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The R.A.T. 7 is significantly more expensive than the R.A.T. 3 (over twice the price) however the box design is very similar, just larger.
The same gatefold design, sealed with an elegant magnetic strip down the side.
We are already beginning to see the benefits of the extra cost. The bundle includes literature on the product, the numerous features and other products in the R.A.T. range, as well as a software and driver disc. Additionally there is a very attractive, heavy duty steel case with all the ‘extras' for the flagship R.A.T. 7 product. Removable and attachable ‘body parts'. Cool, eh?
Immediately, the similarities can be seen between the R.A.T. 3 and R.A.T. 7, however this model has many more options on offer. Along the side are two buttons for ‘back' and ‘forward' but the red button next to these is a configuration toggle for slow motion or ‘precision aim' as the company have called it. This is adjustable in software and it slows down the movement speed of the mouse to a predefined fraction of the speed. This is meant to make head shots and precision targeting in games much easier.
Again, the cabling is high quality braided, with gold USB connectors. No corners cut on the build quality, thats for sure.
This nifty little device is a weight holder. It is empty because the mouse is already ‘fully loaded' out of the box. Unlike the R.A.T.3 this is a heavy beast and I needed to remove some of the weights from the underside.
Firstly we remove the main ‘adjustment tool' of the R.A.T.7 – stored at the front of the chassis. This not only allows us access to the weight chamber, but it can be used to adjust other areas of the mouse. We will look at this shortly.
A stopper holds the spring mechanism in place. This spring system ensures that even if the mouse is only populated with a single weight, that nothing will move under use, which would be rather annoying. Any number of weights can be used (up to 30g) and the remainder stored in the holder. It is a quality design idea and it works extremely well, only taking a few minutes to change over.
With the weights adjusted to your desires, you simply reseal the bay and enjoy the changes.
The R.A.T. 7 engine is a higher grade unit when compared to the R.A.T. 3. It is a Philips Twin-Eye 5,600 dpi sensor which offers incredible diversity of precision tracking. The report rate is 1000hz with a tracking speed of 5.4 m/sec and an acceleration of 50G.
Also included in the silver steel box are various parts to adjust the R.A.T.7 to your hearts content.
By using a lever on the front area of the mouse for instance, you can adjust the length of the product, or change to a rough, carbon fibre style front piece, which is supplied. The R.A.T. 7 even comes with an additional replacement palm rest.
Above, we have replaced the front piece and have extended it, so it will easily fit a larger hand. The programmable sideways thumb scroll button can be seen here also.
By using the supplied tool, it is possible to remove the side panel and to replace it with one of two other designs. The first is a thin piece similar to the one installed out of the factory (with the same bevelled texture as the secondary palm rest).
The other piece is a similar shape to the left hand panel and it means that you can rest your pinky finger on the horizontal surface while moving. It now looks a little more like a stealth bomber than a Cyborg Rat mind you, but all of these adjustable sections mean that this is easily the most adjustable mouse we have seen.
The R.A.T. 7 also allows adjustment on the left side panel, which can be slid back and forwards and rotated outwards to allow for a slightly different thumb position.
The video below shows the chassis design and various adjustments in real time. The R.A.T. 9 is an identical design to the R.A.T.7 but offers wireless connectivity.
