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The Cyborg R.A.T. 3 box is literally a mini piece of art, with angular shapes cut into the tough cardboard.
The package is shut by a magnetic system and by tugging on the cover it opens into a gatefold presentation piece with a full view of the radical mouse design behind a protective plastic cover.
Inside there is literature and information on the product as well as others in the series. A software/driver disc is also supplied although this can be downloaded directly from the Cyborg R.A.T. website.
The R.A.T. 3 is the entry level model, however it looks stunning in the flesh with angular, robotic incisions cut into the chassis. There is even red coloured wiring on full view from the side, which lends an almost Gigeresque symbolism to the design. The R.A.T. 3 has a 3,200 dpi sensor onboard with a report rate of 1000 hz. Tracking speed is rated at 1.6 m/sec and acceleration to 20G.
From all angles, the design is rather striking and while it looks extremely uncomfortable I was stunned to find myself immediately warming to the feel and shape of the mouse, even when moving from my trusted friend the Steelseries Ikari. There are back and forward buttons positioned on the left finger rest with a ‘mode' button top left, this is used in conjunction with the programmable software.
There are a total of 5 buttons with three modes available. Directly below the mouse tracking wheel is a button, which offers four dpi settings, programmable in software. The USB connector is gold plated and we are also pleased to see a full braided high quality cable being incorporated, even on this relatively inexpensive entry level version. This mouse costs around £35 in the UK and $49.99 in the US … not inexpensive enough to merit a ‘casual' walkby purchase, but priced effectively to ensure a potentially high volume of sales.
Underneath, we can see the six flat positioned across 5 areas, to ensure smooth action on a variety of surfaces. The laser engine resides in the middle of the chassis.
The mouse wheel is visable from the underside although it is raised high enough as not to cause any issues when in operation. From the front the angular design with red cabling connects the various buttons to the central piece.
Never heard of them, but I read some issues as you said on the earlier versions. I just ordered the Rat 5, Rat 7 costs too much.
I gotta say, these really do look friggin good. I need an upgrade, but id like to try them myself.
Brilliant review KG, i was looking at the RAT3 in pcworld last week and almost bought it, but I saw the madcatz name and didnt bother. shall pick it up at the weekend. news years treat !
They certainly put a lot of effort into the design of the Rat 7. thats phenomenal work. but I still dont trust the name ! I see so much crap by this company that I immediately assume the worse.
Still, good review, and it got me thinking.
I have the RAt 9 and its easily the best mouse on the market. costs a small fortune, but worth every penny. I game in a clan and I wouldnt be without My Rat 7 (which I use for the clan as cabled is better).
I have the RAt 9 and its easily the best mouse on the market. costs a small fortune, but worth every penny. I game in a clan and I wouldnt be without My Rat 7 (which I use for the clan as cabled is better).
Well at least its different. every time I see a new mouse from razer for example it looks like a rebadged older model with a different colour or something.
Well this has certainly perked my attention. I didnt like the XAI and like the author im still using my Ikari as I can find nothing else to beat it. I would like a hands on with the RAT 7. any chance ? 🙂
Hi guys enjoyed your review, the RAT 3 is not entorely devoid of physical adjustment, if you remove the small finger rest by removing the allen key, u will see a small screw which is on the underside of the palm rest, if you remove this screw the palm rest slides back and forth the same as the RAT7 and has numerous holes for the screw to anchor the palm rest at the desired position.
I bought the RAT3 from PCWorld in the UK, and 2 months later it failed.
Technical support told me to return it to the point of purchase, but PCWorld told me it wasn’t classed as “electrical goods”, and therefore only had a 28 day warranty. Just so others understand, “electrical goods” in the UK have a minimum of 1 year warranty, mandated by law.
PCWorld refused to budge, and I didn’t feel like paying for a lawyer, so I opened it up myself (about a bazillion minature screws), and the fault was sooo laughingly simple… The USB lead inside had worked loose from the 01inch headers on the PCB. Just pressed it home again, and the mouse was fully functional again.
HI Allan, I wish I could say i was surprised, but a few people I know have had similar experiences with PCWORLD. Their customer service is shockingly bad. I think this is why Amazon get such a good reputation as they will often accept returned goods and send out a replacement even before the faulty unit is received.