Nov 13, 2015 | By Kira
When it comes to competitive or high-performance gaming, players need more than your average mouse. Specially-designed computer mice that are lightweight, ambidextrous, and click with precision are essential, and for many gamers, customization is key. Mad Catz, maker of the R.A.T. line of high-performance gaming mice, today announced its newest model the R.A.T.1 Gaming Mouse for PC, which for just $30 offers an exceptional level of modularity and customization for gamers and web-browsers alike. In consists of three main parts: the base, heart/sensor, and palm rest, the latter of which will be made available as a CAD file so that users can 3D print their own customized versions.
Mad Catz offers an entire range of R.A.T. gaming mice for PC and Mac, ranging from the $50 M.M.O. TE Mouse, to its most high-end, the R.A.T. PRO X Ultimate Gaming Mouse for PC which sells for a whopping $200. Yet at just $30, the upcoming R.A.T.1 offers a new concept in PC gaming mice through its innovative modular design and 3D printed personalization options.
The R.A.T.1 is made from the same materials as tournament mice, and available in either neon green or red and white, it is quite a sleek-looking device. As mentioned above, its core, modular components consist of an ultra-lightweight tripod chassis (the whole mouse weighs in at only 2.1 ounces (60 grams), excluding the cable); a detachable sensor module that can disengage, allowing for easy travel compatibility; the ‘heart of a gamer’ adjustable DPI optical sensor (a 3500DPS optical Pixard PMW3320 Sensor Module, to be exact); and of course, the adjustable palm rest.
The palm rest comes standard with two positions to fit your hand (it’s also ambidextrous by design, accommodating righties and lefties). However what’s most interesting is that Mad Catz will make the CAD files available online once the mouse becomes available. This will allow users to 3D print their own completely customized palm rest in the shape, material and colour of their choice.
Though it is sold as a gaming mouse, Mad Catz has said that it can be used by just about anyone who spends a lot of time at their computers and could benefit from a more comfortable set-up. "With a gaming DNA derived from the award-winning R.A.T. PRO Series, the R.A.T. re-envisions what a gaming mice could be with its innovative modular design and unique customization options,” said President and CEO Darren Richardson. “The R.A.T.1 sets a new standard in design and personalization, appealing to both passionate gamers and casual users alike - allowing us to broaden the appeal of our R.A.T., range and drive our PC business into 2016 and beyond."
Mad Catz also announced today that the R.A.T.1 received the distinguished CES 2016 Innovations Award Honoree for Outstanding Design, and will be featured during CES 2016 at the Innovation Awards Showcase.
Shipping will begin next month (just in time for the holidays), and you can place your pre-order as of today via Mad Catz's product page. Recently, Roccat also launched a modular gaming mouse with 3D printable components, called the Roccat Nyth.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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I owned Mad Catz mice and keyboards before, but they had too many driver problems and hardware failures. The designs they make are really nice, at least i like them, but if the stuff under the hood isn't worth anything... I've now switched to another manufacturer, and had no more hardware problems with my input devices since.
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