Mice & Keyboards by stefan @ 2013-03-25
Corsair has refreshed its performance peripherals series with the new M65 and M95 mice, which sport updated laser sensors, but also have introduced new colors to the mix. While the Gunmetal Black and Military Green versions sport a rubberized surface, the Arctic White variant comes with a glossy finish, so users have more choices to choose from compared to the previous iterations.
At first I would like to thank Corsair for sending a sample of their M65 FPS Laser Gaming Mouse for testing and reviewing.
Meeting Performance Computing Demands since 1994
"Corsair is a global company bringing innovative, high-performance components to the PC gaming market. Specializing in very high performance memory, ultra-efficient power supplies, and other key system components, our products are the choice of overclockers, enthusiasts, and gamers everywhere.
Founded as Corsair Microsystems in 1994, Corsair originally developed Level 2 cache modules for OEMs. After Intel incorporated the L2 cache in the processor with the release of its Pentium Pro processor family, Corsair changed its focus to DRAM modules, primarily in the server market. In 2002, Corsair began shipping DRAM modules that were specifically designed to appeal to computer overclocking enthusiasts. From its roots in high-performance memory, Corsair has expanded its award-winning product portfolio to include ultra-efficient power supplies, builder-friendly cases, ground-breaking CPU coolers, blazing-fast solid-state drives, and other key system components.
Corsair has developed a global operations infrastructure with extensive marketing and distribution channel relationships. Corsair’s products are sold to end users in over sixty countries worldwide, primarily through leading distributors and retailers."
Highly Accurate Tracking
If you’re good at gaming, you’re probably playing against opponents who are just as good. M65 provides the reliable response you need to give you a competitive edge.
Advanced Customization and Control
Because winning isn’t just about reflexes and accuracy – you need quick weapon selection and the ability to set up your mouse to do exactly what you need it to do.
Comfortable for Hours of Game Play
Carefully selected materials and superior ergonomics, combined with precise tracking and advanced customization, help M65 cross that point where it doesn’t feel like a mouse, but like an extension of your hand.
8200 DPI Laser Sensor
Precise tracking for highly accurate control.
Dedicated Programmable Sniper Button
Quickly switch sensor resolution when you need extreme accuracy in FPS games. It’s not just for when you’ve selected a long-range weapon – it’s an indispensible feature any time you need to quickly switch to ultra-precise control.
Second-Generation Control Panel
The control panel software (available as a free download) makes setup and customization easier than ever.
Onboard Profile Storage
Once you’ve set up your button configuration and other parameters for each of your favorite games, you can quickly toggle between profiles directly from the M65. Since they’re stored onboard, you can take your profiles with you.
Aluminum Unibody Design
The aluminum frame combines high rigidity with low weight, and provides optimal mass distribution.
Adjustable Weight System
Three adjustable tuning zones allow you to customize the weight of your M65 to give it just the exact feel you want.
Selectable Response Time
Tune the performance for your desktop surface by choosing between 1000Hz, 500Hz, 250Hz, or 125Hz (1ms, 2ms, 4ms or 8ms).
High-Mass Scroll Wheel
The solid metal, rubberized scroll wheel doesn't just feel great — it gives you the precision you need when selecting weapons. Precise tactile feedback and accuracy help make sure that you select the right weapon every time.
Switches Rated for 20 Million Clicks
The durable you need for years of high-performance gaming.
Soft-Touch Materials
Surfaces are textured and have just the right amount of give for outstanding comfort.
PTFE Glide Pads
M65 is designed with low-friction contact points for swift, precise movement with minimal effort.
The new M65 mouse from Corsair takes part from their high performance gaming peripherals and looks very much alike the previous M60 model, but the sensor has been upgraded to the Avago ADNS-9800 with a maximum DPI of 8200. The packaging presentation has been also modified and the M65 is also available in a Gunmetal Black variant, but also a Military Green:
On the front side of the packaging, we will also see some product highlights listed, along with a photo of the black variant:
Some more details regarding the product can be found on the back side of the box:
Besides the mouse, inside the packaging we will also find a small Quick Start Guide leaflet:
The documentation leaflet shows us how to perform the hardware installation, but also where to find the software:
The Arctic White version sample comes with a glossy finish, unlike the Black and Green variants, which have a rubberized coating:
On the top side of the mouse we’ll find the DPI Up/Down buttons along with a LED display in the middle:
On the back we have a grey Corsair logo and in the same area we can see freely the bottom unibody aluminum chassis to which all plastic components are connected (top and laterals):
On the left side of the mouse we can see a red “Sniper” button, which helps us aim much easier, along with two extra buttons; the laterals aren’t glossy but sport a rough plastic texture, for gaining a better grip. Something similar we have found at the ROCCAT Savu:
The right side does not come with extra programmable buttons, but it has the same grippy texture:
On the front side of the mouse we can see the rest of the aluminum chassis, along with the High-Mass Scroll Wheel made from solid metal:
By turning the mouse on the back, we will take a look at the brushed aluminum chassis, which comes with PTFE Glide Pads in the corners, for achieving as low friction as possible with the contact surface. Also here we will see 3 circular compartments:
The circular compartments can be easily opened with a coin and will reveal a small weight:
These weights can be either used or removed, depending on our preferences:
As the older generation, the cable is fully braided for durability:
The USB connector comes in a blue color, with the Corsair branding:
The Vengeance M65 software package from the website also contains a flasher utility and with its help we will be able to bring the firmware of the M65 to the latest version:
A progress bar will inform us when the flasher has completed the update:
The software GUI comes with a familiar scheme, which we also have found on the M90. From the upper top left we have the profile switcher, the Macro Record button, the LED lights switcher and a list of connected products. The bottom left corner comes with a photo of the mouse with a highlight of the programmable buttons and in the center we’ll find the main configuration area. Here we have Playback Options, Delay Options, Advanced Options and Button Options:
Playback Options button will bring up four possible macro playback modes: Playback once, Playback n times, Repeat while pressed, Play until stopped. We can also adjust the Fixed Macro Delay Time:
The Delay Options menu is used while we are recording a macro to control how the keystrokes are recorded:
The Advanced Options button will allow us to select a Windows action or command that can be mapped to a button of our mouse:
Basic Commands
Advanced Commands
Button Options menu allows us to select a mouse-specific action that can be mapped to a button on our M65 mouse:
Basic Buttons
Advanced Buttons
In order to record and assign a macro, we will first have to select the Assign Buttons activity, choose the profile we want to make the modification to and in order to start recording, we will have to first click the MR button. The next step would be to click the button we want to bind the macro to (from the Button Selection area). After we enter out the macro sequence, we will be able to stop recording by clicking again on the MR button:
From the Manage Performance tab, we will be able to choose a different DPI value for each step, including the Sniper button; we can also adjust the Report Rate setting:
The interface is also equipped with a Real Time Surface Quality scanner, which informs us of the quality of the surface we put the mouse on (ModMyMachine Slamepad). The quality is not inconsistent, but those gaps were recorded when we have lifted the mouse off the surface:
The Lift Height can be adjusted from the same tab:
The final tab will allow us to Manage Profiles. The Vengeance M65 is equipped with on-board memory, so we can playback our macros directly from the hardware (this mode is selected when the Hardware playback option is ticked in any of the activity screens):
By clicking on the small “Info” button, we will be able to see some more technical details:
The new M65, even if it preserves the appearance of the older M60, has been upgraded with a sensor of the latest generation, in order to reach higher DPI values, up to 8200, while the M60 was limited at 5700. The shape is comfortable and we did not need a lot of time to get used to it; also, we welcome the new colors, especially the white one with the glossy finish. You may ask why; well, that is because with the new surface, we won’t have to worry about residues most mice with rubber coating pick up.
The M65 sports a solid build, with an aluminum unibody chassis and for additional customization, we can either use the preinstalled weights or remove them as we please.
The M65 software will be familiar to the M60/M90 users and is really easy to use. With it we will be able to save new profiles, use the Hardware Playback feature, define new button functions or record macros. From the same interface, we will be able to adjust the response time, check the surface quality of our mouse pad or customize the DPI steps. Besides the two additional buttons on the left, we do also have to our disposal a larger, dedicated Sniper button, which will let us switch the resolution for extremely accurate shots.
Need more customization buttons? No problem, Corsair also has that covered with the M95 version of the mouse, which also comes with an upgraded laser sensor.
The M65 can be found online for about 65 Euros. Definitely, this is not the cheapest mouse out there, but we think that it’s worth it for the quality of materials, high performance sensor, ergonomic shape and easy to use software interface.
I would like to thank again to Corsair for making this review possible!