The Asus ROG Gladius III wi-fi mouse has so much going for it, together with attractiveness, three RGB lighting zones with Aura sync, loads of connectivity choices, and hot-swappable switches for the left/proper mouse buttons. However, its excessive price ticket places it in shut competitors with the finest wi-fi gaming mice on the market, which arguably convey extra to the desk for diehard avid gamers.
Specs
| Sensor Model | Optical |
| Max Sensitivity | 19,000 DPI (26,000 through software program) |
| Polling Rate | 1000Hz |
| Programmable Buttons | 6 |
| LED Zones | 3 RGB Zones |
| Cable | 6.56 ft (2m) Paracord Cable |
| Connectivity | RF 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth LE, Wired |
| Measurements (LxWxH) | 4.96 x 2.64 x 1.77 inches (126 x 67 x 45mm) |
| Weight (excluding Wifi) | 0.2 kilos (89g) |
| Price | $119.99 |
Design
I’m not at all what you’d name a hardcore gamer and my venerable “each day driver” is a comparatively small Razer Atheris wi-fi ambidextrous mouse. The ROG Gladius III is far bigger as compared and higher suits my palm. I sometimes “claw” my Atheris (which means I don’t relaxation my palms on it), however I can gently “palm” the ROG Gladius III when utilizing it. I can’t say which I choose higher, however the bigger footprint of the Gladius III is not at all a detriment in my eyes.
The ROG Gladius III is designed for right-handed avid gamers, so lefties will probably wish to look elsewhere. Around the surface of the mouse, you will discover a good grip part on the left-hand facet that’s enhanced with RGB lighting. Interestingly, just a few phrases are backlit within the grip areas similar to “Republic of Gamers” and “Dare to Play,” which provides it a particular look. The two facet buttons sit instantly above this space. Moving round to the entrance of the mouse, you will discover a single USB-C port that’s used for charging. On the appropriate facet of the mouse, there’s one other grip space.
On the highest of the ROG Gladius III, you will discover the 2 major buttons, the RGB-enhanced scroll wheel, a triangular button for adjusting DPI on the fly, and one other RGB zone in the direction of the again of the mouse the place your palm naturally rests. You’ll see a swap on the underside for selecting between wired, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth working modes, plus a pairing button for Bluetooth and a profile button. There’s additionally a magnetic silo to carry the two.4 GHz wi-fi USB dongle when not in use.
My greatest subject with the design of the ROG Gladius III pertains to its construct high quality. While I admire the lightness when flicking the mouse round, it feels a bit low-cost — this sentiment was shared in our ROG Strix Impact II Electro Punk overview. The plastic is thinner and extra hole than on the wi-fi mice that I’ve been extra drawn to earlier than, however that is only a facet impact of Asus’ goal to make the mouse as mild as doable. I personally choose heavier, extra dense mice.
Hot-Swappable Switches
What makes the ROG Gladius III stand out is that it options hot-swappable switches for the appropriate and left click on buttons. If you’re a heavy gamer, it’s not unusual to search out that mouse switches put on down after just a few years of use. Asus’ choice to permit the switches – through the Push-Fit Switch Socket II — to be swapped addresses longevity issues and lets you customise the press suggestions.
The ROG Gladius III improves upon the ROG Chakram – which additionally lets you change the switches – as it’s suitable with each 3-pin Asus mechanical micro switches (rated for 70 million clicks) and 5-pin Omron optical micro switches. The mouse ships with the 3-pin mechanical switches (seen in pink above) already put in. In addition, an additional set of 5-pin Omron D2FP-FN optical switches are included within the field (seen in black beneath).
Accessing the within of the mouse is comparatively straightforward. There are two rubber grommets on the underside flanking the profile button. Removing the grommets reveals two Phillips head screws, which, as soon as eliminated, enable all the prime panel to be pried off utilizing your fingernails.
With the highest eliminated, you possibly can view all of the mouse’s innards, together with the non-removable switches for the left-mounted ahead/again buttons, the battery, LEDs for the three RGB zones, and, after all, the Push-Fit Switch Socket II mounted on both facet of the scroll wheel.
Here’s one different merchandise of notice whereas we’re speaking in regards to the inside the ROG Gladius III: the battery is definitely replaceable after eradicating its energy connector from the circuit board. However, discovering an acceptable alternative is likely to be a little bit of a chore.
Asus offers a set of small steel tongs to take away the switches, though I simply eliminated them utilizing my fingers. I attempted each units of switches however most popular the extra “clicky” really feel of the mechanical selection reasonably than the softer operation of the optical switches.
Asus Armoury Crate Software
On my Windows 11-based check system, I used to be capable of simply pair the mouse through Bluetooth. Next, I visited Windows Update, which downloaded driver updates for the Asus mouse and, curiously, an Asus keyboard (which I don’t have put in). Next, a immediate mechanically appeared asking me to obtain the Armoury Crate app from Asus. The app initially didn’t discover the mouse when related through Bluetooth, so I switched to 2.4 GHz, which labored. I carried out a number of software program updates and a mouse firmware replace to stand up to hurry.
With that out of the best way, I may navigate the Armoury Crate UI and customise the ROG Gladius III to my liking. Not solely may I regulate the DPI as much as 26,000 with the software program, however I may additionally calibrate lift-off distance, regulate energy financial savings controls and customise lighting results (LED brightness, shade, pace, path, and so on.). There’s additionally 4 profiles, for saving a number of configurations.
The ROG Gladius III lets you join it to 4 units without delay, and swap between them with a easy press of a button. For my subsequent machine, I pressed the pair button on the ROG Gladius III and was capable of pair the mouse with an M1 MacBook Air operating macOS Monterey with out subject. I then used the third onboard profile to pair the ROG Gladius III with an 11-inch iPad Pro (2021) operating iPadOS 15.1. Switching between the three profiles was so simple as urgent the pair button. Conveniently, the LEDs glow in Blue, Red, or Purple to indicate which host is related to the mouse.
Performance
Powering the mouse is a 19,000 DPI optical sensor, however it may be tuned as much as 26,000 DPI utilizing Asus ROG software program. You’ll additionally discover that it tracks as much as 400 inches per second and may maintain acceleration as much as 50 G. As for connectivity, Asus provides you three decisions. You can use the included braided USB-C to USB-A cable for wired operation, Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wi-fi.
Gliding the mouse round and flicking it throughout gaming periods was straightforward to drag off with aplomb due to the 4 Teflon PTFE pads on its underside. They are detachable, and Asus offers a second set within the package deal (together with different goodies like ROG stickers), which is a pleasant contact.
Having a light-weight design is a boon for gaming, and the ROG Gladius III doesn’t disappoint on this space. At 89 grams, it’s a bit heavier than a few of the lightest elite gaming mice on the market, however I didn’t discover this further heft to be objectionable. Combining the light-weight development and ergonomic design with the PTFE ft allowed the mouse to glide with ease. I discovered myself shortly flicking the ROG Gladius III to tag headshots in Fortnite and Doom Eternal so much, which was at all times a gratifying expertise.
I also needs to notice that battery life will range broadly relying on which connection customary you select. Opting for two.4 GHz wi-fi gives improved latency and is probably going the preferable resolution for many avid gamers. Battery life is available in at simply 55 hours with this setup. However, in case you go together with Bluetooth, battery life jumps to a stellar 85 hours (albeit on the expense of outright precision). And you continue to have the choice of plugging within the USB cable to recharge whilst you proceed to recreation (or work).
Bottom Line
The Asus ROG Gladius III is a decent gaming mouse with a snug design (so long as you might be right-handed), good gaming efficiency, and first rate battery life. Being capable of recharge the mouse whereas utilizing it in wired mode can also be a giant plus. But after all, the actual purpose to buy the ROG Gladius III is due to its hot-swappable switches, that are a neat get together trick.
With a price ticket of $119.99, are the replaceable switches value that worth premium over competing mice on this phase? That’s going to be as much as you to determine. I most popular the mechanical switches put in from the manufacturing facility, so the included optical switches could be a waste for me.
In that case, I’d in all probability be simply as proud of one thing just like the MSI Clutch GM41 ($95), which gives comparable efficiency for lots much less. But in case you are available in the market for a high-performance mouse with the customization that the ROG Gladius III gives, it’s a relative discount in comparison with the highly-rated Logitech Pro X Superlight ($149.99).
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