CORSAIR HARPOON RGB Wireless Gaming Mouse Review

Mice & Keyboards by stefan @ 2019-01-07

CORSAIR has listened to the community and upgraded the original HARPOON RGB with wireless capabilities and a better sensor, the Pixart PMW3325. While the number of programmable buttons is the same, the DPI values can be now set up to 10000, in 100DPI increments, the Omron switch durability is now set at 50 million clicks and even if the mouse does now include a built-in lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, it only weights 99 grams without cables. As the original model, the HARPOON RGB Wireless feels best when used with a claw grip, while the rubberized side grips make sure you won’t lose precision, even during longer gaming sessions.

Introduction

 

At first we would like to thank CORSAIR for offering us their HARPOON RGB Wireless 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, Specifications

Product Features:

 

Product Specifications:

Packaging, A Closer Look Part I

In this review we will concentrate upon the latest mice series from CORSAIR, that are meant to offer good quality and performance at different price segments; before checking out the first model, we will also like to present the MM350 mouse mat series, that comes in two different sizes (XL and Extended XL).

CORSAIR has sent us the MM350 Extended XL version, that was packed inside a cardboard enclosure with a refined, 2019-version box art:

 

 

 

CORSAIR does mention that with this product we can “Level the Playing Field” and a small cut-out was also provided for checking the fabric out:

 

 

 

The product features are listed on the exterior area of the packaging, in multiple languages:

 

 

 

The exact dimensions are also noted on the box, making it an ideal spot to accommodate both keyboard and mouse:

 

 

 

The pad does feature an interesting design, by incorporating a wear-resistant dye graphic surface:

 

 

 

The glide-enhanced woven textile surface ensures low friction and optimal precision for high-DPI mouse sensors:

 

 

 

The 360-degree anti-fray edge of the pad does avoid surface peeling:

 

 

 

On the bottom pad layer, CORSAIR has included an anti-skid textured rubber base, so the mouse will remain steady on the surface we will use it for gaming/productivity purposes:

 

 

 

In the box, we will also find a “Warranty against Defects” leaflet, but also a Warranty Guide:

 

 

 

Moving on to the main product, we do have the HARPOON RGB Wireless model, that was thought as a really affordable gaming mouse, incorporating no less than two wireless technologies (2.4GHz CORSAIR SLIPSTREAM and Bluetooth 4.2 + LE). Of course, we can always make use of the wired mode in order to game while the battery is charging:

 

 

 

For the HARPOON RGB Wireless, CORSAIR’s saying is “Win without Wires”:

 

 

 

A Closer Look Part II

The main product highlights are available on the back side of the box, together with the System requirements:

 

 

 

The new series do feature a more modern packaging style:

 

 

 

Besides the HARPOON RGB Wireless, we will also receive some documentation papers:

 

 

 

These include the User’s Guide, the Safety and Compliance leaflet, the Warranty Guide but also some recycling information:

 

 

 

The usage modes are pretty straight-forward, Bluetooth connection being the only one that requires more steps (pairing with our own dongle):

 

 

 

 

 

HARPOON RGB Wireless does feature an all-black top plastic cover, textured in order to offer enough grip. Its dimensions are 115.5 x 68.3 x 40.4 mm (LWH), it weights only 99 grams and its design mostly recommends it for a claw grip. The braided cable ensures durability on the long run:

 

 

 

As the name says, the mouse is also RGB enabled via the back CORSAIR logo:

 

 

 

 

Near the rubberized scroll wheel, we do have an extra programmable button, with a multi-purpose LED light, that signals the current operating status:

 

 

 

A Closer Look Part III

On the left side panel, we do have a rubberized surface for the thumb finger, but also two programmable buttons:

 

 

 

A CORSAIR logo can be also found on the left click button; talking about the left/right click buttons, these incorporate durable Omron switches, that are rated for more than 50 million actuations:

 

 

 

The right side panel does also feature a rubber coating, but no extra buttons this time!

 

 

 

On the bottom layer of the unit, we can clearly spot the PTFE feet, the PMW3325 10000DPI sensor lens, the 2.4GHz/Bluetooth/Off switch but also a small storage compartment:

 

 

 

The USB cable can be easily removed and features a proprietary shape:

 

 

 

 

After lifting the cover from the storage area, we will uncover the 2.4GHz SLIPSTREAM wireless dongle:

 

 

 

With the SLIPSTREAM Wireless’ Intelligent Frequency Shift, we are ensured that the fastest wireless channel is always chosen, by hopping to the optimal one on-the-fly, without any visible interruptions:

 

 

 

 

After powering on the mouse, we will be able to spot the Status LED but also the RGB area operating:

 

 

 

 

 

CORSAIR iCUE GUI Part I

In order to access the configuration options of the mouse, we will download and install the latest CORSAIR iCUE version; the device will be detected right away inside the GUI:

 

 

 

The user is allowed to switch between multiple profiles, customize the button functions, set up new lighting effects, adjust DPI steps but also performance options:

 

 

 

From the Actions menu, we can define new mappings for the available buttons:

 

 

 

 

Here are the functions we can assign; depending on the selected function, different configuration options will appear:

 

 

 

Macro

Text

Media

Launch Application

Timer

 

CORSAIR iCUE GUI Part II

Disable Button

Profile Switching

Remap A-Z Keys

Remap Num & Symbol Keys

Remap Function Keys

Remap Enhanced Keys

Remap Numeric Keypad

Remap Modifiers and Lock Keys

Remap Language Keys

Remap Mouse Button

 

CORSAIR iCUE GUI Part III

Remap Keystroke

 

The RGB setup can be accessed in the same manner, but from the Lighting Effects menu:

 

 

 

There is a multitude of presets we can customize:

 

 

 

Rainbow

Color Pulse

Color Shift

Static Color

Solid

Gradient

Spiral Rainbow

 

CORSAIR iCUE GUI Part IV

Rainbow Wave

Color Wave

Visor

Rain

Type Lighting

Temperature

Static Color

 

The DPI menu does allow the user to set the values in increments of 100, specify the number of steps but also choose a color of the status LED while using a certain step:

 

 

 

The Performance menu does allow the user to enable Angle snapping but we can also Enhance pointer precision:

 

 

 

Finally, we have the Settings iCUE area, from where we can check the battery charge level, adjust the Polling Rate, adjust the LED brightness and more!

 

 

 

Video Exemplification of the LED RGB Effects

Conclusive Thoughts

CORSAIR has listened to the community and upgraded the original HARPOON RGB with wireless capabilities and a better sensor, the Pixart PMW3325. While the number of programmable buttons is the same, the DPI values can be now set up to 10000, in 100DPI increments, the Omron switch durability is now set at 50 million clicks and even if the mouse does now include a built-in lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, it only weights 99 grams without cables. As the original model, the HARPOON RGB Wireless feels best when used with a claw grip, while the rubberized side grips make sure you won’t lose precision, even during longer gaming sessions.

 

For the 2.4GHz WiFi operating mode, CORSAIR is using their Slipstream technology in order to jump to the best channel on-the-fly, in order for the user not to experience lags or weird cursor behavior. If you have just forgotten to charge it while on-the-go, you can always use it with the USB cable connected, until you top it up again. If you do not need the RGB eye candy, you can always turn this feature off; the up side is that you will gain up to 15 more hours of usage on a single charge.

 

The product holds a MSRP of just about 59.99 Euros (excluding taxes) and uses the powerful iCUE unified software for in-depth button re-mapping and RGB setup. The MM350 Extended XL MSRP is 39.99 Euros.

 

Pros:

 

-upgraded sensor

-great battery life

-upgraded Omron switches with 50 million rated actuations

-compact and low weight, considering that it also includes a rechargeable battery

-removable USB cable for easy transport

-powered by the powerful unified iCUE software

-has no less than three operating modes (2.4GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, wired mode)

-affordable

 

Cons:

 

-none

CORSAIR HARPOON RGB Wireless Gaming Mouse is Recommended for:

 

 

 

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

 

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