Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse for PC and MAC (CCB437080002/04/1)

After reading a lot of bad press and some good press about the mouse I took a gamble and got it. Initially it took a lot of getting used to and I was intent on returning it to be quite honest, but in time I started to really like it.

First off I'll tackle the topic of debate, the PTE sensor. My understanding is the Albino has a newer run of it than the original Rat7 line, with 1000 or so extra DPI, and I believe this may lead to a better tracking performance. I was able to get it to track on every mouse pad I tried HOWEVER the accuracy was very poor on cloth pads. It stutters and skips pixels when used on cloth and the cursor would jitter while I typed. Furthermore it's EXTREMELY sensitive to dust and hair, making a cloth pad even worse for it. As I said, I was planning on returning it and this was my main reason, only when I bought a hard pad was my opinion changed. I purchased a cheap Rocketfish from Best Buy and it was pretty much night and day difference, with the added bonus I can see every spec of dust on the mouse pad, and clean it preemptively.

That said one issue still remains, I have a habbit of using arcing, slashing movement for horizontal turning. The PTE does NOT handle this well, you need to keep your mouse perfectly aligned along the X and Y axis as you're moving it in order to ensure good traction. This is taking me a while to learn.

You may read that it is necessary to clean the lens with a Qtip, always unplug your mouse before doing this, because if you don't you'll have to unplug and replug is ANYWAY because it ceases to track for some reason, possibly due to the fact that you just invaded its orifice with a Qtip and it doesn't like you anymore.

Now for the adjustments:

When I first got it it took me a while to figure it out, first off the thumb rest is not laterally adjustable. When you screw the thumb rest adjust it goes forward, and out, and when you retract it it does the inverse, coming back and closing in to the side. Due to being loose this misleads customers into believing it's intended you can swing it out, but it will not stay, I don't think this was ever intended and it's not worth stripping the screw that holds it in place to try to tighten it further.

That said it's taken me over 100 hours of use to decide I prefer it in the back position because it ensures I have better ability to maintain the perfect x-y alignment I mentioned that is so necessary for ideal tracking. It also allows me to comfortably reach the precision aim button.

I have average sized hands, my thumb cannot press both the precision aim button and the back button without repositioning.

The palm rest issue is as many have described, I don't think extending it past the first 2 notches (there's 4) is really an option due to wobble and on the 4th notch the tendency of the mouse to tip-up under pressure.

One of the reviews said the pinky rest doesn't have a mouse skate/foot. Mine does, maybe older models didn't. The pinky rest is one of the best features of this mouse and allows you to flare your fingers for a much more relaxed grip.

This mouse is HEAVY even with all the weights removed, weigh this based on your preference. I don't like heavy mice personally, I have all the weights removed.

In summary:
-The PTE laser sensor is not the demon people make it out to be, it's just high maintenance.
-The customization is overstated by advertising but not to be overlooked.
-It's farking heavy
-Side buttons are poorly designed
-Side scroll wheel... it's there and looks nice.

Well let us begin this gently by starting with the pros. First, I have to say that this mouse is the heaviest mouse I've ever used, and I love that. It really has a "presence" when holding it that helps with accuracy and fluidity of movement. Next, is probably the feature that attracts everyone to this mouse; the customization. Being able to tinker with this thing does not get old! Ever! I used it for 6 months and I still made all my friends wait during a lan party so I could switch the orientations. (Trust me, its not fun being that guy) The Weights, the thumbs rest, the pinky rest, and the palm rest can all be manipulated. Just watch a video review to see more on that. But lets move on to why I am writing this review; the CONS.

Right off the bat it quickly becomes apparent that this is not an ergonomic feeling mouse. The best possible orientation for each person at best feels clumsy and awkward. There really isn't a perfect position with this thing. I've let many people use it and tinker with it for hours all with the same conclusion; "ITS NICE BUT NOT WORTH $75." But that is still little compared to the main problems this mouse has. I feel it necessary to list the next few items out so that people who scan this review can get to the important meat quicker. So here we go:

1- This mouse wobbles. From several directions. The aluminium chassis might be to blame for this as it can become warped or bent. Also, when you attach the pinky rest there are no skates on it, so when force is applied to that side of the mouse it wobbles onto its side.

2- The side thumb buttons are cheaply constructed and will break from regular use. I found this out because I loved my steady aim button. After a couple of months the steady aim button breaks away from its plastic and glue frame and does not work.

3- The extent to which the thumb rest can be maneuvered is laughable, and whenever you squeeze the mouse with any force the thumb rest will collapse inwards. For instance, whenever you pick the mouse up to move it over. This results in you trying to crank down on the screw to hold the thumb rest in place which over time strips out the plastic and makes the problem worse.

4- When the palm rest is extended out it will wobble on its little rail. I fixed this by adding a small piece of electrical tape to the underside of the palm rest. Also, when the palm rest is extended out "too far" it creates to much leverage and will rock the mouse backwards. (lifting the nose of the mouse off the table)

5- This mouse has the worst lift-off problem of any mouse I've used. Picking it up and placing it down will cause the mouse pointer to jump around disproportional to the amount that you moved it.


So in the end, yes it is a cool idea. But it falls very short of its ambitions. Being cheaply constructed and not fully thought out, the mouse just isn't worth the plunge. I baby my electronics and by no means do I abuse my mouses. This thing just falls apart on its own. That coupled with all the other shortcomings of this mouse mean you should not take that ~$75 plunge. That is why I give this product 1.5 flames. IT earned those flames just for being heavy as a tank.