I've been searching for a mouse for over a decade to replace how I felt about my Logitech MX 1000 and this seems to be it. SteelSeries hasn't always struck me as high end in the past. I've had several items from them and they always left me with the "it's OK" feeling but never blown away. I'm an avid gamer as well as an IT pro so I go through a lot of mice, keyboards and other devices. I've also got a real thing for human input devices, always looking for something that is new and innovative.
This mouse really takes the cake in the above mind set. The mouse its self feels sturdy, well built and the buttons are well laid out and solid. I've been gaming with this device for a month now and I'm not able to see any difference between when I first un-boxed it and now. Buttons are stiff and almost never get accidentally pressed, even the bottom thumb flick buttons. The light from the LEDs is nice and not dim or overly bright and of course you can adjust this to your liking.
The SteelSeries mouse driver / engine for programming is nice but could be laid out a bit better. It took me a bit of time to find out what they were meaning by some of the names of the functions or the button names, but once you get it, you're good to go. It by no means is difficult, just different. I do wish that the software wouldn't open multiple small windows, it would be nice to have all the functions contained in the one window only because windows can easily become lost behind whatever else you're working on but you just need to be aware of this and it won't be an issue.
Now onto the real reason why I bought this mouse. 13 programmable buttons (14 & 15 are right and left click so unless you're not going to right and left click, the real number is 13) and a VERY innovative layout. The two bottom thumb buttons have quickly become my go to attack buttons / high use buttons and the whole thumb button layout / area is amazing. You get a total of 6 buttons at your thumb and they are so well laid out that you quickly become in-tune with the mouse and where things are at. You get 2 buttons on your index finger next to the left click, one button at your right click finger and a VERY sturdy tilt scroll wheel mouse with a down click as well.
The index finger buttons are VERY stiff and you will never accidentally hit them. This can be a good and bad thing, but overall I find the placement and stiff click nice. Same goes for the right click side single button. You can easily be pressing and holding down on your right click button and roll your finger over and press the custom button on that side and never lose your right click hold. Super bonus.
The scroll wheel tilt and press is one of the best in the industry right now. Many companies are using a very lose or easy to use tilt / press and this can cause mis-clicking, however with this dream of a mouse, the tilt wheel is nice and tight, you can easily have a high use command on all three sides of the scroll and know that what you intended to click / use will be what happens.
At the time of getting this mouse, I've been using a Razer Naga, Razer Naga HEX (also a great mouse), a Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum and a Corsair Scimitar (I told you I have an addiction). I bring this up because I feel that I've had all of the current "top tier" mice in my hands from the past few years and this mouse is just second to none.
The lighting ques for the illumination may not be as sophisticated as the Razer or Logitech, the macro recording and driver programming might not be as beautiful as them either but the hardware, buttons and device make up for this. I feel that the companies have been depending on their flashy software and "cool looks" for too long and haven't really thought about real innovation. The SteelSeries Rival 500 is this in spades.
Lift off and quick turns / reactions in my FPS games are on par with the other mice in the field, the driver is super easy on PC resources and has yet to crash or have any issues on my custom built Windows 10 computer. They update as needed but it's not every freaking day like Razer. I just love this mouse, so much that I've given away 3 to friends and I'll be using it as a give away to or clan guys in our next event. I even bought 2 more to hold onto in case they do away with this for some scary reason and I break mine. I've spent about a decade looking for a mouse that I loved after the Logitech MX1000 left my life. I have bought pretty much every multi-button programmable mouse since then and I've been disappointed in one way or another until now. My search is over and it's even exceed the very device I was looking to re-create.
***EDIT August 8, 2017***
Six weeks in and this mouse is going strong. I've really started to utilize the feedback timers and such in game and wow that's nice for training. I have several profiles setup, each game I play and for work and switching is easy. I've really come to like the software and I find it as easy to program now as I do my Logitech and other devices.
Now to the hardware. I'll admit it, I'm a no-life gamer and like I said above, I am an IT consultant that works from home. I use my computer for 12 hours a day at a minimum. Even on weekends I'll be on my computer for 5+ hours. The buttons feel the same, the layout has really grown on me and I'm still not having any issues hardware wise. I'll update again around the 6 month mark if I can remember, but for the price, even if I only got 90 to 120 days out of this device, I'd be happy. That's how nice the button placement and usage is.
*****EDIT March 29th, 2018*****
Final edit on this product. Still use it, still love it, bought 2 more in case they ever go away. Not much else to say. :) Still like the day I bought it other than the feet are beginning to show wear, but again, I'm on my computer 12+ hours / day for work or play. This thing has seen a TON of use. VERY happy with this product. Even if it were to give up the ghost in 3 months, and I don't see that happening, it would still be worth it as I've been using this thing for a solid 9 months.
| Brand | SteelSeries |
|---|---|
| Item model number | 62051 |
| Hardware Platform | PC, Other System |
| Item Weight | 4.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 4.68 x 3.08 x 1.71 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.68 x 3.08 x 1.71 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Manufacturer | SteelSeries |
| ASIN | B01K3DM0WY |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | August 9, 2016 |
