INTRODUCTION

   Some people saying that picking the right gaming mouse is many times harder than picking the right keyboard and i tend to agree with them. You see for a keyboard you only need to know which type of switches you want (durability/noise/feedback) and whether or not you want extra features like dedicated media controls, USB passthroughs, RGB lighting zones and extra macro keys. When it comes to a mouse however there's a plethora of things to look for which include not just its sensor model (DPI/Speed/Acceleration), shape (grip / left handed or ambidextrous) and number of buttons but also extra features like adjustable weight, rubber sides (handling), switches used (durability/feedback), RGB lighting zones and software enhancements (like angle-snapping and surface calibration). The Scimitar RGB Elite MOBA/MMO Gaming Mouse is the latest model to be released by CORSAIR and it's here with us today.

   Founded in 1994, CORSAIR has grown from pioneering the high-performance DRAM market into one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance gaming and streaming products. CORSAIR offers a complete range of products to equip gamers, enthusiasts, and esports athletes, including mechanical keyboards, precision gaming mice, wireless headsets, premium PC components, and the CORSAIR ONE fully-integrated gaming PC. With a company-wide commitment to quality, innovative design, advanced features and high-performance, CORSAIR products have won thousands of media and industry awards, earning their place in gamers’ hands and PCs following years of development and engineering by a team dedicated to building great products that they themselves would want to use. In 2018 CORSAIR acquired Elgato Gaming, a manufacturer of streaming products. In 2019 CORSAIR acquired Origin Computers, a manufacturer of custom high-performance gaming PCs and laptops, and SCUF Gaming, an innovator and creator of high-performance gaming controllers.

   The latest Scimitar RGB Elite MOBA/MMO Gaming Mouse is the third one by CORSAIR to carry that name after the very successful Scimitar RGB (2015) and Scimitar RGB Pro (2017 - review here) models. All three models use the same palm-grip contoured shaped body (CORSAIR has used different colors per model however), 17 programmable buttons, 4-zone RGB lighting system and the same key slider mechanism located on the left side of the mouse (features a grant total of 12 mechanical thumb buttons) while both the RGB Pro and RGB Elite models feature the same OMRON switches for the primary buttons (50 million clicks) and the same onboard memory which can store up to 3 profiles. So, what has changed since the RGB Pro model? Well aside changing the color theme from black and yellow to black CORSAIR has also used a custom Pixart PMW3391 optical sensor that sports a maximum resolution of 18.000DPI (dots per inch - adjustable in single DPI increments) with 400IPS (inches per second) speed, 50G's maximum acceleration and 1000Hz refresh rate. This is not the first time we've seen CORSAIR use the custom PMW3391 optical sensor model by Pixart (also featured in their Nightsword, Glaive and Ironclaw models) but it will be good to see just how well it performs with the contoured shaped body of the Scimitar RGB Elite.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The Scimitar RGB Elite gets shipped inside the same black and yellow box CORSAIR has been using for well over a year now so again we find a product picture at the front along with their company and iCUE logos.

A tagline is once again printed on the right side of the box.

At the base of the box we find drawings of the bundle contents, information about CORSAIR and a sticker with the product serial number and barcodes.

Two product pictures are located at the rear of the box right next to the product features and the system requirements printed in 7 languages.

Along with the Scimitar RGB Elite MOBA/MMO gaming mouse you are also getting an Allen key, warranty guide, WEEE paper and the user guide.

THE SCIMITAR RGB ELITE

Even though the rubber coated body of the Scimitar RGB Elite is quite wide and large it weighs just 122g (cable excluded).

Once again, the left side is populated by 12 programmable thumb buttons placed on the key slider mechanism.

Likewise, the company logo is again located at the rear of the mouse.

A large rubberized pinkie grip is located on the right side.

At the top of the Scimitar RGB Elite we find the two configurable DPI selection buttons.

CORSAIR has used the same large clickable scroll wheel which is also one of the adjustable RGB zones.

Taking a look further down we find yet another one of the RGB zones.

Three large PTFE feet can be seen at the base of the Scimitar RGB Elite.

The key slider Allen slot if located just next to the PMW3391 sensor.

Repositioning the key slider with its 12 buttons is a very useful feature since it helps cover all hand sizes.

At the end of the 1.8 meter long braided fiber cable we find a regular (not gold-plated) USB plug.

ICUE SOFTWARE

Once you install and launch the iCUE software it will detect compatible products and check to see if there's a new firmware available (if there is an updates button will appear on the lower left corner).

The main tab has 3 different mouse pictures from where you can see the current RGB lighting color and mode.

From within the actions and hardware actions (onboard profiles) tabs you can program all 17 buttons with actions, macros and software shortcuts.

Everything related to the 4-zone RGB lighting system is placed in the lighting effects and hardware lighting effects (onboard profiles) tabs so from here you can change colors and choose one of the available effects (13 available ones).

From the DPI tab you can assign a color for each of the 5 DPI presets (6 if we include the sniper preset) and set the preferred DPI levels for each.

Inside the performance tab CORSAIR has placed the adjust the pointer precision and enable angle snapping options.

The surface calibration tool ensures optimal performance on any surface.

You can check all three onboard (hardware) profiles from the onboard profiles tab.

Here you can see some of the colors of the 4-zone RGB system (rainbow mode).

CONCLUSION

   By keeping the same contoured shaped body as its predecessors CORSAIR has once again released a palm-grip model which will fit like a glove to a large percentage of the consumer market. Pairing that with a faster and more accurate optical sensor like the custom Pixart PMW3391 was the logical move by CORSAIR and the end result which is quite improved compared to its direct predecessor (Scimitar RGB Pro) is proof of that. Of course, the key-slider feature has always been very useful and i have to admit that I’ve always used it when testing both the RGB Pro in the past and the RGB Elite now (i found that positioned right in the middle makes it easier for my fingers to access those buttons). To be honest with all of you i was expecting something new in regards to the RGB lighting system but i can’t really say anything bad about the one that CORSAIR has been using since thanks to their placement all 4-zones look very nice.

   With a retail price currently set at USD79.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and at 89.99Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the Scimitar RGB Elite MOBA/MMO Gaming Mouse is priced roughly the same as both its predecessor at launch. Still at the end of the day there’s basically just 1 difference between the Pro and the Elite models which in my opinion doesn’t really warrant going from the former to the latter. That being said however the Scimitar RGB Elite is a very fast and accurate gaming mouse with a total of 17 programmable buttons (two of which feature OMRON switches) and a 4-zone RGB lighting system (13 effects) and that’s why it deserves our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Design / Grip
- Pixart PMW3391 Optical Sensor (18000 DPI / Excellent Tracking)
- Key Slider Mechanism
- 17 Programmable Buttons
- 4 Zone RGB Lighting System
- iCUE Software

CONS

- Size (For Some)
- Price (For Some)