Office
applications, surfing the web, gaming, just a few tasks that you
might do regularly on your PC. Control for these applications
is more than likely a mouse and keyboard combo. Since we are going
to be using those items each time, does it not make sense to spend
a little time choosing the right equipment you will be comfortable
with and will do the job well?
So
why not have a little fun with your choices too? There is no rule
that says you must buy a beige mouse. Plenty of manufacturers
offer alternatives these days, including Flexiglow,
who have sent us there 800dpi optical mouse and their 101 Key
xRaider keyboard from their xRaider lineup.
xRaider
Gaming Mouse
•
Easy-Grip rubber coated buttons
• Illuminated Scroll Wheel with built in calibration control
• Funky changing colour illuminated status light
• Extra long USB cord (1.8m)
• Translucent exterior housing
• Slick easy glide Teflon Feet
The
box for the xRaider Gaming Mouse allows you to see the mouse
upfront, and has the info you will need to know printed on the
rear of the box. Opening the package we find the mouse itself,
a USB to PS/2 adapter plug and a draw string black bag for LAN
party transportation.
The
mouse is a 3 button mouse (mouse 3 is the scroll wheel itself)
plus a scroll wheel. There is a nice definite 'push' presence
and click to the buttons which gives you a nice feedback; you
know if you clicked or not because you can feel it. The actual
main two buttons themselves are a continuation of the mouse
top itself which means that regardless of how you prefer to
grip a mouse, your fingers should reach far enough to the buttons;
the actual push part are almost the same length as my fingers.
Both are adorned with the xRaider tribal motif in silver on
the black to match the silver of the mouse housing.
The
rear of the xRaider Gaming Mouse has a transparent and backlit
xRaider logo which cycles colours every few seconds. The mouse
interior, sides and bottom are translucent and have a blue/red
glow to them; blue from the backlight of the mouse wheel and
the red from the bottom red LED. You certainly have plenty of
eye candy with the xRaider products and the xRaider Gaming Mouse
is no exception.
xRaider
Keyboard
•
Full size keyboard
• PS/2 interface
• Blue EL Back Light
• Translucent white keys
• Excellent key feedback
• Palm wrest
• Compatible with Windows 98, XP, NT, ME 2000
Like
the xRaider Gaming Mouse, the Keyboard Box allows you too see
the keyboard upfront. To be perfectly honest, there isn't a
whole lot to say about the xRaider Keyboard that pictures couldn't
tell you.
Like
the EL Illuminated keyboard we reviewed before from Flexiglow,
the xRaider Keyboard is black with white translucent keys, backlit
buy a blue EL glow. It's about there that the similarity ends
though, since this is a full size keyboard with a standard layout.
You
don't have any extra 'multimedia' keys or anything like that,
although you do have an On/Off switch for the EL blue glow.
Speaking of blue lighting, Flexiglow have also changed from
the standard green LED's on their EL keyboard to matching blue
LED's on this xRaider keyboard.
The
rear of the keyboard has retractable legs at the rear the same
as you would find on any standard keyboard. Also at the rear
we have this gripping channel which you can use to dictate which
side you want the cable to exit from; the rear left, rear middle
or rear right. The front of the keyboard features two hinge
mounting points for the included wrist wrest. While there isn't
anything overly 'special' (aside from the obvious blue EL lighting)
about the xRaider Keyboard, it does compliment the rest of the
xRaider lineup nicely.
Testing
Testing
items such as a mice and keyboards is a very subjective thing
however we can hopefully include enough information for you to
make an informed purchasing decision. I usually use an Intellimouse
Explorer V3 for my day to use and gaming, and while it is a little
large for my hands, I have become accustomed to it.
The
xRaider mouse fits my hand beautifully and since it is symmetrical
you should find that all but the largest hands will find it comfortable
as well, regardless if you are left or right handed. Extended
play with the xRaider in comparison with the Explorer (and at
the possibility of being disgusting) yielded less sweating on
my part which could be seen as a bonus by many although since
the grip for the xRaider is more rubber like than the plastic,
you are more likely to keep your hand in the exact same place
for longer. That should probably be seen as a plus point, and
indeed it is, but the trade off is that at least when you do sweat
while playing with the Explorer, since your hand is going to slip
a little more often, you at least don't get to build up sweat
under your hand like with the xRaider.
Ok
enough grossness, accuracy with the xRaider is great; the mouse
itself skates like it's on a cushion of air, and there is a noticeable
difference in the smoothness of movement on the screen in comparison
with the Explorer V3. I know some folks will find the movement
too fast, both on the screen (which can obviously be adjusted)
and off the screen with the mouse itself (harder to adjust) but
I personally like the quick accurate movement. I really do like
gaming with this mouse, although since it won't stop on a dime
it did make snap 'reaction shots' a little erratic until I got
used to it.
The
keyboard works like any keyboard should basically, although I
did find a few of the keys to be a little stiff at first. Thankfully
they loosened up after a few days solid use. There isn't
really much to report here on its use either, aside from the eye
candy it operates the same as any standard keyboard should. I'm
typing this review on the xRaider Keyboard right now and it is
working without issue.
Final
Words
The
Flexiglow
xRaider Gaming Mouse and xRaider Keyboard are both good components
although the obvious star of the show here is the Gaming Mouse.
In the looks department it is pretty good, although I do think
that perhaps the rear cycling LED should have a switch of some
kind to dictate a singular colour or the cycling of the colour;
it can get a bit tiresome/distracting to the eyes now and then.
That said, there is a good chance you will have the palm of your
hand covering it anyway. The overall package is pretty complete;
you not only get the mouse itself, but also a USB to PS/2 adapter
and a black carry bag for the mouse. In use, the xRaider is a
very fast' mouse; it glides effortless across surfaces, which
is personally how I like a mouse to be. I usually tape up the
feet of my Explorer V3 to get added 'slickness' but this isn't
something you will need to do on the xRaider Gaming Mouse. I like
the fact the main two buttons are in fact one piece and part of
the top grip of the mouse meaning that regardless of how you hold
it, your fingers should always be long enough.
I
would have liked to have seen a couple of side buttons on the
mouse though, as I know a few folks like to keep the mouse wheel
free for changing weapons/zooming while using a side button as
an alternative firing button. As for the keyboard, I think that
Flexiglow should have added the multimedia keys from their previous
EL keyboard to this one as well, although it works just fine as
a standard keyboard.
If
you are looking to add some lighted components to your setup then
the xRaider
Gaming Mouse and xRaider Keyboard are worth a look.
Pros:
Fast mouse - both on the screen and on your mousepad, Blue LED
lit scroll wheel, Red LED lit mouse bottom, Rear xRaider logo
cycles colours, Nice one piece grip including the two main buttons,
accurate, Carry bag included for the mouse, Nice EL glow from
the Keyboard, Standard Keyboard layout – not a compressed
laptop keyboard layout, Wrist rest for the Keyboard.
Cons:
Some may find the xRaider mouse too fast - all down to personal
preference, Keyboard is otherwise standard - designed to compliment
the xRaider lineup rather than add something to it.
Bottom
Line: Items such as your Keyboard and Mouse are in constant
use and while many companies offer 'fun' items with lights and
other gimmicks, not all of them make sure the components perform
properly as well as look good. The xRaider items do perform properly
and look good too.
Questions?
Comments? Discuss this review in our Forums.
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