Corsair Dark Core RGB, a mouse to play with or without wire

Presentation

The Dark Core RGB is available in "SE" version, compatible with Qi wireless charging. This allows it to be recharged very simply on a charging support compatible with this protocol, without any wire, such as the Corsair MM1000 mouse pad. The Dark Core RGB SE is billed € 10 more than the classic Dark Core RGB, € 109.90. Apart from this difference, the two mice are strictly identical.

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Ergonomics

For its first wireless mouse, Corsair opted for a large size. Without being huge, the Dark Core RGB is indeed in the category of imposing mice, rather suited to large hands (126.8 mm in length) and to grip in the palm or claw. Its width of 89.2 mm, in particular, but also its height of 43.2 mm, invites to put the whole palm of the hand, while the thumb is received by a ledge on the left edge.

It is also an asymmetrical mouse, tilted to the right and therefore intended for right-handers only. Corsair favors here the comfort of handling and the users preferring a support of all their fingers will be able to replace the straight edge installed by default by another edge with overhang, thus avoiding any risk of leaving a ring finger or little finger lying on the carpet during use.

This removable part does not prejudice the quality of the finish as a whole, the adjustments being well made and the plastics chosen of very good quality. The Dark Core RGB here combines grainy plastics (main buttons, left edge), soft-touch and shiny, thus providing good comfort while limiting wear and fingerprints on the areas most subject to friction. The hood of the mouse also benefits from a pleasant relief coating under the palm and providing additional style. Four zones illuminated by RGB LEDs bring the touch of color that could miss this mouse dressed in black.

Despite a substantial mass of 128 g, the Dark Core RGB remains easy to handle thanks to the good glide provided by its large PTFE pads. It is nevertheless more suitable for use on medium or high sensitivity, such a mass adding inertia detrimental to sharp movements and making lifting the mouse less easy and more tiring.

Corsair's wireless mouse cannot escape the comparison with its direct competitors, the Logitech G903 and G703, or the Roccat Leadr. More compact (124 x 68 x 43 mm for the largest - G703) and lighter (107 g each), the first two are more manageable, the Dark Core RGB is much closer to the Leadr. The latter is even higher (45 mm) and heavier (134 g). However, all of them remain far from the juggernaut that is the Asus Spatha (175 g!).

Like Roccat's mouse, the Dark Core RGB does not frankly take advantage of this additional mass to increase its autonomy, Corsair announcing between 16 and 24 hours of endurance depending on the intensity of the backlight chosen (disabled to reach 24 hours). Figures that are verified in practice, for mixed use and not uninterrupted (non-stop video game). It is not huge, but it is sufficient in principle for a full day of use, or even two. As with a smartphone, it is better not to forget to charge it after use if you want to be able to continue using it wirelessly. Fortunately, recharging is done simply by plugging the USB cable into the micro-USB connector present in front of the mouse, transforming it into a wired mouse that is quite possible to use during charging. However, we would have preferred a charging station like the one Roccat provides with its Leadr. If you want to simplify charging, you have to turn to the SE version of the Dark Core RGB, compatible with Qi wireless charging - but it also comes with no other means of recharging than a simple USB cord.

The Dark Core RGB is rather versatile and is not stingy with buttons. In addition to the two main ones based on Omron switches - guaranteed for 50 million activations - there are three slice buttons. Among them, the two buttons traditionally associated in office automation with the functions "next page" and "previous page" are grouped behind the same plastic part in the shape of a rounded trapezoid, in order to leave room for the third button taking the " sniper "function. ". When held down, it lowers the sensitivity of the sensor for better aiming accuracy. Placed so as to fall just under the thumb, it is not too sensitive, which limits involuntary activations. On the other hand, the two other buttons which surround it are more difficult to reach because of their lack of relief.

On the top of the mouse, eating part of the left click button, two other buttons are used to change the sensitivity of the sensor. A third, placed above the wheel, is used to switch between the 3 profiles saved in the memory of the mouse. These changes are indicated by 3 multicolored LEDs on the front of the left edge. The ninth button is conventionally associated with the wheel. A wheel which unfortunately does not take advantage of side buttons - for horizontal scrolling, for example - and is a little too soft for our taste for video games, the notches being not very marked.

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Precision

Never change a winning team. Corsair again uses the excellent PMW3367 optical sensor from PixArt. A derivative of the 336x series sensors that can now be found everywhere, as well at Roccat as at Logitech, SteelSeries, Asus ROG ... It is no coincidence, this sensor offering performance of all first order. It is therefore suitable for use at low sensitivity thanks to its maximum capture speed of 6.35 m / s and its maximum acceleration of 50 g, as well as at high with its 16,000 dpi. This maximum sensitivity is only there to shine on the technical sheet, remember, since at 16,000 dpi, a movement of 2 cm is enough to make the cursor move the width of 3 Ultra HD screens! This leaves room before screens arrive that are defined enough to reach the limits of the sensor.

Regarding wireless transmission, we have not noted any particular latency in 2.4 GHz radio mode. The Bluetooth link, which consumes less energy and saves a USB port on a compatible laptop, is not surprisingly a little less reactive and we therefore advise players to use the small USB adapter instead to obtain the best performance. . Note that we encountered some problems with untimely disconnections during our first days of use, which disappeared after the last firmware was applied (3.08).

In terms of surface recognition, the Corsair Dark Core RGB is doing pretty well. Always avoid transparent, shiny or reflective coatings, optical sensor requires, but on the satin surface of a melamine panel, varnished wood or other coatings usually used for an office do not seem to pose any problem. We can however only advise to use a good mouse pad, so as to improve the glide as much as the accuracy, but also to limit too rapid wear of the pads.

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Conclusion

Corsair's first wireless mouse offers solid performance. Its radio link does not restrict the performance of its excellent optical sensor. A little weak, its autonomy is still enough to play for a whole day and the possibility of using it when it recharges via its USB cable avoids disappointments.

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