Setup, Design & Observations
As previously discussed, the software download isn't entirely necessary for full operation of the CHALLENGER PRIME RGB combo set, though it can make life easier.
In use, the first thing I noticed is how the CHALLENGER keyboard is relatively low profile and weighs next to nothing (869g), relatively speaking. The plasticky quality seems a little less appealing than what one would imagine, especially considering how solid the COMMANDER keyboard felt. Though, once placed on a solid surface, the CHALLENGER keyboard seemed fine. Typing was interesting, especially after experiencing the bouncy plunger switches previously, though I actually really enjoyed using the CHALLENGER keyboard to type. It felt really smooth, and if you love quiet keyboards, I found that this wasn't too bad at all! The most annoying thing I found about the CHALLENGER keyboard is actually the large bezel-come-wrist rest which is actually rather irritating, neither a wrist rest nor comfortable.
Something worth noting, is that there isn't much indication about how to record macros, or how to assign macros or whether or not you have 'game mode' enabled. This is quite important because inside the manual, it says that certain features are only accessible while in 'game mode' (Fn + prtScr). This features are as listed:
Normal: Macro keys disabled, Windows key enabled,
Game Mode, Macro Keys enabled, Windows Key disabled, can set macros to ALL keys besides Windows and Fn key.
It then goes on to say.
"In game mode, you can re-map all keyboard keys independently to another key"
What this means is, that the CHALLENGER keyboard actually has the ability to re-map and assign macros to almost ANY key, this is a feature that is not accessible within the software. This makes life quite difficult too considering the lack of indicators. The only indicator I could find was that the lighting goes off while using the on-the-fly macro recording feature.
Moving on, the media keys feel great when pressed, though the LED brightness dial grinds a little and feels a little too cheap, and it seems to go from 0-100% brightness in 1/4 turn, while having a half turn remaining.
Now to address the CHALLENGER mouse, firstly, in the hand it feels very similar is shape to the COMMANDER mouse, in fact it is likely a customised shell of the same mouse. This means that it feels great in both palm and claw grips, though its worth noting that with my particular grip style (I claw grip by pulling the very front of the mouse firmly into my hand) I found that the pointy rear end started to ache a little over long periods. The ergonomic shape feels good both for left or right handers, though it only has convenient side buttons for right handers. The textured grip feels nice and the side buttons themselves have the same spongy feeling I enjoyed with the CHALLENGER mouse. The mouse uses OMRON switches, with the left click feeling tactile, tight and fast in a very satisfying tic-tic-tic kinda way, though the right side click felt a little slower and softer. The mouse wheel feels great, spinning smoothly, though maybe a little too easily for when you press the mouse wheel it is a little easy to rotate.
Performance: Keyboard
In Aqua's Key Test, I found that the CHALLENGER keyboard has 10KRO, which is great for gaming, while the keys themselves felt faster and more reliable in game comparatively with the COMMANDER's plunger type switches which were very bouncy. This reflected well in my gaming performance as the keyboard faded into the background allowing me to enjoy my playtime.
Performance: Mouse
The CHALLENGER's mouse has a slight delay on it which was noticeable but not too bad, though I felt a little uneasy about its unknown refresh rate. In DOTA2, I decidedly disliked the spongy right click as I couldn't quite get the speed I wanted from it. The 3050 sensor was a little finicky at 3200DPI and I couldn't tell if it was being caused by jitter or an auto angle snap level. Using MS Paint, at low movement speeds it seems that there is a greater angle snap in play, while speedy movements gave a smoother result (I was thinking of showing the scribbles but my doodling tends to be a little immature). Chickens aside, the general performance of the mouse was decent and fairly predictable so it didn't give me any major concerns. I would have liked the ability to customise the performance in the software, or at least customise the 4 DPI steps available, mostly as I would have loved to have used it at 2200-2600DPI instead of the 400/800/1600/3200 steps. Tracking on generic black mouse mat was great, though I would caution against using it on any other surfaces, specifically glossy or multi-coloured surfaces could wreak havoc with the sensor.
