PC & Console Peripherals

Corsair Katar Pro Wireless – The most affordable wireless

With the models Harpoon, Ironclaw and Dark Core, Corsair already offers three different wireless gaming mice. Today, with the Katar Pro Wireless, another one is being added, which is also said to be particularly affordable.

Corsair promises a 10,000 DPI sensor and a battery life of up to 135 hours with a weight of only 96 g for the Katar Pro. In addition, the mouse can again be selected between an economical and a fast transfer mode based on WLAN or Bluetooth.

To start with, the mouse will cost 50 euros, which makes it slightly cheaper than the almost two-year-old and so far cheapest Harpoon. In return, Corsair will not use any lighting in the Katar Pro – an exceptional case for the company. Our following test will show whether the rest of the total package is enough to convince in practice.

Technical data

Connection: USB-A adapter (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth
Battery: battery/accumulator in AA size
Battery life: up to 135h
Sensor: Pixart PMW3325, 200-10,000 DPI
RGB-illumination: No (Status-LED only)
Keys: 6
Polling rate: 1,000 Hz
Dimensions: 116 x 64 x 38 mm
Weight: 96 g
Price: € 39.99 *

Scope of delivery

When it comes to accessories, Corsair is simple: In addition to the mouse itself, the manufacturer also offers the WLAN receiver, three paper booklets with further information and an AA battery. For a connection via Bluetooth, the corresponding device must support the interface.

Design and workmanship

At first glance, the Katar Pro Wireless looks like a typical office mouse: the case is symmetrical except for the two additional side buttons, and Corsair mainly uses matt black, slightly rough plastic as material.

The plastic of the Katar Pro Wireless is lightly patterned on the sides to provide a slightly better grip. However, the company does without additional rubber coating: apart from high-gloss trim elements in front and behind the mouse wheel, the aforementioned plastic is used everywhere.

The back of the mouse shows a small elevation that marks the opening mechanism on the back of the mouse. If you press the case down there, you can easily pull off the back of the mouse and get to the battery compartment and the 2.4 GHz sensor, which can be stored there.

Corsair offers the minimum equipment for gaming: A back and forth button is located on the left side of the mouse, and behind the mouse wheel is a DPI button with an LED that indicates the current status of the mouse. On the bottom of the mouse there is also a three-step switch that allows you to turn the mouse on and activate Bluetooth or WLAN mode. These two operating modes are the only option for the mouse: There is no USB port.

The manufacturing quality of the Katar Pro Wireless is good: The case is very stable and optically flawless. In addition, the mechanism for removing and reinserting the mouse back works perfectly. However, some users would probably prefer a smooth material or a rubber coating.

Software

As usual, the Katar Pro Wireless can be configured using Corsair’s iCUE software, which can be installed quickly and without the need for registration. The program has a clean, modern UI and is used across all Corsair products.

Due to the lack of RGB lighting, the software’s range of functions is naturally limited, but iCUE can fully cover all other requirements. In the program, the individual keys can be assigned various macros and keyboard and mouse functions.

Of course, the measuring resolution can also be set: Between 200 and 10,000, any value can be set to an accuracy of 100 DPI. Three different profiles are available, which can be changed by pressing the DPI key and visualized by a freely configurable color. A sniper function is also available, but to use it you have to reassign one of the keys.

Practice

The Pixart PMW-3325 installed inside the Corsair Katar Pro Wireless does the usual job: actions are transmitted quickly and precisely, even though the sensor naturally lacks the setting options of a higher priced model. The keys are on a par with the competition: the pressure point is easily felt and the positioning is well done.

We can only praise the wireless connections implemented by Corsair: In practical use, the mouse always reacted without problems and without noticeable latencies. To save energy, it switches to standby mode after 120 seconds – but iCUE also allows you to set your own values. There is also an energy-saving mode in which the mouse switches to standby mode after only ten seconds.

Also waking up after the mouse has switched to standby mode is relatively fast. However, the delay is still clearly noticeable, so you should avoid the energy saving mode for use in games.

The Katar Pro Wireless’s impression is unfortunately clouded by the case’s shape, which didn’t really appeal to us in the test: A strictly symmetrical case is of advantage for left-handers, who can use it without the two side buttons, but the ergonomics suffer for right-handers. We weren’t perfectly comfortable with the mouse for longer use, which could possibly also be due to its dainty dimensions. People with small hands probably have fewer problems here.

Another point of criticism is in our opinion the solution of the power supply. A replaceable battery is of course positive, but we would also have liked to have an integrated charging option and a cable operation. In its current form, you either have to buy a suitable rechargeable battery and a charger, or you always have to insert new batteries.

Conclusion

Corsair’s latest mouse, the Katar Pro Wireless, is a real success on the technical side. The wireless connection works excellently in practice, and we also find the implementation of the buttons and the battery compartment successful. However, we have to criticize the mouse for not having a micro-USB port and the associated possibility for charging: One is dependent on batteries or an external charger.

In addition, the shape of the case couldn’t completely convince us in the test: A slightly asymmetrical case would have been more comfortable in our eyes – but this evaluation point is probably highly subjective anyway.

In the end, the price will probably decide the attractiveness of the Katar Pro Wireless. If she insists on the planned 50 Euros, we would actually rather recommend the one year older and only slightly more expensive Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless Gaming. However, if the Katar Pro Wireless is a bit more affordable, it may well be a good choice for some users to get a cheap, high-quality wireless mouse.

Corsair Katar Pro Wireless

Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value for money

81/100

The purchase recommendation for the Katar Pro Wireless is likely to depend primarily on the price.

Simon Lüthje

I am co-founder of this blog and am very interested in everything that has to do with technology, but I also like to play games. I was born in Hamburg, but now I live in Bad Segeberg.

Related Articles

Back to top button