We humans are all unique in our own way. We have different styles, voices, functions, looks, and features which all differ between one another. Strangely enough, what is also unique are computer mice.
As long as it’s not a revision of a previous model, every computer mouse on the market just so happens to look a little different and offer different features. There are oblong shapes, ones that use a ball, some are meant for high speed, while others can function on glass.
Since computer mice happen to be so different, we tend to become attached to a certain style as if it were the clothing we wear every day.
There are three common ways to hold a computer mouse. The first is the claw grip, where the user positions their hands in an arch shape. This grip only uses the fingertips on the mouse to click certain buttons. Next is the palm grip, possibly the most comfortable of grips and the one that I use. The user’s hand will lie flat across the entire mouse as if you are palming the entire surface. Lastly, there is the fingertip grip which uses only your fingertips to control the mouse. Similar to the claw grip, the fingertip grip is when a user only touches the mouse with their fingertips and has no contact with their palm on the mouse.
Those are just the three common ways to hold a mouse. What about those people who use a hybrid of the two or use a mouse in a completely different way? As you can see, this is one of the many reasons there are so many unique computer mice on the market.
From a brand that started off with producing gaming memory, Kingston’s gaming division, HyperX, have greatly expanded themselves into the always growing PC gaming market. Starting with their Fury gaming memory, to their speedy solid state drives, with today’s gaming mouse, HyperX is a brand to consider for gaming peripherals.
At the time of writing this, there is only one mouse to choose from on the HyperX website and it’s their new Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse. Having a high-backed arch, Omran switches, and an extreme accuracy DPI Pixart sensor, one mouse may be the only mouse HyperX ever needs to produce.
Welcome to my review on the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse.
Design
Ever since my review on the Turtle Beach Grip 500 and Impact 700, I’ve been using the Turtle Beach Grip 500 mouse every day on my computer. Therefore, swapping over to a new mouse to review and potentially replace my Grip 500 was initially a challenge.
As I mentioned above, I use a palm grip when using a mouse, regardless of the make and model. With my palmed grip, I feel like I have total control and a full understanding of the mouse.
HyperX’s Pulsefire FPS mouse appears to favor a claw grip stance rather than a palm based one. The rear of the mouse has an uneven back arch that provides support to your palm while you claw or fingertip the mouse.
In many cases, an arch is symmetrical across the entire arch. Think of the arch design of the St. Louis Gateway Arch or the Wellington Arch in London. Unfortunately, the Pulsefire FPS is not symmetrical.
While I will discuss the comfort of the mouse in the next section, the uneven arch is difficult to get used to. The left side of the mouse is higher than the right side, which in theory would make sense, because of the longer length of your middle finger.
Moving on, the mouse is constructed out of a lightweight plastic material and weighs 4.23 ounces or 120 grams. When moving around on a desk or mouse pad, the light weight was welcoming and did not cause fatigue.
To further stop fatigue, the bottom of the mouse uses these two large slip pads that glide across every surface I could find. I would go as far as to say the Pulsefire FPS glides smoother than any mouse I’ve used before.
All around the mouse is a matte black paint that I think goes well with any gamer’s setup. I prefer the matte finish over the rubber finish on my Grip 500 mouse, because the matte finish doesn’t cause sweat or trap heat into your hand.
For those that don’t mind red lights, you’ll find that the Pulsefire FPS glows red in the scroll wheel and rear HyperX logo. The quick DPI switch also glows red, but is adjustable to yellow, white, and blue, depending on the selected DPI profile.
Furthermore, there are red accents sewn into the braided cable of the mouse. This cable is just under 6 feet or 1.8 meters and is non-removable.
Six buttons are found on the mouse, two main click buttons for left- and right-click, two thumb buttons which, by default, are forward and back buttons for a web browser, a quick DPI switch, and the center scroll wheel.
The scroll wheel on the Pulsefire FPS is manual and cannot be switched to a free rotating scroll wheel as seen on many Logitech mice.
Functionality
HyperX didn’t cut corners on the Pulsefire FPS mouse. Everywhere you look the attention to detail is superb and of high quality.
Computer mice, and gaming mice, in particular, go through a lot of abuse from frustration, drops, and general use. So, they need to be able to withstand the destruction that is sent their way. Luckily, the Pulsefire FPS can take a beating no problem.
There is a strong braided cable that connects the USB 2.0 connector to the mouse and at the connector end of the braided cable is a bendable rubber shield to prevent the cable from tearing. The matte plastic finish holds up to nail scratches, drops, and even forced slams. I was seriously impressed.
Inside the Pulsefire FPS, there is a Pixart 3310 optical sensor for the utmost accuracy for up to 3200 DPI. The Pixart sensor can do up to 130ips and polls at a 1000Hz rate.
Using the Pixart sensor, I found it to be substantial for both Windows and gaming. Everything in the games that I played (Rainbow 6 Siege, Players Unknown, GTA V, and HOTS) was accurate and enjoyable. The sensor was used on a Glorious PC Gaming Race XL mouse pad and I had no complaints about it.
For a more precise DPI, the mouse has four preset DPI settings of 400/800/1600/3200 and I stuck with the highest DPI for my usage. This is a personal favorite of mine and I enjoy high DPI movement with the lower DPI being used for a sniper mode in PUBG. From what I can tell, there is not any way to change these DPI settings through HyperX software. The support page for this mouse is drastically lacking including a download link for any special software.
Underneath both left- and right-click buttons are Omron switches that are configured for tactile feedback. Their sound is tactile for sure and they happen to be slightly louder than your everyday mouse.
While playing a high-level clicking game like Heroes of the Storm, I noticed the loud tactile sound coming from the clicks. I eventually got used to it, but be warned that, like a tactile keyboard, if you have an open microphone, your friends may be able to hear you clicking madly.
Using the Omron switches was enjoyable and I actually liked them better than the clicks in the Grip 500. They are satisfying to click on and preferable because you know when you have fully clicked the mouse.
Something else about the mouse that is satisfying is the scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is thin and has a rubber coating wrapped around it. When using it, I noticed that the scrolling operation is smooth and fluid. It may be a manual scroll, but it feels like a free-flowing unit.
Onto the unsymmetrical arch of the mouse. After using the mouse for a little bit of time, I did adopt a new grip on the mouse that can be seen as a hybrid between palm and claw grip.
Even after adopting the new grip, I still don’t have a comfortable fit while using the Pulsefire FPS and it’s a real disappointment because the mouse is perfect everywhere else. I really wished that the mouse had an even arch in the back and I feel like it would win over many people.
Of course, this is a personal attitude of mine and shouldn’t reflect the mouse as a whole. Just because I couldn’t get over the arch, doesn’t mean you can’t. The mouse grip is usable and playable, but just not in the style that I prefer.
Finally, operating the mouse was an ordinary event with everything functioning as intended. Moving the mouse around the mouse pad is a smooth glide with the slippery pads on the bottom and the rubber sides allow your thumb and pinky fingers to have control of the mouse.
I specifically took note of gaming as this mouse is meant to be used in your favorite PC games. The high DPI settings in Heroes of the Storm allowed for quick hero movements, the precise DPI mode is great on PUBG sniping, while the precision accuracy of the Pixart sensor allows me to successfully peek around corners in Rainbow 6 Siege.
While audibly loud, the Omron switches are great to click with. Playing games like GTA V was a whole different experience with the Pulsefire FPS as I could move around and use the scroll wheel to swap between weapons quickly.
My Final Thoughts
When I finished the HyperX Cloud headphones review a few years back, I thought that HyperX had created one of the best budget friendly headsets of all time. Then they came back and released the even better Cloud IIs.
HyperX’s Pulsefire FPS mouse is a great first shot at developing a gaming mouse and I expect the next revision to be even better than the first. The attention to detail, body strength, and design are all well done on this mouse.
Using the mouse is pleasing with the tactile buttons, quick DPI changer, Omron and Pixart inclusions, and that satisfying scroll wheel. If it wasn’t for the uneven rear arch, I would be using the Pulsefire FPS mouse every day of the week, but my discomfort shouldn’t have you thinking twice about the mouse. This design is heavily focused towards PC gamers and the pros of said games.
Those with a claw or fingertip grip on their mouse will greatly appreciate the palm support from the Pulsefire’s arch. I would also say that larger hands may have better results using this mouse.
Priced at a budget-friendly $49.99, this is an excellent name-branded gaming mouse that will provide you with precise gaming for many years to come.
Buy it now:
© 2017 Justin Vendette
4 Comments
Nice information
I have their Hyper X Keyboard and it’s one of the best keyboards that I’ve ever used, so gaining an insight on their mouse from your review is well received. I may have to go out and get one. My present mouse is from Tech Syndicate and so far it’s been a pretty decent mouse.
Like you I use a palm grip style. It’s not so much that I have a large hand, as it is that I have long skinny fingers, so a claw grip is fairly uncomfortable. One reason that I really appreciated your review, especially in pointing out the limited support of the arch for the palm.
I like to rest my entire palm on a mouse. If anyone remembers the “Contour” mouse design they may understand why I liked it so much. I really don’t care to rest my wrist on the mouse pad as it gets rather sore during long gaming sessions.
I believe I will purchase this mouse in either case as the price isn’t all that much and even if I end with a better mouse from Kingston in a future upgrade, I’ll still have a decent back-up.
Great information. Mouse is very reliable and he move any surface.
To further stop fatigue, the bottom of the mouse uses these two large slip pads that glide across every surface I could find. I would go as far as to say the Pulsefire FPS glides smoother than any mouse I’ve used before.