INTRODUCTION

   There are currently three different grip styles people use with a mouse the palm grip style (this is by far the most popular style since it's used by both regular users and gamers alike), the claw grip style (this is also my preferred style and follows the palm grip style very close in terms of popularity) and finally the tip grip style (this may be the least popular style but since it also happens to be the fastest one of the three - although not quite as accurate - it's actually used quite a bit by professional esports gamers). Of course the shape and size of a mouse is directly linked to a grip style so not all mice out there can be used with all grip styles. CORSAIR recently released their latest trio of gaming mice aimed towards all three grip styles and after reviewing the M65 RGB Elite and the HARPOON RGB Wireless today we'll be taking a look at the IRONCLAW RGB FPS/MOBA Gaming Mouse.

   Founded in 1994, CORSAIR supplies high-performance products purchased primarily by PC gaming enthusiasts who build their own PCs or buy pre-assembled customized systems. The company's award-winning products include DDR3 and DDR4 memory upgrades, computer cases, PC cooling products, gaming headsets, gaming keyboards, gaming mice, power supply units, USB flash drives, solid-state drives and system monitoring and control devices.

   Due to its rather wide body (lightweight at just 105g) the IRONCLAW RGB Gaming Mouse is aimed towards palm grip users and just like the M65 RGB Elite it's also outfitted with the exclusive (at least for now) PMW3391 optical sensor by Pixart which features a maximum native resolution of up to 18.000DPI (dots per inch - adjustable in single DPI increments), has a maximum refresh rate of 1000Hz and can be calibrated (via CORSAIR's iCUE software) for ultra-accurate and high-speed tracking on any mousepad. The IRONCLAW RGB also has a 2-Zone dynamic RGB backlight system (13 lighting effects), improved OMRON switches for the primary buttons (up to 50 million clicks), 7 programmable buttons, 3 DPI presets (4 with the sniper preset) and a rubber coated clickable scroll wheel.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The IRONCLAW RGB also arrived inside a black and yellow box that has a large product picture at the front right beneath the company logo and above its name and the iCUE logo.

The product features and the system requirements are listed at the rear of the box in 4 languages.

Just like with the M65 RGB Elite and the HARPOON RGB Wireless on the left side of the box we see the Control Freak tagline.

Along with the IRONCLAW RGB FPS/MOBA gaming mouse you will get a warranty guide and the user guide.

THE IRONCLAW RGB

The IRONCLAW RGB features rubber coating at the top and as you can see it's a medium sized gaming mouse.

The DPI selection LEDs are located on the left side right next to two programmable thumb buttons and a large rubberized textured area.

Once again, the company logo is located at the rear of the mouse and is part of the 2-zone RGB lighting system.

A large rubberized textured area is also located on the right side of the mouse.

The profile and DPI selection/toggle buttons are located at the top of the IRONCLAW RGB.

The rubberized clickable scroll wheel resembles the one used in the M65 RGB Elite.

At the base of the IRONCLAW RGB we find 4 large PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) feet and the PMW3391 optical sensor.

A regular (not gold plated) USB plug is located at the end of the 1.8 meter long braided cable.

ICUE SOFTWARE

As always you can download the latest version of the iCUE software from the CORSAIR support page.

Once you install and launch the program it will detect and list compatible devices on the right side.

It will also detect any available firmware updates for the mouse (the entire process takes less than a minute to complete).

To enter the settings screen for the mouse just click on its picture on the right side of the software tab.

Just like with previous mice by CORSAIR from the actions tab you can program all 7 buttons with actions, macros and software shortcuts.

Everything related to the dual zone RGB lighting system is placed in the lighting effects tab so from here you can change colors and set effects (13 available ones).

From the DPI tab you can assign a color for each of the 3 presets (4 including the sniper one) and set the preferred DPI levels.

Inside the performance tab you can enable angle snapping and adjust the pointer precision.

The surface calibration tab is very useful if you want the mouse to behave as best as possible with your mat.

From the top menu the iCUE software allows the end user to monitor the status of the system, use instant colors, perform firmware updates and adjust various secondary settings.

Here you can see some of the colors of the dual zone RGB system.

CONCLUSION

We used the IRONCLAW RGB FPS/MOBA Gaming Mouse by CORSAIR for a period of 12 days with various game titles including Star Wars Battlefront II, Dreadnought, Resident Evil 2 Remastered, Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds and Metro Exodus (4A Games did it again by the way) and although we still prefer the M65 RGB Elite (its shape and weight system make it more responsive and accurate) we weren’t disappointed. Tracking speed is impressive and although it just doesn't feel as accurate as the M65 RGB Elite still the IRONCLAW RGB did very well in that area too. Gliding properties are also very good not only due to its very large PTFE feet but also because of its lightweight housing/enclosure. However, because of its lightweight enclosure the IRONCLAW RGB doesn’t feel as “sturdy” as the M65 RGB Elite with its anodized aluminum frame and that could turn out to be a game breaker for certain people.

   The CORSAIR IRONCLAW RGB FPS/MOBA Gaming Mouse currently retails for USD54.35 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 48.39Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which places it right in the middle of many similar models by other manufacturers. That being said the worst “rival” the IRONCLAW RGB has currently is the M65 RGB Elite model again by CORSAIR which retails for around the same price tag and offers more both in terms of features and build quality (or at least it feels that way). Because of that although we feel CORSAIR should work on the price of the IRONCLAW RGB more in order to further "distance" it from the M65 RGB Elite we still recommend checking it out if not for the shape and weight of its enclosure/housing then certainly for its impressive speed and good accuracy.

PROS

- Lightweight Enclosure (Just 105g)
- Extremely Fast & Accurate (Pixart PMW3391)
- Good Grip (Rubber Coating)
- OMRON Micro-Switches (50 Million Clicks)
- RGB Lighting System (2 Zones)
- 7 Programmable Buttons
- 1.8 Meter Long Braided Cable
- iCUE Software (Available Settings)
- Surface Calibration Tool

CONS

- Current Price (Compared To That Of The M65 RGB Elite)
- Size (For Some)
- Lightweight Enclosure (Doesn't Feel Very Sturdy)