ARCTIC M551 Laser Gaming Mouse Review

👤by Vinh Thai Comments 📅30-10-10
Conclusion

The ARCTIC M551 is one of the company’s first gaming mice. It features an ergonomic right-handed design, large buttons, three DPI settings and two thumb buttons. The mouse is also available in two different colours: black and white.

Through testing, the ARCTIC M551 performed admirably in various gaming situations. Comfort was adequate for long gaming sessions and the DPI switch proved to be quite useful. For the company’s first attempt at a gaming peripheral, it is not too bad.


The ARCTIC M551: a gaming mouse for the budget user


The ARCTIC M551 does have disadvantages, however. The lightness of the mouse makes it easy to overshoot movements because of its excellent low-resistance feet. The addition of an adjustable weight system would remedy this problem. Also, the ARCTIC M551 has elevated plastic around the scroll wheel and the DPI switch, making these buttons difficult to access unless you uncomfortably raise your index. The ARCTIC M551 has a narrow back, making it less comfortable than it should for a palm grip. Lastly, the ARCTIC M551 has a very large lift-off distance, which is abnormal for a gaming mouse. For anyone that has a tendency of lifting their mouse off the surface, this is not the mouse for you.

With more and more companies joining the gaming peripheral business, budget gaming mice have become a competitive area. With its skimp accessories, no customization software, and various design quirks, the M551 does not offer much over its competition. Although the ARCTIC M551, priced at 17,90 € or US$ 24.95, is amongst the more inexpensive mouse, its value is offset by the previously mentioned disadvantages.

With all of this in mind, the ARCTIC M551 is given the Vortez Bronze Award.



Pros
+ Adequate sensitivity of 2400 DPI
+ Attractive design
+ Available in black or white
+ Large and comfortable grip for fingertip grip
+ Low-resistance mouse feet
+ Two thumb buttons and DPI switch with LED indicator

Cons
- Large lift-off distance
- Narrow back makes palm grip less comfortable
- No software for customization
- Raised plastic around scroll wheel and DPI switch makes these hard to access
- Sensitivity of 2400 DPI is low amongst top gaming mice
- Skimp accessories
- Too light with no adjustable weight system




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