Two New Gaming Mice From Corsair
New variants of two popular Corsair gaming mice.
Corsair today is launching two additional members of its gaming mouse family, both of which are variants of existing models. The Ironclaw RGB Wireless is, as you would guess, a wireless version of the Ironclaw RGB that was introduced earlier this year at CES, while the Glaive RGB Pro is an enhanced version of the popular customizable Glaive RGB from 2017.
Corsair sent us review units of both mice ahead of today’s launch, so we have some initial impressions and testing to share.
Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless
The initial wired version of the Ironclaw was marketed as a good choice for MOBA and FPS players who prefer a “palm” grip, but I actually found myself enjoying the mouse for all purposes purely from a comfort perspective. It’s a large mouse with a significant hump that really fills your palm and hand and, for my hands at least, fits perfectly and comfortably.
The Ironclaw RGB Wireless thankfully maintains the same basic design, with just a few changes. First, unsurprisingly, the weight of the mouse has increased a bit to accommodate the battery, from 105g on the wired Ironclaw to 130g for the wireless version. Second, there are three additional programmable buttons on this new wireless model — one positioned in the middle above the default “forward” and “back” buttons (configured by default as the “sniper” button), and two elevated buttons on the left side of the left click button (configured by default to adjust DPI presets). The two buttons below the scroll wheel, which controlled DPI presets on the wired Ironclaw, are now configured by default to swap your stored profiles. Of course, as with almost every Corsair mouse, users can customize the functionality of each button via the iCue software.
The additional buttons will be welcomed by some users who felt that the seven buttons on the wired model was too limiting, but I’m not sure how useful these new buttons actually are. The button above the forward and back buttons is awkward to push. For the way I hold this mouse, at least, there’s simply no natural way for my fingers to press it. I could lean the middle of my index finger against it, but this doesn’t always result in a quick or accurate press, or I could use my thumb, but the button is positioned so high that I either have to contort my thumb to an uncomfortable degree or pull my palm off the mouse.
In terms of the buttons above the left click button, they’re easier to press by just raising my index finger, but their position just doesn’t feel natural. My index finger also rubs up against them when it’s resting on the left click button, which has resulted in a few unintentional presses during my time testing this mouse. Perhaps these complaints would lessen over time as I got used to button layout, or perhaps they’re unique to the way I personally prefer to hold the mouse. But, regardless, I probably wouldn’t use them at all in the long term.
Finally, the Ironclaw RGB Wireless adds an additional RGB zone over its wired counterpart in the form of two lights flanking the micro USB connector on the front of the device. This same area is entirely black plastic on the wired version.
As for specs, they’re mostly the same between the wired and wireless Ironclaw models: the same 18,000 DPI sensor, same highly-rated Omron switches, same ability to store three configuration profiles in onboard memory. Check out the complete specs below:
| Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 Type-A 2.4GHz Slipstream Wireless Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Sensor | Optical PixArt PMW3391 |
| Sensor Resolution | 100 to 18,000 DPI Adjustable in 1 DPI steps |
| Maximum Accleration | Up to 50 G |
| Maximum Speed | Up to 400 IPS |
| USB Report Rate | 1,000 Hz |
| Button Switches | Omron Rating: 50M clicks Operating Force: 60gf Actuation Distance: 0.45mm |
| Buttons | 10 |
| Onboard Profiles | 3 |
| Cable Length | 1.8 meters 6 feet |
| Weight | 130g |
| Battery Life | Slipstream with RGB: Up to 16 hours Slipstream no RGB: Up to 24 hours Bluetooth with RGB: Up to 30 hours Bluetooth no RGB: Up to 50 hours |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| MSRP | $79.99 |
As with most mice, setup and usage of the Ironclaw RGB Wireless is quick and easy. You’ll first want to download the iCue software if you don’t have it, or make sure you’re running the latest version if you do. Then, just connect the mouse via your preferred method: wired, 2.4GHz Slipstream, or Bluetooth.
There’s a small toggle switch on the bottom of the mouse that lets you choose your method of connectivity. Wired and Slipstream modes involve simply plugging in the included micro USB cable or Slipstream dongle; Windows 10 will automatically recognize and connect the mouse in either case. For Bluetooth, you’ll need to initiate pairing mode by holding down either of the DPI switch buttons (the ones to the left of the left-click button) and then sliding the mode toggle on the bottom to the Bluetooth setting. The RGB light on the side of the mouse will begin blinking blue and will turn solid blue once you’ve paired the mouse via your device’s Bluetooth settings.
We tested the mouse primarily in Wired and Slipstream modes, but we did test Bluetooth and confirmed that it worked as expected. In terms of battery life, Corsair claims up to 16 hours in Slipstream mode with the RGB lights enabled and up to 24 hours with the lights off. Bluetooth mode will get you better battery life (30 and 50 hours, respectively) but at the cost of responsiveness.
In our testing of mixed use computing (primarily gaming, video editing, and web browsing), we only achieved about 10 hours of use across three sessions with RGB lights enabled and set to link with our K70 RGB RapidFire keyboard MM800 Polaris RGB mouse pad. When we disabled the lights, battery life shot up to almost double: 19.5 hours. That’s still short of Corsair’s advertised number, but a significant improvement.
We weren’t able to run complete battery life tests for Bluetooth mode, but we’ve been using it via Bluetooth (lights disabled) since the completion of our tests and haven’t run out of battery in just over four days of lengthy use. If you’re buying a gaming mouse, you’re probably interested in response time and will therefore want to stick with Slipstream for your wireless mode. But if you’re in a pinch and need a bit of extra running time, Bluetooth mode can get you through even the longest sessions.
In terms of configuring the Ironclaw RGB Wireless, users of other Corsair products will feel right at home, as the iCue software unsurprisingly offers the same range of customization options found on just about every other Corsair mouse or gaming peripheral.
Users can customize the Ironclaw’s three RGB lighting zones with one of dozens of static or animated color options (including using the Lighting Link feature to synchronize light colors and animations with other iCue-compatible Corsair products), create custom macros (and even chains of macros) and assign them to one of the device’s 10 buttons, adjust the DPI settings of the three selectable profiles and the handy “sniper” profile (which significantly lowers DPI temporarily for improved precision with fine movements), enable or disable usability features such as angle snapping and enhance pointer precision, store and swap configuration profiles in the Ironclaw’s onboard storage, configure options such as the sleep timer, power saver mode, and RGB lighting brightness, fix pairing issues, and check for firmware updates.
iCue’s options range from simple for things like standard lighting or DPI adjustments, to relatively complex in terms of setting up custom macros, but overall the software gives users virtually complete control over the Ironclaw wireless mouse. There’s just nothing new here for this mouse launch for those already familiar with the software.
Corsair Glaive RGB Pro
Like its predecessor, the Glaive RGB Pro is a wired gaming mouse that is all about customization, specifically the feel of the mouse in your hand thanks to interchangeable thumb grips that attach magnetically to the left side.
Three grips are included: the one that is attached to the mouse out of the box is the smallest and sits closest to the mouse’s body. The two additional grips are each incrementally larger: the second grip extends the size of the mouse out to provide a more substantial surface for your thumb to, well, grip, while the third and largest grip incorporates a curved ledge on the bottom on which your thumb can rest, keeping your thumb away from the mouse body but off of your desk. Since the third grip also rubs on the desk or pad surface along with the mouse, it has the same polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-coated glider feet as the mouse itself.
The magnets that hold the grips to the Glaive body are strong enough that I never felt they would come loose while gaming, but also easy enough to pop off and swap when desired. Although, in my experience, you’re unlikely to swap the grips once you find the one you like. For me, that was the second/middle grip, which of course I nicknamed “Goldilocks.”
In terms of the rest of the mouse’s features, to earn its “Pro” designation the new Glaive introduces several improved features that Corsair says are based on customer feedback.
These new features include a bump from 16,000 to 18,000 DPI for the sensor, a reduction in weight from 122g to 115g, better RGB lighting (although with the same number of lighting zones as its predecessor), and tweaked textures and curvature of the thumb and side grips.
There’s also one additional button on the new model, obtained by dividing the old single DPI switch below the scroll wheel into two separate buttons (configured by default as DPI “up” and “down”).
I unfortunately don’t have a non-Pro Glaive on hand to compare side-by-side, so I’ll have to take Corsair’s word when it comes to the more subtle differences such as the textures and lighting quality. Here are the full specs:
| Corsair Glaive RGB Pro | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 Type-A |
| Sensor | Optical PixArt PMW3391 |
| Sensor Resolution | 100 to 18,000 DPI Adjustable in 1 DPI steps |
| Maximum Accleration | Up to 50 G |
| Maximum Speed | Up to 400 IPS |
| USB Report Rate | 1,000 Hz |
| Button Switches | Omron Rating: 50M clicks Operating Force: 60gf Actuation Distance: 0.45mm |
| Buttons | 7 |
| Onboard Profiles | 1 |
| Cable Length | 1.8 meters 6 feet |
| Weight | 115g |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| MSRP | $69.99 |
As a wired mouse, basic functionality for the Glaive RGB Pro is simply plug-and-play. If you’ve previously stored a configuration profile in the mouse’s onboard memory, you can even have your lighting, DPI, and button customizations automatically available to you on any supported system.
For further customization, you’ll need the latest version of iCue. Like with the Ironclaw, iCue gives you access to full control of the Glaive Pro’s three RGB lighting zones (logo, sides, and front), DPI presets (five to choose from, indicated by five lights on the top-left side of the mouse body, plus “sniper”), macro creation, onboard profile settings (only one, however), firmware updates, surface calibration, and more.
Again, like the Ironclaw Wireless, there’s nothing new in iCue specific to the Glaive Pro, so those already familiar with the software will have no problem getting things configured.
Conclusions
As I mentioned, I’ve really grown to like the original wired Ironclaw, and it’s been in regular use on our test benches this year due to its comfort. The wireless version is intriguing, and the flexibility to use it via wired, Slipstream, or Bluetooth modes is handy, but the relatively short battery life and awkward placement of its additional buttons isn’t enough to make me switch from the wired model.
But if you really want a wireless mouse and are looking for something relatively unique that supports your palm better than any other mouse I’ve tried in recent years, the Ironclaw RGB Wireless is worth a look, and earns it a solid Silver Award.
As for the Glaive Pro, the additional DPI profiles will certainly come in handy for some users, and the placement for all seven buttons feels right. I also like the RGB lighting on the Glaive Pro, with the “side” lights being an especially nice look.
The swappable thumb grips are handy for getting the feel of the mouse right initially but, as mentioned, I just don’t know how often most users would swap grips. The feature would be nice in a shared PC situation, or if you plan to sell or donate the mouse down the road, but once you find the grip that works for you, the remaining two simply don’t feel comfortable upon switching, leaving them to get lost or languish in a drawer.
The Glaive RGB Pro is an attractive gaming mouse with good customization options. But the lack of usefulness of the adjustable grips after initial setup and the limit of a single onboard profile also land this mouse a Silver Award.
Both mice lack features such as adjustable weights, and there are competing mice with that feature in these price ranges, but if you don’t care about that aspect of gaming mice, or you’re looking to stick with Corsair in order to coordinate your lighting setup, either mouse is worth a look.
Both mice are hitting retailers today, although based on an initial scan of retailers it looks like the Ironclaw Wireless is currently in greater supply than the Glaive Pro.
