At first we would like to thank Corsair for offering us the GLAIVE RGB Gaming Mouse for testing and reviewing.

 

About Corsair:

"Founded in 1994, Corsair has grown from pioneering the high-performance DRAM market to one of the world’s leading providers of enthusiast-grade PC components and peripherals. Our groundbreaking technology and innovation can be found in our high-performance memory, ultra-efficient power supplies, PC cases, PC and CPU cooling solutions, and solid-state storage devices. Under the Corsair Gaming brand, launched in 2014, we provide gaming keyboards, mice, headsets and mouse mats to eSports professionals and anybody who is passionate about competitive PC gaming.

 

Corsair hardware is regularly featured in showcase “dream systems,” and we have earned the adulation and respect of the press, professional gamers and overclockers, high-end system integrators, and PC enthusiasts worldwide by delivering leading-edge technology backed by renowned service and support.

 

Corsair has developed a global operations infrastructure with extensive marketing and distribution channel relationships, and our products are available through leading distributors and retailers in over sixty countries worldwide."

Product Features:

 

Contoured shape: Designed so you can game longer without fatigue.

Custom, gaming grade 16000 DPI optical sensor: Ultra-accurate and high-speed tracking engine. Native 16000 DPI resolution, settable to 1 DPI steps, can be custom tuned to virtually any type of mouse pad.

Interchangeable thumb grips: Choose between 3 styles of thumb grips for a tailored fit.

Onboard profile storage: Saves lighting effects, macros and DPI settings for universal access to your profile on any PC, without the need for drivers or additional software.

Surface calibration tuning utility: Optimizes sensor precision and responsiveness for your playing surface.

All-new, high-performance Omron switches rated for 50 million clicks: Custom tuned for gaming, providing an ultrafast response and reliability over time.

Dynamic multicolor 3-zone backlighting: Customizable backlighting immerses you in the game by providing nearly unlimited lighting adjustability.

Aluminum scroll wheel with rubber grip: Ensures solid response and accuracy.

Ultrafast 1ms lag-free game play: Supports up to 1000Hz/1ms refresh rate for a near instant response to your movements.

 

 

 

Product Specifications:

 

Not long ago, we have taken a look upon the Scimitar PRO RGB Optical MOBA/MMO high-end gaming mouse from Corsair Gaming, which we have enjoyed quite a bit. Since the gaming peripheral market is very competitive, Corsair is not standing still and have released another brand-new model with a fresh look, a custom optical sensor developed for Corsair with Pixart, interchangeable thumb-grips, but also can be had in two variants: black and aluminum. The product is shipped inside a compact cardboard enclosure that does show a photo of the product along with some of the main highlights in front:

 

 

 

On one of the box sides, we are getting some more explanations regarding these features, in multiple languages:

 

 

 

The opposite side does come with the package contents but also the system requirements:

 

 

 

Even more information can be picked up from the back side of the box, which does describe the main Glaive gaming mouse components:

 

 

 

The top cover does open up like a book, in order to reveal even more product information; here we will also be able to check out the actual product appearance through the transparent plastic mold:

 

 

 

After carefully removing the inside contents, we ended up with a separate cardboard enclosure which does hold the mouse along with its bundle, a Warranty Guide, a small leaflet which informs us regarding product recycling, but also a small manual:

 

 

 

Inside the manual, Corsair has included enough information in order to operate the product right away:

 

 

 

Besides the Glaive mouse, we are also receiving a compartment with replaceable thumb grips and a small carry-pouch for carrying these when traveling:

 

 

 

 

The replaceable thumb grips are featuring a magnetic attachment mechanism, so installation and removal can be done in just a few seconds! Each of the supplied thumb grip was designed to offer a different experience and accommodate a specific play style:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glaive does feature a comfortable, contoured shape and the top surface does also come with a rubberized layer. On the left side we can see five small white lines -> well, that is the DPI indicator folks, which does come with blue LED lighting (not customizable via software):

 

 

 

Near the scroll wheel, we do also have a DPI selector button:

 

 

 

The curved back does also feature a RGB-enabled Corsair Gaming logo:

 

 

 

On the left side of the product we will get to see the pre-installed thumb grip, two programmable buttons which are easy to access but also a shiny black plastic area on top which features LED lighting:

 

 

 

The right side was made for resting our ring and pinky fingers; it does come with an extra textured rubber layer for additional grip:

 

 

 

The scroll wheel is made of aluminum on this model for durability and is covered by a rubber grip:

 

 

 

A look at the frontal area of the mouse does show the inner aluminum layer, along with some other RGB LED enabled segments:

 

 

 

On the bottom area of the Glaive we will get to see large PTFE feet, but also the central PMW3667 sensor lens; this particular sensor DPI can climb up to 16000 (native value) while the minimum is 100 (great for sniping). If we are not happy with the preset DPI settings of 800, 1500, 3000, 6000 and 9000 settings, we can always configure these via CUE software, in increments as small as 1 DPI:

 

 

 

Here is how the Glaive does look with the pre-installed thumb grip removed:

 

 

 

The other two models give the mouse a different look:

 

 

 

 

As we have seen with most high-end gaming peripherals, the 1.8m USB cable is braided:

 

 

 

It ends up with a customized USB connector:

 

 

 

After plugging the mouse to a spare USB port, we will get to see the mouse lighting up with the signature Corsair Gaming logo color:

 

 

 

Here are the separate segments that do light up:

 

Corsair Logo

 

 

 

Right side

 

 

 

Left side

 

 

 

Frontal Area

 

 

 

In order to take advantage of the Glaive advanced features, we need to install the latest version of the Corsair Utility Engine utility; the application will automatically detect the connected peripheral and adapt its interface accordingly. On the left side we do have the menus available, including the profile selector (which does also display the internal memory slot for the Glaive), while on the right we can find multiple product views and additional options in the lower area:

 

 

 

 

 

The Actions menu does allow the user to remap the programmable buttons with many different functions:

 

 

 

Macro

 

 

 

Text

 

 

 

Remap Key

 

 

 

Media Function

 

 

 

Launch Specific App

 

 

 

 

Timer

 

 

 

Disable Button

 

 

 

Profile Switching

 

 

 

The RGB LED lighting segments can be configured individually (front zone, light edge, logo zone) and we have multiple effects to choose from:

 

 

 

Static

 

 

 

Gradient

 

 

 

Solid

 

 

 

The DPI menu does allow the user to set a different value for each and every DPI step; the Sniper value is configured at 400 DPI by default:

 

 

 

From the Performance tab, we can enable Angle snapping, adjust Lift height, but also “Enhance pointer precision” or set the Pointer speed:

 

 

 

While Glaive is pre-programmed for Corsair Gaming pads, we can always adapt the sensor for any other surface via the “Surface Calibration” wizard:

 

 

 

We do also have some general settings we can work with from within Corsair Utility Engine, which do also allow us to update the peripheral to the latest firmware version, adjust the Polling rate, LED brightness or clear the stored profile slot:

 

 

 

Glaive RGB from Corsair Gaming does employ a complete redesign from the previous models and for additional customization, we get to choose from three different thumb grips in order to fit our gaming style. The mouse does weight 122 grams and is available in two different variants (with aluminum or black finish), three configurable RGB zones but also a custom PMW3367 sensor which was made in cooperation with Pixart. With professional gamers in mind, the Glaive RGB can set the sensor resolution between 100 and 16000 DPI, in increments of just 1 DPI, while the report rate is selectable from 125 Hz up to 1000.

 

For testing the product, we have used it in productivity applications, Internet browsing but also games such as Heroes of the Storm, Mafia III, GTA V, Quake Champions and Paladins; the default DPI steps seemed to fit us just right and thanks to the clearly readable DPI step LEDs we could easily find out which value we were working with, without the need of using a software GUI in-game. The mouse sensor tracked really well on our SteelSeries QcK cloth pad, but also on our Fnatic Gear Boost Control polycarbonate pad.

 

Corsair Utility Engine needs no introduction: it is one of the most configurable user interfaces for the peripherals but due to its complexity the users may need some time to get used to. The utility does also allow synchronization between different CUE-compatible peripherals so you can transform your setup in order to fit your own preferences.

The Corsair Glaive RGB Aluminum gaming mouse can be bought online for about 69.9 Euros.

So, to reiterate:

 

Positives:

 

-customizable shape via the interchangeable thumb grips;

 

-custom PMW3367 sensor which does track flawlessly on most surfaces;

 

-large bottom PTFE pads which do make the Glaive glide smoothly for an optimal gaming experience.

 

Negatives:

 

-CUE is a bit more complex versus the interfaces from other manufacturers and needs some time to get used to;

 

-the current price tells us that the product is mostly marketed for enthusiasts, while mainstream could think twice before actually purchasing it.

Corsair GLAIVE RGB Gaming Mouse is Recommended for:

 

 

We would like to thank again to Corsair for making this review possible!