Mice & Keyboards by stefan @ 2023-07-06
We have had good experiences when testing a PWM3389 mice before, such as the AQIRYS T.G.A. and the M36 Pure makes no exception. After customizing it with our own preferences, we ran Diablo 4 and the mouse has performed admirably in action-packed events; a similar experience we have had while playing Mass Effect Andromeda, but also the Destiny 2 looter shooter.
At first, we would like to thank i-Rocks for supplying a sample of their M36 Pure Optical Gaming Mouse for testing and reviewing.
“i-Rocks Technology was founded in Taiwan and started manufacturing OEM products for various technology companies. From then onwards, i-Rocks has established its own brand name, designing, and producing IT-related peripherals and accessories for the everyday IT user.
Since then, i-Rocks has come a long way since the start of its branding. As the new generation of users are demanding products of higher quality at better value, we needed to push ourselves in the R&D department to exceed expectations of the modern-day users. Currently, i-Rocks is focused on manufacturing and providing heavy IT users e.g., professional, and casual gamers, IT workers, and gadget fans their required equipment.
Company Branches and Info
Currently, our headquarters is in Taiwan while we have manufacturing facilities in China. Our individual branches are also available in various countries – USA, South Korea, China, and Malaysia.
Roles in Competitive Gaming and eSports
With the current rising of E-sports in the world, i-Rocks has been involved in various aspects of E-sports as well, in the form of team and event sponsorships. We truly believe that E-sports is only in its infant stages and needs every form of support that it can. As a competitive gaming equipment manufacturer and brand, we are compelled to support E-sports as much as we can.
Mission
At i-Rocks, our mission is to be one of the leading IT brands and manufacturers in the world. Instead of just being the best by the marketing hype or sales numbers, we want to create and build products that our users will love and support with all their heart.”
Lightweight Gaming Mouse
Weighed at 69g, the M36 Pure features solid components and durable structures inside a non-honeycomb mouse shell. Paracord is also included for stable and low friction wired mouse movement.
Precise Tracking
PixArt PMW3389 optical sensor with true 16,000 dpi
Optical Microswitches
Left and right clicks are powered by LK optical microswitches with crispy button feedback and up to 70 million click lifespan. Light-based actuation eliminates problems of malfunctions caused by contact oxidation in traditional microswitches.
Satisfying Scrolling Detents
Say goodbye to mushy scroll wheels. The pronounced bumps of japanese ALPS encoder in the M36 Pure ensures clear tactile feeling from every scroll step.
iRocks Software 2 Enabled
Configure backlight synchronization, resolution and report rate, macros, surface calibration and more to make your mouse yours, and manage all your software-enabled iRocks peripherals on one versatile software.
Onboard Memory
The configuration you set through the software can be saved to the mouse's onboard memory for on-the-go convenience.
Interface: USB
Backlight: RGB LED
Button: 7 keys - (Right and Left Click: LK Optical microswitches)
Resolution: 100-16000 DPI
Report rate: 125/250/500/1000 Hz
Power Consumption: Max. 100 mA
Dimension: 119 (L) x 64.0 (W) x 41.5 (H) mm
Cable Length: 200 cm
Weight:
approx. 92 g (with cable)
approx. 69 g (without cable)
In this article we will look upon another interesting gaming mouse but manufactured by a company we haven’t worked with before, i-Rocks. i-Rocks was presented first as an OEM and manufactured products for different other technology companies; the next step implied the launch of its own branded products, on a very competitive market such as gaming peripherals.
The M36 Pure is shipped inside a compact cardboard box, which shows the mouse in operation right on the frontal cover, but we will be also informed of the sensor this model does integrate:
On the right side, we will note the list of product specifications:
The package contents list is available further down:
We will get to know more details about the M36 Pure on the back, one important aspect being the inclusion of optical microswitches for the left and right click buttons:
The top cover opens like a book, to reveal the main highlights of this model, but we will be also able to check out how the mouse does look, through a transparent plastic layer:
Besides the mouse, we will also receive the Quick Installation Guide:
The guide will inform us on how to perform the hardware installation but also how to work with the compatible software:
The mouse does sport a familiar, comfortable shape for right-hand users and does come in an all-black body with a smooth texture; it does weight only 69 grams without the cable, in line with other mainstream mice from other companies:
On the top area, we will find the DPI switch buttons:
The mouse wheel is rubberized, RGB enabled and does incorporate an ALPS encoder for pronounced feedback on the movement, but also increased durability. The left and right buttons include LK optical microswitches, which feature a superior durability when compared to mainstream mechanical ones (70 million actuations rating), won’t double-click (an issue with some less-durable switch models) and have zero debounce:
On the left side, we will note two more programmable buttons, easy accessible with our thumb finger:
The curved back of the mouse does reveal a subtle RGB logo:
On the right side, we will note a rest area for the fingers:
Here is a look in the frontal area of the mouse as well:
On the bottom area, we will note the PixArt PMW3389 optical sensor lens, a sensor which can track up to 16000 DPI, with a selectable Polling Rate between 125 and 1000Hz; Three PTFE feet do help with smooth gliding (two small, one large), while the installed sticker does reveal info on the power rating, but also the product serial number:
As we have noted with mice from Dream Machines and other reputable companies, the M36 Pure does come with a shoelace-like cable (or paracord), which is incredibly flexible and makes you think that you are really using a wireless model:
The USB-A port is gold plated, to assist with optimal electrical contact:
If the default mouse grip is not enough for you, i-Rocks can bundle it with a set of Mouse Grip Tape:
The set was designed to fit with multiple mouse models from the company: M36 Pro, M36 Pure but also the M35:
The grip tape is manufactured by 3M and is already cut to size:
It features a rubber compound, while the texture would like to imitate carbon fiber:
The RGB backlight from the back is linked to the one for the scroll wheel; noted some light bleed in the DPI +/- area, but also in the right button area, since the RGB LED is not positioned exactly in the middle of the wheel:
The software for this mouse can be downloaded via the i-Rocks Support section and is named iRocks Application Software 2.3.1.1; the Assignment tab will take care of the button remapping task:
The functions we can assign to a button are plenty!
The defined profiles can be linked to certain programs:
The RGB lighting can be configured from the dedicated area:
Here is the list of presets we can work with:
From the Performance tab, we can adjust the LOD, Angle Snapping, the Polling Rate, the Cursor speed, the Double click speed, we can customize the DPI levels but also its corresponding colors:
A Surface Calibration wizard is available as well:
If we do have more compatible i-Rocks peripherals, the RGB effects can be synced:
There are less presets for syncing, though:
We have had good experiences when testing a PWM3389 mice before, such as the AQIRYS T.G.A. and the M36 Pure makes no exception. After customizing it with our own preferences, we ran Diablo 4 and the mouse has performed admirably in action-packed events; a similar experience we have had while playing Mass Effect Andromeda, but also the Destiny 2 looter shooter.
With dimensions of 119 x 64 x 41.5 mm, we found it ideal to be used with either a palm or claw grip (depending on the hand size), while the customization can be done further in terms of grip thanks to the supplied tapes. While the design of the mouse is familiar, a comfort bonus would be the use of the paracord cable, which is very flexible, as we have noted on many Dream Machines mice models.
The RGB segments are basic in terms of configuration, and we do get a decent number of presets to work with; while the GUI is quite simple, it offers enough configuration options, including surface calibration.
The i-Rocks M36 Pure moue can be found online for just about $49 on Amazon USA.
We would like to thank again to i-Rocks for making this review possible!