The ASUS ROG Gladius gaming mouse, first announced in September, has started to ship. This ergonomic rodent, designed to complement the ROG GR8 console-inspired PC and M801 mechanical backlit keyboard, has a number of interesting design features. The highlights of the design include a modular socketed mouse switch system with mouse button switches of different resistance supplied and also the provision of two mouse cables to match various use scenarios.
As mentioned in the intro ASUS launched this mouse a few weeks back and it has just started to become available. According to ASUS it is "an optical wired mouse designed specifically to accommodate first-person shooter (FPS) players," and with "no time for mistakes," it has sought to make a customisable gaming mouse which isn't over complicated.
The first interesting innovation with the Gladius we will look at is the swappable mouse button switches. ASUS ROG has kitted out the Gladius with Japanese-made Omron switches for the "top trigger" buttons. These are well regarded components. While these are certified for about 20 million presses ASUS has provided an alternative set of Omron switches which offer a different click resistance - for user preference rather than spare parts. No soldering is necessary thanks to a socketed design and alternative sets of Omron switches are said to be available for purchase.
Another choice ASUS is providing for gamers is the length and type of mouse USB connection cable. Again ASUS ships the mouse with a choice fresh from the box. In this case you can choose to attach the supplied 2 metre braided USB cable or 1 metre 'regular rubber' cable. ASUS suggests you keep the braided cable at home and the shorter rubber cable as an ideal travel companion to LAN parties and internet cafes. Listed as a feature but perhaps a bit worrying is the ease of detaching the cable "it takes just one touch to detach either cable!" However the detach touch slider is under the mouse, and hopefully your cable is not going to be ejected by a rogue crumb on that internet café mouse mat.
The key Gladius mouse specs are listed above but ASUS ROG has also provided a newly published FAQ video to accompany this gaming rodent's availability, see below. The six button right-handed ASUS ROG Gladius is said to be available now with a $69 / £64.99 MSRP.
