Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB Review
Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB
A mouse for gamers who want all the buttons
Verdict
Pros
- Ergonomic shape
- Accurate tracking
- Very customisable
Cons
- Pricey
- Possibly too big for some
- No weight adjustment or detachable cable
Key Specifications
- Review Price: £80
- 16,000dpi optical sensor
- 12 customisable thumb buttons
- Four-zone RGB lighting
- On-board hardware profiles
- Weight: 147g
What is the Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB?
The Scimitar RGB is a mouse for gamers that want as many buttons as feasibly possible. Corsair certainly has this area covered, with 12 thumb buttons bringing the Scimitar’s total count to 17 – impressive.
But the Scimitar Pro isn’t a one trick pony, as the 16,000 DPI sensor, ergonomic shape, and RGB lighting create a very enticing package. There certainly are a few tweaks needed to make this a perfect mouse, but if you’re after maximum functionality; the Scimitar Pro is a great option.
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Design, Build and Features
Weighing in at 147g, the Scimitar Pro is a seriously hefty mouse, and it’s bound to be controversial. Its larger design is very ergonomic, though, with a smooth arching shape that cups against my hand rather nicely. The plastic surface is smooth, with a soft touch matte finish that looks and feels expensive.
The front of the mouse proudly showcases the Corsair logo in all its RGB glory, in addition to two DPI buttons, left/right clicks and a scroll wheel. RGB lighting pours out from below the rubberised wheel, but a DPI indicator light is absent. As each of the 4 RGB zones can be customised to react to profile changes, this isn’t a big issue.
The left side of the mouse houses 12 small buttons, with the entire bank mounted to a movable plate that can be adjusted to suit the user’s hand. The second and fourth row of buttons are finished with a rough texture, and each are labeled with their button number. Button 5 also has a tactile bump, making it much easier to assess which button your thumb is resting on. The third RGB zone is also located here, with a line of colour that’s clearly visible even when the mouse is in use.
The other sides of the mouse are more traditional, with a large textured rubber coating on the right hand side, and the final RGB zone illuminating the back of the mouse. The USB cable is braided, but sadly non-removable – something that the Asus Gladius II has up its sleeve.
On the base of the Scimitar you’ll find four teflon pads for smooth gliding, in addition to the optical sensor. This is an area where adjustable weights would have been preferable, though if Corsair were unable to make this any lighter in the first place, adding even more weight would certainly be undesirable for most.
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Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB – Performance
Having a reliable mouse is a necessity for gamers, and the Scimitar Pro is bound to please even the most hardcore gamers. The optical sensor is the same as that found in Corsair’s Glaive, and while the maximum DPI of 16,000 is sure to be way too high for almost every situation, the DPI can be individually tailored to a single digit, allowing for an unprecedented control over sensitivity.
Play a game like Battlefield 1 and you’ll be treated to accurate tracking performance, with a reliable pattern that quickly forms part of muscle memory. Because there are so many buttons to configure, you can easily assign weapons, controls and other functions to the mouse, allowing you to keep your fingers locked to the WASD keys. On balance it’s not my favourite FPS mouse, as the sheer weight and size of the Scimitar makes flick shots very tricky. I have no real qualms, just be aware that there are alternatives that are better tailored to shooters.
The Scimitar Pro is more targeted towards MOBA and RTS players, as the bank of 12 buttons is going to be far more useful here. It works a treat, and I can see this as an invaluable tool in gamers’ arsenals. I do find the buttons to be a little small though, and trying to quickly press a specific button isn’t the easiest thing to do without a great deal of practice. Should you be able to master this though, you’ll put yourself at quite the advantage, with quick and easy access to button combinations that would otherwise be a little tricky to rapidly pull off.
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Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB – Software & RGB lighting
RGB lighting implemented throughout Corsair’s peripheral line up, and the Scimitar Pro is no exception. With a total of four well-positioned zones, the mouse looks great, with bright and vivid hues shining across my desk. The colours are changeable, and there are plenty of patterns to choose from. If you own any other Corsair RGB peripherals, you can sync them up with neat effects too.
It’s all controlled via the Corsair CUE software, which is my favourite peripheral suite on the market. It’s clearly laid out, feature rich, and for the most part stable. You can customise the DPI of the mouse, calibrate against your surface, and reassign the button mappings. Creating macros is easy, and there’s plenty of power here to set up some winning combinations. These can then be assigned to different profiles, and even stored on the mouse itself.
Should I buy the Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB?
The Scimitar Pro is a fine gaming mouse. Performance in games is excellent, with smooth gliding and predictable tracking across games of all genres. The design won’t suit everyone, but my hands quickly adjusted to the Scimitar, and I really love the ergonomic shape.
But having such a volume of buttons does make this a niche product, and priced at £79.99, it’s a large price to pay. If you’re after something with plenty of functionality, great performance and an elegant look – this is a great shout. If not; there are plenty of other mice out there with similar performance, less weight and a lower price.
Verdict
A fantastic mouse that’s perfect when placed in the right hands.