The trend right now for gaming mice is to get lighter and lighter. Still, its a relatively growing audience and for the general market there’s still a range there that are still exploring. This is where the concept of tunable weights comes in. Whether you like switching the weight of your mice with what you’re playing or just like tweaking the feel, there are plenty of mice out there that offer optional weight attachments. In today’s review we’ll take a look at the Corsair Nightsword RGB gaming mouse. This mouse features a custom weighting system that is reflected on the iCUE software to show you more information. We’ll talk more about this feature and the Corsair Nightsword as we go through our review so read on!
Features and Specifications
- Corsair-exclusive software automatically detects the center of gravity in real time, allowing you to adjust weight between 115G and 137G and fine-tune balance to perfectly fit your grip.
- A custom PixArt PMW3391 native 18, 000 DPI optical sensor, adjustable in 1 DPI resolution steps, gives you total sensitivity customization and ultra-accurate tracking.
- Built with a comfortable contoured shape that naturally fits your hand, with high-performance rubber grips inspired by Pro sports equipment.
- Ten fully programmable buttons let you customize your gaming, with the in-game advantage of powerful macros and key Remaps.
- Includes two sets of weights with six mounting locations, Offering 120 different weight and balance configurations for a precisely calibrated gaming experience.
Closer Look
Corsair is taking a new design for their colored packaging with their newer releases. A bright full colored box with a glamor shot of the product in the front. There is also detailed specs on the back.
Inside the pacakge is a the Nightsword RGB, documentation and the custom weight storage case.
Corsair ships the Nightsword RGB with 2 sets of weights: a) three 4.5 gram weights and b) three 2.8 gram weights. This bumps up the weight of the Nightsword to a combined 141grams from around 120.
At this point, it would really obvious that the mouse heavily looks like the Logitech G502. An inspiration perhaps but the Corsair Nightsword is a bit bigger. From the top we can see the ergonomic design with the extended thumb rest. The access to weight system is at the bottom with the large hexagonal cover. Custom shape teflon feet line the rest of the bottom with the PixArt PMW339 looking a bit offset but is actually dead center of the mouse’ dimensions.
A view of the Corsair Nightsword from all sides. We can see plenty of extra buttons including a DPI switch on the edge of the left-mouse button and a sniper button which toggles a low DPI mode just beneath the side buttons.
Corsair uses a 1.8m braided cable for the USB cord.
Probably the best angle of the mouse is when its looked at from the front.
The rubber coat that line the top and side of the Nightsword have insets for improved traction and grip.
Lights
As an iCUE supporting device, the Corsair Nightsword RGB integrates with Corsair’s iCUE ecosystem allow for unique lighting option. By itself, the mouse is capable of independent lighting as well as effects on its various light zones. A DPI indicator on the front is independent configured from the main lighting zones.
iCUE
Corsair’s iCUE software is a unified software environment which allows viewing and customization of nearly all of Corsair’s new products. iCUE supports various features for the Nightsword RGB including lights, tuning performance and sensitivity, surface calibration and weight system.
The software can actually detect where and which weight you install real time which is a great little detail.
User Experience & Conclusion
The Corsair Nightsword is well-equipped. A good balance of quality sensor and design makes it a capable option for many games. Its primarily aimed at FPS and MOBA but mostly favors an FPS-playstyle with its large body and extra buttons making it favor players who use full-arm swipes. Sensor performance is great and surface tuning is a great feature and allows the mouse to fully compliment the custom weight system. The custom weight themselves adds little increments but combined, is still a 20gram difference which may feel significant for most people, for RTS/MOBA gamers this may be more favorable for more precise usage but for varied gamers, the tuning is perfect, finding the right balance of the perfect middle ground of sensitivity to use. I personally use a 4K screen for work and games so my standard 1800DPI for 1080p has now been doubled to 3600DPI which translates really nicely.
The Corsair Nightsword RGB is a decent mouse but its size makes it a requirement that you have large hands or a palm gripper. Claw grip and finger-grip users may experience discomfort due to the vertical bulge of the Nightsword. Also another gripe is the quality of the rubber coating which started rubbing off after a few weeks giving a disgusting feel on the thumb grip. Speaking of thumb grip, if you want a quick and easy way to check if the mouse is just right for you, if your thumb can reach the sniper button comfortably without distorting your grip, then it might work for you. As for me, a 5’8″ Filipino man with average-sized hands, my thumb is a full inch away from the sniper button at resting grip.
That said, the Nightsword is not for anyone. Those with smaller hands may find the mouse too raised and experience discomfort which is why we only recommend the Nightsword for palm-grip users or people with larger hands. If you fit the bill, do expect the Nightsword RGB to perform really well and the weight customization option really allows players with a great option to fine tune weight if the weight range is within the Nightsword’s capability. Great software support extends the mouse’ features and offers a great ecosystem for a finely-tuned performance peripheral. Still, its in the hands.
Corsair backs the Nightsword RGB with a 2-year warranty.