Gaming mice have simple tasks – to be comfortable and have a certain range of settings with quick access to them. Is the ASUS ROG STRIX IMPACT III such a mouse? Let’s find out in this review.
Complete set
It’s a compact and lightweight box in the ASUS ROG accessory style. It holds the mouse, wrapped in a soft protective case, and the user documentation and warranty card are hidden under the cardboard skeleton that holds the device. There’s actually nothing else in the box, because like many modern manufacturers, the company supports minimalist and environmentally friendly packaging of its products.
Appearance and ergonomics
The ROG STRIX IMPACT III (P518) is a gaming mouse with a concise, symmetrical shape and no frills. It’s slightly elongated, with a flatter front and a rounded back. This shape is classic, aesthetic and comfortable. The accessory fits comfortably in a medium-sized hand with any grip. Its design is specially made symmetrical, so it fits both right and left hands.
The case of the mouse consists of black plastic with different textures. The keys are matt and slightly roughened, while the back is smoother. Parts of the panels are knurled on both sides for a comfortable grip with your fingers. The slanted side panels are curved beneath, so it’s easy to move the mouse around when you’re gaming. Its case doesn’t have any backlash, even when squeezed by hand, you don’t hear any rattling. Weight of the mouse is 59g: it’s almost weightless but very durable and well made.
The ROG Paracord’s 2m long, lightweight, flexible cable extends from the nose of the mouse and is centrally located. It has a flexible nylon braid, and is protected from kinks by a resilient plastic tail. Part of the cable can be coiled and secured with the included rubber cable tie.
The left and right main buttons are pressed with moderate force. They do not play or wobble: there is a small pre-travel and no side-travel detected. The clicking sound is audible, but this does not affect the comfort of using the device. On the left side of the body there are two additional buttons, which, in my subjective opinion, are a bit narrow and not at the most convenient distance. If the user has a small palm, then to reach the buttons, it is necessary to intercept the mouse.
The surface of the scroll wheel is made of translucent rubber material with handy diagonal notches. It works quietly and clearly, and you can hear a pleasant, muffled click when you press it.
The mouse glides quickly across the surface thanks to four Teflon feet. They minimise friction, so you can use the accessory even without a mouse pad.
The gadget has a branded backlight, which is implemented on the scroll wheel and the logo we see on the back. In the Armoury Crate app, the backlight is easily customisable and allows you to sync it via Aura Sync with other ASUS accessories and accessories.
Read also:
- ASUS ROG Falchion Ace Review: ultra-compact gaming keyboard
- ASUS ROG Delta S Core Review: Gaming Headset for Any Occasion
Technical features
We’ve already established that the ROG Strix Impact III is an ultra-lightweight (59g) gaming mouse that offers maximum comfort and control during gameplay thanks to its design. Let’s talk about its features.
The mouse’s optical sensor lets you adjust its sensitivity from 100-12000 DPI. The selected resolution level can be indicated by an individual colour of its backlight. It’s quicker and easier to switch between the four preset sensitivity levels using the button on the bottom of the case. The DPI On-The-Scroll feature can also be used to change this setting. Motion tracking speed is 300 ips with an acceleration of 35g. The polling frequencies are adjustable up to 1000Hz.
The mouse features ROG Micro Switches, a three-pin mechanical switch with a lifespan of 70 million clicks, which can be replaced as needed. The ROG Push-Fit Switch Sockets are not only compatible with the original switches, but switches from other manufacturers will also fit. There is almost no gap between the buttons and switches, so there is no lag in the action. This button tension adjustment system eliminates the possibility of accidental clicks.
Armory Crate software
With Armoury Crate, users can fully customise their ASUS devices. The software has four main tabs for this purpose, namely:
1. Buttons. The tab allows you to set commands for the upper main buttons as well as the side buttons. To select the appropriate function, simply use the drop-down list on the right-hand side of the screen.
2. Performance. It enables manual adjustment of DPI (400 to 3200), sampling rate (125 to 1000) and activation of cursor angular locking.
3. Lighting. The user can select one of the basic preset effects or create their own lighting effects via Aura Creator. The colour and brightness of the LED is set in the side menu on the right-hand side of the screen. The backlighting of the devices in the user set-up is synchronised via the button or the Aura Sync tab.
4. Firmware update. This is a good place to check if the update is up to date.
In fact, these are all the tools available to work with the mouse.
Impressions of use
A subjective impression of using the ASUS ROG Strix Impact III:
- The mouse is very light, but the plastic does not squeak as is the case with ultralight accessories
- The materials are comfortable to the touch and the buttons and wheel click clearly
- For small and medium-sized hands, the mouse body is a little long, which is not very comfortable (especially if you’re used to anatomic shape of the accessory)
- Settings of the device are simple and fast and allow to change them almost instantly
- The light effect and synchronization with other devices is a joy to the eye, especially in a dark room
- No lag or sensor crash registered while playing fast action games.
Read also:
- ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 17 SE (2022) Review – The “You Can” Laptop
- ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless Review: Gaming TWS Headphones
All in all, the ASUS ROG Strix Impact III is a very good accessory for gaming and work. Its good ergonomics, technical solutions and support for customisation via software make it an interesting option for gamers.