Redragon Impact Elite M913 Mouse Review

(Image: Redragon)

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Penned by Brandon Curran

Brandon is our resident RDR2 specialist and indie game reviewer. He studied the art of the written word in college.

Reviewed by Benjamin Barr

What do you look for in a gaming mouse? Ergonomics? Aesthetics? Extra buttons, wireless capabilities, other features?

Typically, the answer is a combination of all these factors. Unless there’s a specific purpose for purchasing a gaming mouse, it’s nice to have one that’s comfortable to use, visually pleasing, and carries a few extra bells and whistles. Despite taking some time to get used to, the Redragon Impact Elite Gaming Mouse is a success on all of those fronts.

Unboxing

Standard for Redragon, the packaging for the Impact Elite is minimalist and attractive. All of the components come free without incident, and the instruction manual provides all the directions you need to get the mouse connected and working. Aesthetically, the Impact Elite’s design is understated, to its benefit. Its color scheme features sleek black with RGB backlighting serving as a lovely accent. Surface-level impressions of the mouse are strong.

Performance

Performance-wise, the Impact Elite is a fascinating creature. DPI adjustment settings work well — it had no noticeable issues in either wired or wireless mode — and all the buttons work perfectly. If there are any issues with the Impact Elite, it would be a matter of applicability. The rapid-fire button is meant to provide three mouse clicks every time it’s pressed, presumably allowing quick shots with semi-automatic weapons in shooters.

This is an interesting idea in theory, but depending on the fire rate of any given weapon, the result is not a one-to-one ratio between clicks and shots. Similarly, the number buttons along the side of the mouse will only work well for something like an MMO or strategy game with an elaborate control scheme. Again, the extra features the mouse sports are somewhat narrow in their application.

That said, when operating within its wheelhouse, the Impact Elite can be a great piece of hardware. For example, I personally found the control scheme for giving orders to your men in Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord somewhat clunky on my setup, so I reassigned the offending controls to the extra number buttons, instantly clearing up my issues. I was able to give directions to my warband faster and smoother, and it was a breeze ordering a line of infantry to engage the enemy force. Everything came together as I led a decisive cavalry charge from the rear, clicking out each order without having to think about it. 

Heavy Impact

True to its name, the Redragon Impact Elite is a beast. As a result, it takes some getting used to while gripping and using it, and its bulky construction feels strange to a hand accustomed to standard mice. 

That said, its massive frame comes with a very effective ergonomic design. Once you’ve gotten a feel for the Impact Elite, it’s decently comfortable for everyday use. If you do a lot of work on the same computer you game on (you know, like me), the risk for repetitive injury issues certainly rises, so keep that in mind before purchasing.

Another thing to keep in mind is the juggling act you have to do when playing shooters. Trying to incorporate the rapid-fire button into play can feel awkward and even a little disadvantageous at first. While it’s an issue that could be mitigated with time, it’s hard to imagine this particular feature offering a considerable edge over simply clicking quickly.

The Redragon Impact Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse is big, bulky, and it demands some time and attention before it becomes genuinely comfortable and natural to use. However, its sleek aesthetics, ergonomic design, and solid construction make it an excellent addition to almost any setup.

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