ASUS ROG STRIX Impact II Wireless Gaming Mouse Review

ASUS may be better known for their motherboards and graphics cards, but make no mistake, they're a serious competitor when it comes to peripherals too. Over the last few years in particular, we've seen some really amazing keyboards, headsets, gaming mice and more from them. Their mice have always been especially interesting, as they always try to do something a little more unique with their designs and features. Of course, as part of their ROG STRIX series, the new Impact II isn't your typical office pointer either, this is their flagship gaming division, so it's obviously a mouse to appeal to the enthusiast gamers out there. ASUS ROG STRIX Impact II Wireless Gaming Mouse The ASUS ROG Strix Impact II wireless gaming mouse comes equipped with an impressive 16,000 DPI optical sensor. That's some seriously swift tracking for a wireless mouse, which often dial down the DPI to save power. You get 2.4 GHz wireless, ensuring lag-free and cable-free performance thanks to their SmartHop channel monitoring system. However, if you REALLY need that cable, it comes with a handy USB-C to get you hooked up. The features don't end there either, with swappable switches, fully programmable buttons, RGB and more! Features Optimised connectivity includes wireless 2.4GHz and wired USBIndustry-leading 16,000 dpi, 400 IPS optical sensor for exceptional performanceExclusive push-fit switch socket design to vary click resistance and extend the lifespan of the mouseLong-lasting wireless gaming with power-efficient sensorOn-the-fly DPI button for effortless accuracy adjustmentsLightweight design for speedy glides, precise control and easy portabilityPivoted button mechanism for fast response and accurate performance, accompanied by a clean, tactile feelExclusive Armoury Crate software for easy and intuitive configuration What ASUS Had to Say "ROG collaborated with professional gamers in developing ROG Strix Impact II Wireless. The result is an optimised, ergonomic gaming mouse that weighs just 93 grams. It features a 16,000 dpi sensor that tracks up to 400 inches per second, with a maximum acceleration of up to 40 G, so you're assured of superfast responses and precision control – all without a hint of lag." - ASUS Packaging The box sticks firmly to the STRIX theme and looks just like many other STRIX boxes really. A funky image of the mouse on the front, as well as a neon version of the ASUS ROG eye in the background. It's pretty stylish and simple from the front. However, around the back, it's all technical. You get a quick breakdown of all the major features here. The mouse is enclosed in a folded cardboard mount, with a hard plastic shell protecting the top. In the box, you'll find the mouse (obliviously), as well as a USB cable. The cable is a USB Type-C to Type-A, it is typically for charging the mouse up when the battery gets low, however, it can also be used in a USB wired mode too if you don't want to use wireless at any given time. A Closer Look The mouse looks ultra-sleek and premium from the moment you take it out of the box. There is a really cool finish on the plastics which just gives it a gorgeous look and feel. Down the left side of the mouse, you will find textured design, which will allow you to get a firmer grip on the mouse. There are two navigation buttons, which have a nice recessed design and angle, allowing you to use them by simply sliding your thumb over them. The mouse uses a fairly classic ergonomic shape, albeit asymmetrical one so that it feels comfortable in both the left and right hand. However, mistake that this is still a right hand, no navigation buttons on the right-hand side. While it's hard to see with the light off, there is an RGB logo here on the rear. Of course, we will see that in action shortly. Both the left and right mouse buttons and mounted on their own individual pivots. This is great, cross-talk, and vibrations between the switches, giving them a more positive feel overall. All the way they are sprung also ensures they have a short travel distance, and a fast return, which going to bring obvious advantages for gamers. The scroll wheel is pretty sizable, comes with a soft rubber grip and the nicely defined notch when turned insurance smooth and accurate control every time. There is also a ring of RGB here, giving you something else to customise later. Of course, the scroll wheel is also clickable. At the front of the mouse, you'll find a recessed USB Type-C port, she can use the included cable with to charge or use the mouse in or wired mode. I like the fact that it can be used wired, and I know sometimes in competitions games tend to step away from wireless for fear of any interference, however, with modern gaming mice, that's no longer a major concern. Despite having its own built-in, the mouse is surprisingly like wait, great for long term and agility while gaming. However, it mostly glides incredibly smoothly due to the large PTFE pads applied to the bottom. I know you don't see the underside of a mouse very often, but I must admit this one does look pretty cool. There are a few basic controls down here too. This being a wireless mouse, you can manually turn it off. The mouse will automatically go to sleep after a set time to conserve power, but as far as I can tell, the automatic wake-up time almost instantaneous and never felt like a burden Performance Power the mouse on, and you're treated to a gorgeous RGB light show. I like that the rear lights are actually under the plastic casing rather than push closer to the surface. This gives you a slightly blurry and diffused appearance that softer on the eye. It just looks a little classier and a lot less in your face than a lot of the RGB products that are out there. While the lighting does give you some obvious customization options, it also has some practical applications here. You can set an individual colour to each zone to indicate profile and which DPI level you currently have selected. This is great for making at a glance assessment of your current settings. One of the best benefits of this mouse, have to be the size and weight. It feels very comfortable in the hand and it's easy to pick up and move around when needed. This is great if you like to use a lower DPI setting and use a lift-off technique. ASUS has equipped this mouse with one of the best sensors on the market today. 16,000 DPI is complete overkill for most gamers, great to have such wide range and level of choice. Extremely high DPI is a vital tool for making fast turns in vehicles in games like Battlefield. While the lowest settings are equally as brilliant for those precise sniper shots. If you're boring like me though, it means I never miss-click while doing some Guild trading in Elder Scrolls Online, as I think my 360 no scope days are behind me, my Motif trading days are certainly ahead of me. The mouse just generally feels comfortable in your hand, and while I do find the ambidextrous shape of it a little strange given that really is just right-handed, it somehow works in terms of comfort. It feels comfortable in virtually any grip type, from a big lazy palm rest to an on-the-edge claw grip. The way that the left and right mouse buttons are mounted on their own pivots, means you can comfortably actuate the switch just as well at the very back as you can right at the very front of the switch. I love the stock feel of this mouse, it feels fine-tuned for fast-paced gaming and day and night long gaming sessions. I love the way it glides and tracks and it's as good as any other flagship mouse out there today. Not to put to blunt a point on it of course, but there's certainly nothing I can fault about it. However, that doesn't mean to say it ends there, as you can put your own spin on it too. If you look closely at the mouse, you can actually see through that plastic body at the internal workings of the mouse. While most brands hide all this away from you, ASUS let you come in and play. Simply remove the four rubber pegs on the bottom of the mouse. Below them, you will find four screws. Undo those and you can separate the top part of the mouse from the main body. The interior of the mouse looks pretty clean and tidy, but since you're supposed to be able to get access to this part, I expect ASUS has put a little more effort in here. As you can see, you can simply lift out the switches for the left and right mouse buttons, they are plug-and-play compatible. Furthermore, while you could simply replace a broken switch if you ever did wear one out (unlikely). You could also go for something more unique, whichever switches are your favourite, simply put them in and you are good to go! How Much Does it Cost? Being the wireless model, this is the more expensive model of the range, I think it's still competitive. Keep in mind the high-performance, the swappable switch design, premium aspects that you don't often see in a wireless gaming mouse. Furthermore, it comes with a USB-C cable for wired mode performance and charging is certainly an added benefit for many. It's currently available on Amazon for £76.78, which I think is pretty reasonable for a top brand name high-performance gaming mouse. That being said, the wired version is just £44.99 has a less impressive sensor. Overview The ASUS ASUS ROG STRIX Impact II Wireless is an impressive piece of gaming hardware. I think it's amazing that in 2020 we are now discussing wireless gaming mice as serious competitors. It was only a few years ago that I was testing wireless gaming mice and keyboards which still suffered from signal loss and latency issues that were blatantly present compared to their wired counterparts. However, it seems those days are behind us and being able to be cable-free and still be competitive is certainly an option these days. Should you really need to be on the cable, such as when your battery levels are running low, or you just want the peace of mind that no interference of signal loss will compromise your tournament win, then this mouse has got you covered for both. Build Quality ASUS score top marks for build quality here, there is absolutely no compromise on the level of features and the choices of hardware they have used. I think it's even worth commending them for their use of plastics, as not only do they look great but they feel fantastic in the hand and are incredibly durable. The fact that you can see through the body of the mouse to the inner workings is a nice touch too, and I also really appreciate the way it diffuses the RGB lighting on the rear, it's a nice touch. Of course, navigate to thing about this mouse's build quality has to be the switches. Certainly, they get credit for using Omron switches which are well known in the industry for being incredibly reliable, but there's nothing stopping you from swapping them out should something go wrong. There's a wide community of Gamers out there already, who battle-tested numerous switches already, and many sites such as eBay and Amazon have a ready supply of compatible switches that you can drop in and try and they're very affordable too. Style The mouse scores top marks for style too, as I would be just as comfortable having this on my desk in the office in a more professional environment, as I would to have it on my desk in a gaming PC setup. I think it adapts well to any environment. it does have RGB, but it doesn't feel overdone and can be more informative of your profiles than just for the sake of being flashy. Should I Buy One? There is clearly no shortage of exceptional quality gaming mice these days, it is clear that ASUS is working hard to ensure they stay competitive with the best of the best. Who has "the best mouse" is so subjective, but with an exceptional sensor, great ergonomics, flawless wireless performance and that awesome switch-swapping system, the Asus ROG Strix Impact II Wireless is easily one of the best I've ever used. Asus ROG Strix Impact II Wireless Gaming Mouse