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Mionix Castor Optical Gaming Mouse Review

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Mionix Castor Driver Software

Mionix’s driver software is pretty standard, which will allow most users to become quickly acquainted with the different settings of the Castor. The main tabs across the top list the different sections, with the currently active profile listed right below. All of the changes are saved to the Castor’s on-board memory once Apply or Ok are clicked. Some other manufacturers will update any changed settings the moment they are adjusted, but I don’t mind this approach – I generally like to make changes and “finalize” them at the very end.

Castor_swMouseSettings

The first tab is the Mouse Settings tab. Button bindings are set here, with all six of the Castor’s buttons available for mapping. Polling rate, acceleration, double click and scroll speed are set here as well.

Castor_swSensorPerformance

The Sensor Performance tab should be pretty self-explanatory. DPI is adjustable in 50-dpi steps, from 50 to 10,000 dots per inch. Three steps can be set, with the mouse’s on-board memory saving your last-used DPI step (no need to set a default). Angle Snapping and Tuning were turned off by default, and can be activated here if desired. The Lift Distance was set a little high, but it was a simple slide to the lowest setting.

The Castor also uses Mionix’s S.Q.A.T. feature, which will provide some feedback on the sensor’s ability to track your current mousing surface. Without knowing more about how this feature arrives at its scores (a 100 represents “no data loss”), it’s hard to compare different surfaces – although it seems hard pads perform better than cloth/soft mouse pads. A Razer Destructor 2, Func Surface 1030r2 (smooth side) and Steelseries 4HD all scored 100%, while a Razer Goliathus (speed) scored a 60%, a Steelseries QHD+ scored a 70% and two Roccat Sense cloth pads (Desert Strike and Naval Storm editions) scored a 40%. Interestingly enough, I didn’t notice any skips or jitters on any of the aforementioned surfaces; it seems obvious a hard pad would be the surface of choice for enthusiasts that want the maximum available performance but you’d be hard pressed to feel much of a difference.

Castor_swColorSettings

Color Settings contains all of the options for Mionix’s Aurora lighting which is standard on all of their mice. There are two zones on the Castor which can be set individually (or turned off as desired). A Color Shift feature fades through a rainbow of colors, or solid colors can be used in the Solid, Blinking, Pulsating or Breathing modes.

Castor_LEDcolors

A range of colors displays nicely on the Castor – it doesn’t struggle with the less common colors like yellow, orange, teal and pink like some other multi-color options. Reds are a deep red, blues are vivid; greens are somewhat soft but more of a true green. Mionix has always featured multi-color lighting on their mice, but once you see some new RGBY LED-lit mice (like the Roccat Tyon) the previously-standard RGB systems look a little less vivid. I think the lighting system on the Castor fits nicely with the overall subtle style of Mionix’s peripherals in general though, and while the LEDs may not be as piercingly bright or vivid as some newer systems that might be just fine (I’m personally a fan of blinky lights and colors – I know these options don’t appeal to everyone, and the Castor looks more sophisticated than many gaming peripherals with the lights on or off).

Castor_swMacroSettings

The macro editor is somewhat rudimentary, but contains all of the necessary features for programming custom macros. Mouse events can be included in a macro which is always nice to see (not every device allows this). Delays can be recorded as you program the macro, or can be inserted/edited afterwards. Individual events can be edited or deleted without disrupting the entire macro.

Castor_swSupport

Finally, the Support tab lists a few helpful links to keep the Castor in optimum condition. The current software/firmware versions are listed in the lower right. A one year warranty (US – two years in the UK) covers the Castor from any manufacturer defects.


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