So far as gaming peripherals go, I am a fan of a well-delivered gimmick. The market is so oversaturated with good gamer equipment that with out a standout characteristic many fade into the gang. Some gimmicks are simply there for the headline, like a few of these offensively ugly mice (opens in new tab), however typically there are stable concepts hidden in there. It is only a disgrace that generally the ridiculous concepts are those that survive, whereas the nice ones are misplaced to time.
The one loss that has me questioning humanity is the wi-fi mouse charging pad. Mouse pads have been round ever since we would have liked balls to roll round on them and have survived because of delivering easy and sure surfaces we will depend on. Not that way back, genius gaming peripheral innovators realised we might stick RGB lights in this stuff, and a few even went the additional mile so as to add charging amenities.
The dangerous nature of the gimmick makes it all of the extra pleasing when one among these little touches stands out, and really seems like an enchancment over the usual type. Charging pads for wi-fi mice are a main instance of this, a good way to maintain mouse weight down and battery ranges up. So why is it that RGB-lit mouse mats are nonetheless rampant however none of them can cost my goddamned mouse?
As quickly because the tech in wi-fi mice managed to make practical latency a factor of the previous, I have been all in on these cableless cursor controllers. I really like not having cable drag, or worrying about the place it’s going to match on my desk and what I would knock over. The one factor I do not love about wi-fi mice is having to cost them, as a result of I are inclined to overlook. However corporations appear unwilling to return out with a brand new wi-fi mouse and charging mat answer.
That is why I am nonetheless utilizing a Razer Mamba and Firefly Hyperflux (opens in new tab) combo from what seems like an eternity in the past. The Firefly is the wired RGB-lit mousepad that powers the wi-fi Mamba mouse whereas it is in use. It means you at all times have to make use of the mouse on the pad, and may’t elevate it off for too lengthy, however in ways in which nonetheless really feel very pure to me, and I’ve a mouse that I by no means should cost.
On the time this was one of many lightest wi-fi mice you could possibly get because of this design, at round 90 grams. In 2023, Razer has simply introduced a brand new 49g Viper Mini (opens in new tab), which would be the firm’s lightest so far. Full-sized wi-fi kings (opens in new tab) in the intervening time are nearer to the 60g mark, and although I’ve loved the levity of a few of them I nonetheless have not switched my every day cursor-pusher because of the comfort of an at all times ready-to-go mouse.
Razer wasn’t the one firm dipping its toes into the charging pad sport as soon as upon a time. I keep in mind drooling over Logitech’s PowerPlay (opens in new tab) mat that got here out across the similar time for its G sequence gaming mice. You may nonetheless get them, however they’re $AUD230 and that is with out a suitable mouse. On the time I consider the longer term could be full of wonderful mousepad and wi-fi mice combos, however lately all I’ve heard was crickets.
HyperX not less than met me midway for a short time there, with a few of the model’s peripherals just like the Pulsefire Dart (opens in new tab) that includes QI wi-fi charging (opens in new tab). It is not fairly the identical however not less than I can simply go away them in the suitable spot after I stroll away and know they’re more likely to have cost after I come again later. It additionally stops me needing cables to cost gadgets which are wi-fi for a purpose.
What’s worse is it seems like each model currently is keen to place out its personal mouse mat, typically in sizes larger than my desk (opens in new tab), full with full RGB lighting. These desk coverings are normally fabricated from the identical rubberish materials throughout the board, providing little in distinction and even usefulness. If you are going to make the damned issues, and go to the trouble of wiring them to gentle up, then why not make them act as a powersource for my myriad wi-fi issues that would all sit on prime?
