Review: Corsair Dark Core RGB SE

MM1000 and Summary

If the thought of spending £100 on a mouse hasn't scared you, then you may also want to consider the Dark Core RGB SE's optional counterpart, the MM1000 Wireless Charging Mouse Pad. Available as an £80 accessory, or a £175 bundle when purchased with the mouse, MM1000 brings something new to table in the form of an integrated Qi charging point.

The concept is simple enough, and in practise the basic functions work quite well. The mouse pad connects to two USB 3.0 ports on the host PC via a split 1.8m braided cable, and when Dark Core RGB SE is running low, simply place it on the highlighted spot and hey presto, it'll begin charging. It's a neat trick and MM1000 also includes a single-port USB 3.0 hub that does come in handy.

But there are a few limitations and quirks to be aware of. At the time of writing, there's only one size available - 260mm x 350mm x 5mm - which while reasonably roomy isn't as spacious as some might like, and a hard textured surface is the only choice of finish. I've never been particularly fond of hard mouse pads, and the noise of Dark Core RGB's PTFE feet sliding around the surface is off-putting.

At some point in the future, we imagine the whole surface will be a charging plate that keeps the mouse topped-up at all times, but the current implementation isn't perfect. You lose the ability to charge if your PC's USB ports go to sleep, the green charging status LED is surprisingly cheap-looking for a manufacturer with RGB expertise, and though the Qi charging point can be used with various devices, your mileage may vary.

We've found the surface feels a tad cramped to use while a phone is charging, and Corsair's bundled charging receiver is a bit of a mystery, too. Shipped with a choice of USB, Type-C or Lightning adapters, the theory is that you plug the Qi receiver into your device and then place it on the charging point. But if you're going to plug something in, why not just resort to the tried-and-trusted mains cable? We like the fact that MM1000's rubberised base keeps it planted, but right now it is little more than a very expensive method of charging a compatible mouse.

Summary

Corsair is calling on gamers to 'unplug and play' with a new range of gaming peripherals promising less clutter, more freedom, and all the performance you would expect from a wired device.

The first mouse to emerge from the company's wireless stable is the Dark Core RGB. Available with or without integrated Qi wireless charging, the pointer's best attributes include a comfortable contoured shape, a precise optical sensor, nine programmable buttons and, of course, the ability to connect via your choice of USB, 2.4GHz or Bluetooth.

A solid first outing with impressive real-world performance, however there is room for improvement. The gamer-orientated aesthetic is an acquired taste, the £100 price tag attached to the SE model is steep, and the optional MM1000 Wireless Charging Mouse Pad is an expensive accessory whose promise is curtailed by a few usability quirks.

Bottom line: Dark Core RGB is a capable wireless gaming mouse, but Qi wireless charging in our estimation isn't worth the extra outlay.

Corsair Dark Core RGB SE

HEXUS.where2buy

The Corsair Dark Core RGB SE is available to purchase from Scan Computers.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.