MadCatz Saitek R.A.T / RAT 9 users

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PostmanPot

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Hi all

So I've got this urge to get the RAT 9. Is it as good as the videos make it out to be, and as good as it looks? Makes a lot of sense. Finding my Logitech G5 to have too high a profile.

Best mouse you've owned or not?

Wondering if I should wait perhaps for a cable and wireless version, like the Razer Mamba? Changing batteries so often isn't exactly ideal.

Any input/discussion welcome!
 
I'm also in the market for a new gaming mouse. My G7 is at the end of it's lifetime. Every click seems to register as a triple click. I had a look at the RAT 9, but cleaning that thing looks like a painful effort, cause dust will probably get in everywhere. I've also read somewhere that changing batteries take a while as you have to remove something first. I actually prefer to be wireless all the time and not have a cable to charge it, but it should be quick to swap out batteries. Like my G7 currently: it has an eject button and is spring loaded, so changing batteries feel like reloading a gun. I can do it in 3 seconds flat. :)
 
I played with the RAT7 for a bit, and while it's really nice ( and I love the snipe button.. ) I found that the Razer Mamba is a better overall mouse - Faster response ( though you won't notice it ), and overall better build quality. It also feels better in my hand, it's been designed to fit any hand depending on where you rest your wrist, so it's almost guaranteed to fit yours.

The only reason I'd go for a RAT is because it looks pretty cool.

I'll say that he Mamba's battery isn't too easy to swap out, though the battery lasts just about forever, especially if you charge it between sessions, or when you go get a drink/snack. If it ever does die, it's a quick swap to get the cable plugged in and carry on ( The regular charging method is to stand it on it's dock )

Take this with a pinch of salt, as I've said, I'm a mamba user.
 
RAT 9 is for sure the best mouse I've ever used. Not the prettiest by a long way but has loads of features that make other mice insignificant in comparison.
It truly is art.
 
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I bought a Rat 9 a few days ago for my Desktop. Imo it feels better than the G700 I use on my laptop. The extra weight makes it move like a dream. I am still playing arround with the different configurations of the mouse, but I think the way I've got it now is the way I will keep it. It does not have as many buttons as the G700 and it uses a special battery, but overall I am very impressed with the feel and movement on the mouse.

Recording maco's seems quite simple, but it only has 3 profiles and no onboard memory whereas the G700 can store up to 5 profiles (with the macro's) on the mouse istelf.
The special battery bothers me a bit, the only reason I upgraded my G7 to the G700 was because the two batteries that I got with the mouse have pegged, and they are not available anymore. The G700 comes with one AA Eneloop, so if that dies I can just repace it with another rechargable AA.

Overall the Rat 9 is an awesome mouse. I would say go for it.
 
How fast can you change the batteries? I've read a review which said you needed tweezers to get the battery out. Any truth to this? I'm leaning towards the G700, because I'm currently using a G7, but I just can't ignore the epic cool looks of the Rat9.
 
Thanks guys.

Not interested in discussing any other mouses, besides of course Mamba, G700, and other obvious similar mouses.

bullzeye.za said:
I played with the RAT7 for a bit, and while it's really nice ( and I love the snipe button.. ) I found that the Razer Mamba is a better overall mouse - Faster response ( though you won't notice it ), and overall better build quality. It also feels better in my hand, it's been designed to fit any hand depending on where you rest your wrist, so it's almost guaranteed to fit yours.

The only reason I'd go for a RAT is because it looks pretty cool.

I'll say that he Mamba's battery isn't too easy to swap out, though the battery lasts just about forever, especially if you charge it between sessions, or when you go get a drink/snack. If it ever does die, it's a quick swap to get the cable plugged in and carry on ( The regular charging method is to stand it on it's dock )

Take this with a pinch of salt, as I've said, I'm a mamba user.
Click to expand...

RAT 9's battery is rated better than the Mamba - double the time, so they say. I have tried the Mamba and it does feel quite good, however I seem to have a problem with the way the [especially] thumb buttons are placed as they seem too easy to click? Perhaps it was just me not being used to the mouse. The biggest reason I'd take the Mamba is indeed the wired option.

Seems changing the battery on the RAT 9 is also very easy, pops in and out really.
 
I'm also keeping an eye on the new Gigabyte Aivia M8600 mouse. Seems to have everything I want in a wireless mouse, including quick gun reloading style battery changes and 100hrs battery life, compared RAT9 and G700 8-10hrs. It was demo'ed at Cebit in the beginning of the month, so it is yet to launch.

The new Gigabyte Aivia M8600 Macro Gaming Mouse also features a two-second quick-swap battery system, multi-functional charging dock, twin-eye gaming-grade laser engine, and GHOST macro engine technology.
Click to expand...

Source: http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/gigabyte-aivia-m8600-macro-gaming-mouse-04-03-2011/#
 
doobyscoo said:
CM Sentinel advance 5600dpi. I got it and I love it.
Click to expand...

Hey dooby, i got the same, but mines drifts alot, its so sensitive that when i double click the pointer shakes and drifts. Hows yours and what mousepad are you using?
 
Penquin said:
How fast can you change the batteries? I've read a review which said you needed tweezers to get the battery out. Any truth to this? I'm leaning towards the G700, because I'm currently using a G7, but I just can't ignore the epic cool looks of the Rat9.
Click to expand...

Landmark Computers said:
Battery change is quick (10 seconds max). Comes with 2x batteries.
Click to expand...

Well I find the battery quite stiff. I dont see how you would use tweesers to get it out tho. I need to wiggle mine to get it out. Quick change its not. Might be because its brand new tho.
 
Postman, if i may inject my several cents..

One positive about the mamba is changing from wireless to wired. When the battery dies (as it does after 15-30 games of starcraft2) a quick switch of the cable from the dock to the mouse (which can be done is seconds) allows the mouse to be quickly recognized by your OS and puts you back in action. This entire procedure can take less than 20 seconds. The battery life is not good for permanent/elongated hours of gameplay, but it most certainly is a responsive mouse (in both wired and wireless modes).

Another negative about the mamba is the firmware - I don't like it and feel it quite epically constrains the utility you get from the mouse.

Finally, the dock is illuminated with a bright blue base which I wish I could disable.

Overall, its a certified kick-ass product and I love it.
 
yeti said:
One positive about the mamba is changing from wireless to wired. When the battery dies (as it does after 15-30 games of starcraft2) a quick switch of the cable from the dock to the mouse (which can be done is seconds) allows the mouse to be quickly recognized by your OS and puts you back in action. This entire procedure can take less than 20 seconds. The battery life is not good for permanent/elongated hours of gameplay, but it most certainly is a responsive mouse (in both wired and wireless modes).
Click to expand...

The G700 also does that.
 
The thing that put me off the G700 was the reviews. Apparently it has very bad wireless performance, no where near the Mamba or RAT 9.

What say you?

I do like my Logitech stuff.
 
All the reviews I've read about the G700 were positive. The G700 is essentially the upgrade of my G7, which is probably one of the first gaming mice to have flawless wireless performance and the G700 just ups the game. So far I'm definitely leaning towards the G700. I will only look at the Mamba if it was half the price. Razor's quality is quite shocking at times. The RAT 9 just feels a bit too much. I would probably be tinkering with it more than I would actually use my PC.
 
Interesting. First review that shows up after a Google put me off:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/peripherals/2010/09/20/logitech-g700-review/1

Conclusion
Despite hoping for something special, we came away from our time with the G700 supremely disappointed. When connected via its data and charging cable the G700 performed very well and did a fine job of fragging our opposition in comfort and style. This is despite the mouse being a little heavier and larger thanks to the AA battery and extra circuitry inside.

Switching to wireless mode - the G700’s key feature and a major factor in its relatively high price - and the G700 is impossible to live with. The fine movement sensitivity is shockingly poor, making the mouse useless for gaming when in wireless mode. Even something as everyday as selecting text in Office became an infuriating challenge as we found ourselves cursing it to “select that full stop damn-it!”

We contacted Logitech regarding the issue of the small movement sensitivity, but it didn't manage to provide any more information than is on the complaint thread on its forums. However, as the G700 is a product on sale, and there's no confirmed date for the fix, we can only recommend that you steer well clear of it for now at least.
Click to expand...

:( :confused:
 
I have the RAT 7, basically the wired version of the RAT 9. I've had it since the beginning of the year and one thing is for sure, you won't like it at the start. It takes time to get use to the feel especially if you use the pinky rest, otherwise it's a very good mouse. Once you have it setup perfectly along with getting use to it it works fantastically. There is one design flaw, with the angle you place the thumb rest, you have to choose whether you want the snipe button or the "back/forward" buttons as their positioning makes them impossible to use together comfortably.

Best thing though is everybody's reaction when they first see it ;) it's enough to make everyone go wow
 
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