Print this article

OCZ Eclipse Laser Gaming Mouse


Date
: 04/8/09 – 04:38:38 AM

Author
:

Category
: Input Devices

Page 1 : Index

Manufacturer
: OCZ Technology

OCZ is well known for their memory products as well as their power supplies. Perhaps not as well known is that OCZ also has several other product lines such as cooling, notebooks and peripherals. OCZ has recently launched several gaming peripherals.

OCZ has recently launched two new laser gaming mice in the Eclipse and the Behemoth. Today I get the chance to run the Eclipse through its paces. The Eclipse boasts a 'double laser engine' and multiple onboard profiles to fulfill your gaming needs. Read on to see if the Eclipse packs in everything you need.

Page 2 : Package and Specifications

The Eclipse mouse comes packaged in a cardboard box that has an open view of the mouse itself. On the front and back of the predominantly black packaging are a few photos and a listing of many of the features the Eclipse offers.

On the sides of the package are a few other PR phrases about the Eclipse gaming mouse.

Once you open up the package the mouse is housed inside a plastic shell. Included with the mouse is an instruction manual and program disc.

Next we'll take a look at some of the features of the Eclipse. I took a trip over to OCZ's website and grabbed the features and specifications for the Eclipse gaming mouse here.

Features:

*Programmable Functions and Keyboard Command Saving
*Driver-less compatibility with most OS
*Onboard Memory
*18g Customizable weight cartridges
*Black rubberized coating for a no-slip grip

Specifications:

*2-way Scrolling wheel
*Buttons: 5 + 2 dpi Switch
*Hot Key: 1 Mode Switch at bottom
*Dimensions: (L) 122.43 × (W)70.64mm × (H)43.79mm
*Weight: up to 137g (adjustable)
*DPI: 400-800-1600-2400
*Operating Voltage: 5V
*LED display: 4-way DPI change
*Frame rate: Tracking speed 60IPS
*Acceleration: 50G
*Lifespan: 1 million cycles
*Includes Customization Software
*2-Year Warranty*

Just looking at the list of features and specifications you can tell there is a lot of customization offered with the Eclipse. Now let's take a closer look at the mouse itself.

Page 3 : The Mouse

The Eclipse is a smaller sized mouse all in a black matte finish. The 80 inch long cord should guarantee no issues with placement.

Looking closer at the front of the mouse you can see the four mouse buttons, scroll wheel along with DPI toggle switch and the DPI LED indicator.

The Eclipse becomes narrower towards the back making it a better choice for users that apply the 'claw' grip rather than the palm grip. The piece along the back slides off to reveal the adjustable weights. These weights allow you to adjust the weight of the mouse to a total of 137 grams.

Flipping the Eclipse over we see the dual laser sensors and the profile button for the profiles that are stored onboard the mouse.

Now that we have gotten acquainted with the looks of the mouse I'm going to put it through some use.

Page 4 : Installation and Testing

First off when you plug the Eclipse in you are greeted with the blue LED for the DPI level. Initially the scroll wheel is not lit up, but once you push the 'Profile Button' to switch profiles the scroll wheel changes colors for each profile.

No software has to be installed in order to use the Eclipse, however to customize the different profiles you must run the Eclipse application on the included mini disc. The program gives you quite a bit of flexibility and customization for each button. You can reprogram every button on the mouse aside from the left mouse and profile switching buttons. Aside from being able to reprogram the buttons to other mouse buttons, you also get different emulation commands, macros, continuous shooting (keepshot) and scripts. While only 3 customized profiles can be saved on the mouse at a time, you can save limitless different profiles to your hard drive and load them onto the mouse at a later time, allowing you to create a multiple profiles for every game you own.

Now after using the Eclipse for the last few weeks I really enjoy the mouse and find it to be very precise with excellent tracking. With it being a smaller mouse those that are used to a palm grip may not find it as comfortable but it works excellent for the claw grip. All of the buttons are easy to reach and with all the customizations available anyone should be happy. The left and right mouse buttons have a good feel to them, though I'm not a huge fan of the more plasticky and loud click of the thumb buttons. The DPI toggle switch makes it easy to flip between the four different DPI settings to tailor in game to what style or class I was playing.

After using the eclipse on multiple surfaces such as the SteelPad S&S, ZOWIE Gear's P-RF, plain desktop and a generic soft pad, it tracks well on every surface except the generic soft pad. On the generic pad the mouse pointer would sort of float, making it extremely difficult for precision. The Eclipse performed excellent on every other surface, so make sure you have a decent pad if you plan on using the Eclipse or frustration won't be far off unlike your headshots.

Page 5 : Conclusion

Gamers can be particular and demanding when it comes to their hardware and particularly their mice. With the Eclipse mouse, OCZ is showing they are listening to gamers needs and giving them what they want. With a large range of customization and onboard profiles, the Eclipse brings a lot to the table. Dual lasers make for accurate tracking and on the fly DPI switching makes it easy to go from running and gunning to sniping in no time.

The only point of concern I could find was that the Eclipse may not be the ideal mouse if you prefer to palm the mouse as opposed to using the claw grip method. Also make sure if you are using a mousepad that it is a quality one or you may get frustrated. Honestly that should be a moot point, because if you are buying a gaming mouse you had better have a good mousepad to go with it. Overall I am impressed with what OCZ has offered with the Eclipse as I'm sure most gamers would also.

Advantages

• Onboard profiles and customizable
  
  
• DPI switch
• Precise tracking

Disadvantages

• Not so comfortable for palm grip

Overclockers Online would like to thank OCZ for making this review possible.