In performance testing we initially paired the Vengeance M65 with a rubber-back fabric mousemat designed by another gaming peripheral manufacturer, but swiftly swapped it out for a different option following a medium (2/4) surface quality test in the Vengeance Configuration utility. Although we didn't notice any difference in sensor or skate dynamics we felt it was sensible to follow the advice the mouse gave for its ideal surface. The mousemat we utilised provided a 3 out of 4 result for surface quality, which we felt was adequate without moving to a hard polished surface.
General Performance
Minimising friction with the mousing surface is all important in gaming and the M65's five Teflon feet are startlingly good in their role, allowing this heavyweight mouse to slide with ease over fabric mousing surfaces. After two weeks quite intensive use they lost none of their viability so short-term durability is proven; if they can last into the years of projected use expensive peripherals should be subject to they will prove to be an excellent solution. Corsair however do not include replacement feet should any wear out, so keep that in mind before you use a sandpaper mat for you next LAN tournament.
As discussed the M65 is quite heavy at 135g in maximum, although a more svelte 120g configuration is possible. What makes the mouse a rare breed however is that this weight is packed into a compact shape rather than the elaborate designs of other mice seeking to be a jack-of-all-trades. In theory this lean design makes it more suitable for a range of grip types, whilst in practice personal preference will continue to reign; we find however that larger than usual hands shouldn't find this mouse difficult to use, whilst those on the smaller side may struggle with the 'Sniper' button if using a palm or other less conventional grip.
The major buttons are very sensitive in comparison to competing solutions, but remain very responsive. Individuals with less control over their fingers may prefer a mouse which offers up more resistance, but for most the M65 will offer a pleasing experience. They're also quite quiet, making the mouse excellent for an office or game streaming environment.
Thanks to the assignable Sniper button and reasonably robust macro system the M65 offers an interesting compromise for those seeking a mouse suitable for both IT dogsbody work such as spreadsheet handling or wordprocessing and FPS gaming, although the impression the mouse will give is of a thoroughbred gaming peripheral. The mouse wheel is excellent for frequent usage thanks to precise movement and zero axle wobble, although the middle button does offer up a lot of resistance to being pressed.
Gaming Performance
Like its predecessor, the M65 makes most sense as an out and out FPS peripheral. Thanks to the Teflon feet it zips across the desk, allowing for precise aiming between broad movements. All buttons are clearly differentiated - which is more important and less common than you might think - leading to very little input confusion and a short learning curve overall.
If Corsair had persisted with a smooth finish throughout the M65 it may have been a different story. The textured sides add significantly more grip than you expect, which is necessary thanks to the way the left side tapers away from the thumb towards the rear rather than cupping it in place. The level of control this affords is very good, although for the first few days will make it seem quite odd if you're used to a more conventional shape. Those moving from ambidextrous mice shouldn't feel discomforted.
In the past we have criticised some 'Sniper'-esq buttons; in many cases they have been a little too small to be appropriate for the grip the rest of the mouse is tailored to, or have far too spongy a response. We're pleased to report that the M65's is very good, especially in size where it will be easily accessible. Once again the learning curve will be a little steep, especially in compensating for the additional lateral force needed to press this button, but if you absolutely have to have this functionality we'd struggle to see how it could be done better.
Although a clear visual indicator of DPI is included, the M65 does not have any perceptible indicator of active profile. This jives with the software configuration utility. which allows only one profile to be uploaded to the mouse at a time. Profiles stored in software but not uploaded to the M65 can be parsed properly if selected in software, but this feels like an incomplete solution only slightly mitigated by being able to activate a profile upon application launch.
Within Team Fortress II headshots started coming thick and fast, a surprising achievement given the tester's skill level, and we attribute this to the sniper button and very precise sensor which didn't misfire over the course of testing. The M65 was also the mouse we used in our first play through of Tomb Raider (2013), and rather than (as you might expect) fight with the device when new to it and learning the idiosyncrasies of the new game, transition felt seemless. Not as if we had been using it all along, but certainly forgetting it was brand new.
In Torchlight II and Starcraft testing gameplay was fine, the profile issues notwithstanding. We found the sniper button less beneficial as a tool in constant use, but it remained an addition with considerable value. Once again tracking presented no problem, even at the higher DPI levels which tend to be used in RPG and RTS gameplay.
FPS gamers may be happy with one profile, but those with more varied gaming tastes often take advantage of multiple genres each of which have different requirements. Whilst the M65 is obviously specialised for FPS, lack of a more robust profile system* makes it less suitable for RPG/MOBA gaming such as Diablo III or League of Legends. Given the increasing popularity of these titles this seems like a significant oversight which could at least in part be rectified with improved software.
*Ed. note: changed to reflect macro import/export clarification from Corsair.
