INTRODUCTION

   Compared to less than 5 years ago the market is now filled with countless gaming mice from many different manufacturers offering lightning fast speeds coupled with many buttons, special glow effects and in some cases even weight systems. However if you take most of those gaming mice and place then right next to each other you will see that all of them follow the same design lines and share similar features and specifications. However the good thing with the electronics/PC industry is that there are always some manufacturers who do their best to make a difference and that seems to be the case with Cyborg/Mad Catz and their quite impressive and innovative R.A.T line of gaming mice.

   Mad Catz is a leading global provider of innovative products for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz develops and markets accessories for videogame systems and PCs under its Mad Catz (casual gaming), Saitek (simulation), Cyborg (pro gaming), Eclipse (home and office) and TRITTON (gaming audio) brands. Mad Catz also operates e-commerce and content websites for videogame and PC products under its GameShark brand, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary earphones under its AirDrives brand and publishes and distributes video/PC games. Mad Catz distributes its products through most of the leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

   With us today we have the latest M.M.O.7, a slightly modified variant of the original R.A.T.7 gaming mouse which i had the chance to test roughly a year ago. So just like the original R.A.T.7 the M.M.O.7 features the same twin eye laser sensor, the same aluminum (and quite weird looking) frame, the same adjustable parts (length), the same weight system and the same extra/replaceable parts. However unlike its predecessor the M.M.O.7 comes outfitted with a total of 13 fully programmable buttons (which is what really makes it ideal for MMO players) and multiple LED lighting effects. All that's left is to see whether or not the extra buttons hinder the performance/grip of the new M.M.O.7 gaming mouse by Cyborg.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

At the front of the box there's a large picture of the unit along with its main features and the Cyborg logo.

A large mechanical rat is once again present on the left side of the box.

Moving at the right side we see the units list of features and specifications.

Again the main features of the unit are listed on the back this time however all are highlighted with 7 small pictures.

The package opens to reveal the unit behind a see-through clear plastic window on one side while at the other we see its main features written in 5 languages along with the contents of the bundle.

Inside the box you will find the M.M.O.7 gaming mouse, warranty information paper, user's manual, product catalog and a black hard plastic case with the weight storage container (empty by default/ all weights are pre-mounted), 2 right pinkie grips and 2 palm rests.

THE M.M.O.7 GAMING MOUSE

Just like with the original R.A.T.7 (and the Albino version after that) the M.M.O.7 has the same strange spaceship like design as well as the same sturdy aluminum frame.

At the left side we see 5 thumb buttons, DPI selection LEDs, precision aim button (doubles as a 5D pad) and a knob. Just like with the previous R.A.T.7 models the precision aim button can be used with games where excellent precision is required the most (for example while sniping).

By default the M.M.O.7 features the medium sized palm rest.

There's a pinkie button at the front of the right pinkie rest.

As usual the DPI selection button is placed at the top front of the unit, this time however we also see two extra buttons on both its sides.

You can toggle between available profiles by using the mode button located on the left top side.

Just like the original R.A.T.7 and the Albino after that the clickable scroll wheel looks and feels perfect.

The bottom part of the unit is made out of aluminum and has a total of 4 PTFE slick rubber feet.

Mad Catz once again has chosen their twin-eye 6400DPI laser sensor which is amongst the best ones in the market currently.

At the far end of the bottom we see the weight adjustment system (5 weights, 6g each).

In order to add/remove weights you need to remove the rear knob first. The knob doubles as an Allen key.

With that Allen key you can remove and adjust both the left and right grips.

In order to replace the rear palm rest you just need to push this lever and pull it out as seen above.

Here you can see the entire assortment of thumb/pinkie grips and palm rests bundled with the M.M.O.7.

This is my preferred combo (rubber enhanced grip palm rest, wing shaped pinkie grip). The unit also features a gold plated USB connector and a nice braided cable.

USING THE M.M.O.7 GAMING MOUSE 

Mad Catz/Cyborg update their drivers and software suite quite frequently so make sure you check their support page for the latest versions.

The first screen you see when starting the control panel informs you about the various adjustments you can perform.

Through the second tab you can adjust the DPI setting on both axes, configure the precision aim button (red target button) and also setup the Actionlock properties.

Inside the third tab you can remap every single one of the buttons and you can also create and test up to 6 different profiles.

Inside the support tab you can check for updates, read the manual, contact Cyborg and you can even download game profiles made by the Cyborg team.

The lighting effects are also directly linked to the current DPI levels, the available profiles and Actionlock status.

CONCLUSION

   When i first reviewed the original R.A.T.7 i knew that Mad Catz (Cyborg) had achieved something that none other had and that was to design and manufacture an impressive gaming mouse not only in terms of features (optical sensor, weight system, sniper/aim button, replaceable parts) but also thanks to its adjustable size and unique design. So since the new M.M.O.7 shares the same exact design and features the only thing left was to see just how convenient and useful the 13 programmable buttons really are and i can say that it's a definite plus when playing any game not just MMO ones. Of course much like most state of the art sensors the twin eye one used in the M.M.O.7 is remarkably fast and so if this is your first "fast" gaming mouse then it will take you quite a bit of time to get used to it (at least at its full speed/potential) especially due to the entire design of the unit, however once you do there's no going back, take my word for it. Gliding is perfect no matter on what surface you use it with, the weight system works like a charm (personally i used all of the weights) and generally the M.M.O.7 is a very well balanced (although weird looking) gaming mouse much like the original R.A.T.7.

   With a current price tag set at around USD130 inside the USA and 110Euros inside the EU the R.A.T.7. M.M.O.7 costs the same as its predecessor did when it was first launched and that's actually a very good thing mainly because it's good to be able to buy something better at the same price. It's certainly not a cheap peripheral but we are talking about perhaps the best gaming mouse currently available for MMO players so right from the bat it's quite clear that its target audience/group is enthusiasts and hardcore gamers, people who just want the best money can buy, nothing more nothing less. However for people who can't afford the M.M.O.7 as we speak the original R.A.T.7. Sells for quite less and is also an excellent gaming mouse which will not disappoint even the most demanding gamers. Still the M.M.O.7 is currently at the top of the "food chain" and that's why it gets our Platinum award.

PROS

- Build Quality (Aluminum)
- Lightning Fast (6400DPI)
- Size Adjustable Frame
- Weight System
- 13 Programmable Buttons
- Different Parts
- Precision Aim Button
- Actionlock Feature
- Lighting Effects
- Gold Plated USB Connector / Braided Cable 

CONS

- Price (For Some)