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3360 BenQ Zowie EC-B series are announced!

162K views 1K replies 226 participants last post by  Infection11 
#1 ·
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#2 ·
Well if it's public already then I'm free to tell you that they are pretty damn good. They were also updated with new mouse feet (4 small ones that look and feel like hyperglides) and a separate polling rate switch button.

There is also an update to the infamous wheel bug, the new shell has a small plunger holding the wheel in place so there no more missed/ghost scrolls.

Only thing that irks me is that CPI steps are lower than proclaimed again (400 CPI is 380 on mine) but other than that everything is really upgraded. Even the side buttons are a bit nicer, but I need to do a side by side with the old design to figure out why. They still use the old lever click system, so don't expect too much of the side buttons still.

Something else that I appreciate: The complete top shell/bottom shell separation was also changed and the plungers for the main buttons changed. Now to open the shell (and exchange cable to take pictures or whatever you might want to do inside the mouse) you only need to remove one screw under the sticker, no need to remove mouse feet at all.

Those are some subtle changes that don't change the overall feel of the mouse but really improve it in the respective areas.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ino. View Post

Something else that I appreciate: To open the shell (and exchange cable to take pictures or whatever you might want to do inside the mouse) you only need to remove one screw under the sticker, no need to remove mouse feet at all.
Which also means you void the warranty I suppose.
I prefer it under the feet because warranty easier to claim.

If you poke a whole in the sticker then most would refuse warranty claim most likely.

Still the same useless 16-step scroll as well, no Idea how people can enjoy these, scrolling in windows etc is a pain with the slow 16-step.
You can increase scroll jump in windows, which also means more jerky scrolling, and does not apply to other things like games.

24-step, Separate buttons, Better sidebuttons (still bad design even if they "click" better in RJN video).
At least they are moving onto 3360, so that is 1 thing in the right direction.

The rest will most likely happen in 10 years so cya then Zowie
biggrin.gif
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ino. View Post

No update to coating.
Yeah...figured. The regular (black) Zowie coating is soap bar city for me. Only the glossy is usable (RIP to the good ol' days of the "pop n drop shell swap"). Also, lol @ this coming right after the glossy ambi lines. Man, these guys cash out so ingeniously there should be a class on it.
 
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#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nivity View Post

Which also means you void the warranty I suppose.
I prefer it under the feet because warranty easier to claim.

If you poke a whole in the sticker then most would refuse warranty claim most likely.

Still the same useless 16-step scroll as well, no Idea how people can enjoy these, scrolling in windows etc is a pain with the slow 16-step.
You can increase scroll jump in windows, which also means more jerky scrolling, and does not apply to other things like games.

24-step, Separate buttons, Better sidebuttons (still bad design even if they "click" better in RJN video).
At least they are moving onto 3360, so that is 1 thing in the right direction.

The rest will most likely happen in 10 years so cya then Zowie
biggrin.gif
Previously you had 4 screws, 2 under the sticker, 2 under the bottom foot. Now you can just punch through the sticker in the correct spot and not worry. Also you should still be able to claim warranty even with the mouse opened, as long as whatever you did was not the cause of the malfunction.
Some service reps might try to tell you otherwise but, at least here in Europe, you are protected by customer law.

As for the wheel I agree for Windows and browsing, however in game I really like the wheel.

And the sidebuttons are better, if I recall the old design correctly then they've reduced the length of the lever which should be the cause of better actuation.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeppi View Post

The coating and buttons on their "old" series are the real downsides for me
With the EC series and the black coating it's always the first two minutes of using the mouse where it is slippery, but then with the tiniest bit of moisture I can grip them quite well. Also if I'm not mistaken the PCB dimensions and holes didn't change, so you should be able to swap it into the glossy shells too if you have them.

I'll try that tonight, unfortunately didn't get to do much of anything since I got them because of work.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neshy414 View Post

Didn't they already change the shell slightly with the white glossy version? Thought that one had only one screw hole as well. Wonder if those two top shells are swap-able. Probably just wishful thinking since the PCB's are different, but hey.
Uhm, possibly, I never tried the white EC series as the EC is not my preferred mouse. I was mainly curious about their 3360 implementation this time.
 
#14 ·
I think the BenQ coating is absolutely horrible, so I guess I'm gonna continue to use my EC2 eVo for now since I got sick of the Kinzu's low malfunction speed.
rolleyes.gif
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ino. View Post

No update to coating.
With the EC series and the black coating it's always the first two minutes of using the mouse where it is slippery, but then with the tiniest bit of moisture I can grip them quite well. Also if I'm not mistaken the PCB dimensions and holes didn't change, so you should be able to swap it into the glossy shells too if you have them.

I'll try that tonight, unfortunately didn't get to do much of anything since I got them because of work.
Yeah, feel the same about their coating, but the old white logo mice had this raw plastic feeling, which was also grippy for dry hands.

It would be nice if the shells are swapable though, because their mouse feet changed too. Separate back feet make the mouse really unstable for those that hold their mouse back heavy. This can make the mouse tilt over (G pro with its rounded back is very bad for this)
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alya View Post

I think the BenQ coating is absolutely horrible, so I guess I'm gonna continue to use my EC2 eVo for now since I got sick of the Kinzu's low malfunction speed.
rolleyes.gif
Alternatively you could throw money at both Zowie and GabeN and get this hideous thing instead, for science you know... maybe that coating is better.
wink.gif




Honestly though... a logo on top of a logo with the Benq logo probably plastered on the side? Not to mention the CS logo's colour... No.

//

Anyway, i wonder how long it will take them to update the entire range.
 
#20 ·
I don't understand the hate for the black coating. I have a white logo, 24 step wheel EC-2a and the coating is actually one of the better ones. It sticks to the hand even when it's sweaty and greasy(unlike DA13 rubber side grips for instance). Or did BenQ did something to the coating after the purchase?
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by PounceAlot View Post

I don't understand the hate for the black coating. I have a white logo, 24 step wheel EC-2a and the coating is actually one of the better ones. It sticks to the hand even when it's sweaty and greasy(unlike DA13 rubber side grips for instance). Or did BenQ did something to the coating after the purchase?
I've only used BenQ EC2 and its a slippery soap bar when your hand gets a bit sweaty.
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by PounceAlot View Post

I don't understand the hate for the black coating. I have a white logo, 24 step wheel EC-2a and the coating is actually one of the better ones. It sticks to the hand even when it's sweaty and greasy(unlike DA13 rubber side grips for instance). Or did BenQ did something to the coating after the purchase?
Can't speak for anyone else but i just dislike it because it looks like you let a cow lick it after touching it for like 3 seconds, and that's coming from someone who has dry skin and is washing his hands every 30 minutes. By comparison the coating of a black G-Pro and G403 doesn't show any of those 'slime' spots even after hours of use. That's my issue with it, other than that it's perfectly fine, not slippery for me.
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neshy414 View Post

Can't speak for anyone else but i just dislike it because it looks like you let a cow lick it after touching it for like 3 seconds, and that's coming from someone who has dry skin and is washing his hands every 30 minutes. By comparison the coating of a black G-Pro and G403 doesn't show any of those 'slime' spots even after hours of use. That's my issue with it, other than that it's perfectly fine, not slippery for me.
What on earth is wrong with your hands? Slime spots?
You been at the doctor yet?
Washing your hands every 30 mins is not good for a already dry skin.
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by the1onewolf View Post

Was going to ask about the side buttons but it's a shame they're still kinda iffy :/

How long have you been using/testing?
Actual usage around 3-4 hours, I got the mice last week though, together with the white ZA and FK. But due to my schedule bursting at the seams I couldn't do more yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Viperl00 View Post

Any change in click latency Ino?
I'll try that also tonight
 
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