Asus ROG Chakram X
MSRP $160.00
“The Asus ROG Chakram X’s built-in joystick feels more like a gimmick than an innovation.”
Pros
- Hot-swap capability for the proper switch
- Joystick is a singular feature
- 8,000Hz polling rate
- Slick PTFE feet
- Pretty RGB
Cons
- Way too expensive
- Frustrating software bugs
- The custom logo is only a plastic disk
- Battery life is not the very best
The very best gaming mouse varies from individual to individual. One person might go for higher battery life, whereas another person prefers a high polling rate. Nevertheless, what in regards to the one who wants something different, like a joystick and the flexibility to hot-swap switches? That person now has a solution: The Asus ROG Chakram X.
The Asus ROG is an ergonomic mouse that contains a silhouette just like a Logitech G502, however the customization of the Strix Flare II Animate. Oh, and it has a joystick, a 8,000Hz polling rate, and a max DPI of 36,000.
With so many features, though, also comes a heavy weight of 127 grams and an excellent heftier price tag of $160.
Design and luxury
This mouse immediately jogged my memory of a ghost from Halo — especially while you have a look at the thumb rest. I got extraterrestrial vibes from this mouse, especially with the quantity of RGB and smoky shell.
The very first thing I noticed with the Asus ROG Chakram X was its bulky, ergonomic design that resembles the Logitech G502 with its thumb rest. Nevertheless, the Chakram X has many unique design features, like a maximum DPI of 36,000, 4 side buttons, a removable magnetic shell, an 8,000Hz polling rate, wireless charging (to a level), and after all, the push-fit switch sockets and the analog stick.
While all of those features are cool, don’t expect lightness as this mouse weighs in at 127g. That’s seven grams heavier than the Razer Naga Trinity — and that has dedicated macro keys. Nevertheless, the burden of the Chakram X is balanced out very nicely, and lightness was never how this mouse was marketed.
The PTFE feet underneath the mouse helped move the Chakram across my desk, too. They’re slick just like the ones included on Roccat Burst Pro Air. Also underneath the mouse are two buttons, one which adjusts DPI and one other to pair the Chakram X along with your PC. There’s also a slider that permits you to toggle between 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, or wired mode.
The smartest feature in regards to the Chakram X is its analog stick on the side.
The Chakram X has every little thing most wireless gaming mice do nowadays, like a small 2.4 GHz dongle, a paracord cable, quick charge. and a boatload of RGB. Nevertheless, the Chakram X features hot-swap switch sockets and a joystick on the left side. Accessing the switches could be very easy — just lift the magnetic shell and left and right buttons.
This isn’t the primary time Asus released a mouse with hot-swap sockets, because it was available on the previous version of the Chakram and the ROG Gladius III. As a mechanical keyboard enthusiast with close to twenty sets of switches, I like the concept of getting hot-swap compatibility on a mouse because mice switches are low cost and offer a ton of customization.
The smartest feature in regards to the Chakram X is its analog stick on the side, which is claimed to supply a gamepad-like level of control. The thing is, it’s incredibly awkward and uncomfortable to make use of. The analog stick feels very stiff in comparison with a standard gamepad stick and, although the Chakram X comes with a taller one, that didn’t help things. Fortunately, the Chakram X comes with a joystick cover that lets you shed the stick entirely, which was most comfortable for me.
The variety of side buttons on the Chakram X are plentiful, as you get 4 to reprogram to your heart’s desire. I’m not an enormous fan of the 4 side buttons on this mouse since the forward and back buttons are too far apart and the opposite two side buttons are too skinny for my liking.
I’m a giant fan of the RGB on the Chakram X because you’ll be able to actually see it when using the mouse. The front of the Chakram lights up the scroll wheel and the ROG logo, but that’s obviously covered by your hand. The ROG logo could be removed in place for your personal logo or design in the event you’re crafty enough. In front of the Chakram is a USB-C connector, which not only gives your25 hours of battery life in only quarter-hour of charging, but bumps the polling rate as much as 8,000Hz.
You’ll need to keep your USB-C cable close for battery life.
Should you plan on utilizing all the RGB while going wireless, you’ll need to keep your USB-C cable close as you’re only getting 59 hours of use in between charges. Nevertheless, if you could have some spare coins in your pocket, you’ll be able to pick up the Asus ROG Balteus Qi RGB mouse pad, which enables wireless charging.
Software
I encountered some problems with the included Armoury Crate software. Upon installation, it greeted me with a loading screen that seemingly never ended.
After I did finally got into Armoury Crate for the primary time, I used to be forced to update the Chakram X’s firmware and restart my PC. Oof. I haven’t run into an application this frustrating to get entering into a protracted time.
Eventually, after quite a few attempts, I used to be capable of get into the software again to set my preferred DPI and RGB.
Despite its flaws, Armoury Crate bodes well for the Chakram X, because it lets you adjust the DPI using the scroll wheel. Inside Armoury Crate, you’ll be able to toggle digital mode, which cuts the joystick’s rotations right down to just 4, allowing for more precise actions, like equipment changing in-game. In fact, you continue to get the same old remapping options, too.
Sensors and switches
The best part in regards to the Chakram X is its push-fit switch socket design, which lets you swap switches with ease. Unlike mechanical keyboards, mechanical mice switches are dirt low cost and the push-fit sockets even welcome optical switches, so the customization is limitless.
While the Chakram X welcomes foreign mouse switches, the stock ones are great and can last. The included switches are ROG’s micro switches, that are rated for 70-million clicks and have a very satisfying tactile bump and muted sound profile.
Asus has equipped the Chakram X with its latest AimPoint optical sensor and it’s speedy. The AimPoint optical sensor contains a DPI as much as 36,000 and a polling rate of 8,000Hz when connected via USB-C.
Gaming experience
With the intention to get the very best gaming experience with the Chakram X, I knew that I needed to make use of it in wired mode, because it enables the 8,000Hz polling. I remember just a few years ago, when ROG first announced the Chakram, that one in all the things that the corporate mentioned was the flexibility to eliminate the necessity for a controller when flying in a game like Grand Theft Auto.
I believed it’d be fun to load up Rockstar Games’ prized possession and provides flying a likelihood, and it was pretty fun. Nevertheless, actually using the thumbstick to fly just didn’t feel natural. Even after a few hours of use, I kept eyeing my $20 knock-off Xbox controller I got off of Amazon. That’s not a superb sign.
The entire purpose of a joystick is to be more precise by offering 360 degrees of rotation. Nevertheless, since the thumbstick is positioned on the side of the mouse, your full range of circulation feels limited. The maneuvers this thumbstick forced my hand into just never felt right.
Regardless that I didn’t enjoy using the joystick, I did enjoy using the Chakram X like every other mouse since it’s still speedy. Let’s not forget that the Chakram X has a polling rate and DPI which are through the roof, so it’s still very competitive.
Our take
It’s sad to say that I got here away dissatisfied with the Asus ROG Chakram X. Don’t get me fallacious, I appreciate how nicely the burden is distributed, the hot-swap sockets, and wicked-fast sensor. But that’s it. The analog stick feels impractical and area of interest, especially for a mouse of this price.
Are there alternatives?
Should you love the concept of a gaming mouse with its own analog stick, that is it.
Nevertheless, in the event you want hot-swap sockets, then I’d point you toward the Asus ROG Gladius III Wireless or the Spatha X in the event you’re in search of a ton of buttons and the switch swapping. Without the joystick and hot-swap sockets, this seems like a rather faster Logitech G502.
How long will it last?
The ROG Chakram X contains a warranty of 1 12 months, nonetheless, unless you intend on slamming this mouse around, I can assure you it’ll last a few years — especially given the very fact you could swap the switches out immediately.
Must you buy it?
No, not for most individuals. The Chakram X separates itself from almost another gaming mouse available on the market due to the joystick. Unless you’re really enthusiastic about that feature, though, the Chakram X finally ends up being too expensive for what it’s.
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