Externally, the Thunderobot ML903 mice are not much different from many of their Aliexpress counterparts, and the company, apparently, has placed its bet on the rich inner world of the “rodents”. Does the top-end filling outweigh the external inconspicuousness, and do gaming mouse really need the attributes that the industry imposes on players? Now we will figure it all out.
Externally, the Thunderobot ML903 mouse are not much different from many of their Aliexpress counterparts, and the company, apparently, has placed its bet on the rich inner world of the “rodents”. Does the top-end filling outweigh the external inconspicuousness and do gaming mice really need the attributes that the industry imposes on players? Now we will figure it all out.
Technical specifications
- Type: optical mouse
- Connection type: via cable via USB-C connector, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz
- Number of buttons: 5+wheel
- Sensor: Pixart PAW 3395
- Sensor resolution: up to 26,000 dpi
- Maximum acceleration: 50 G
- Tracking speed: up to 650 IPS
- Lift height: up to 2 mm
- Polling rate: 1000 Hz
- Main switches: Huano
- Additional switches: Kailh
- Weight: 65 g
Packaging and assembly
The mice are packed conscientiously, in a double box with a foam holder inside. The kit includes a USB-A — USB-C cable 1.6 meters long in a loose braid. You can’t call it completely soft, but in any case, when moving the mouse, you feel it less than regular cables.
There is also a USB-A to USB-C adapter in the box. I assume that it is intended for connecting a receiver if the computer is located somewhere in a hard-to-reach place, for example, under the table, and all the connectors are located at the back.
Design and operation
ML903 is available in two colors: Cyber Grape and Black Mist. As you can see, we got both versions. Apart from the color, they are no different. To tell the truth, the black translucent plastic would look much better with backlighting. But here, as I already said, there are no frills. There is no backlighting.
The mice are made of matte plastic and weigh 67 grams without the cable. They don’t slip in your hands. But still, I wouldn’t call their use a tactile revelation. In my opinion, at least rubberized pads on the sides would not hurt, not to mention a soft-touch coating.
The wheel is pleasant, almost silent, with a rubber coating. In general, the ML903 is assembled qualitatively and does not produce unnecessary sounds during use. Only the hollow body resonates a little if you touch it too hard with your finger.
The mice are symmetrical in shape, and although Thunderrobot claims that they are made for right-handers, in fact, nothing except for the extra buttons on the left side prevents left-handers from using them.
And here is the moment when it is difficult to say anything about the convenience of the grip, everything is so “average”. The model was clearly made to suit all hand sizes and all types of grip. It is large enough to fit your entire palm (thanks to the wide pads on the main switches), and at the same time light enough to move it with just your fingers.
There is a small LED battery charge indicator on the left panel.
At the bottom of the ML903 is a connection mode switch. A DPI control button, a receiver compartment, and apparently two contacts for charging from a station. I did not find the station in the Russian Thunderrobot store, but on Ali it can be ordered even separately from the mouse.
I still think that switching DPI with a button on the bottom panel is one of the worst design decisions. It is suggested to switch between software-defined sensor resolution values. There can be up to six of them and they switch in a circle.
The manipulator can be connected either by wire or via Bluetooth or via a receiver at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. In wireless mode, the mouse works for about 15-20 hours, the lack of backlighting has a positive effect on autonomy. But, as with all wireless mice, real comfort can only be achieved with a charging station. Otherwise, you still have to keep the cable somewhere nearby.
The PixArt PAW 3395 sensor is a true eSports sensor in terms of its characteristics. Judge for yourself: 50 G acceleration, tracking speed up to 650 IPS and resolution up to 26,000 dpi. These crazy values are clearly higher than what an average gamer needs. And many avid FPS players prefer to set ultra-low DPI values and quickly move the mouse itself (this is where the light weight of the ML903 comes in handy). But “too much is not too little”. The only thing is that the presence of a top sensor is naturally reflected in the price of the device.
Software
Creating and supporting software for fine-tuning gaming peripherals has long been a good thing. ML903 has such a program.
Such programs usually contain a number of standard settings. Here you can choose one of three profiles, set the time for going into sleep mode, the delay time for the keys and the lift-off height. The sensor supports a lift of 1 or 2 mm.
You can also reassign the buttons. Moreover, the value can be changed even for the same DPI button on the bottom panel.
And finally, setting up DPI levels. Here you can choose how many sensor resolution modes the mouse will remember, and set values for each mode up to 26,000 DPI in increments of 50.
Pro
- top sensor
- several types of connection
Contra
- Unmemorable design
Diagnosis
Thunderobot ML903 is a quality mouse with all the options inherent in modern gaming manipulators. In addition, it has a real flagship among the optical sensors present on the market. But at the same time, ML903 is actually no different from many other exactly the same mice except for the sensor. And the vast majority of players simply do not need such a sensor. It exceeds the needs of an ordinary gamer, I would say, several times. At the same time, the model costs about seven and a half thousand rubles, and with the same set of options and the same sensor on the Internet you can find offers much cheaper. True, from companies “not on everyone’s lips” and, most likely, without software. If the brand and software matter, you can wait for discounts.
