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Gaming Mouse Changes Shape For a Custom Fit

crookedvulture writes "Most of us spend a considerable amount of time with a mouse in our hand, but finding the right fit can be tricky. Mad Catz subsidiary Cyborg Gaming attempts to solve that problem with its adjustable Rat 7 mouse, which changes its size and shape to accommodate different hands. This review takes a closer look at the Rat's customization options, its myriad of programmable buttons, and an interesting scroll wheel for your thumb. Despite looking like a torture device, the Rat is said to be very comfortable for gaming and even better for general desktop use." Just look at the pictures. This is truly a wacky device. I want one.

24 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. Setup by iONiUM · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Judging by the pictures, it looks like you have to manually set the "length" of the mouse. When I read the description, I was picturing an amorphous blob that transformed to your grip.

    I want the blob. Maybe I'll just wrap silly putty around my standard crappy mouse.

  2. How to make the ugliest mouse in the world by bbtom · · Score: 2, Funny

    1. Get article from TFA.
    2. Breed it with the OpenOffice Mouse.
    3. ???
    4. Profit, I guess. Or just stare at the combined ugliness.

    --
    catch (HumourFailureException e) { e.user.send("You, sir, are a humourless idiot."); }
  3. Not good for lefties? by zerobeat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This mouse is so configurable, yet can't be used naturally by left handers. This is fail for 10% of the population.

    --
    What other people think of me is none of my business
    1. Re:Not good for lefties? by IndustrialComplex · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This mouse is so configurable, yet can't be used naturally by left handers. This is fail for 10% of the population.

      This mouse IS very configurable, but it isn't THAT configurable. It sucks being a minority. Trust me, I know. I'm colorblind. At least you can still use your right hand.

      I get to wonder if an option is greyed out, or green and nothing can fix that short of altering my genetic code. My only advantage is that you can usually compensate for that via software. Hardware is going to be designed for 90-95% of the population, and it shouldn't be a surprise if in the announcement of a new product, it doesn't cover that last 5-10%.

      I've worked in an office where we used the mice with our left hands, it took a few days to get used to, but after a while you didn't notice it at all. So the people who CAN'T adapt are probably only 2% of the population.

      --
      Out of modpoints but really liked a post? 1BDkF6TtmmeZ3yqXbz9yhdYVqRYnwFoXDj
    2. Re:Not good for lefties? by Lord+Ender · · Score: 4, Funny

      There target market is people with souls.

      --
      A slashdotter who didn't build his own computer is like a Jedi who didn't build his own lightsaber.
    3. Re:Not good for lefties? by rakuen · · Score: 4, Funny

      There target market is people with soles.

      There, fixed that for you.

    4. Re:Not good for lefties? by IndustrialComplex · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'll bite: Why did the office members use their mice with their left hands?

      3-4 person branch office. The VP of that branch was left handed, and computers were shared. The secretary found it was easier to just learn how to use her left hand than to move the mouse to the right side, swap the buttons in software, and then set it back to normal when she was done with the computer.

      ie: The right handed people adapted to the left handed mice. It's why I pointed out that it isn't THAT big of a deal, only a minor annoyance which went away after they got used to it.

      Interestingly enough, the secretary (who also served as the accountant, preferred using the mouse in her left hand since she could use the numpad and arrow keys with her right when working in excel or other similar software.

      --
      Out of modpoints but really liked a post? 1BDkF6TtmmeZ3yqXbz9yhdYVqRYnwFoXDj
  4. That does look cool by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I don't play video games now, but that mouse looks like a great everyday mouse. The ability to change various distances and sizes would be very helpful in alleviating hand strain. It's a shame it has a cord, but I imagine they are giving us something else to look forward to.

    The only question is build quality and reliability, and of course price.

    I would hope for other colors and better (less robot-y) industrial design, but for a first step, this thing looks good.

    1. Re:That does look cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      There is a cordless version. It's the RAT 9.

    2. Re:That does look cool by theqmann · · Score: 2, Informative

      I've had one of these RAT7 mice for a month or two now, and so far the build quality is very nice. The different pieces screw in with a little hex driver that actually lives in the bottom of the mouse, so you never have to go find it. There's a nice sensitivity rocker button to turn up or down the mouse sensitivity, the main scroll wheel is metal with a nice textured rubber grip band around it. Haven't used the thumb wheel much, and the big red button seems to be able to only be programmed as a modifier button (like to change the function of the other buttons), not as a regular key in of itself. Overall, I'm greatly satisfied with my purchase.

    3. Re:That does look cool by Man+Eating+Duck · · Score: 2, Interesting

      That, and that silver wheel just above the thumb? That's a control, it rotates left/right. I have NO idea what to do with it.

      As a casual gamer I might find it convenient for lean if that's possible. In my usual setup (tfgh) I need to move one of my left hand fingers to do that.

      --
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  5. If you want comfort by Pojut · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Just go with the classic Kensington Expert Mouse. Hard to beat.

    1. Re:If you want comfort by SIR_Taco · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You know, I purchased one of these made by Kensington a few years ago for $0.75 at a retail store (not a garage sale), new in the box. Only because I thought it was the most ridiculous mouse I have ever seen.

      I had forgot all about it until I read your post..... I'm going to have to go look for it and hook it up for a good laugh

      --
      I say don't drink and drive, you might spill your drink. Before you get behind the wheel just stop and think.
  6. Oh, look, it's a... by macraig · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ... dust magnet!

  7. Re:RAT5 by clone53421 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just don’t let the CAT5 near it, and you’ll be fine...

    --
    Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
  8. RAT model 9 by macraig · · Score: 2, Informative

    The model 9 was reviewed by ARSTechnica way back in January. It looks virtually the same to me.

    1. Re:RAT model 9 by Peeteriz · · Score: 3, Informative

      rat7 is wired, rat9 wireless.

    2. Re:RAT model 9 by IICV · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Sweet, so the better version is cheaper? I love it when they do that.

  9. Nothing like the real mouse... by Ecuador · · Score: 2, Funny

    All these years there has been so much development in mice, but still we are nowhere near the feel of a real mouse. I mean the warm furry feeling of a live mouse, the little squeaks when you squeeze it just can't be substituted with any shape shifting, high-dpi laser mouse.

    --
    Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Polar Scope Align for iOS
  10. I have one... by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have arthritis in my right hand (thanks to chemo) and in the last six months or so I found that all my Logitech mouse hurt my hand. My fiancée said "we need to get a mouse that doesn't hurt your hand so we can game."

    I picked out the R.A.T. 7, bought it off Amazon and so far it's been a really good mouse. I switched out the palm and pinkie rests, adjusted the size and use it about 6-12 hours a day.

    I really like the long bradded USB cable, they got the details down.

    1. Re:I have one... by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 2, Funny

      What tipped me off was the 1029 UID combined with "fiancee" who wants to game.

      --
      I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
    2. Re:I have one... by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The fiancé is mostly an RPG/MMO gamer that does some console gaming, and a science teacher.

  11. I've tried one of these... by thatbloke83 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ... at the i-series LAN events in the UK.

    I have to say I didn't like it. Even the lowest setting that the rear part of the mouse could be set to was too high, and a few other people who tried it felt the same way. I'll stick with my ROCCAT Kone :)

  12. I have one, I love it. by Sarusa · · Score: 2, Informative

    Bought one of these when they first came out. It's great - it looks like it would eat your hand, but it's so smooth and comfy, especially the thumb and little finger rests - talk about debauched hedonism.

    Three caveats:
        - Be prepared to spend a couple days tweaking it till it fits perfectly. You can dial it in coarsely pretty fast of course. If you are a compulsive adjuster this mouse may not be for you.
        - If you like to rest the base of your hand (the meaty bit) on the mouse, no go - it supports the front and middle. This is like most mice, but if you're used to one of those big tall Logitech brick mice it may take some getting used to.
        - I still haven't found any use for that horizontal spinner control.

    Pondering getting one for work, even though the DPI doesn't matter so much there.