CONCLUSION

   The COUGAR MINOS X3 is very much alike the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse since both models feature the same PMW3310DH-AWQT IR-LED sensor configured a 3200DPI (same DPI presets) along with a very similar housing. However that's where their similarities pretty much end and you see that we're talking about two entirely different products. So the MINOS X3 also has 8 different colors for its LED backlight system with 3 effects (basically – COUGAR counts colors as effects) and dual switches on its base for DPI and polling rate control. Unfortunately however the MINOS X3 has a single design flaw and that's the partial LED ring on its base which makes it very hard to use on textured surfaces (too much friction gives you the feeling that there are small rocks underneath the mouse). On the other hand using a sleek (low-friction) mouse pad makes it move extremely fast and that takes getting used to a while. Obviously we recommend avoid using the MINOS X3 with a high-friction mouse pad especially aluminum ones like the ones we used during our tests (3 out of 4 mouse pads we use to test gaming mice are aluminum ones). After getting used to the MINOS X3 on a sleek low-friction mouse pad however i can say that it's almost as good (fast and accurate) as the Pulsefire FPS by HyperX.

   What “saves” the MINOS X3 Gaming Mouse by COUGAR is its price tag since it currently retails for just USD31.20 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for just 27.48Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). Yes it’s far from the perfect gaming mouse especially if you’re using a high-friction mouse pad but because of its very good grip, overall performance, 3-zone backlight and extremely tempting price tag it’s a really honest proposal by COUGAR and that’s why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Very Good Grip
- Very Accurate & Fast (Pixart PMW3310 IR LED Optical Sensor)
- 3 Zone LED Backlight With 8 Colors And 3 Effects
- DPI And Polling Rate Selection Switches
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Performance On High Friction Surfaces (Base Ring)
- No Control Panel