Mice & Keyboards by stefan @ 2015-04-21
We have tried multiple titles (Heroes of the Storm, Dying Light, Dirty Bomb, CounterStrike Global Offensive) with the Sabre Optical RGB and we were pretty impressed with the overall comfort, which was matched by precision thanks to the latest Avago ADNS S3988 6400DPI sensor. The mouse was designed only to be used by right-handers and on the laterals we have an arched design for obtaining a good grip.
At first we would like to thank Corsair for sending a sample of their Sabre Optical RGB 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."
8 programmable buttons
The fully customizable button set makes the Sabre RGB a truly intuitive extension of your hand.
1,000 Hz USB refresh rate
No matter how fast you are, you can probably get faster, and a great gaming mouse shouldn’t stand in your way. You’ll enjoy lag-free responsiveness that keeps up with even the fastest play.
Braided easy-flex USB cable
Move where you want with 1.8 feet of unencumbered roaming.
DPI selector with multi-color indicator
Use CUE to set up your own DPI sequence and color map.
The next peripheral from Corsair Gaming series is the Sabre Optical RGB Gaming Mouse, which incorporates a brand new sensor from Avago, by delivering a maximum of 6000DPI, along with a fully customizable lighting system. The product is shipped inside a small cardboard box, which shows the product in operation, along with its highlights:
If we concentrate our focus on one of the product sides, we will be able to spot the list of package contents, along with the system requirements of the Sabre Optical RGB:
The opposite side comes with more detailed explanations on the product features:
On the back side of the enclosure we will be able to spot descriptions for all product elements:
The top cover of the Sabre Optical RGB enclosure opens up like a book, in order to reveal more details about the product and for us to see how the product does look like without the need of unsealing the box:
Sabre Optical RGB comes with a fully-braided cable, a custom USB connector to go in-line with the Gaming theme of Corsair and is covered by a matte rubber finish:
This model was clearly designed for right handers and should be able to accommodate both claw and palm-style grips; near the rubber scroll wheel we have one programmable button, which is easy to access on the fly:
The back side of the rodent is occupied by a large Corsair Gaming logo with a multi-color LED:
On the left side of the Sabre Optical RGB mouse we have one DPI LED indicator along with two other programmable buttons, also placed optimally. The recess below them allows the thumb finger to rest properly:
Right over the DPI LED indicator we have two additional buttons which are used for switching; depending on the user, in some cases these two buttons may not be very handy to access right away:
The right side of the mouse does not have any extra programmable interfaces (as we have been used with mice designed for righties) but the arched design is present in order to rest two fingers:
The frontal area comes with an additional lighting set, which reminds us of the great CM Storm Sentinel Advance II:
The USB cable is not placed in the center but under the right button and reinforced a bit with a plastic component; a similar design but with a left side placement can be found with the Cougar 700M:
The unique design of the bottom area comes with small grooves near each PTFE foot, in order to aid replacement as soon as they will be worn out; in the center we have the lens of the Avago ADNS S3988 optical sensor:
The USB connector comes with a futuristic design and aids correct placement:
After connecting the Sabre Optical RGB to a spare USB port, the LEDs will light up with the default colors; in order to benefit from the additional features, we will need to install the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) software, which can be found in the downloads section of the manufacturers’ website:
Here are some color options we can obtain by using the indicated software:
You might remember the Corsair Utility Engine GUI from our K70 RGB review; this utility is pretty advanced and its interface modifies itself depending on which device we are currently controlling. The main areas we are going to work with are Assignments, Lighting but also Performance & DPI. From the Assignments tab we will be able to remap the programmable buttons with different functions:
Here we have the contents of the menu when remapping a specific button:
The buttons can have different functions:
Several action types can be chosen:
The lightning tab will allow us to customize each zone; while the scroll wheel light, Corsair Gaming logo and frontal lights can be set pretty easy, the DPI selector light has its own menu for each step:
If we navigate to the Performance & DPI menu, we will be able to set the DPI stages, along with the sniper DPI, pointer speed, enable angle snapping and adjust lift height:
We have tried multiple titles (Heroes of the Storm, Dying Light, Dirty Bomb, CounterStrike Global Offensive) with the Sabre Optical RGB and we were pretty impressed with the overall comfort, which was matched by precision thanks to the latest Avago ADNS S3988 6400DPI sensor. The mouse was designed only to be used by right-handers and on the laterals we have an arched design for obtaining a good grip.
The product is fully covered by a matte rubberized finish, has easy removable Teflon feet and it only weights 100 grams. Thanks to the eight programmable buttons, we will be able to customize Sabre Optical RGB on our liking.
Corsair Utility Engine is also used along with this product, as we have seen with the K70 RGB and offers quite a bit of configuration options for the mouse; however, on the first look the software seems a bit hairy, complicated but it comes with an online PDF manual in order to shed some light onto the operation mode. Lighting effects are also available to be used here, in the same mode as we have detailed along with the K70 RGB article.
What we have found a bit peculiar is the fact that some users are quite mad regarding the Corsair logo switch and are reserved in making the purchase just because of it, but hopefully this attitude will change in the near future.
The Corsair Gaming Sabre RGB mouse can be found online for about 50 Euros, which we find quite affordable given the configuration options, sensor used and quality of materials.
We would like to thank again to Corsair for making this review possible!