Corsair M65 RGB Elite Review: A mouse not for every hand
18.4.2019
Translation: machine translated
The M65 RGB Elite gaming mouse from Corsair delivers an astronomical 18,000 dpi. The test will show you whether this is any good or whether it's just showing off.
Mice are like cameras. Manufacturers try to attract attention with ever larger numbers. But just as 40 megapixels in a camera does not automatically produce better shots, 18,000 dpi does not make you the headshot king. Nevertheless, the same arguments continue to be peddled. The latest example is the Corsair M65 RGB Elite. But it doesn't even need this marketing spiel.
Corsair's new premium mouse offers pretty much everything a gamer's heart desires.
- Nine programmable buttons
- 18,000 dpi
- Sampling rate 125 Hz - 1000 Hz
- RGB illumination
- Wired
- Weight adjustment
The cable is covered with fabric. Depending on how often you pull it over any edges, the fabric can fray. In my experience, however, this only happens after a few years and only affects the appearance, not the functionality. Ultimately, the mouse simply has to feel good in the hand and be easy to control precisely.
Ergonomics: It depends on the posture
The M65 is equipped with interchangeable weights. If you remove them, the weight drops from 115 to 97 grams. Even with weights, the mouse is still light - in a positive sense. Without, however, it feels too light and almost a little cheap.
The M65 is rather small for my normal-sized hands. How you hold the mouse is crucial for comfortable operation. In my case, the ring finger and little finger rest to the right of the mouse. So I hold the mouse with my thumb and ring finger. With this position, I get the feeling after just a few minutes that my hand is falling asleep. It doesn't get that far, but it's not pleasant. If, on the other hand, I let my ring finger rest on the right mouse button and only use my little finger and thumb to hold it, the M65 feels much more comfortable in my hand.
The surface feels extremely pleasant. The sides are slightly roughened for a better grip, while the back of the mouse, including the buttons, is smooth. There is enough space for your thumb to rest on the side without accidentally pressing one of the three buttons.
Operation: It clicked into place
All buttons are extremely satisfying to click. The red sniper button on the side, which briefly lowers the dpi, presses a little harder, which feels even better. Since most shooters now offer individual mouse sensitivity settings for the different zoom levels of the weapons, the sniper function has become somewhat less important. However, you can change it at any time.
The mouse wheel has just the right amount of resistance and the rubberised surface provides a good grip. However, it cannot be detached for quick scrolling. The two thumb buttons could be a little wider for my taste, but even so, I practically never hit the wrong button.
I use a hard plastic mouse mat from Steelseries. The M65 glides perfectly on it.
Accurate, but not more precise
To test the accuracy of the mouse, I tried out various shooters such as "Apex Legends", "The Division 2" and "Overwatch". I usually play with 800 dpi and a rather low sensitivity setting in games. I set the sampling rate to the maximum of 1000 Hz. The higher the sampling rate, the more frequently the mouse sends its position to the computer. This increases the processor utilisation, but this is hardly noticeable on any modern PC.
I couldn't tell the difference between the M65 and my wireless Logitech G903. In other words, I have absolutely nothing to criticise about it. However, I've hardly ever come across a mouse that didn't feel precise. The M65 performed precisely and reliably in all the games I tested. As a joke, I set the dpi to the maximum of 18,000. With my screen resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels, all it takes is a gust of wind and my character rotates three times around its own axis. Anyone who can still hit something with it deserves my respect. Unless your setup consists of eight or more 4K monitors, 18,000 dpi is purely a marketing gimmick.
Software: Simple and clear
To make settings on the M65, you need to install Corsair's iCue software. The programme is simple, unobtrusive and clear. iCue serves as a hub for all your Corsair products such as the keyboard, fan, etc. Here you can calibrate the mouse pad, define macro functions, change dpi settings or define colour patterns for the RGB lighting. You can control the LEDs on the logo and mouse wheel separately or have them pulsate in sync with the rest of your Corsair products.
Conclusion: Stylish, precise, but not for every hand
The Corsair M65 RGB Elite is a reliable and precise mouse and an ideal companion for fast-paced shooter games. However, the 18,000 dpi does not help, as most people play at much lower settings. So although the M65 lacks a unique selling point, it doesn't need one. Corsair offers you a lot of mouse for your money. Even without the obligatory RGB lighting, the M65 would be an eye-catcher. The only drawback is that it is a little small. Depending on how you place your fingers on the mouse, it can be uncomfortable. It is advisable to touch it before buying. Otherwise: grab it and start shooting.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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