CM Storm Reaper Review

👤by Tim Harmer Comments 📅14-10-13
A Closer Look




Taking our first look at the mouse on its own the subtle ergonomic shape is immediately apparent. Some mice tend to exaggerate this design but the Reaper only ventures a little more than is absolutely necessary. The matte black surface is rubberised throughout, allowing the user to keep a firm grip under all circumstances. Located on the top are the usual suspects on an 8-button design: main left and right buttons, mouse wheel and general DPI change buttons.

Eyes are immediately drawn to the silvered and textured mouse wheel, something of a premium feature where one might have expected a plastic or rubberised finish. When rotating it has a ratcheted motion which provides moderately strong input feedback when scrolling. Those who spend a lot of time using the mouse for gaming will approve, whilst more general PC users may find it a little heavy for free-scrolling documents, spreadsheets and web pages.

As noted before, although they are determined to be DPI selectors in the feature list the Up/Down buttons below the wheel are configurable to macros and other built-in functionality.

Below the DPI selector buttons is the Reaper’s aluminium panel, a feature which is replicated thematically in each of the members of the AL-series. Here the effect is subtle, such that you almost wouldn’t note that it’s removable with being notified of the fact. Embossed into the plate is CM Storm’s flame logo, although conceivably there’s no reason why you couldn’t swap this panel out for a more personalised design.

The length and pronounced curvature of the mouse lends credence to it being most suitable for palm grips and users with larger than average hands. It's also heavy, weighting in at a portly 145g and considerably more than some featherweight competition which top out at less than 100g.



The left side of the mouse is the zone where the remainder of the buttons reside as the right is devoid of feature of any sort. Two main thumb buttons are positioned on the Reaper’s shoulder and are fairly standard inclusions on modern mice. The clutch button, forward of these and much larger in size, is much more rare. Smaller hands should just about be able to reach it whilst the thumb is resting on the small plateau at the mouse base, allowing them to flick the button with the tip; those with larger hands will be able to get a firmer purchase on the button. In most cases only the front thumb button will be able to be pushed whilst simultaneously pushing the clutch.

In common with the DPI selector buttons the clutch button is bindable to a wide range of pre-defined functions and user macros. Its default behaviour is as a low-DPI toggle, typically known as a ‘sniper button’, which thanks to the layout should be easy to use without destabilizing your grip.



You’d be forgiven for thinking that the front of the mouse was featureless. However the translucent plastic ¬’s are in fact additional points of LED illumination which will project a beam in front of the mouse.



At the base of the mouse the Reaper is almost without feature. The laser sensor is aligned with the extrusion point of the cable, which is generally where most users would expect it. Three large Teflon pads should help the mouse slide over cloth and hard surface, but at the best of times keeping these even can be tricky until they have gone through the initial wear period. Towards the bottom of the mouse is a rubber cap, protecting the screw which holds the aluminium panel in place.

Finally, CM Storm have braided the Reaper’s USB cable for better durability. It’s a small thing, but we did note the lack of braiding on the MECH’s cable and it’s good to see it on the Reaper. The braid is lightweight, and combined with the weight of the mouse won’t move it if you’re not holding it in place.

The Reaper does lack weight distribution control, a feature that you often see to a greater or lesser extent on premium mice. It’s also heavy, perhaps indicating that the weight control was really swamped by the weight of the Aluminium panel. Even so, the balance appears to be neutral, which must have be fairly difficult with the weight naturally distributed towards the rear.




8 pages « 3 4 5 6 > »

Comments