Saitek Cyborg R.A.T. 9 mouse - a user perspective (lotsa pix)

[EnergyFX]

but it doesnt have a button to switch down - you can only switch up on the fly, call me anal about it but I dont like being able to only switch up - Logitech have a clear indicator what profile your in - and it changes as you switch up n down - it can hold a maximum of 5 DPI settings per profile - In gaming mode you know your at 3200DPI because the redlight on the mouse is maxed out so you know there isnt anymore above what you set - and you can shift down.

for instance - you use 3200DPI for running n gunning with a SMG/MG then you want to switch to a sniperifle which requires LESS DPI - like 1000. You have to keep clicking the button until you reach that DPI setting and even then you can only tell by a light instead of an indicator which makes the whole thing a waste of time and can possibly get you killed because what DPI mode you are in is anyones guess with a Saitek.

Wrong... the DPI button is a rocker, it switches up and down.

Also... the RAT has LED indicator lights to tell you what DPI mode you are in (not sure which Logitech you are trying to compare to, but my G9 is exactly the same). The Microsoft Sidewinder gaming mice on the other hand have a little LCD screen on them giving you a numerical readout of what DPI setting you are in, I would consider that ideal.

Furthermore, I find myself needing to switch DPI much less when transitioning from normal assult/enginer classes to sniper with the RAT due to the sniper button feature. I will admit it takes some getting used to and the sniper button layout could have been ergonomically located a bit better, but being able to quickly reduce the DPI to whatever level you want for with a simple hold of a button is awesome. Its like having a "hold your breath" button.

[EDIT:] I see Mad Catz Rich and someone else has already jumped on this... sorry, I should have read through the entire thread before kicking the horse some more. As for the LCD display, I do agree that since the RAT has seperate adjustability for X and Y axis then the LCD screen wouoldn't really work... unless there were two screens, and that's just getting a little too busy.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Hi All,

My name is Richard Neville and I work at Mad Catz - the Cyborg range is what I mainly look after, so full disclosure out of the way, I'm here to reply to one misconception:



The R.A.T. does have a DPI up and down button. That rocker behind the scroll wheel goes up and down so you can easily go up and down your DPI modes which, as Twylith said, are clearly indicated on the wing of the mouse using four LEDs to show which of the 4 DPI settings you're in.

If you've got any questions just let me know.

Yeah how to get the thumb wheel to work?

 

[twilyth]

Thanks for the review. Question for you. I know your'e not a gamer but the toggle on the mouse that changes the "modes", is it somewhat user friendly?

Saitek made a pro gamer gaming pad that had a button where your palm rested making it very easy to use multiple functions.

Essentially it worked like a shift key, palm down on that button and pressing another in this scenario would turn 5 buttons into 10. Something tells me this is not the case and that toggle is more for swapping from game profile to another but just wanted to confirm.

Not sure this will answer your question, but see post #17. It's a little awkward to use and depending on how you fondle your mouse, it might also be difficult to see.

 

[Mad Catz Rich]

The thumb wheel is essentially just two more buttons, activated each time you click the wheel in either direction. If you want it to do a particular function then you need to program it to do so using the programming software.

 

[TheMailMan78]

The thumb wheel is essentially just two more buttons, activated each time you click the wheel in either direction. If you want it to do a particular function then you need to program it to do so using the programming software.

Ya know after I installed the drivers from you guys the mouse is now kinda jittery. Where as before when the OS picked the driver it was more stable. Why is that?

 

[Mad Catz Rich]

The drivers should make zero difference to the performance of the sensor - all they enable is the ability to program the R.A.T. with the programming sensor and the adjustment of the DPI settings.

Check that there's no debris in the sensor and also check on a different surface to be sure.

 

[TheMailMan78]

The drivers should make zero difference to the performance of the sensor - all they enable is the ability to program the R.A.T. with the programming sensor and the adjustment of the DPI settings.

Check that there's no debris in the sensor and also check on a different surface to be sure.

Are you trying to say I have a dirty desk?

No but honestly man when I do a clean install of the OS this mouse is a dream! However if I install any of the software it goes crazy.

 

[Mad Catz Rich]

What happens if you set the drivers back to the Windows defaults using Device Manager?

Also, define 'crazy'

 

[TheMailMan78]

What happens if you set the drivers back to the Windows defaults using Device Manager?

Also, define 'crazy'

I tried that. Same thing. Its almost as if its over sensitive. Its moves when I click and such where as before it didn't move at all unless I moved it. I thought it was a "placebo" effect but my wife agreed it was more sensitive.....the mouse that is

 

[Mad Catz Rich]

Have you adjusted the thumb rest pivot angle? If so, loosen it again, then press down very firmly on the mouse on the part where R.A.T. is written and then tighten the securing bolt for the thumb pivot. Make sure that you do this on a hard flat surface!

See if that helps.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Have you adjusted the thumb rest pivot angle? If so, loosen it again, then press down very firmly on the mouse on the part where R.A.T. is written and then tighten the securing bolt for the thumb pivot. Make sure that you do this on a hard flat surface!

See if that helps.

Honestly that helped a lil'. Still got some jitter but its something I can live with untill my next install.

So the thumb wheel NEEDS the software?

 

[Mad Catz Rich]

Yep, only buttons 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 will operate on any mouse without driver/software support.

 

[erixx]

Got the RAT 7. Very nice so far. Sniper button fantastic. Lots of features. Misses acceleration slider, but maybe this missing is a Win7 "feature".
The pinky support is a heavanly gift.
I work all day with my computer and also game, so I deserve it and price is no objection

 

[glennfoster]

Sorry to bump an old thread. Wanted to know if anyone has any problem with the RAT 9 mouse as in tipping back. Ive been told to add more weights but it doesnt seem to make it any better.

Im considering getting the Glide mousemat but again, 11 quid for a mouse mat? phew! But if it solves the 'tipping' issue then fine, ill buy it.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Sorry to bump an old thread. Wanted to know if anyone has any problem with the RAT 9 mouse as in tipping back. Ive been told to add more weights but it doesnt seem to make it any better.

Im considering getting the Glide mousemat but again, 11 quid for a mouse mat? phew! But if it solves the 'tipping' issue then fine, ill buy it.

tipping? I dont understand.

 

[glennfoster]

tipping? I dont understand.

The mouse, when extended back to accomdate my hand size, tips when i rest my palm on it. more weight seems to do nothing to help this. Perhaps i have a lazy wrist or something!
Simply, it lifts or pulls a wheelie!!

 

[uuuaaaaaa]

Ya know after I installed the drivers from you guys the mouse is now kinda jittery. Where as before when the OS picked the driver it was more stable. Why is that?

The sensor on this mouse is crap, it skips it has jittering, and if you use it with some certain pads it will even be hard to click on the windows icons, because after you stop moving the mouse, it will move back.

This mouse is really heavy without weights, and they even let you add more weights?
This is an expensive piece of equipment that has a bad sensor to cut on the costs, but at the end of the day it will perform worst than a 10€ microsoft wmo 1.1a (when overcloked to 500Hz). everyone that i know who bought this mouse regrets the day they made the decision. Sorry, for the bad opinion about it, but this is the cold reality,, it has really cool features don't get me wrong, but fails on what matters the most, the sensor.

 

[TheMailMan78]

The sensor on this mouse is crap, it skips it has jittering, and if you use it with some certain pads it will even be hard to click on the windows icons, because after you stop moving the mouse, it will move back.

This mouse is really heavy without weights, and they even let you add more weights?
This is an expensive piece of equipment that has a bad sensor to cut on the costs, but at the end of the day it will perform worst than a 10€ microsoft wmo 1.1a (when overcloked to 500Hz). everyone that i know who bought this mouse regrets the day they made the decision. Sorry, for the bad opinion about it, but this is the cold reality,, it has really cool features don't get me wrong, but fails on what matters the most, the sensor.

You ether have a driver conflict or a broken mouse because mine is flawless.

The mouse, when extended back to accomdate my hand size, tips when i rest my palm on it. more weight seems to do nothing to help this. Perhaps i have a lazy wrist or something!
Simply, it lifts or pulls a wheelie!!

Did you try using one of the lower mounts it comes with? Sounds like you have it adjusted to high.

 

[glennfoster]

Im going to get the box off the top of the wardrobe and see if swapping a pinkie / palm rest around will give me a better comfort combination.

Its supposed to track at 6 meters a second and I can honestly say it does work well when flat on the table.

 

[uuuaaaaaa]

You ether have a driver conflict or a broken mouse because mine is flawless.

what games do you play? it is not in cs 1.6 or COD that you can test the sensor. I play quake and it cant keep with the movements of my hand.

 

[TheMailMan78]

what games do you play? it is not in cs 1.6 or COD that you can test the sensor. I play quake and it cant keep with the movements of my hand.

Ill tell you I had the same issue when I bought the mouse. SAME ISSUE. But it was an issue with left over mouse drivers. When I reinstalled my OS one day I had the pleasant surprise of my RAT working flawlessly. One thing I will say is dont install the software. I have more problems with it installed then when not. Seems to be true with all mice I'm afraid.