Roccat Kone XTD Optical Max Customisation Gaming Mouse

I feel I have to write a review about this mouse... I've tried so many, and this is the only one that has really worked. So I've been a Logitech G500/G500s user for a few years, and the shape of those seemed to really fit my hand perfectly. Also, as a creative professional user (very part time gamer) I found the side-scrolling function to be invaluable. My G500s started making the well documented squealing sound, so I got the G502. Unfortunately it has a slightly smaller shape with a more pronounced curve at the back which made my hand ache after about 15 minutes of use. This was the same story for all new Logitech gaming mice that I tried, and also for several others including some from Razer and Steelseries.For anyone else who is looking for a more gentle curve and has the same problem as me - this mouse is ideal. It is a very comfortable shape, has a side-scrolling scroll wheel, can go high dpi (important for Mac if you want to keep the acceleration at zero), has a good sensor (provided you get the optical - the laser one had a mind of its own and I had to send it back), has profile memory built in (again important for Mac users like me because there's no editing driver on Mac), and has several buttons in good, easy to access locations which make life easier. It's awesome!Reasons why it's a 4/5 star mouse and not 5/5:- The covering for the LEDs is not smooth like the rest of the mouse, and, annoyingly, covers quite a large area where you're likely to put your palm. So it doesn't feel as good as it could if it was entirely smooth coated.- No Mac driver for editing. It still works fine, and you can store profiles as I said, but it does require you to have access to a Windows computer to set it up!Unlike many other reviewers mine has arrived in good condition and seems to be working perfectly. Obviously I've read all the negative reviews about build quality, so here's hoping mine's a good one. I will update if things go south!In summary - it's actually the best mouse I've had and fulfils so many criteria that I am super happy to have it. It even looks nice, as the lights have been implemented tastefully.

Good build quality with solid construction. The braided cable was a nice unexpected touch. Excellent pinpoint tracking. Variable weight settings in a compartment underneath, personally I found the mouse heavy enough as it was but it's nice to have the option to change it. As for buttons, they're very responsive and everything can be customised the mouse wheel has left, right and middle click positions even the dpi up and down buttons can be changed to any function. You can set any of the buttons to use as a modifier (key) too giving you double the buttons on top of what is already a decent amount.You can set pretty much everything you could think of on this mouse, sensor settings, dpi, lift off distance. The software is quite good for creating very in depth macros (including press and release timings and lots more) which can be saved in separate profiles that can be set to change automatically on opening specified program files. It's a good profile system too, very responsive and fast as in it changes instantly even when alt-tabbing, very handy feature. You can set timers along with visual and audio cues as macros too which can be handy. There is a voice enabled by default and it's sounds sort of derpy, slightly retarded it says things like "profile 1" "windows profile" "one billion dpi" and so on which is hilarious at first but then somewhat tiresome, thankfully it can be disabled in settings.Oh and it has a bunch of shiny leds if you're into that sort of thing, custom settings for every colour you could think of, colours for different profiles and adjustable pulse rates and high customisable.I have nothing but good things to say about this mouse, it's a great purchase.

I've owned no less than two Kone XTD Laser mice and they both failed after a couple of months. The mouse was amazing but the laser was TERRIBLE.I started using a Mionix Naos 8200 laser and after some adjustment I am definitely a fan for life of Mionix, however, I couldn't resist buying the holy grail of Roccat mice (for me at least), the Kone XTD Optical.The mouse is a beast, I use it with the four 5g weights installed and it's heavy, compared to the Naos it's feels double the weight and the quality feels amazing. It's now got a lick of silver over the top instead of pure black and it's definitely a good look.The Roccat software that comes with the mouse is second to none, it's well laid out and feature rich, if you've never used a Roccat mouse you don't know what your missing. Click counts, scroll counts, distance moved even daft 'awards' for hitting certain milestones. It's all part of the unique Roccat experience. The Easy Shift feature doubles up the use of every button on the mouse, which once you get used to you cannot live without, I REALLY struggled when going back to a mouse without the feature.The feel of the mouse is second to none, the switches are firm and to press are far nicer than any Razer mouse I've used. The scroll wheel is clicky and tight and very accurate when cycling in FPS's for weapons etc, my Naos 8200 was a little vague and often I'd find three clicks of the scroll wheel wasn't my third weapon, not the case with the Roccat.I built my PC in November of last year and I've since been through five mice, the 2013 Razer Deathadder, two Kone XTD Lasers (which despite the colossal flaws I LOVED), a Mionix Naos 8200 and now the Kone XTD Optical. I can honestly say I'm very very pleased to be back with the Roccat!*Edit*After a replacement for a broken weight cover, I am now on my second XTD Optical. I've had it since the 9th of December, it's nearly 8 months old and the matte coating on the mouse is starting to peel off. I don't have overly sweaty; oily or grubby hands; if anything my skin is somewhat dry; however this hasn't stopped the mouse looking VERY tired.The marks on the pics aren't dirt or grime, it's the actual coating of the mouse coming off, I've tried to wipe the matte areas several times and they simply don't come up clean.I've asked for a refund, and after now owning 4 Roccat mice, two Laser & two Optical, all of which have had major or minor faults, I think it's safe to say I won't be going back. It's a shame, I really liked the look and feel of the mice and the software is excellent, however 4 problematic mice is either REALLY bad luck, or a sign of poor workmanship.My girlfriend has hijacked my Mionix Naos 8200, and has been using it daily, at work for the last 8 months, I had it for a good few months before that and unsurprisingly it's going strong and looking good, I now have an optical Naos 7000 on order and that will be my XTD replacement.