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Review of the top gaming mouse ASUS ROG Spatha. Delivery and configuration

Asus ROG Spatha - flagship game Mouse from Asus, which can operate in wired and wireless modes. It is produced under the Republic of Gamers brand, which means it is aimed at gamers.

The mouse costs about 12,000 rubles, for this money you will get a gadget with excellent performance and wide customization options.

But Asus has such strong competitors as Razer and Logitech - these two companies are known for their excellent gadgets. Can Asus do best device for gamers without setting an exorbitant price? Let's get a look.

Key Features of Asus ROG Spatha

Wired and wireless modes;
8200 dpi;
Frequency: 2000 Hz in wired mode, 1000 Hz in wireless mode;
12 reprogrammable buttons;
Omron switches with adjustable resistance;
Built-in flash memory;
ROG Armory Software;
RGB backlight;
Manufacturer: Asus;
Price: 12,000 rubles.

Design and ergonomics

The Asus ROG Spatha is a huge mouse, it most closely resembles the Roccat Nyth - the same large body that will be awkward for people with small hands.

The device weighs 179 grams, which is much more than its wireless rivals such as the Razer Mamba (125 g) and Logitech G900 (107 g). This causes no less inconvenience than its size.

Even the fact that the body is made of a sleek magnesium alloy didn't help the Spatha, whose weight makes it difficult to move the mouse quickly even on the smoothest surfaces.

ROG Spatha has a very grippy surface, so it won't slip out of your hand. The angular body with a large number of protrusions looks unusual, but this shape is convenient only if the user does not have too small hands. The combination of the large body and angular shape means there is only one grip option - palm. The length of the fingers is simply not enough for such dimensions.

The body houses 12 programmable keys, including six hot keys on the left side and a two-level resolution switch on the top. The most important buttons for gamers are located just under the thumb. They can be given various commands, which is especially useful in MMO games.

The keys on the Asus ROG Spatha are designed to form the ROG logo in the shape of an eye, which means they vary in shape and size. They can be distinguished by touch, but at the same time they are sometimes difficult to hit due to their too small size or unusual location.

Spatha comes with two USB cables: 1 and 2 meters long. You also have the opportunity wireless connection.

Overall, the mouse looks very impressive and fits comfortably in the hand, but in practice the bulky body, odd key layout and palm-grip-only support mean it's a gadget designed for a small percentage of users.

Features of this computer mouse

Asus ROG Spatha is equipped with an RGB lighting system, like almost all gaming mice. There are three independent zones: the ROG logo, the scroll wheel and the side buttons. Using the included software from Asus, you can set these zones to any of 16 million colors. There are six lighting modes: Static, Breathing, Trigger, Random, Cycling and Battery. In the latter case, the color changes depending on how fully charged the battery is.

Spatha also allows you to customize keystroke force by replacing Omron switches under the left and right buttons. The default ones require 60 grams of force per click and are designed to last 20 million clicks.

But there is a second pair of switches that require 75 gs, so these keys are a little stiffer. They are designed for only 1 million clicks and are suitable for those who want more control over the gameplay.

Asus includes a torx screwdriver in the kit, which is needed to replace the switches. It is necessary to remove the four rubber gaskets and unscrew the 4 lower screws. A magnetic tip screwdriver would be useful as the screws are not easy to get out. Next, you need to remove the top cover and take out the switches. The entire replacement process took us about four minutes, but it's unlikely that many will need it: even the “light” switches are harder to press than those on the Logitech G900. Perhaps it's all about the buttons being too long.

The Asus ROG Spatha comes with a charging dock that looks very impressive. The docking station has an LED charge indicator, a stand for standing upright, and a magnetic clasp that holds the mouse very firmly. The attraction is so strong that when you try to lift the mouse, there is a high probability that the charging station will be torn off the table along with it. Therefore, you have to hold it with your second hand.

The compact carrying case holds both the mouse itself and all its accessories: cables, charging platform, spare switches and a screwdriver.

Asus Software

Like other manufacturers of gaming mice, Asus offers its own software- "ROG Armory". Suitable only for Windows 7 and newer versions of this OS.

In ROG Armory you can: calibrate, adjust lighting, reassign buttons, edit hotkey macros, and so on. You can create up to 5 profiles and store them on the ROG Spatha's built-in flash memory. Key commands allow you to quickly switch between profiles.

Mouse performance

In wired mode, the frequency is 2000 Hz. Very few gaming mice can boast such a frequency, but for most users, more than 500 Hz is not necessary. In addition, a high frequency places a large and obviously unnecessary load on the computer processor.

In wireless mode, the frequency is 1000 Hz, which is much more practical.

The Asus ROG Spatha sensor tracks acceleration up to 30G and allows you to reach speeds of up to 150 inches per second. While the Spatha's specs are sufficient for high-end gaming, the Logitech G900's are better at 40G and 300ips, respectively.

The mouse sensor works reliably on many surfaces, despite noticeable cursor judder in wireless mode. Although the Logitech G900 is superior to the ROG Spatha in this too.

8,200 dpi is a high level of mouse sensitivity, which means the cursor can quickly move across the screen from the slightest movement of the user’s hand. But with 8,200 dpi, control is very difficult, and is only justified on a system with 4K monitors. Most players use mouse sensitivity between 1,000 and 3,000 dpi.

Thanks to the docking station, we didn't notice any problems with the Spatha's battery in testing. Using the mouse for 6 hours, it was not possible to discharge it. You don't have to worry about longer sessions either.

Games on Asus ROG Spatha

Spatha performs well in MMOs, where its size doesn't get in the way, and additional buttons can be assigned hotkey combinations. It's a long way from mice with as many buttons as the Razer Naga, but still not bad. Spatha will also be useful in RPGs and adventures.

For shooters and MOBAs, lightweight and precise mice are more suitable, so if you prefer these genres of games, Spatha is not necessary. Moreover, the buttons and unusual shape will only complicate the game.

Is it worth buying?

There's no doubt you'll have reasons to love the Asus ROG Spatha for its abundance of buttons, good lighting, useful software and impressive hardware capabilities. But this computer mouse is too heavy and bulky for many games. Inconvenient side buttons, unnecessary switches, overly sensitive and an overly magnetized dock.

You should also consider whether you need a wireless mouse at all. If not, there are much cheaper wired alternatives, such as the Razer Mamba Tournament Edition. If you still need it, you should consider the Razer Mamba 2015 and the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum. Asus ROG Spatha in both cases is inferior to them in practicality, versatility and ergonomics. In addition, options from Razer and Logitech are cheaper: the Mamba sells for 11,000 rubles, as does the Logitech G900.

The price of the Asus ROG Spatha obliges this mouse to be the best in everything, but it is far from ideal. The characteristics only seem excellent, but in practice, ROG Spatha will be of little use to anyone.

Advantages

Stylish design;
Fits comfortably in the hand;
Lots of features.

The ROG Spatha model has 12 programmable buttons that can provide an excellent level of control in the game. Six of them are located on the side, near the thumb, and the rest are most conveniently distributed over the surface of the device. In addition, the gaming mouse boasts an ergonomic shape, which creates exceptional comfort when using the device, preventing it from slipping out of your hand even during the most intense gaming marathons.

Replaceable switches
The Asus ROG Spatha also features Omron's advanced switches that last up to 20 million clicks. In addition, the gaming mouse has a unique design of grooves for switches, which allows you to easily replace them and thereby adjust the required activation force of the LMB and RMB.

Six additional side buttons
The ROG Spatha model boasts six additional and very easy-to-use side buttons, which are located on the left. They are easy to reach with your thumb and feature quick action switches from Alps. In addition, the special shape of these buttons, reminiscent of one of the elements of the ROG brand logo, makes them even more intuitive and convenient to use.

More details about the benefits of Asus ROG Spatha:
- Flexible and ergonomic micro-USB cable does not at all interfere with the rapid movement of the mouse on any surface.
- LMB and RMB are separated from the mouse body, which significantly improves their responsiveness.
- Two-level DPI controller to switch between two sensitivity modes:
Standard, for most in-game situations.
Minimum, for lightning-fast aiming and high-precision shooting.
- Scroll with integrated angle sensor from Alps.
- High-strength and durable frame made of magnesium alloy.
- Special coating and rubberized side inserts prevent the device from slipping out even during the most intense gaming sessions.
- The laser sensor of the mouse has an extremely high polling rate, which reaches 2 kHz. At the same time, its maximum resolution is 8200 DPI. Such high parameters allow the device to transmit your every move to the monitor screen with lightning speed.
- ROG Spatha's ergonomic shape is great for right-handers who use a variety of mouse girth variations.

Wired or wireless mode - choose for yourself!
You can easily use the gaming mouse in both wired and wireless modes. The device is capable of providing excellent responsiveness and high accuracy with either of these two connection types. It is worth noting that in wireless mode, the device can be recharged directly during the game, which absolutely does not affect the response time and other parameters of the gaming mouse.

A special indicator located at the bottom of the charging station constantly shows the current battery charge level using different colors:
Red: low level.
Orange: medium level.
Green: Fully charged.

Easily customizable RGB lighting
The modern, stylish design of the Asus ROG Spatha gaming mouse harmonizes perfectly with the device’s easily customizable RGB backlighting, which has several lighting effects and operates in three different zones: side buttons, scroll and the ROG brand logo.

List of backlight lighting effects:
Static.
Breath.
Trigger.
Random color.
Cyclicality.
Color transmission according to battery level.

Intuitive ROG Armory Software
Special ROG Armory software, with a convenient and intuitive interface, will allow you to easily create several configuration profiles for mouse buttons, control the operation of the backlight, and also easily record macros of any complexity.

ROG Spatha's built-in memory allows you to securely store up to five customization profiles that you can use at any time.

Unique gaming mouse design
Asus ROG Spatha combines all the best, and this applies not only to high technical parameters and modern design of the device. The gaming mouse also boasts a unique design that allows you to easily change the switches, thereby adjusting their actuation force. To do this, you need to detach the top part of the case by unscrewing the four bottom screws located on the back of the device. Along with the gaming mouse, in the kit you will find a standard small screwdriver, which is convenient to use and does not take up much space during transportation.

Professional players in action!
The ROG Spatha was developed in close collaboration with popular eSports players, which allowed Asus engineers to take into account many important details and make their brainchild an ideal choice for modern gamers. After numerous tests, we can confidently say that this device can withstand the longest and most intense gaming sessions while maintaining excellent accuracy, high speed and exceptional durability.

Play anywhere!
Among other benefits, this gaming mouse comes with a durable case for secure transportation, as well as two USB cables. The first has a hard braid and increased length, and the second has standard rubber insulation and more modest dimensions. As you probably already guessed, the extended cable is intended for wired use of the device both at home and at large LAN tournaments, and the standard cable is best used in conjunction with a charging station.

Specifications

Connection type	Wired and Wireless
Wireless technology	RF 2.4 Hz
Sensor	Laser
Compatible OS	Windows versions 7, 8, 8.1, 10
Physical parameters	Mouse: 8.9 X 13.7 X 4.5 cm Charging station: 8.1 x 14.1 x 2.2 cm
Weight (without cable)	178.5 g
Color	Black Titan
Sensitivity	8200 DPI
Connector type	USB
The kit includes	Charging station. Hard braided USB cable 2 m long. USB cable with rubber insulation, 1 m long. Japanese Omron switches (2 pcs.). Convenient case for transportation. Small Phillips screwdriver. Two stickers with the ROG logo. ROG Certified.
Notes	List of compatible switches: - Omron D2F Series: D2F, D2F-F, D2F-01, D2F-01F. - Omron D2FC Series: D2FC-3M, D2FC-F-7N, D2FC-F-7N (10M), D2FC-F-7N (20M).

Republic of Gamers is probably the widest line electronic devices for games on the market, which can be found from ASUS. What's not here - motherboards, video cards, gaming laptops, audio devices, cases, routers and entire systems. If we consider the ROG series purely in terms of gaming peripherals, then the update model range here it happens relatively slowly and follows the classic role-playing pattern adopted by many other brands. It all started with the wonderful ergonomic manipulator Gladius, which to this day remains the universal flagship in the series. According to the manufacturer's idea, this mouse was designed for the FPS genre. Then Sica appeared - a very light and simple mouse, but made with a good sensor and supporting the ability to simply replace switches. She was given the role budget decision. And finally, ASUS has released a hero this review- Spatha multi-button wireless manipulator, which looks more like a spaceship. As regular readers have guessed, its destiny is MMO games. Well, let's see what functions Spatha can offer to a sophisticated user.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ASUS
Products webpage	asus.com
Model	ROG Spatha
Interface	Wired (USB) / Wireless (2.4 GHz)
Type	Gaming (FPS/MMO/RTS games)
Sensor type	Laser
Sensor model	Avago ADNS-9800
Resolution, cpi	50-8200
Number of buttons	12 buttons + scroll (left, middle, right, two additional buttons, resolution key, six side buttons)
Maximum acceleration, g	30
Height of separation from the surface (LOD), mm	0,5-3
Maximum speed, m/sec	3,81
USB port polling frequency, Hz	125 / 250 / 500 / 1000 / 1500 / 2000
Frame rate, fps	-
Internal memory, KB	+
Scroll	1
Scroll vertical/horizontal	+/-
Cord length, m	2,1 / 1
Wireless receiver type	Illuminated docking station with charging function
Power, battery life	Built-in lithium battery, 24 hours
Ability to change weight	-
Possibility of adjusting the shape of the case	-
Cable material	Nylon braid
Housing surface material	Plastic, rubber, magnesium alloy
Color	Black
Backlight	Yes (RGB, 16.8 million colors)
Backlight zones	Scroll wheel, side buttons, logo on the stern
Leg material	Teflon (PTFE)
Software	Yes (ROG Armory)
Dimensions, (L x W x H) mm	137 x 89 x 45
Weight, g	178 (without cable)
OS Compatibility	Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10
Additionally	Carrying case, screwdriver, two replaceable main button switches, two replaceable cables, charging dock
Average cost, $	145

Delivery and configuration

The packaging of the manipulator looks cool and weighty. This is a beautiful black box with color images of the mouse from different angles and a laconic description of its main advantages.

The contents of the box are even more worthy. There is a large case for carrying the mouse and accessories, a charging dock and a foot for it, two types of USB cords, a Torx screwdriver, two replaceable main button switches, two stickers with the ASUS ROG logo, instructions and a welcome sheet from the manufacturer.

Appearance and Design

ASUS ROG Spatha looks impressive. This can be said both about its dimensions and about the design as a whole. The color of the body is dominated by shades of black and gray. The top plastic panel is made of a separate type - the two main buttons are not connected to it and have their own covers. The panel coating is non-staining (dust and dirt hardly stick), with a slight sheen and an average adhesion coefficient. Near the left button there are two additional corner keys, which are not very convenient to press.

At first glance, the left side of the manipulator will impress the user with an abundance of lines converging at different angles. I couldn't even immediately see the buttons on it. And yet they are there, and even their outlines are highlighted when the mouse is turned on. There are six of them, each with a different shape, size and combination of glossy and matte plastic coating. Together, these keys form the easily recognizable ROG eye logo, and this is exactly the case where design prevailed over common sense. The fact is that the top two keys can be felt perfectly. The front lower and rear middle are a little worse, but tolerable. Even the square bottom button can be pressed by moving your finger slightly back and down. But the central small triangular button is located with great difficulty; you can activate it only with the tip of your finger, turning it at an unnatural angle. Accordingly, it makes sense to assign only the rarest commands to it, and only to avoid accidental activation. All side keys are pressed with medium force and a muffled sound. Along the lower perimeter of the side buttons there is a rubber insert with an ornate ornament in the style of the ancient Mayan civilization. It partially serves as a thumb rest, although in general it is still more convenient to hold it on the buttons.

The mouse looks no less exotic from the front than from the side. There are a lot of chopped edges, oblique plastic inserts imitating a grille and aggressive slopes of the body panels. The specific-shaped connector for connecting a USB cable is located exactly in the center. It will most likely not be possible to connect a non-native cable, even a standard one, to it.

Spatha fully follows modern fashion and can work in both wired and wireless mode. Moreover, in the first version, it will also be charged during use. The two main keys have a pleasant tactile response; the pressure is medium in strength without free play, with a distinct click of medium volume. The middle button under the wheel is a bit stiff and quiet. The scroll wheel (which also has a rubberized pattern) spins with a slight crackle and clear locking positions; in general, it can be described as quite comfortable. Directly behind it is a resolution switching key slightly recessed into the body with a bright white LED that lights up when the “second” sensitivity level is turned on. When the first one is active, the diode does not light up. Two narrow buttons near the LMB are pressed downwards, tightly and with a loud click. To put it mildly, they are not convenient to use.

The mouse comes with two proprietary cables. One nylon braided cord has a length of 2.1 m. It has medium rigidity and remembers its shape well, in addition, there is Velcro right on the cord for adjusting the length. It is most logical to use this option when connecting the manipulator wired. The second cable is shorter - only 1 m and without braid. The rigidity is high. With its help, it is better to permanently connect the docking station. There are no ferrite pads, the USB connectors are gold-plated.

On the right side of the mouse there is a special protrusion on which the ring finger can be comfortably placed. The little finger is pressed against the rubber grooved pad on the right.

On the back of the mouse there is an illuminated ROG series logo.

Spatha's ergonomics are designed for right-handed people and are most favorable for a palm grip. If the user has a large palm, he will be able to use a “finger” grip. But the “claw” cannot be used in any way, from my point of view. The grip in it turns out to be weak, and the weight of the mouse of 178 grams does not in any way encourage it to lift and rearrange with such a grip. It’s good that the balance of the body’s weight distribution along the axes turned out to be relatively even.

The base of the mouse is made of magnesium alloy and gives the structure excellent rigidity. There is a lot of interesting things here. For example, four Teflon legs, correctly positioned not only in the front and back, but also on the sides. The only depressing thing is that they do not have special holes to facilitate dismantling. Four rubber round plugs cover the screws that hold the case together. The triangular window of the Avago ADNS-9800 laser sensor is shifted slightly to the left, relative to the central axis of symmetry of the manipulator. Near it there is a two-pin connector for charging the battery from the docking station, a mouse power switch, and a radio connection button.

The mouse can be easily disassembled by unscrewing four screws. However, they are not simple, but have specific Torx-type caps. Not every household has a screwdriver for such things, so thanks to the company for including it in the kit.

Wait, why disassemble the mouse? Isn't this a matter for the service center, and only in case of a breakdown? Not at all. Just like in the Gladius and Sica mice, here the manufacturer has provided the user with easy access inside to easily replace the battery and main key switches. And possibly cleaning the device. The entire top panel and side panel are easily removable. And the filling of the device appears before us in all its glory.

The mouse is equipped with special connectors for the right and left button switches, allowing you to easily change them without resorting to soldering. Simply pull out the old part and insert the new one. Thus, the user can choose the type of click that he likes best. A list of compatible switches is available on the official product page.

A special docking station is responsible for charging the mouse and its connection with the PC, which can be used both in a horizontal position and in a vertical position by attaching a special all-metal leg. On back side The device has three massive rubber pads that hold it tightly to the desktop. The vertical legs also have elastic bands, but their grip is slightly less, due to their small area and high center of gravity. The connector for connecting the USB cable is located in the middle of the case, which is good, because it provides the most reliable protection against fractures and kinks in any orientation. The mouse connection settings button is in the upper left corner.

This is what the docking station looks like in a vertical position, assembled and connected.

The mouse itself sticks to the docking station due to a fairly strong magnetic effect and occupies the only possible position on it. Even in a vertical state everything is quite stable. And in order to elegantly remove a mouse from its rookery without taking it with you for an hour, you need to move it slightly forward.

ASUS ROG Spatha has three RGB backlight zones - the logo on the rear, the side keys and the scroll wheel. In terms of color quality and brightness, they all look good. Another white LED is built right into the resolution selection button (in the middle, behind the scroll wheel). When it is active, it is blinding even if you look at it at an angle. There is also a function indicator at the base of the docking station. It displays white when searching for a connection, green when the mouse is fully charged, orange when half charged, and red when the battery is nearing depletion. The light from this indicator is soft and unobtrusive.

Proprietary software

ASUS ROG Spatha uses as software universal driver ROG Armory version 2.108. It can be started both manually and in automatic mode, independently check for updates and current versions docking station and mouse firmware. There are 12 interface languages available to choose from, including Russian. The only drawback that stands out is that the shell takes quite a long time to load—up to 10 seconds.

The first screen that greets the user when starting the driver is the button assignments. You can change the assignment of commands on 12 keys and two scrolling directions. The command menu has 11 basic mouse functions to choose from, six basic Windows commands, seven player and sound control options, as well as any keyboard shortcuts or macros. All configuration options are saved in the mouse memory in six independent profiles that can be linked to the launch of a specific application.

The “Performance” section is entirely devoted to mouse sensor settings. The sensitivity of the sensor is adjustable from 50 to 8200 dpi in increments of 50 units. The X and Y axes can be configured both together and separately. There are two available resolution levels that can be set simultaneously and then switched. The angular snapping of the cursor, acceleration and deceleration when sudden movement. Spatha supports a wide range of polling frequencies - standard 125/250/500/1000 Hz for wireless mode, and when connected via wire - all 1500 and even 2000 Hz. In addition, you can adjust the response speed of the main buttons - ranging from 8 to 32 milliseconds. It’s just not clear why.

In the “Lighting” section, individual or joint settings of three lighting zones are available - the scroll wheel, side buttons and the logo on the stern. For them, you can set any of 16.8 million color variations and five brightness levels separately (for wired and wireless operating modes). There are six lighting effects to choose from: static glow, smooth color change (the light spectrum is also adjustable), blinking when pressing keys, slow blinking, random color display and battery charge indication. In the latter case, the selected zone glows green up to 40% charge level, yellow for values from 39 to 15 percent, and red if less than 14% energy remains.

The “Calibration” section is responsible for setting the sensor lift-off distance (LOD). If you enable it, you can choose either from preset options for setting LOD for a given set of playing surfaces, or configure your own option manually. After calibration is completed, manual adjustment of LOD in the range of values from 1 to 10 becomes active.

In the “Power” section, you can get information about the current state of the device’s battery and set the time for the mouse to go into sleep mode in the range from one to ten minutes. In addition, you can specify the battery charge level at which the indicator on the mouse will start blinking alarmingly, notifying the user of the need to recharge.

The macro editor is extremely simple. It records keyboard strokes, mouse buttons, and scroll directions at time intervals. Once recording is complete, each individual command can be edited or deleted. The same applies to time periods. The inconspicuous gear icon at the top right allows you to call up a menu where you can configure the default delay time or disable them altogether, and set the number of times the command will be repeated. The macro is saved to a shared folder and appears in the list on the left. This makes it available for assignment to mouse buttons. The maximum duration of a macro is about 400 actions, but it is worth considering that pressing and releasing a button is treated as two actions.

Let's move on to testing the mouse.

Ergonomics and testing

To test the ROG Spatha mouse, ASUS provided us with a Speed class and huge gaming surface - ROG Sheath, which comes in a package of appropriate dimensions.

Without exaggeration, the linear dimensions of this “carpet” are 900x440x3 mm, and the weight reaches almost 700 grams. The front side is made of very smooth synthetic fabric, which provides equally excellent sliding both vertically and horizontally. On the right side of the front there is a red design in the form of the series logo, which appears against the background of a specific Mayan bas-relief.

The reverse side is a tenacious textured red rubber that securely holds onto the table surface, preventing the carpet from slipping. The edges are covered with black thread to prevent premature wear and delamination.

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the ASUS ROG Spatha mouse was its enormous weight. It is almost twice the size of the manipulators that I am used to using. Even if you do not lift the mouse from the playing surface at all, the inertia of its body is strongly felt during movements. However, the shape of the case fits well in the hand, provided that the palm is not very small. The coating of the body also feels good. I have already described how all the buttons are pressed in general earlier, so now I just want to repeat that the only inconvenience is caused by two additional keys near the LMB and the central side button in the shape of a small triangle. The scroll wheel is good - light, clear and not too noisy. Although the pressure is still a little tight.

Implementation wireless communication ROG Spatha is at a very high level. The location of the docking station close to the mouse ensures good communication. After turning on or removing from the charger, Spatha instantly establishes a connection; you do not need to perform any unnecessary actions or wait even a couple of seconds. During the entire time I used the manipulator, I did not observe a single lag or connection break that could bring discomfort to the game. In constant use mode with switching to energy saving mode no earlier than after 10 minutes of inactivity, the battery charge lasted exactly 24 hours. It will take 2.5 hours to fully charge from the docking station or when connected directly via cable. Indication of charge level on the mouse, charger and the form of system messages will not give full discharge batteries take the user by surprise.

The RGB lighting of the device looks quite nice, I have no complaints about it. Although the bright white light of the resolution level indicator still caused some irritation.

The software is simple and intuitive. It makes no sense to keep it in operation all the time, since all settings are still saved in internal memory manipulator. Well, he has a small fly in the ointment. ROG Armory sometimes takes too long to start, even from the system tray - within 9-13 seconds.

The behavior of the Avago ADNS-9800 sensor will seem typical to anyone who has ever used it. On average, this is a good sensor that can easily maintain high levels of resolution and accuracy, high speed (3.81 m/s) and without sudden cursor interruptions. It is unpretentious to surfaces. In addition, the lift-off height on it is set to almost zero, and the cursor freezes instantly when the mouse is lifted from the surface. However, the signature disease of this laser has also remained - high levels of positive and negative acceleration of the cursor, with an unpredictable pattern of speed changes. In addition, a significant tendency to smooth the trajectory at low resolutions was discovered. On high resolutions this effect disappears.

Results

I may be wrong, but by creating this mouse, ASUS tried to kill “all birds with one stone” at once. What do I mean by this? They've obviously taken a close look at everything the main competitors in this segment offer and have tried to make a unique hybrid that has a little bit of everything and even a little more. From the instantly recognizable design, metal plate at the base, multiple extra buttons, RGB lighting, clever docking station, wired operation as an addition to the radio interface, to such unique features as an easy to disassemble housing, replaceable switches and increased speed. 2000 Hz sensor polling frequency when connected via cable. In some places, design efforts overcame common sense - for example, in the way the front additional buttons are placed, in the shape of the side keys, and in the excessive weight of the case (magnesium alloy did not help reduce it). But even despite this, ASUS ROG Spatha is a rather interesting device in terms of competition with offers from other manufacturers, because it will have one or two features that its analogues do not have.

Who will like ASUS ROG Spatha? First of all, for fans of the ROG brand, secondly for those who want to emphasize their status with an expensive and unusual new product, thirdly for those who need a large number of buttons and wireless functionality in one bottle, but products from other brands are not suitable for one or another reasons.

For whom is ASUS ROG Spatha not suitable? Most likely for those with small hands and those who prefer lightweight manipulators. In other words, the device is a bit heavy for playing CS:GO.

Every year, ASUS raises the bar higher and higher in terms of requirements in the field of gaming accessories. In an effort to create unique, powerful and productive devices, the company leads constant search and uses the latest technologies and modern design in its development. The ROG series of products is replenished with new products every year, and today it’s time to talk about another unusual manipulator that is far ahead of its competitors in technical parameters and design.

Today we got our hands on one of the most ambitious and, without a doubt, top-end mice - ROG Spatha! The first official announcement of the gaming mouse from the Republic of Gamers (ROG) series can be considered the world exhibition CES in 2015. As always, ASUS has raised the bar for quality and ambition very high, and today, step by step, we will tell you about the new product in more detail.

Specifications and Features

Model - ROG® Spatha
Interface - Wired (USB 2.0)
Sensor - Laser Avago® ADNS 9800
Resolution - from 50 to 8200 dpi
Switches - OMRON® D2FC-F-7N
Switch lifespan: 20 million clicks
Number of buttons - 12
USB port polling rate - 2.4 Hz
Scroll - 1
Cable length - 2 meters braided
Housing material - Magnesium alloy / Plastic
Color - Black / Titanium
Backlight - 3 zones RGB backlight with effects
Leg material - Polytetrafluoroethylene
Software - Asus ROG Armory Driver 2.107
Size - 137mm x 89m x 45mm
Weight - 175 grams without cable, no weight adjustment
OS Compatibility - Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 10

Packaging and accessories

When the package falls into your hands, you immediately feel its weight, literally and figuratively. The medium-sized, square-shaped packaging looks more like a kind of box (18x17x11 cm), inside of which there is a wild “animal”. In our case, this is a wireless gaming mouse.

On the front of the package there is an image of the mouse itself, the logo of ASUS and the ROG series. The model name is highlighted at the bottom - ROG Spatha. Many would probably grab onto the name, which goes back to the distant past, to an ancient state located on the territory of Greece, but alas, this is not Sparta. The creators of the mouse knew what name to give their masterpiece and they made no mistake with it.

The back of the packaging again shows the mouse and paints key features in English. The side surfaces of the packaging depict a mouse according to the sides. A new fashion trend is gradually sweeping the market - part of the description and service information with serial numbers began to be printed on the bottom of the packaging. Apparently this is done for aesthetics and for the productive use of the entire surface of the packaging.

If you are a true fan of ASUS products, then you will appreciate not only the quality of the packaging, but you will also savor every moment with trepidation as you open the packaging and gradually remove all the components of this amazing device.

At the top of the box is the user manual and an embossed card telling you that you are now a member of the ROG Elite Club. You have become the owner of a unique product, which was worked on by a large team of engineers and professional players. Next, in a black cardboard mold is the mouse itself - ROG Spatha.

Continuing the process of opening the “box,” we come across a stylish case with ROG branding, inside which are all additional accessories Included in the kit are a charging dock, two cables, a hex wrench, two stickers and two replacement OMRON switches. Let's refresh full list accessories included.

Equipment:

ROG Spatha gaming mouse;
2-meter braided cable with USB connector;
1-meter cable without braid for connecting the docking station;
2 Japanese additional microswitches OMRON® D2F-01F (1 million clicks);
Hex key;
2 dense Republic of Gamers logos;
Stylish case for storage and transportation;
Quick Guide;
Congratulations card for joining the elite ROG club.

Features and appearance

Note that ROG Spatha received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2016 for its unusual design and shape. The mouse, due to its style and functionality, is positioned as a mouse for right-handers and those who like to play massively multiplayer online games (MMOs). We have an almost classic teardrop shape, but with a number of comfortable inserts and stylish elements, which attracts attention and makes it easy to use. The top surface is made of non-marking gray plastic.

The main difference between ROG Spatha is that the base of the new mouse is made of high-quality magnesium alloy. This is not to say that this is a unique solution. Some manufacturers have already used metal as a base for their manipulators, and more than once, but a metal base makes your device special and sets it apart from the crowd of similar devices.

On the metal base there are four wide Teflon legs and four rubber plugs hiding the screws, which can be removed using the included key. You should only open the insides of the mouse if you want to replace the switches of the two main buttons. As you remember, two additional switches are included in the kit. When actively using a gaming mouse, as a rule, the first thing to fail is the microswitches. They either break down or stop working due to various objective reasons. ASUS solves this problem with a simple replacement.

The power switch is also located there. To operate with a cable, you must set the switch to the “OFF” position. The “Pair” button is responsible for pairing the mouse with the computer via the docking station. Next to the power button there are two gold-plated contacts for charging the manipulator while it is on the docking station.

The scroll wheel has a rubber lining with a tread and branded patterns. The wheel play is not felt. When pressed, a clear click is heard with a muffled sound. Above the scroll wheel there is a glossy button responsible for switching the sensitivity of the sensor. When you press the key, you activate the second sensitivity and a bright white indicator lights up. Let me remind you that the sensitivity adjustment varies from 50 to 8200 Dpi, which covers most genres of the gaming industry with a margin.

The two main keys are separated from the main body and are separate parts and not combined. The right key sounds brighter when pressed and has just a little bit of play, but I suspect that this is due to the design of the key. To the left of the left key there are two additional keys that you can bind at your discretion. To press them you have to apply a little force, but in my case, it was a new mouse, and it seems to me that over time the pressing will be easier.

Let us remind you that our new product has 12 programmable buttons, six of which are located in the thumb area. The shape of these keys raises questions and confusion. Although, after some time of working with the mouse, all doubts disappear and it becomes easy and convenient to use this block of keys during battle. The buttons themselves are very hard to press and require a lot of effort. It’s not even worth talking about some tactile clicks. ASUS should definitely reconsider the design of the current buttons.

The sides of the mouse are clearly marked with rubber grooves with ROG's signature pattern. When grasping, the fingers “stick” to these surfaces.

Software

At the moment, the official ROG Armory Driver 2.107 software for Windows was available online, which I used. Pleasantly pleased is the fact that the shell is completely translated into Russian. But even if it were the other way around, it would be very difficult to get confused in the twists and turns of the software. Everything is clear and the shell is replete with all the necessary functionality and an intuitive interface.

The software allows you to customize the functionality of the mouse in detail to suit your needs. We have five tabs and a separate one for recording macros. The first tab is responsible for programming all 12 keys and even the scroll wheel function. You can bind a macro or specific functionality to each key.

The second tab will help you most effectively configure the performance of the “rodent”. Here you can adjust sensitivity, polling speed, binding angle, etc. All this will help you customize the mouse as comfortably as possible.

The third tab makes the mouse beautiful with different color effects. You can adjust the color, brightness and other features so that your eye will be pleased to look at the “rodent”, and your opponents will silently look and swallow drool envying you.

The fourth tab will help you calibrate the mouse for more accurate operation on various playing surfaces. The list includes ready-made mats and it is possible to calibrate them manually.

The last tab will help you track your charge level and save battery power.

The “macros” tab helps you create the necessary combination and save it in a separate file, and then bind it to one of the 12 keys.

Operation and conclusions

During operation, the mouse showed its best side. All the technologies and features that ASUS engineers have put into it make this mouse amazingly comfortable and a deadly weapon. Of course, someone may say that for less investment you can find a more adequate manipulator and they will be right in some way. But we are talking about a top model that meets modern market trends and is currently nothing more than a reference solution from ASUS.

The mouse holds perfectly on the docking station and this is due to several magnets that prevent the mouse from rolling off. During installation, the contacts on the metal base of the mouse are connected to the docking station and the mouse is charged. It takes approximately 6-7 hours to fully charge. While charging, the lights on the mouse and dock will pulse in rhythm and once fully charged, the light on the dock will glow green.

If we talk about operating time in wireless mode, a full charge usually lasts for three days, with continuous operation from 3 to 6 hours. Then you have to use the charging dock. To be honest, it’s quite simple and convenient when the mouse is installed on the station overnight, and in the morning everything works great.

For many, the important factor is the sensor. In the case of ROG Spatha, a laser sensor is installed - Avago® ADNS 9800, which has already proven itself to be the best, and is chosen by many because of its accuracy and minimum separation distance. However, the sensor lags behind the top optical segment, because has pronounced positive and negative acceleration.

ASUS has long fallen in love with this sensor and began installing it in most of its manipulators.

Another point that needs to be emphasized is the switches. As standard, the mouse is equipped with D2FC-F-7N switches with a reserve of 20 million clicks. And the replacement kit includes OMRON D2F-01F with a resource of 1 million clicks. You have the right to make a replacement yourself and use other switches that are compatible with the OMRON® D2F series: D2F, D2F-F, D2F-01, D2F-01F. And the OMRON® D2FC series: D2FC-3M, D2FC-F-7N, D2FC-F-7N(10M), D2FC-F-7N(20M). All in your hands.

If necessary, replacing OMRON switches is very simple. You remove the top part of the mouse, after unscrewing the four fixing bolts, and then use tweezers or just your fingers to remove the switches from the socket and replace them with new ones. Replacement is easy and without unnecessary force. The procedure will take less than two minutes and does not cause any difficulties.

The colors of the mouse backlight are customizable - you can independently configure the backlighting of three zones: the scroll wheel, the ROG logo and 6 side keys. The side keys are pleasantly illuminated and create the effect of a glow breaking through from under the stones. This effect reminded me of Pavel Petrovich Bazhov’s tale about the mistress of the copper mountain. But I don’t think ASUS engineers know anything about this.

Conclusion

Of course, ROG Spatha is a new generation mouse and raises the bar for the evolution of manipulators to a higher level. You now have a device in your hands that meets high technical requirements and demonstrates high-quality materials and assembly. Ergonomics are beyond praise, although the mouse will be more comfortable for people with wide palms. Plenty of buttons and long battery life make the ROG Spatha mouse a market leader. And the lighting and functionality settings provide a lot of possibilities for its owner.

Pros:

Ergonomic and comfortable shape;
Multifunctional configuration in the software package;
Wide sensitive zone from 50 to 8200 dpi;
Replacement OMRON switches;
Long battery life.

Minuses:

Very hard side buttons;
High price.

ROG or Republic of Gamers is the gaming division of ASUS with a wide range of peripherals. This time we have a flagship manipulator in our hands ASUS ROG Pugio. The mouse is distinguished by Japanese Omron clickers, advanced software and RGB backlighting.

Specifications

Number of buttons: 8.
Sensor type: optical.
Polling frequency: up to 1,000 Hz.
Sensor resolution: up to 7200 DPI.
Speed: 150 in/s.
Switch life cycle: 50 million clicks.
Case materials: matte plastic, semi-gloss plastic, rubber;
Backlight: 3 RGB zones.
Connection: USB 2.0.
Cable: 1.8 m in fabric braid.
Dimensions: 120 × 68 × 37 mm.
Weight: 103 grams (without cable).

Packaging and delivery

ASUS ROG Pugio comes in a cardboard box. The surface of the packaging is matte with glossy images. Each side describes the features of the product. And through a special door you can examine the mouse in detail before purchasing. The delivery set is rich: a mouse case, two Omron switches and two covers for the side buttons in a case, a metal sticker with the ROG logo and an instruction manual..

Appearance

ASUS ROG Pugio is a fully symmetrical manipulator that is suitable for left-handed and right-handed users. The top panel is divided into sectors, each of which is made of matte plastic. The material is highly resistant to fingerprints. The only glossy element is the central button, and on our copy it was already worn out. But you need to understand that the mouse has been used by many reviewers who mercilessly test peripherals. The wheel is covered with textured rubber.

The middle part of the case is equipped with rubberized inserts; the ornament continues the texture of the scroll wheel. There are also two keys on both sides. The buttons can be muted in pairs using the included panels.

White indicator on top panel notifies you of switching DPI mode using an additional key. By default, this is the button located next to the scroll wheel.

The back side of the manipulator continues the design trick with ornamentation. Peephole optical sensor triangular to match the angular design. Smooth sliding of the mouse on the surface is ensured by 3 pads.

The shape of ASUS ROG Pugio is optimal for finger and palm grips. The mouse body does not slip, the palm does not sweat even during long games. The movement of the main keys is predictable, the click is clear. The wheel is stepped, the movement is clear, without play. I hold the mouse with my right hand in a palm grip and, in the case of ASUS ROG Pugio, I often touch the additional keys located on the right, under the little finger. It is supposed to cover these keys using the magnetic panel included in the package.

The main feature of ASUS ROG Pugio is the ability to replace switches. To do this, you need to unscrew 4 screws from the back of the rodent. You will first have to remove the rubber plugs; this is not a trivial task and requires skill. The default switches are D2FC-F-K(50M), made in China, which is remarkable. The set includes truly Japanese switches D2F-01F. Both kits are made by Omron.

The 2 meter long cable is wrapped in nylon braid. For transportation there is a clamp and a bag included in the delivery set.

ROG Armory utility

ASUS ROG peripherals are controlled using the proprietary ROG Armory utility. There are 3 profiles available in the application; you cannot create additional ones. Presets are completely independent and can be associated with programs.

The action of each key is personalized, among the available ones: all mouse functions, keys and keyboard shortcuts, macros, DPI switching, Windows shortcuts and multimedia functions.

In the performance tab, two DPI values can be configured, which can be changed on the fly using hotkey. The adjustment range is from 50 to 7200. The polling frequency of the optical sensor varies in the range from 125 Hz to 1000 Hz. The parameters of the snap angle, acceleration/deceleration and button response speed are also adjusted. An interesting feature is the ability to calibrate the sensor taking into account the surface. The list includes several ASUS ROG branded mats and universal presets for popular materials. If necessary, the manipulator can be calibrated manually.

Available lighting effects include static, slow flash, cycle, reactive, wave and comet. Adjustable for everyone color combination, brightness, saturation and other parameters. Each of the three zones is independently configurable.

Demonstration of backlight modes.

ASUS AURA is another proprietary technology of the company for synchronizing the backlight for peripherals, hardware and LED strips brand. After transferring control to ASUS AURA, the ROG Armory utility is deactivated, that is, profiles, macros and other software features stop working. You can synchronize the glow directly through the ROG Armory utilities, but in this case the profiles become unavailable.

Let's sum it up

Once again, ASUS managed to create a high-quality product aimed at the gaming audience. ROG Pugio Pleases with excellent personalization; replaceable switches and switchable additional keys help you customize the manipulator to your own needs. The software did not disappoint either; the user has a full set of options at his disposal: from setting individual keys to calibrating sensitivity.

Pros: