[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
We continue to explore the new Vengeance line from Corsair. After our review of their FPS keyboard, the K60, it’s time to check out its companion mouse, the M60. The model reaches 5,700 dpi of resolution, and its main features include an aluminum metal frame and a red sniper button for precision shooting. Let’s describe the product and then proceed to the analysis.
The Vengeance M60 has a rubberized upper body of plastic over an aluminum metal frame. The segmented body exposes the metal underneath it, giving a futuristic and aggressive design to the mouse (it looks like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica). On the upper body, the user can find the solid metal scroll wheel with a rubberized scroll surface and two buttons to alter the resolution. In between both buttons, there’s a small LED display for the current resolution level.
Figure 1: M60 mouse
Made of smooth plastic, the left side features two tiny buttons for Internet navigation and a huge red button – that’s the sniper button for quick resolution change. We’ll talk about it later when we test the mouse’s performance.
Figure 2: Left side
The right side has just a very small indent that cannot actually be called a proper pinkie rest. It’s shorter than the left side and leaves more of the metal frame underneath exposed.
Figure 3: Right side
The underside features three small weights that can be unscrewed with the help of a coin, five low friction PTFE pads for precision gliding, and the Avago ADNS-9500 laser sensor that reaches 5,700 dpi of resolution.
Figure 4: Underside
The six feet (1.80 m) cloth-wrapped cable comes with a small strap to help secure it when the mouse is being transported, and a blue USB connector that is easily spotted among the nest of cables behind the PC.
Figure 5: Cable
[nextpage title=”Main Characteristics”]
The Corsair Vengeance M60 comes with eight programmable buttons, but the main feature is the sniper button on the left side. When pressed (and it needs to remain being pressed), the button quickly alters the resolution to a value previously set by the user. Once it’s released, the M60 turns back to the current dpi setting.
Figure 6: Button configuration
Since the bundle doesn’t come with an installation CD, the user needs to download the software from Corsair’s website. The application allows the user to program the functions of eight buttons, adjust the resolution in three stages, and create profiles for different games. He or she can also download pre-configured profiles for most games and also trade his or her personal creations with other users. Attention: Unlike other gaming-grade mice, the M60 doesn’t feature a button already set to change user profiles, so the user must either choose one of the eight available to do it or else change the profile through the application.
The button programming interface could have been better designed. The software only shows one button being reprogrammed at a time, so the user doesn’t get an overall view of what he or she is doing or how the whole setting is going. However, the user can adjust the lift height and response time to his or her taste, and then the application can detect the quality of the gaming surface and match the M60 accordingly. The user can also record macros, which makes the M60 a nice companion to the Corsair Vengeance K60 keyboard since the latter doesn’t feature extra programmable keys.
Figure 7: Resolution programming
Finally, the M60 has an elegant lighting effect with a blue light glowing from the metal frame.
Figure 8: Lights on
[nextpage title=”Testing the Corsair Vengeance M60 “]
The first impression a mouse gives is its comfort. The M60 is designed for palm grippers, because the highly rubberized backside is a nice rest for the whole palm. The buttons have a quick response, even those tiny left side buttons. We thought that the right side could have had a better rest for the pinkie. Although it doesn’t scroll horizontally, the weighted scroll wheel is one of the best we’ve tested. The rubberized surface on the wheel makes the scrolling tighter.
The sniper button is the main feature. It allows the user to quickly change the resolution for precision shooting in an FPS match. We will explain. When you play as a sniper in a game like Battlefield 3, you have to decrease the mouse resolution to a lower dpi setting so that you can aim a precise headshot. Of course, there are other buttons assigned to do that (like those below the scroll wheel), but this sniper button is well positioned. Once it’s released, the M60 returns to its prior resolution, so the change is actually immediate for that single shot only. If the user does that with some other button, he or she has to once again hit that particular button to get back to the old setting. The sniper button is a quicker solution for that purpose.
One disappointment was the weight adjustment system. We thought the M60 was a little heavy for our taste (perhaps due to the metal frame), and even without the tiny weights, the overall sensation remained. The system itself is elegant and well-conceived, without plastic covers or special compartments, just the weights to be screwed or unscrewed. However, the removal of the weights only slightly changed the final result.
The software allows some nice configurations, such as adjusting the gliding precision and the lift distance. There are no right settings for those adjustments – the
user must choose which setting fits his or her play style. In our case, we like to lift the mouse across the mouse mat, but since the M60 is rather heavy, we left the lift distance on its lowest level.
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Corsair Vengeance M60 include:
- Gaming-grade laser mouse
- Right-handed design
- Connector: USB
- Assignable buttons: Eight
- Tracking Resolution: Up to 5,700 dpi selectable on three levels
- Maximum velocity: 165 inches/second (400 centimeters/second)
- Acceleration: 30 G
- Polling rate: 1,000 Hz/500 Hz/250 Hz/125 Hz
- Response time: 1 msec/2 msec/4 msec/8 msec
- Approximate size: 4.7 x 3.1 x 1.5 inches (120 x 80 x 40 mm)
- Cable lenght: 6 feet (1.80 m)
- More information: https://www.corsair.com
- Average price in the U.S.*: USD 70.00
* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The M60 is a great mouse for FPS players, and in our opinion, its best feature is the sniper button. It’s a somewhat heavy model, and the weight adjustment system doesn’t help much. It’s worth mentioning that the M60 is perfect for palm grippers, but players with a claw grip style of play will have to adjust their game due to the size, weight and button distribution. The faux cyborg design with exposed metal parts is beautiful, complemented by the elegant blue lighting. The wheel is very precise, although it doesn’t scroll horizontally. The idea of exchanging user profiles is nice and opens up a number of possibilities for personalization. The M60 is a great companion mouse to its keyboard cousin, the K60, also from Corsair.
Strong Points
- Dedicated button for precision shooting
- Excellent scroll wheel
- Futuristic and elegant design
- Colored USB connector is easy to find behind the PC
- Nice touch to include a strap to secure the cable
Weak Points
- Weigh adjustment system makes little difference
- Application could be better on the part of button assignment
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