the Intellimouse and then loved the new Habu, gave me the desire to try it for myself. I read this review and comments around 8AM this morning and had the Habu on my PC around 10am. It is now 7PM and I have used the mouse all day.
For someone having come from the Intellimouse series, this mouse fits like a glove. You'll feel right at home with this mouse. The shape & size are very comparable. The on-the-fly resolution adjustment has been interesting to trial. I think I actually prefer the lower resolution for desktop operations and probably my MMO games, but can see myself changing to higher resolutions for FPS games.
This mouse is certainly more responsive and fast, I even noticed a significant response in a game where I've had slow mouse response in the past and assumed there was nothing which could help that game. Anarchy Online is a game I have played a number of years (around 5 years), and always enjoyed. Yet, my mouse always seemed laggy in it. The Habu for whatever reason has for me, brought the game to a faster more reliable usability. Since this is something which has always bugged me in AO, I noticed it rather quickly.
In Lord of the Rings Online and Counter Strike: Source I didn't initially notice any major improvements, but then these games had seemed to be responding quite well with the Intellimouse anyway. I probably won't use the spare thumb panel, unless the current one becomes 'sloppy' from use, then I might change it just for the sake of using new buttons. I have however removed the panel and looked at how the new panel clips into the side of the mouse. It's a nice touch for someone who takes their mouse serious.
Basically, if you've been using the Intellimouse, then this mouse if made for you. It feels like using your Intellimouse in a lot of ways, only faster, more comfortably shaped buttons. But for size & weight, you're right at home. One cant' ginore the bling factor either. It slooks damned good with the lights all over it. Sitting next to my Logitech G15 keyboard, it makes my desk look that much better!
Edit - After reading the review on this site also, I downloaded the formware and software for the mouse before plugging it in. I instaleld the software, then plugged the mouse in. It detected the mouse immediately and began to work, though askign for reboot. After the reboot I instaleld the firmware and rebooted. Done.
Wampyre
I just dont think I'd be able to bottle the wire. Knowing how easy is for wires to become a mess behind the desk over time, it doesnt take long for it to end up snagged in a knot causing pressure on the mouse itself. When I sit down to a wired mouse I have eerie memorys of dieing FPS deaths due to having to haul my mouse wire back up again, or to stop to untangle the nest of wires.
I dont understand this arguement that wire = faster. Perhaps in statistics but my Microsoft wireless fits the bill and I never get probs with it. \o/
As to getting the mouse wire tangled up, I couldn't manage with out the cable sling!
I have 1 question (maybe stupid
) How much this mouse cost
I paid £28 for mine, but looking at the site I bought it from it's on there for £32 now!
Nice review. I will give this a shot when my intellimouse explorer finally gives up on me. Lasted about 3 years now