Hands-on review: ASUS ROG Spatha gaming mouse - a competitive edge
The Asus ROG Spatha mouse is a top-of-the-line wired/wireless gaming mouse that allows you to customise virtually anything, from the macro keys, lighting effects, performance to even the touch and feel of it.
It comes equipped with 12 programmable buttons for macros, LED backlights on the side buttons, scroll wheel and front logo. You can program the buttons to do any combination of clicks and key presses you want and store them on the in-built memory to bring them on the go with you. You can also stylise the AURA LED backlights with various options, including the choice to make it a battery indicator that goes from green to orange to red as the battery drains.
The ASUS ROG Spatha also has plenty of performance options, including DPI sensitivity up to 8200DPI and the ability to choose separate X and Y-axis or combined. It also allows you to adjust the acceleration/deceleration up to 30g, 10 steps angle snapping for more precise movement, button response and even the USB pulling rate up to 2000Hz or up to 1000Hz for wireless to accompany your fast action in gameplay.
You can also enable custom surface calibration to tune the mouse to most surfaces. All you have to do is move the mouse around on the surface, and the mouse cursor will start moving again once it's done.
One very unique inclusion of this mouse is the ability to change the micro switch for the main left and right mouse button for tactile feedback. It actually included an additional set of Omron switches to allow me to experience the difference. The Wireless Receiver also serves as a charging dock for the mouse.
Last but not least, the mayan-patterned rubber grip at the side that includes an anti-sweat surface helps to extend the longevity of the mouse, keeping your hand comfortable on the mouse while retaining that premium feel even after extended usage.
Ergonomics
The ASUS ROG Spatha has a slightly flatter, wider style than my current mouse, so I think it is slightly better suited to people with broader hands, but in saying that it still fit my hands comfortably.
I mostly tried it out using the wireless mode, but did have a brief play around in wired mode as well. The wireless mode felt very smooth and stable, it maintained a fast and stable connection to the wireless receiver - I hardly noticed the fact I was using a wireless mouse compared to wired.
Software
The software for the mouse, ROG Armoury, is where you change all the settings of the mouse buttons and LEDs, program macros and set up individual profiles. It's nicely laid out and runs smoothly. I didn't encounter any issues when using it. It takes a little bit of time to apply changes, but it does display a progress bar so that helps.
Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Spatha gaming mouse is a powerful, high-end mouse with plenty of options for customisation of the buttons, LEDs and power settings for wireless mode. Well done to ASUS for another great product.
- Lots of buttons for macros
- Plenty of performance customisation options
- Lots of lighting options
- Custom surface calibration
- Power settings for wireless mode
- Nice look/style
