A Corsair Scimitar RGB Mouse was my go-to daily driver before I got caught up in the ultralight mouse trend. I used it for MMOs and RPGs, and I even used it for shooters and other genres. It’s been a couple of years since I retired my old Scimitar and populated my desk with an assortment of genre-specific mice, but now the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse has found its way into my hands. Is this latest refresh of the Scimitar line ready to claim a spot on my desktop? Read on to find out what I think about the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse.
Specifications
- Price: $129.99 (Amazon)
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 119mm x 73.48mm x 42.17mm
- Weight: 114g
- Sensor: Corsair Marksman Optical
- Resolution: Up to 26000DPI in 1DPI increments
- Tracking: 650 IPSn
- Acceleration: Up to 50G
- Programmable Buttons: 16
- Onboard Profiles: 3
- Backlight: 2-Zone RGB
- Wired Connectivity: USB 2.0 Type-A
- Wireless Connectivity: 2.4GHz Slipstream Wireless / Bluetooth 4.2
- Polling Rate: Up to 2000Hz
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium-polymer
- Battery Life: 2.4GHz Slipstream Up to 120hrs, Bluetooth Up to 150hrs
- Warranty: 2 years
Scimitar Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse: Updating An Old Friend
The Scimitar Elite Wireless is the latest refresh of Corsair’s long-running Scimitar line. At first glance, the Scimitar Elite Wireless looks identical to previous versions, minus the cord. A closer inspection does reveal a few minor changes to the exterior of the Scimitar Elite Wireless.
Although the overall shape hasn’t changed, the single piece of plastic used for the primary and secondary mouse buttons has been replaced with two independent pads on the Elite Wireless. More than an aesthetic change, separating the two buttons means you can achieve a positive mouse click by pressing anywhere along the button’s surface, not just near the tip like the older models.
The rest of the exterior of the Scimitar Elite Wireless remains mostly unchanged. You still have the same ergonomically right-handed shape and matte black color, and the soft plastic and pinky rest give slightly more control than some of the more rigid shells on other mice.
While the Scimitar Elite Wireless keeps the 12 side buttons and Key Slider control system, the removal of the Profile Selection button from the top of the mouse (it has been replaced with a small, dedicated profile button on the bottom of the mouse) reduces the total number of programmable buttons to 16 - a primary, secondary, scroll wheel click (there isn’t a left/right click on the wheel), and DPI selector round out the list of buttons. The loss of a single, hard-to-reach button isn’t a game-changer by any means, but it’s still one less keybind on a mouse whose sole purpose is to provide as many programmable buttons as possible.
The only other changes to the exterior of the Scimitar Elite Wireless are barely noticeable. The first is adding a small storage area on the bottom of the mouse to hold the wireless dongle when not in use. The other is the elimination of two RGB lighting zones. The lighting at the nose of the mouse and the small light bar in front of the side buttons have been removed, leaving just the Corsair logo and illuminated side buttons to lead you to RGB victory.
Scimitar Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse: Performance
If you think of an ultralight mouse as a sports car, then the Scimitar Elite Wireless is an Escalade. It’s big, heavy, floats around corners, and is exceptionally comfortable. Its ergonomic design fits well in a large hand, but the reduced fatigue from its shape is offset by the extra weight you have to push around your desktop, but only if you use a palm grip. Switch to a claw or fingertip grip, and not only will you have a tough time using any of the thumb buttons, you’ll also have difficulty controlling the mouse.
Regardless of how comfortable you find the Elite Wireless, it feels like most of Corsair's upgrades are just there to keep up with the Joneses. The Elite Wireless serves primarily as an MMO and MOBA mouse, and its many buttons and programmability allow it to excel in that area. Cutting the cord and going wireless does trim some weight from the Elite Wireless (not to mention being able to use a single Slipstream dongle for up to three compatible devices), and you don’t have to worry about getting the cord caught on something during a big boss fight. But the last thing you need in the MMO/MOBA genres is 26000 DPI, 650 IPS tracking, or 50G acceleration. To be blunt, the specs of the wired Scimitar Elite were already overkill, and the upgrade to the Marksman sensor is more a marketing gimmick and profit margin than game-enhancing. If Corsair really wants to improve the Scimitar design, they need to focus on reducing its size to fit different-sized hands or tweaking its shape to accommodate different grips.
Final Thoughts
The MMO mouse market has changed since the Scimitar line first came on the scene, yet Corsair has done little to keep up with the times. Better sensors and higher polling rates are nice upgrades. Still, the large size and hefty weight of the Scimitar Elite Wireless undermine any potential precision or responsiveness gains you might see. That leaves just the move to wireless as the main reason to pay $50 more than you would for the wired Scimitar Elite; cut that in half, and the Elite Wireless could be worth the upcharge.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
