INTRODUCTION

   As far back as i can remember wireless gaming mice couldn't compete with wired ones not only because they weren't as "fast" but also because they required either fresh batteries or to be recharged rather frequently. From time to time gaming peripheral manufacturers have tried to bridge that gap by resolving these issues but with just a few exceptions (Logitech G902 we're looking at you) most haven't been able to keep up with their wired counterparts. Tt eSPORTS also launched their very own wireless/wired offering a while back based on the Level 10 M Gaming Mouse which they called the Level 10 M Hybrid but although it scored high on most tests (and also got numerous awards) it left people wanting for even more. It seems however that Tt eSPORTS is not really done with the Level 10 chassis so they upgraded it once again and launched it as the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced Gaming Mouse.

   A division of Thermaltake Gaming, Tt eSPORTS is committed to bringing the most personalized and the highest quality gear for the most competitive cyber battles, and advances the idea of products designed by gamers for gamers. Tt eSPORTS has continually been a major driving force in inspiring, challenging, and taking to new heights eSports in the professional gaming industry; and currently sponsors a multitude of gaming teams and streamers from around the world by equipping them with the necessary gaming gears - keyboards, headsets, mice and accessories - to compete and succeed at the highest level at major eSport events such as: DreamHack, Insomnia, epic. LAN and the Intel Extreme Masters. Tt eSPORTS continually strives to promote eSports as a global phenomenon and to put it onto the world stage.

   Tt eSPORTS released the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced Gaming Mouse shortly after the Level 10 M Advanced model and as you may have already figured out their only difference is the 5.8G wireless transmitter used in the first, its rechargeable battery pack which gives it up to 15 hours of life (and needs only 4 for a full charge) and the 3 lighting zones instead of 2. So both models feature 6 programmable buttons, an ARM based 32-bit microcontroller with 64kb flash memory, 128kb of onboard memory, 1000MHz/1ms polling rate, OMRON primary switches (50 million clicks lifecycle), adjustable 3D axis system, RGB illumination (16.8 million colors with 2 zones and 3 effects) and last but certainly not least the modified Avago ADNS-9800 laser sensor which this time over can reach a resolution of up to 16000DPI (via software overdrive) with 150 IPS (inches per second) and 30G of acceleration. Now this may not be worlds apart when compared to the previous Level 10 M Hybrid but its improvements should make it not only faster but also better looking.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The box has a product picture at the front right beneath the company logo and above its main features.

Another product picture is placed on the right side along with a 2D barcode which when scanned leads you to the Tt eSPORTS product page.

All the features of the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced are showcased at the rear of the box with the help of 2 pictures.

Once again the front opens to reveal both the mouse and several pictures used to showcase its features.

Along with the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced Gaming Mouse you'll also get its detachable braided USB cable, USB extension cable (not braided), thick carrying pouch, small Allen key, two Tt eSPORTS case stickers, warranty information and the quick installation guide.

THE LEVEL 10 M HYBRID ADVANCED

Once again Tt eSPORTS has used the same "industrial" grade matte coating for the body of the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced.

Here we have the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced right next to the Level 10 M Advanced (the only visible difference is the thumbrest of the wired model and the cord extension of the wireless).

Three programmable buttons (one of which is a 5D one) are placed on the left side of the body.

At the rear we see the 3D axis Allen screw (vertical adjustment).

Where the Advanced has an extra lighting zone the Hybrid Advanced only has a red Tt eSPORTS dragon.

From the top we also see the LED profile indicator (located on the left button) and the LED DPI selection indicator (located on the right button).

The 5.8G wireless transmitter is placed on the right side under the pinkie rest.

The horizontal adjustment Allen screw is placed right next to the transmitter.

Again we find the same clickable scroll wheel as with previous Level 10 gaming mice and yes again it's the 1st lighting zone.

At the front of the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced we find a protective cap with the company logo on it.

Removing it reveals the micro USB port with which you can connect the bundled braided cable either to recharge the mouse or use it wired.

At the base of the mouse we find 4 large Teflon feet, the laser sensor, pairing button and the on/off switch.

Thanks to the 3D axis feature you can adjust both the height and angle of the mouse as seen above.

In case you're wondering the tiny USB receiver is placed at the end of the braided USB cable as seen above.

Worth pointing out is that the micro USB and USB connectors of the braided cable are both gold plated.

COMMAND CENTER

You can download the latest version of the Tt eSPORTS Command Center from the product page seen above.

Once you run the program for the first time it will update the firmware version of both your mouse and the USB receiver (you will need to have both plugged in).

The Command Center has a total of 5 profiles and from the first page you can program all 6 of the available buttons and create macros.

From the performance tab you can adjust the DPI of all 4 available presets, disable the sensor completely and you can also set the lift-off control, angle-snapping, polling rate and button response time.

Via the light option tab you can set the color for both zones and use one of the three available effects (static, pulse and spectrum running).

If you wish you can check the current firmware version from the setup icon.

Here we've placed some of the colors you can use with the RGB system of the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced.

CONCLUSION

   We've used and tested many gaming mice by Tt eSPORTS based on the Level 10 chassis and once again I have to point out that although it may take a while for you to get used to its strangely designed chassis once you do it's a very comfortable mouse. Moving to the “tweaked” ADNS-9800 laser sensor (16000DPI via software) it does feel faster compared to its “normal” 8000DPI version and it’s quite accurate (gliding is very good as well) but it’s still just not as precise as the PMW3366 sensor used in other gaming mice like the G903 by Logitech. Of course the chassis of the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced is more robust compared to that of the G903 so some consumers may place that above precision. Battery life is also very good but although I have to admit that the 14 hours reported by Tt eSPORTS are right on the spot still the G903 offers 10 more under normal use so we do feel they have room for improvement. On the other hand the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced uses 5.8GHz wireless technology which is superior to the 2.4GHz used by the G903 so again these two are trading blows.

   Currently the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced Professional Gaming Mouse by Tt eSPORTS retails for just USD99.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 99.12Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) and that’s also one of its great selling points (ignore the specifications offered by Amazon, they will be corrected as soon as possible). Granted it may not be just as good as the G903 by Logitech but it comes at roughly half the cost and we think that’s what will matter for most potential buyers. At the end of the day the Level 10 M Hybrid Advanced Professional Gaming Mouse offers great speed, precision, wired and wireless use, very good battery life and a 2 zone RGB illumination without asking for as much as its competition and for that it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (Aluminum Body)
- Blazing Fast Laser Sensor (Up To 16000DPI Via Software Overdrive)
- 5.8GHz Wireless & Wired
- Battery Life (Up To 14 Hours)
- Height/Angle Adjustable
- RGB Illumination ( 2 Zones)
- 6 Fully Programmable Buttons
- Extension Cable
- Braided Cable With Gold Plated USB Connector

CONS

- Current Availability
- Laser Sensor Accuracy At Overdrive