Tt eSPORTS Theron Gaming Mouse Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging & Bundle3. Design and Ergonomics4. Software and Operation5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

Tt eSPORTS is back in search of success with the versatile Theron gaming mouse. Delivery of the best gaming experience possible has been promised by Tt eSPORTS. Can the Theron gaming mouse live up to its advertising?

Designed in collaboration with pro gamers, the Theron aims to conquer the peripherals market for RTS lovers. A multi-level 5600 DPI laser sensor forms the heart of Tt eSPORTS' sleek gaming mouse. 8 buttons, 3 of which are distributed between the right and left sides, will satisfy gamers who demand a mouse that functions with their time-saving macros.

With a 128kb internal memory that can store up to 5 game profiles, the Theron gives users the flexibility to configure a mouse that excels in a wide range of scenarios. An evenly dispersed set of multi-coloured LEDs provides the eye-catching appearance that appeals to a gaming market.

Does the Theron have what it takes to whet the appetites of enthusiast-level gamers?

Specifications:

• DPI: 5600
• Sensor Type: Laser
• No. of Buttons: 8
• Memory size: 128kb
• No. of Game Profiles: 5

Under an image of the mouse against a fiery background, the Theron's key features are outlined.

A more in-depth glance at the mouse's features is provided on the inside flap. Tt eSPORTS' packaging gives potential buyers an opportunity to view the Theron without having to remove it.

The rear is home to a quote from Zhan “Softball” Zhenyu – a professional RTS gamer – regarding his analysis of the Theron.

Tt eSPORTS provides a healthy bundle consisting of software CD, stickers, quick installation guide, warranty leaflet and a zipped carrying bag.

The Theron's attractive appearance is created by a set of inwards-slanting outer edges that produce an internal recession in which one's fingers can rest. Comfort is enhanced by Tt eSPORTS' chosen design but, as gamers desire, without the compromise of aesthetic appearance being made.

A pair of red LED's sits under a translucent section of plastic that acts as a DPI level indicator. Unlit is for 800, the bottom light indicates 1600, 3200 is shown by the upper LED and both lights glowing simultaneously declare that the maximum DPI level of 5000 is active. By default, control of the current DPI setting is reserved for the dedicated up and down arrows located to the scroll wheel's rear.

Tt eSPORTS' famous ‘Dragon' logo is centered towards the mouse's rear. A 7-colour LED exists under the faintly etched logo allowing it to glow in conjunction with the other lights.

Both click buttons merge with the Theron's body to form a sleek, blended design. The semi-transparent, well-designed scroll wheel is also home to a 7-colour LED.

A pair of buttons located on the Theron's left side indicates that this mouse is primarily designed for right-handed gamers. The factory-set function of this pair is as ‘backwards' and ‘forwards' buttons.

Trying to keep a semi-meaningful ambidextrous design, the Theron sports a single button mounted on its right side. Using the original settings will negate this button's function, leaving users to select their own key assignment.

‘Polling Rate' and ‘Profile' buttons situated on the Theron's underside give users the ability to change some of the key non-DPI settings without having to enter a software interface. This can be useful when gaming, but the awkward-to-access position of these buttons somewhat affects their worthiness.

Accidental DPI adjustments can be prevented by using the lock button. When set to ‘lock', the switch prohibits the DPI adjustment buttons' function, keeping the current setting firmly in place.

Popping open a securely-locked cover gives access to the weights department. Tt eSPORTS provides users with a 22.5g weight differential that can be decreased in 4.5g increments.

1.8m of high quality braiding spans the diameter and length of the Tt eSPORTS Theron's cable, before feeding into a gold-plated USB connector.

Tt eSPORTS decided to provide a software CD with the Theron mouse – a decision that is becoming increasingly rare amongst peripheral manufacturers.

The Theron software's main page provides access to all of the key user-definable setting sub-sections. Hovering above a specific button on the mouse's image informs you of its current function.

Main performance attributes can be edited and then assigned to a specific profile. 800, 1600, 3200 and 5000 DPI modes can be set via the software or specifically-assigned DPI adjustment buttons. For those of you that love to tinker with settings, DPI levels as low as 100 and as high as 5700 can be manually input into the user-definable scale.

A convenient on-screen indication appears when the adjustment buttons are used to switch DPI level.

Macros can be assigned, created and loaded in a specific sub-section of the mouse software.

7 different light options are present with the Theron gaming mouse. Tt eSPORTS provides a likeable ‘Battle' mode that dynamically adjusts the LED brightness dependent upon the clicking frequency.

3 LEDs located on the mouse's underside create an attractive glow that transmits to the surface below. A further 2 LEDs located in the scroll wheel and Tt eSPORTS logo help to enhance the Theron's aesthetic appeal.

Tt eSPORTS designed the Theron with ease-of-use and comfort ranked highly in its priorities list. Becoming accustomed to the mouse's shape wasn't an issue for me, as a palm grip user. Claw grippers with sizeable hands may require a greater time-span due to the curved rear edges on each side forcing one's ring and little fingers into a compressed orientation.

We wouldn't flag this up as a comfort issue, but a slight degree of adaptation is required for claw grip devotees.

General usage is an efficient process with the Tt eSPORTS Theron mouse. Convenience of the ‘backwards' and ‘forwards' side buttons' positioning makes them easily accessible to one's thumb, allowing the main ‘click' fingers to remain in their intended location.

The horseshoe-style pattern embossed onto the scroll wheel allows for a controllable grip to be achieved.

During gaming, the Theron provided a comfortable and desirable experience that was excellent for lengthy sessions. A design which features exaggerated curvature in the vicinity of Tt eSPORTS' ‘Dragon' logo promotes a comfortable palm-resting grip.

This grip is perfect for allowing your click fingers to rest while scrolling around the screen, but doesn't force them to lie too far away from the trigger or crucial input selector.

1600 DPI was our preferential setting for the majority of gaming environments, but there were times where we welcomed the increased sensitivity of the 3200 and 5000 settings. We did notice that during a heated bullet exchange or simulated battle, the DPI adjustment buttons were positioned just a little bit too far back to make them easily accessible.

Reaching for the DPI increase arrow required an almost complete retraction of our index finger whilst the decrease selector was out of range without physically moving our hand and partially terminating contact with the Theron mouse.

Built with feedback from a world-leader in the RTS gaming field, the Tt eSPORTS Theron offers gamer-level performance in a variety of virtual scenarios.

A large range of DPI modes coupled with an accurate laser sensor presents the Theron as a formidable adversary to sniper-targeted or vehicle-besieged enemies. The 8-button, multi-profile, macro-touting design exposes a wealth of potential for RTS gamers and their numerous short-cut enhancements.

Inwards-slanting by shape and palm-hugging by nature, the Theron's creatively-engineered design seeps comfort. A palm grip provides simple and swift acclimatisation for users with large hands. The claw grip will require a greater amount of time and increased patience, but we can still see the potential for it to be achieved.

Positioning of the Theron's pair of side buttons was an important decision. Tt eSPORTS chose a good location that allows right-handed users to reach the pair with their thumb, leaving the click fingers to continue with their own task. Left-handed users aren't quite as lucky, as proven by the non-symmetrical button distribution. There is a single button located on the right side, so all hope isn't lost for left-handers wanting to make good use of the Theron.

The 7-colour LED light show creates an attractive and user-changeable appearance. Providing a coloured glow to the Tt eSPORTS ‘Dragon' logo was a subtle but very much appreciated appearance-enhancement.

A set of 5 weights, each with a mass of 4.5g, gives users the flexibility to change the way in which they accelerate and control the Theron.

Our main disappointment when using the Tt eSPORTS Theron gaming mouse came from the less-than-ideal location of its DPI adjustment buttons.

The added inconvenience of reaching for them every time you line up that long range head-shot or carefully select the desired command can become tedious. This is a fundamental issue that will vary dependent upon hand size, but could also have been eliminated by a slight design modification.

At an available price of £47.99, the Tt eSPORTS Theron gaming mouse lies in a very competitive segment of the market. We have been pleased by some of its recent competitors from CM Storm and Leetgion, but the Theron happily stands firm against the opposition by offering its own unique set of features.

Pros:

• Comfort-enhancing design.
• Attractive appearance and LED colours.
• Wide range of user-definable DPI levels.
• Lock for DPI adjustment buttons.
• 5x 4.5g removable weights.

Cons:

• DPI adjustment buttons can be awkward to reach.
• Limited potential for left-handed users.

KitGuru says: Tt eSPORTS has yet again sprinkled their magic formula to create a comfortable, attractive and well-balanced gaming mouse in the Theron.

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