FUNC MS-2 Gaming Mouse Review

Today we are looking at the latest gaming mouse from FUNC, the MS-2. With a street price that's expected to level out around £43, it is almost £15 cheaper than its big brother, the MS-3, which launched 18 months ago. This is a mid-sized gaming mouse and according to Func, has been designed to accommodate different grip styles with minimal stress & strain to your poor hand. The FUNC MS-2 Gaming Mouse has been equipped with an LED optical sensor (in contrast to the Avago laser sensor in the MS-3), but it does retain the same large Teflon feet for optimal tracking/smooth gliding. FUNC has gone as far as putting a trademark logo next to its T+4 thumb button placement, which it claims allows for easy accessible actions which facilitates faster and more accurate commands. Despite being a relatively normal sized mouse, the FUNC engineers have managed to implement 10 programmable buttons and a scroll wheel - alongside 3 user profiles, a macro-editor and customizable LED lighting set up. Here's the full tech spec:- MCU/Processor: MCS-51 Compatible Main Switches: OMRON Sensor: ADNS 3090 LED optical Memory: Onboard 512 KB Resolution: 4000 DPI Frames per second: 6400 Tracking speed: 1,52 m/sec (60 ips) Max Acceleration: 20 g Report rate: Adjustable, up to 1000 Hz Upgradable firmware: Yes, via software Connection: USB 2.0, Gold plated (2 m braided cord) 70x130x43 mm / 2.76x5.12x1.69 in 0.145 kg / 0.32 lbs Windows® compatible Available USB port 10 MB free space on hard drive With the MS-2, FUNC is looking to hit a certain price point, so packaging and extras are kept to a minimum - which is fine. The outside box is very similar to the FUNC MS-3 we reviewed, back in February 2013. Inside, along with the mouse itself, you get a driver disk which installs the control software. The front left and right views give you a clear idea of the mouse's design and button layout. While the placement of the programmable buttons is different to that found on, say, the Logitech G500 - both mice are coming from a similar school of thought. To be your first 'proper' gaming mouse - without trying to land too much in the MMO or FPS camps. Here's a view of the mouse that you'd normally only get in a wind tunnel and a good look at its big soft butt. The mouse itself is well-built with a soft-touch outer surface. The cable is woven and quite stiff. This appears to have been a design choice - and an unusual one at that. With a number gaming movements, there can be a small, but perceptible resistance from the cable. It's subtle, but it is there. FUNC supply the software on a disk and it only takes a few seconds to install. No reboot necessary. While useful, the FUNC software will only take around 10MB of your beloved hard drive, so it's safe to say that no bloatware is installed. While gaming, we found that using a 'quick button' on the mouse seemed to implement changes almost instantly (for example DPI) - whereas a change in the software panel actually makes your gaming system take a little 'thought pause'. As we said with the earlier MS-3 review, the clean layout of the software is refreshing. No dark, oppressive interface. Just a well laid out, bright attractive UI. The panel opens in Profile 1, with the main part of the screen occupied by your choice of CPI settings, at 800, 1600 and 3200. Changes to DPI can also be done on the mouse using DPI- and DPI+ switches. Maximum DPI is 4000 on this model and the flexibility offered should be enough for a wide variety of regular users/gamers. Competitive gamers may be looking for a more subtle stepping - for example a feature in the control panel that allows incremental changes to DPI - but for most people the MS-2's options will be fine. For those used to a 'claw friendly' Razer or Roccat mouse, the FUNC MS-2 will feel more chunky in your hand, but it's a good experience. The construction is solid and the soft touch surface material is very pleasant. The settings menu also has sliders for double click speed and pointer sensitivity. For a truly fine-control experience, you can also change the polling rate settings - giving you the choice between 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz and 1000Hz. The default is 500Hz, but we prefer 1,000Hz around here. It's a subtle, but real, difference. Generally, applying settings on the menu will give you a few seconds delay as the change takes effect. As well as button assignment, there is another sub-menu for colour settings, allowing you to get to grips with a full range of options. While this is clearly a novelty, it's a cool novelty. We all sit around fragging in dark rooms, the little neon glows from our chassis lights etc are the only freedom of expression we have - so more colours from your mouse is a cool thing. There's a pulse setting which, in all honesty, pulses too slow (nit picking time) and we could not find an option for the kind of 'animated rainbow display' that you get on more expensive gaming peripherals from companies like Razer and SteelSeries (most recently seen in their Ghost Pro gaming laptops). The hardcore among you can also try getting to grips with the macro editor - and firmware updates are also available at the touch of a button (with suitable warnings about having a spare mouse on standby). Opinion on macros etc is divided in the KitGuru offices, with purists like Sam seeing them as a form of cheating - but we can't see this kind of programmability leaving anytime soon. You just need to be clear on the rules of engagement with your mates before you start a specific conflict. Warcraft The FUNC MS-2 is a fine choice for MMORPG games. We've found that 'claw' mice have a significantly increases sensitivity toward the front of each of the two main buttons. That can require additional pressure from your thumb and ring fingers to guarantee activation. The main mouse buttons on the FUNC MS-2 engage much easier - and from further back - so play is much more relaxed. Sniper Elite III/FarCry We tend to play more MMORPGs, so the way we hold a mouse meant that the FUNC MS-2 performed really well for us in first person shooters. We were able to get our shots off early and accurately. If you are a hardcore Razer DeathAdder lover, then this is not the mouse for you - the transition in styles is likely to be too tough. The FUNC MS-2 itself is fairly straightforward in terms of design, but built to a very high standard with a great finish and tangle-free cable system - although we would have preferred a slightly softer cable. At the £43 price tag it offers good value. It's most likely to appeal to 'palm-heavy' gamers that want a step up from their first Logitech/Microsoft mouse. For the same reason, 'Dads who want to game a bit more' are also likely to find it a comfortable choice - but it doesn't have the 'large hump in the middle where you can rest the entire weight of your arm' like the FUNC MS-3. The programmable LED system is cool and is likely to find itself in the ring against products like the Razer Naga, although the programmable button layout is very different. The wheel is functional, but we prefer the 'switch mode' wheel that you find on products like the Logitech M500. Speed scrolling is a great little function for regular POC use and one we'd like to see that feature copied more often. Both Razer and FUNC situate the majority of programmable keys near your thumb. This is something that the major mouse designers will have looked into in great detail - so it's probably the best place, but we think it would be interesting to see a company invest in research to make more use of a gamer's pinky. Equal rights for the smallest of fingers. The combination of major brand, the build quality and price is hard to ignore. Buy from Ebuyer for £42.50 inc vat. Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE. Pros Price. Build Quality. LEDs allow you to customise your mouse to match your house. Easy to use software. Cons Cable is a little stiff. We'd like a little more flexibility in the control panel. Would be nice to have a 'flashing lights routine' programmed in. KitGuru Says: We like the mouse, even though it doesn't jump up and down in front of you. The FUNC MS-2 does the basics very well, it has a solid build, neat set of programmable keys and a cool programmable lights feature. If it was closer to £50, then the competition would be very stiff, but - as it stands - FUNC has made a smart move psitioning it at £39.95. At that price, it should be short-listed by all palm-gamers and maybe worth a quick look from the claw-brigade.