At first we would like to thank CORSAIR for offering us their DARK CORE RGB SE Mouse + MM1000 Qi Wireless Mouse Pad 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:

 

WIN WITHOUT WIRES

The CORSAIR DARK CORE RGB SE wireless gaming mouse uses an ultra-fast 1ms 2.4GHz wireless connection, Qi® wireless charging and a 16,000 DPI optical sensor for true wireless gaming.

 

WIRED PERFORMANCE, GOES WIRELESS

Choose between ultra-fast 1ms 2.4GHz, low-latency Bluetooth® wireless technology or wired USB connection.

 

QI® WIRELESS CHARGING

Charge via USB or wirelessly with CORSAIR MM1000 or any Qi compatible charging pad.

 

CUSTOM, GAMING GRADE 16,000 DPI OPTICAL SENSOR

Ultra-accurate, high-speed tracking engine. Native 16,000 DPI resolution, customizable in 1 DPI steps, can be custom tuned to virtually any type of mouse pad.

 

CONTOURED SHAPE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SIDE GRIP

Choose between 2 different side grips to fit your grip and play style.

 

ON-BOARD PROFILE STORAGE

Saves lighting effects, macros and DPI settings for universal access to your profile without the need for drivers or additional software.

 

UP TO 24HRS OF BATTERY LIFE

Never run out of power when you need it the most.

 

SURFACE CALIBRATION TUNING UTILITY

Optimizes sensor precision and responsiveness for your playing surface.

 

HIGH-PERFORMANCE OMRON SWITCHES RATED FOR 50 MILLION CLICKS

Omron switches are custom-tuned for gaming, providing an ultrafast response and reliability over time.

 

DYNAMIC MULTI-COLOR 3-ZONE BACKLIGHTING

Customizable backlighting immerses you in the game by providing nearly unlimited lighting adjustability.

 

 

9 FULLY PROGRAMMABLE BUTTONS

Assign macros to any key and create dynamic lighting effects with CORSAIR Utility Engine (CUE).

 

 

Product Specifications:

 

Product Features:

 

WIRELESS POWER, ALWAYS ON HAND

The CORSAIR MM1000 Qi® Wireless Charging Mouse Pad combines the convenience of Qi® wireless charging with a performance micro-textured mouse pad surface, allowing gamers to charge any Qi device from their desktop.

 

CHARGE ANY QI® DEVICE

Qi wireless charging spot allows you to effortlessly charge any Qi® device.

 

CHARGE ALMOST ANYTHING

Included USB Micro-B, TYPE-C and Lightning Qi® charging adapters enable you to charge almost any other wireless/mobile device.

 

THE WIRELESS MOUSE EXPERIENCE

Get the ultimate wireless charging duo and pair your MM1000 with DARK CORE RGB SE Wireless Gaming Mouse.

 

PRECISE PERFORMANCE SURFACE

Micro-textured hard surface tuned for all optical or laser mice.

 

USB 3.0 PASS-THROUGH

Connect a wealth of devices with maximum compatibility.

 

CHARGING STATUS LED

Built-in LED indicator displays charging status at a glance.

 

LARGE SURFACE AREA

Large 260mm x 350mm surface area and non-slip rubber base.

 

 

Product Specifications:

 

 

Not long ago, CORSAIR has launched its flagship mouse, which was named DARK CORE RGB SE; this product is quite unique in terms of connectivity and charging options and does also sport a high-end 16000 DPI optical sensor. For this particular model, we can choose between the ultra-fast 1ms 2.4GHz wireless connection, low-latency Bluetooth or the regular wired, USB connection. The mouse is shipped inside a medium-sized cardboard enclosure, which the usual CORSAIR box art; the top packaging layer does also show some of the product highlights:

 

 

 

On one of the box sides, we will be able to spot the features explained in more detail:

 

 

 

Moving on, CORSAIR has also included the list of package contents, along with the product serial number and internal code name:

 

 

 

The back side of the packaging does show the main mouse interfaces:

 

 

 

The top cover of the box does open like a book and here the manufacturer does show more details on the interchangeable side grip (supplied as an accessory), but also the Qi Wireless Charging Pad (sold separately); the mouse can be clearly seen as well, for a more detailed inspection:

 

 

 

The User Manual is also accompanied by a Disposal Information leaflet:

 

 

 

Besides the usage information, we will also be instructed on how to charge the mouse wirelessly, via the MM1000 Qi Mouse Pad:

 

 

 

The hardware bundle is accompanied by a secondary leaflet, which instructs the user how to perform a mandatory firmware update, but also how to position the wireless dongle in order to obtain optimal performance:

 

 

 

Speaking of the bundle, we will receive one USB charging and data cable, an extra side grip, an USB cable adapter but also the USB wireless transceiver:

 

 

 

The USB cable does have the usual CORSAIR design and branding:

 

 

 

It is braided, for additional durability, as we have seen with many other high-end peripherals:

 

 

 

The extra side grip does feature a rubberized coating and is attached to the DARK CORE RGB SE with magnetic force:

 

 

 

 

 

The USB adapter is very compact and helps the user to bring the dongle close to the mouse, in order to enjoy the advertised low latency:

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we do have the dongle itself, which is quite compact and sports the CORSAIR logo:

 

 

 

On its back, we will find a small pre-applied sticker with a serial number and the internal code name:

 

 

 

The DARK CORE RGB SE mouse was designed for right handed users and despite the fact that is quite large (126.8 x 89.2 x 43.2 mm), it is very comfortable thanks to the design and choice of materials:

 

 

 

While the left/right/scroll button area does incorporate a fine textured plastic, the mouse back is covered by a rubber layer for a better grip. The button near the scroll wheel is mapped for switching between profiles:

 

 

 

 

For those that are curious, the two buttons near the left click are used for switching between DPI levels:

 

 

 

On the left mouse panel, we can spot a rubber-coated thumb rest:

 

 

 

No less than three buttons are available here, the central one being programmed with a “Sniper” functionality, while the other to being Forward and Back:

 

 

 

The LEDs that we can see nearby are used for showing the DPI level we are currently in, the used profile but also the current battery charge status:

 

 

 

The right side of the mouse does include the interchangeable panel we did discuss about before:

 

 

 

This can be easily removed for replacement:

 

 

 

 

The front mouse area does house the USB charging port:

 

 

 

After turning the mouse over, we will get to see four PTFE feet of different dimensions, the central PixArt PMW3367 sensor lens (16000DPI, customizable in 1 DPI steps), an On/Off switch, but also a secondary switch that allows choosing between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth:

 

 

 

After powering up the mouse, connecting the dongle to a spare USB port and installing the iCUE software, the LED light show will begin:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back CORSAIR logo

 

 

 

Scroll Wheel

 

 

 

Left side panel

 

 

 

Right side panel

 

 

 

Moving on with the presentation, we do have the MM1000 Qi-enabled Mouse Pad; this particular product is multi-functional, meaning that with it does not only charge the DARK CORE RGB SE, but also our other gadgets that support the Qi charging technology such as smartphones. The product is shipped in a larger cardboard enclosure, with a familiar box art:

 

 

 

On the side of the packaging, we will be able to spot the list of contents, in multiple languages:

 

 

 

The main product highlights can be seen explained in detail, on the back:

 

 

 

After unsealing the box and lifting the top cover, we will get to see that the pad is kept fixed inside a black plastic mold, along with its bundle:

 

 

 

Besides the manual, we will receive a Safety & Compliance Information leaflet, a Warranty Guide but also the obligatory Disposal Information leaflet:

 

 

 

The manual will explain in detail how to connect the pad to our computer, but also how to perform the charging of different Qi devices, besides the DARK CORE RGB SE mouse:

 

 

 

The MM1000 Qi Wireless pad does also include an USB pass-through, hence the cable with two connectors:

 

 

In the top left corner, we will get to see the integrated Qi charging status LED:

 

 

The Qi charging function is only available in the designated circle, which is located in the top right corner of the pad. The performance micro-textured hard surface plastic does allow the mouse to glide easily and with good precision; its surface dimensions are 260 x 350mm:

 

 

CORSAIR wanted to make sure that the MM1000 pad won’t slip on the surface we will use it on, so it has used a layer of rubber underneath:

 

 

 

 

Near the cable, we will get to see the USB 3.0 pass-through we did discuss about before:

 

 

 

Both USB connectors do feature the signature CORSAIR branding:

 

 

 

The Qi adapters are available for charging USB gadgets that do not support wireless Qi charging; we can use the Micro-B wireless charging adapter and thanks to the smaller dongles, it is also compatible with Lightning and Type-C devices:

 

 

 

 

 

As soon as we moved the adapter to the designated Qi charging space on the pad, its green LED lighted up:

 

 

 

The green LED on the pad started flashing as well:

 

 

 

By using the Type-C adapter, we started charging our Huawei P10 Plus smartphone without any issue at all:

 

 

 

After connecting the DARK CORE RGB SE to a spare USB port, it will show up right away inside the iCUE GUI:

 

 

 

After selecting it from the multitude of supported/connected devices, we will spot the configuration menus on the left; different views of the product can be selected:

 

 

 

 

After opening the Actions menu, we can take care of button remapping:

 

 

 

Here are the functions we can assign to the buttons:

 

 

 

Macro

 

 

 

Text Sequence

 

 

 

Remap Key

 

 

 

Media

 

 

 

Launch Application

 

 

 

Timer

 

 

 

Disable Button

 

 

 

Profile Switching

 

 

 

The Lighting Effects can be customized for each zone:

 

 

 

Some presets are available for selection and configuration:

 

 

 

Rainbow

 

 

 

Color Pulse

 

 

 

Color Shift

 

 

 

Static Color

 

 

 

Next, we do have the DPI configuration options, with the ability to set different colors for the LEDs:

 

 

 

The Performance area allows enabling Angle Snapping, but we can also enable “Enhance Pointer Precision” option:

 

 

 

The Surface Calibration process must be run for optimal performance on the current pad:

 

 

 

Right after a full charge, we fired up iCUE and configured the DARK CORE RGB SE on our liking; afterwards it was gaming time, starting with Diablo 3, Guild Wars II, Wolfenstein: The New Order but also Frostpunk. Thanks to the included PixArt PMW3367 sensor, there were absolutely no issues during intense action scenes and paired with the MM1000 pad, you can also enjoy excellent precision. When using the mouse on 2.4GHz wireless, we did plug the adapter as instructed by the manufacturer (in the spare USB 3.0 port of the pad); after the mouse is powered on, it will attempt to connect and during this process, the mouse cursor will be a bit non-responsive (1-2 seconds). After the connection has been finalized, we did notice the same amount of responsiveness as we would have been using it in wired mode.

 

The iCUE software does allow in-depth configuration of the mouse interfaces, including the LED lighting; additionally, we can set the standby timer but also enable a power saving mode that will disable the RGB lighting in order to get more battery life.

 

The MM1000 pad does offer a designated area for Qi charging, which can be also used with other compatible gadgets; for those that do not have this technology, CORSAIR has included the necessary adapters in order to make the charging process possible. The DARK CORE RGB SE mouse starts charging right away, after we position it correctly on the indicated surface; we would have liked, however to have the entire mouse pad surface Qi enabled, in order to have the mouse battery charged at all times.

 

As with every other CORSAIR review, we will mention the Pros/Cons separately:

 

Pros:

 

-high-end gaming sensor with a maximum of 16000 DPI, with adjustments steps of 1

-comfortable shape, with the rubberized back for a better grip

-multiple operating modes: wired, wireless (2.4GHz), Bluetooth

-Qi charging enabled (SE version)

-configurable RGB lighting on three different segments

-in-depth button customization and performance tuning thanks to the iCUE software

-replaceable right side panel

-MM1000 surface allows speed and precision

-no less than nine programmable buttons

 

 

Cons:

 

-price

-the MM1000 pad was not designed to offer Qi charging on its entire surface

 

CORSAIR DARK CORE RGB SE Mouse + MM1000 Qi Wireless Mouse Pad are Recommended for:

 

 

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