Superb sensor and precision in the classic M65 shape
Mouse designs come and go. Most of them fall victims to new fashion trends and technical innovations but there are some which set a footprint so legendary that they gain immortal status and live on. The Corsair M65 Elite has stood the test of the time and has recently resurfaced with cool new upgrades for the world to explore.
Donning the latest PMW3391 sensor the M65 Elite aims to deliver precision and fluid performance. The anodized aluminum frame is a hardcore feature ensuring long and prosperous service life. A long-term relationship between player and mouse is certain to blossom and increase your expertise adding a few much needed horse powers in the never ending race. Needless to say these claims should be put to the test to see if the Corsair M65 Elite has indeed aged well.
- Premium Durable Anodized Aluminum Frame: Built to withstand a lifetime of gaming
- CORSAIR’s Most Advanced Optical Gaming Sensor:Native 18,000 DPI, adjustable in 1 DPI resolution steps, gives you total sensitivity customization and ultra accurate tracking
- Eight Fully Programmable Buttons: Get the most from your games with the ability to remap or assign custom macros to every click
- Ultra Durable Omron Switches: Rated for more than 50 million clicks
- Precision Sniper Button: Ergonomically placed sniper button to instantly reduce sensitivity for crucial shots
Ergonomics and Design
Blast from the past indeed! The M65 Elite gives off a familiar vibe of the M65 Pro but provides visible improvements from the get-go. As a gamer, durability is a factor that can’t be ignored. The M65 Elite features a premium, durable anodized aluminum frame. The mouse shell has a remarkable sleek matte coating which is pleasant to touch and strongly supports your grip.
I tend to have sweaty palms during long gaming grinds and I’m happy to report that the grip stays firm. The only downside is that it collects fingerprints easily, but worry not, as cleaning is easy.
If you are familiar with the G65 PRO, you can see that this rodent is smaller with only 116.5mm x 76.6mm x 39mm in size. Non-ambidextrous and geared to claw-grippers this rodent can still be used by palm-grippers with minor adjustments.
Aesthetics
Everybody loves a variety of options to choose from. Corsair delivers in this department as the mouse comes in two colors – black and white. There are 2 RGB zones in this mouse and you can configure it in iCUE. The profile is futuristic and will match the image of a rig with the same theme.
Features and Performance
Buttons
Attention to my MOBA and FPS readers, the M65 Elite has a total of 8 buttons, so start thinking joining the battle immediately. If, however, your first thought is about macros that tells me that most probably you are a die-hard MMORPG fan. You should then consider that this might not be the right mouse for you. You’d be better off with a 12-grid gaming mouse, so check out our MMO gaming mice Guide. While you are at it, let us scrutinize the main buttons first. Both of them respond fine, very tactile and can be actuated with medium force, thus providing some protection against accidental clicks. I also find these very spammable and suitable for extended use. Omron switches are well-known for this and their reputation remains intact in this case.
The scroll wheel is rubberized and textured which is a contributor to maximum control and avoiding unintentional slips. I also tried shaking it a bit and it didn’t rattle at all. Further inspection revealed that the middle mouse button requires a little bit more pressure, and it kind of put some stress on my index finger.
There are three side buttons on this rodent, one of which is a sniper-button. Very convenient when camping, yes camping, everybody does that. Some of you may be apprehensive because it is near the thumb but the fact that it requires high actuation force ensures minimal risk of accidental clicks here.
I noticed that the remaining two buttons are lighter. It’s indeed a treat to use a mouse with such fabulous side buttons.
Having a DPI change buttons on the fly is very convenient and I’m sure you will all agree with that, however, my feeling was that DPI buttons are a little stiff. Also, the scroll wheel and the forward DPI button could use some space between them. DPI can also be changed up to 18,000! That is crazy number, though personally, I’m satisfied at 2,400 DPI.
Sensor
Corsair really has outgrown their previous M65 Pro, and that is evident with the PMW3391 sensor deployed in the M65 Elite. The mouse has no inherent acceleration, Hallelujah! You can feel the difference in performance – it is raw, responsive and has pinpoint accuracy.
To additionally push this rodent I tested it by playing high-paced FPS games. Whipping out Battlefield V and PUBG I was blown away by its insanely high control speed. I faced no irregularities, spin-outs, or any glitches. Polling rate is at 1000Hz/500Hz/250Hz/125Hz, respectively. I can see no input lag with this sensor.
Balance and Weight
Advertised as the FPS mouse to compete on the international scene, it is just perfectly normal for the manufacturer to have approached weight as a very important overall aspect. The M65 Elite weighs 97G which is lighter than its predecessor and will be kinder to your wrist in extended gaming sessions. With that said, no gamer is created equal and to each their own. So, if you belong to the heavy-mouse camp then you will be happy to know they have included three 6-gram weights, giving the mouse an overall mass of 115G.
Though I can’t help but comment that the weights are a little harder to adjust, you need to use a flathead screwdriver to remove one screw at a time, then extract the weights out, then screw the cover back in. That is a lot of action for someone who changes weight frequently.
Wire
This is not a wireless mouse. It sports a 1.8m braided fiber wire. The cable is not something I’m particularly fond of – it is thick, chunky and rigid. I bet it is made this way to support the aluminum frame. I recommend that you tie the excess so you don’t encounter a significant drag while using the M65 Elite. But overall it is pretty sturdy.
Software
I’m thrilled to see it has better software, but then again with some minor issues. It consumes around 20 MB of memory while running in the background and eats 410MB of space. I suggest that once you are done with personalization, you can uninstall it, as after all it has its own onboard memory. The interface feels cluttered. It seems to me that the program will benefit if they toned it down a bit and simplified controls. You can use the iCUE to program buttons and set lighting depending on your preference.
Corsair M65 Pro RGB: The Mouse That Started It All
Before I give my final words on this rodent, let us re-visit the mouse that inspired this new tech. Like the newest version of M65m it also has an aluminum frame that renders a lightweight body and outstanding sturdiness.
This mouse is on the bulkier side compared with your conventional mouse, so if that’s not your thing or if you are my long-lost relative who also has small hands, then you should reconsider. For the weight enthusiast, this mouse will surely be appealing, as the M65 Pro is 115g with no weights and 135.5g with weights.
Despite the fact that this mouse is already 4 years old it can still pack a punch. The DPI can be set as high as 12,000 and can be tweaked to fit your inclinations. The M65 is furnished with Omron switches under the hood, so exact actuation can be assured and accurate gaming well guaranteed. Seeing is believing, so I went for some CS: GO and Overwatch with this mouse. The designated sniper button has been really convenient and has lately become my new best friend.
I can also comment on how it glides smoothly thanks to its extra-large glide pads. I didn’t discern any lags during my testing session with the report rate going as high as 1MS and I’m impressed. The Corsair ICUE software can be user-friendly but still goes with some flows. It will provide customization from lighting to programmable buttons that will surely satisfy your needs.
M65 Elite vs M65 Pro vs DeathAdder Elite vs G502
FAQ
Q: Can the sniping button be turned off?
A: Yes, you can turn it off. It could also function as a hot key to any function of your preference.
Q: Does this mouse have built-in acceleration and if so, can you turn it off?
A: The mouse has no built-in acceleration enabled by default. You can use the Corsair software to turn the acceleration on if you need that for whatever reason.
Final Verdict
The M65 Elite did show improvement over the years. The build of this mouse feels solid to the hand and durable. I noted no squeaks or creaks or any misalignments. The M65 RGB Elite might be your best option for a gaming mouse out there. It’s a sturdy rodent that’s made to last, evident from its components. The shape might pose a problem for palm grippers with small hands such as myself. I had hard time reaching the buttons due to the mouse size. However, if you are really in need of a gaming gear upgrade, then I recommend the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum or the Razer Mamba Elite. Those might be e better fit for your hand. After all, the M65 Elite’s design simply favors claw-grippers. This can be remedied by a simple shift in the grip but it might still be uncomfortable for some.
It is time to answer the big question finally. Does the Elite surpass the Pro? Yes, it does. But is it better? Now, that will always depend on your personal preference.
Bottom line is the Elite is clearly more aesthetically pleasing, sleeker, and more technically capable than its predecessor. And even if the outcome isn’t innovative or unprecedented there really is a bunch to like and appreciate in the Corsair M65 RGB Elite.
- Premium Durable Anodized Aluminum Frame: Built to withstand a lifetime of gaming
- CORSAIR’s Most Advanced Optical Gaming Sensor:Native 18,000 DPI, adjustable in 1 DPI resolution steps, gives you total sensitivity customization and ultra accurate tracking
- Eight Fully Programmable Buttons: Get the most from your games with the ability to remap or assign custom macros to every click
- Ultra Durable Omron Switches: Rated for more than 50 million clicks
- Precision Sniper Button: Ergonomically placed sniper button to instantly reduce sensitivity for crucial shots
