Cyborg R.A.T. 9 Review

• Perfect your grip – How do you hunt? Whether you ‘palm’ the mouse or ‘claw’ it, the R.A.T. can quickly and easily adapt by adjusting in length to suit your hand size and grip style. In addition, the Thumb Panel of the R.A.T. 9 moves forwards, backwards, and pivots outwards, giving you perfect positioning for effortless gaming.

• Custom Weight System – Like it light or heavy? Maybe you change the weight to suit your game? No matter, the R.A.T. has you covered. Five 6-gram weights can be added or subtracted in an instant, giving you the perfect weight for a perfect feel. When not in use, the weights can be safely stored in the supplied Weight Storage Container and kept safe in the supplied Charging Dock.

• Precision Aim Mode – Hit your target the first time every time. Use the ST Programming Software to set your desired Precision Aim speed (mouse sensitivity), then hold down the Precision Aim button to slow down mouse movement to a level that works for you. A deadly weapon that will hit your enemy where it hurts.
  

• 5600 DPI – Featuring a new generation ‘twin eye’ laser sensor that reads each axis separately for pinpoint accuracy, the R.A.T. 9 tracks up to a stunning 6 meters per second. Pro gamers who favor low sensitivity with high movement speed preferences will always experience correct tracking and precision.
• 4 Custom DPI Settings – Use the Rocker Switch to toggle between your custom DPI settings
• 5 Programmable Buttons – Combine your Programmable Buttons with 2 regular left and right mouse buttons and give yourself a total of 7 buttons available to punish your competition. Assign your choice of key gaming actions to Programmable Buttons to create your own custom profiles.
• 3 Cyborg Modes – Toggle between three individual R.A.T. modes at the touch of a button. Change sensitivity or Programmable Button actions in an instant and gain immediate access to a mind-boggling 15 commands!
• Powerful ST Programming Software – Change your DPI, cursor sensitivity, create custom profiles for each game, and assign commands to your Programmable Buttons. Easy, quick and the power you need right on your desktop.
• Lightweight Metal Chassis – Strong yet nimble, the solid metal frame forms the core of the R.A.T. 9 for enhanced rigidity.

* Additional details available here

 

First Impressions

 

 

Now that everything is out of the box let’s take a closer look at what we have, starting with the mouse itself.

 

 

The Cyborg R.A.T.9 highlights (other than its comprehensive configuration options) include a ‘Precision Aim Mode’ activated via the red thumb button, this allows for on the fly sensitivity adjustment (while holding) giving greater control, often used when zooming/scoping in with a sighted weapon in FPS gaming. 4 user-definable DPI settings, activated via a switch atop the mouse. The DPI setting can also be seen on-board the mouse via 4 red LEDs that sit just above/left of the Precision Aim button. 15 user-definable commands via 5 programmable buttons and 3 position mode switch (must admit I lifted that text from the box and I still dont really know what it means!). Fully programmable buttons with macro recording functionality.

 

 

Looking at the underside of the R.A.T. 9 you can see the 5600DPI sensor and the small on/off switch. In the picture (below) you can also clearly see all of the weights at the back of the mouse, these are held in place by a spring and a threaded nut. This picture also showcases the sturdy aluminum construction of the R.A.T. 9 (damn I’m bored of typing these full stops already!).

 

 

As you can see the mouse really looks like no other, this is mainly due to the fact that the shape of the R.A.T. is highly configurable to allow for comfort and button positioning to be set according to the user’s preference.

Most of the configuration of the shape of the R.A.T. is done by unscrewing the rear hex drive tool handily stored in the rear of the mouse (see below). This hex drive can be used to adjust the position and the angle of the thumb-rest among other things.

 

 

OK what can be configured, let’s take a look at the various adjustments that can be made to the Cyborg R.A.T.

 

CONFIGURATION OPTIONS (part 1)

 

• Palm Rest

 

The palm rest can be extended aft by approximately 16mm by depressing a small silver lever on the back right of the rest itself.

 



 

• Thumb Rest

 

The thumb rest and its associated 3 buttons can be moved fore and aft by adjusting the screw provided (using the hex tool (see image above)). The overall travel distance available is approximately 8mm. This is a bit of a ‘God Send’ as I have found that the position of these buttons is somewhat critical for me (see Corsair M60 Review).

As you can see from the images below the entire thumb rest has moved approx 8mm aft.

 

 

• Thumb Rest (angle)

 

Just behind the horizontal scroll wheel there is a hex bolt, by just loosening this the angle of the thumb rest can also be adjusted.

 

 

 

CONFIGURATION OPTIONS (part 2)

 

No let’s delve into the smart silver Cyborg box, in here you will find even more options.

 

 

Included in the box are two additional little finger (Pinkie) rests, two palm rests and a weight cartridge containing additional weights.

Of the two Pinkie rests one is identical in shape to the rest fitted as standard, but features a rubber (high grip) surface, the other is a different shape (see above right) and features an additional surface glide at its base. There is also a high grip version of the standard palm rest in addition to one that is taller, should you wish to raise the wrist a little.

The mouse by default is fitted with 4 weights, this can be increased to 7 by using the additional weights in the cartridge supplied. Alternatively all the weights can be removed and stored inside the cartridge.

 

MORE…

 

In addition to the mouse itself (and its configuration options, detailed above) the Cyborg R.A.T. 9 comes with a USB powered 2.4GHz receiver and 2 batteries. The receiver also acts as the charging station for the batteries, as two batteries are supplied then one can be charging while the other is in use. The receiver also has 2 LEDs one red (left side) indicating that data is being received from the mouse and one red/green LED on the right indicating the charge status of the battery.

 

 

Hardware Installation

 

The Cyborg R.A.T. 9 connects to the PC by way of a single USB braided cable, providing power to the receiver, don’t forget to switch the mouse on too!

 

 

Once into Windows it was necessary (as per instructions) to download the latest drivers and software from the Cyborg website, as none are provided. The following files were downloaded (please note that the driver is Operating System specific (for me that’s Windows 7 64bit)):

• Driver: (version 7.0.12.0)
• Software: (version 7.0.13.22)
• R.A.T. 9 battery charge indicator

 

Testing Methodology/Setup

 

The Cyborg R.A.T. 9 was tested using my rig as a platform; running a fresh install of Windows 7 64bit (service pack 1) with all necessary drivers installed. See above for the additional Cyborg related drivers and software that were also installed.

The following games were used during testing:

• Battlefield 3
• Skyrim
• Trine 2

 

Hardware Performance

 

• Mouse (Configuration/Setup)

 

When I recently tested the Corsair M60 mouse I found that although from a performance point of view the mouse was very good, I found it a little difficult to operate the thumb buttons in the heat of the moment. This was due in part to their positioning and the fact that the buttons were almost part of the shape of the mouse.

Having now looked at the R.A.T. it is apparent that the Corsair mouse seems to be somewhat similar (Corsair?), but with the R.A.T. the shape of the mouse is obviously configurable. I found that after a few small adjustments I had the thumb buttons where I wanted them and the buttons are also easier to find (feel) than the ones on the Corsair, result!

The mouse ships with 7 weights and with all weights in place the mouse weighs in at a whopping 205 grams, that’s heavy! With all of the weights removed the mouse weighs in at a somewhat slimmer 166 grams. My default mouse of choice has the ROCCAT Kone[+] this weighs in at 138 grams, so for me the best setup was with all the weights removed.

The rest of the default mouse setup was great so I didn’t end up using any of the differing parts, but I did try some of them (just couldn’t help myself!). But this configuration is really all down to you (the user) but I’m sure nobody has tried harder than Cyborg to try and get this part right!

 

• Mouse (Performance)

 

For me the performance of a mouse is the most critical part, as I’m a little competitive and spend a great deal of my time sat at my rig playing online multiplayer games (currently BF3). I also believe that any poor performing peripheral (especially keyboard or mouse) will wreak havoc on my gameplay. So, most of my opinions of this mouse have been formed while playing BF3.

While playing I have found the Cyborg R.A.T. 9 to be nothing other than faultless. Now maybe that’s a big claim, well maybe…

But all mice pretty much work (unless they’re broken of course!), so what does the R.A.T. do beyond this? Well nothing really (gasp!), what do you want it to do!? The R.A.T. 9’s 5600DPI sensor just worked beautifully all of the time, with no stutters, pauses or glitches, through fast moves, slow moves, scoped in views, frantic fire fights etc. From a pure tracking point of view, as I said, the R.A.T. has been faultless.

Of course we mustn’t forget the other features that Cyborg have added to the mouse. Like the Precision Aim button aiding in those long range ‘Head Shots’ (although I must confess I still forget that it’s there!). The 4 level DPI switching (fully user-definable) and its associated mouse LED indicators. The configurable on-board profiles and associated mouse tri-colour LED indicators. Both vertical and horizontal scroll wheels, with the vertical scroll wheel being particularly precise in its operation; not too harsh a click like some wheels and not to flimsy like you may find in other (normally cheaper) examples.

Ooh and how can I forget that all of this takes place over wireless, using 2.4GHz connectivity! Therefore it’s worth noting that the testing of the Cyborg R.A.T. 9 was carried out in my computer room, where you will normally find the following: a wireless router, a wireless phone, a mobile, 2 laptops, an iPad, another wireless keyboard & mouse and a wireless baby monitor! Just in case you were concerned about the R.A.T.s wireless credentials…

I guess the downside (well not really a downside, as it IS wireless after all!) is that you have a mouse that runs on batteries. On the plus side of course you have no wire to get caught-up on your desk!

What’s good here is that Cyborg have provided you not with (AAA batteries) but have provided a battery of their own (3.7 volt Li-Ion) and not just one, but two. While one is in the mouse the other just neatly plugs into the receiver base and charges. Charge time from close to 0% is approximately 2 hours and the battery in use (during gaming) lasts about 8-10 hours.

 

• Software

 

 

As you can see from the above screen shots the associated software is pretty slick too.

The Settings tab allows you to select your desired DPI setting for each of the 4 levels available, the defaults are (800,1600,3200,5600 DPI). Both horizontal and vertical tracking can be set independent of the other. Each of the 4 DPI settings is also fully user configurable.

In the lower part of the Settings tab you can adjust the sensitivity override that is used when the Precision Aim button is depressed. Note that this is not a DPI setting but a true sensitivity setting, allowing you to control the sensitivity of the mouse by way of a percentage (0% equals no change, 100% basically means next to no sensitivity!). The Cyborg head (at the base of the screen) is also NOT interactive (as I first thought) it just shows a moving sight graphic to indicate the current Precision Aim sensitivity. As you increase the % then the sight will move less and less.

The Programming tab is where you can begin to customise the mouse even further by way of profiles and macro recording. I’m not going to spend too long talking about the Programming tab (the review is long enough already) but needless to say that here you can record your macros from a single mouse or keyboard click to a something far more elaborate and assign it to any of the 6 programmable buttons. Each setup that you have can then be assigned to one of the 3 available profiles if you so wish. I must admit that this functionality is not something that I find myself using very often, but it all does seem to be there! Also in the Programming tab, if you turn the mouse over (by clicking the appropriate mouse graphic!) you can adjust the main sensitivity of R.A.T.s sensor, this setting is also profile specific.

Overall the software was very easy to use with a rather slick interface, although the somewhat exuberant graphics within seem to hide the functionality to some degree…

 

In addition to the drivers and software, Cyborg also offer a rather nifty Battery Indicator that can sit on you desktop or run minimized. You can even adjust the opacity of the widget so it blends in with your Wallpaper, nice.

 

Final Thoughts

 

If I had to use one word to the describe the Cyborg R.A.T 9 mouse it wouldn’t be awesome, excellent or amazing; it would be Special. It’s a little like owning a supercar, you know it’s expensive, drinks fuel and capable of far more than you, but it’s all about the experience that it offers, and what an experience the R.A.T. 9 offers.

From the moment you look at the packaging you know you’re looking at something special, delve into the box and begin to unveil the wares inside and the oohs and aahs begin. Almost everything you look at and touch just seems to be perfect, it would appear that a great deal of love has been poured into the creation of this mouse. I find myself just studying it and thinking about the engineering and design that has gone into it…

Although the real icing on the cake is that after the drama of the looks, the configuration and all of the nice touches here and there, it’s got another ace card up its sleeve. It works; beautifully!

 

Verdict