Ultralights are the latest craze in gaming mice and for good reason: a quality lightweight mouse can feel like an extension of your hand. Today, we’re looking at the Glorious PC Gaming Race Model D. Coming in at only 68 grams and packing some of the best glide feet you can find on an out of the box mouse, does the Model D live up to the reputation of the Model O? Join us as we find out.
Specifications
- Current Price: $49.99
- Sensor: Pixart PMW-3360 Sensor
- Switch Type (Main): Omron® Mechanical Rated For 20 Million Clicks
- Number of Buttons: 6
- Max Tracking Speed: 250+ IPS
- Weight: Model D: 68grams (Matte) and 69 grams (Glossy)*
- Acceleration:: 50G
- Max DPI: 12,000
- Polling Rate: 1000hz (1ms)
- Lift off Distance: ~0.7mm
- Cable Type: Ascended Cord (ultra-flexible)
- Connector: USB 2.0
- Cable Length: 2 m / 6.5 ft
- Mouse Feet Type: G-Skates Premium Mouse Feet
- Mouse Feet Thickness: 0.81mm
- Dedicated DPI indicator?: Yes, on bottom of mouse
- Default DPI Settings: 400 (yellow), 800 (blue), 1600 (red), 3200 (green)
- Remappable DPI: Yes (requires software)
- LED Color: 16.8 million color RGB (8 effects)
- LED adjustable without software?: Yes
- LED can be disabled?: Yes
- OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux. USB port required
- Software: Optional (for more settings and options)
- Software Compatibility: Windows (7 or newer)
- Warranty: 2 years
Even though I didn’t review its predecessor, the Model D is a mouse I’ve been eagerly awaiting. Ever since falling in love with my Razer Viper Ultimate, I’ve been sold on the idea of lightweight mice. The Model O, which released a few months ago, was an instant hit and immediately challenged cult favorites like the FinalMouse series. I was lucky enough to be able to spend a while coming to grips with the Model O before trying the D and can see why people love it. For the money, this is officially my hands-down favorite ultralight mouse in the $50 category.
The Model O and Model D are very similar. The matte versions are only a gram apart in weight; both feature the honeycomb cut-outs; both glide on any mouse mat like they’re floating on air; and both have very similar, dual strip, mouse-ring RGB. The core difference is in how the mice are sculpted. The Model O is best suited for claw and fingertip grip gamers. The Model D is slightly taller and is a better fit for palm grip users while still working well with the other grip types. That’s really it… and, you know what? I’m completely fine with that.
Both of these mice are fantastic. Even though the shell is filled with holes, there’s an internal bracing that keeps the frame from flexing. My Cooler Master MM710 and G-Wolves Skoll look almost identical on the outside, but both flex so much that you can trigger buttons just by squeezing the mouse too hard. That’s not a problem here (and, in fairness, really isn’t there during actual use). I appreciate that GPCGR was able to keep the weight so low while also maintaining structural integrity. Keeping the hole design also lends the mouse a pretty cool look with the RGB lighting turned on.
Under the hood, the Model D uses a tried-and-true Pixart PMW-3360 sensor. It’s widely regarded as a great choice for competitive games due to its exceptional accuracy. The mouse is able to store four DPI profiles on-board, all the way up to 12,000 DPI. It also tracks at a decent clip of 250 IPS and 50G of acceleration. While these aren’t cutting edge specs compared to mice that are $80 or more, GPCGR wisely sidesteps the sensor arms race and instead only makes you pay for what you’ll actually need.
I also adore the glide feet that come applied here. I’ve never used HyperGlides, which are touted as some of the best money can buy, but these are easily the best I’ve used on a mouse this price. They’re competitive with the PTFE feet Razer has begun including on their high-end mice and work extremely well toward making the Model D a very fast mouse. Paired with the excellent wire, the Model D feels as close to wireless as a wired mouse can get.
I test my mice in shooters more than anything and found the Model D to be exceptionally accurate. Unlike many wired mice, I didn’t need a mouse bungee because the cable here offers almost no resistance. Flick shots were also easy thanks to those glide feet. I was a bit concerned that it would be too fast on my hard surface Razer Firefly mouse pad, but it held up great.
The shape also made using the mouse very comfortable and natural to my hybrid palm/claw grip. It didn’t take me long at all to get used to this new mouse, which speaks to how well-contoured it is and the how natural such a lightweight mouse can feel. It’s difficult to describe, but if you’re a fan of lightweight mice, it’s almost as if a mental hurdle is cleared away thanks to the reduced resistance.
Final Thoughts
At $49.99, Glorious PC Gaming Race has an absolute winner here. The Model D is fast, accurate, and feels sturdy in the hand. Add to that beautiful RGB lighting, five levels on onboard memory, and the best mouse feet you’ll find in the box at this price, and you have my next recommendation for an affordable ultralight.
The product described in this review was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
