With the Kova Aimo, Roccat launched a new mouse this March that adds Aimo functionality to the Kova Pure, which was launched in 2015. There are no further changes to the mouse, i.e. the Kova Aimo takes over the Pro-Optic Sensor R6 and the complete layout of its predecessor. In addition, there are again two colour variants: The mouse is available in black and white.
The Kova Aimo cost 60 Euro to start with and is now available for € 1.49 * and € 138.90 * respectively. If Roccat’s slight update is enough, that the well-known Kova is still a recommendable mouse, you will find out in the following test.
Scope of Delivery
The Kova Aimo is delivered in a black, colour printed cardboard box. Roccat does not use any accessories worth mentioning. Besides the mouse there is only a Quick-Start-Guide in the packaging, which contains a short product overview and the technical details.
Design and Workmanship
Visually, the Kova Aimo is indistinguishable from the Kova Pure: It also has an exactly symmetrical layout and is therefore suitable for both left- and right-handed users. In contrast to some other manufacturers, Roccat fortunately implements this approach consistently and also reflects the function keys – these are also all installed on both sides.
In concrete terms, this means two additional buttons on each side, one additional button next to each main button and a DPI button directly behind the mouse wheel. All in all, the mouse has ten buttons, if you count them on the mouse wheel.
The Kova Aimo is completely made of matt black plastic. The contact surfaces have a smooth and very pleasant surface. The lower shell, on the other hand, is supposed to form a contrast and therefore has a rough surface.
Only the underside of the lower shell is smooth – probably to prevent the mouse from getting stuck. Apart from the sensor and five of the usual slide pads, there are no other special features on the underside of the mouse.
The manufacturing quality of the Kova Aimo is praiseworthy throughout: all housing parts are cleanly and stably connected, the choice of material has been successful. The new edition does not need to hide here, even after a few years.
Practice
The sensor used in the Kova Aimo is called Pro-Optic Sensor R6 by Roccat. According to the manufacturer, this should offer a resolution of up to 7,000 DPI, but in reality this information should be taken with caution. According to Roccat, the 7,000 DPI for the mouse is achieved by an overdrive, i.e. a software interpolation. Actually, the Pro-Optic R6 is a PixArt PMW3320, which offers a maximum resolution of 3,500 DPI according to the data sheet.
In practice, Roccat’s software interpolation is functional, but it doesn’t deliver as clean results as the sensor itself. The lines drawn by the sensor become somewhat less precise – as was to be expected. This puts the Kova Aimo behind the competition when it comes to sensors, which is not surprising considering the age of the mouse, but of course not very pleasing.
The ergonomics of the mouse are, in view of the two-hand design, quite on a good level: In our eyes the mouse with its low weight and its flat housing shape is particularly suitable for the Claw-Grip. Even the fingertip grip is still possible, but in our eyes the Kova Aimo is simply too small for the Palm grip. It should also be kept in mind that the mouse is pleasant to use, but doesn’t come close to one-hand designs in terms of ergonomics.
However, the Roccat Kova Aimo deserves special praise for the placement of the keys. The two thumb keys are, as usual, easy to reach, but the additional keys next to the main keys are also easy and intuitive to use. The pressure point of the main and additional keys is also consistently at a good level.
In practice, the Kova Aimo delivers a solid picture. The ergonomics are quite successful for a symmetrical design, and the additional keys are well done. Only the sensor should have been updated by Roccat after all these years. For example, a PMW 3360 would have been a good solution to catch up with the competition.
Software and Settings
The Kova Aimo can be configured using Roccat’s cross-product Swarm software. This can be installed quickly and without registration, and relies on a modern, black-turquoise UI.
The program is started quickly and then the software reacts smoothly. Only a tab change brings with it a (very) short loading time. The settings made can be transferred to the mouse’s internal memory in real time on request.
Under Settings the Swarm software offers access to the Windows mouse settings and of course the different DPI profiles of the mouse. Of these, a maximum of five are available, which can be configured to 50 DPI.
On the lighting side, Roccat offers a solid average: In addition to static lighting and synchronization with other Roccat devices, two dynamic effects are available: Breathing and flashing. Both can be coloured separately, allowing the two lighting zones to work at least slightly independently of each other.
A particular strength of the software is the key assignment: Here Roccat offers the full range of multimedia functions and key reassignments as well as some other useful features. These include, for example, a sniper key and – particularly useful – an FN function. This allows each key to be given a second assignment, which is a good option for rarely used functions.
Macros are also available: In addition to a variety of predefined function macros for popular games, these can also be recorded themselves. The maximum length depends on the stored characters, but in any case you can expect more than 200 characters per macro. That should be more than enough for all relevant actions.
With the Swarm software Roccat offers a good tool to get the most out of the Kova Aimo. Only more lighting effects would have been a nice extra, but most of the common functions are also covered here.
Fulness
With the Kova Aimo, Roccat has reissued an old mouse and slightly improved it. It inherits the strengths and weaknesses of its predecessor, but at the same time has to stand up to current models.
Even today, the choice of materials and ergonomics of the Kova Aimo are still convincing, even though many one-hand designs are of course a little more comfortable in the hand. The lighting and, in particular, the additional buttons on the mouse are also well-done.
However, Roccat has to put up with criticism for the built-in sensor. The optional overdrive from 3,500 to up to 7,000 DPI has been implemented appropriately, but today there are sensors in this price class with significantly higher resolutions and better recording. The Kova Aimo could have been given an update here so that it could hold its own against the current competition.
The real star isn’t necessarily the Kova Aimo itself. As long as it is within the range of its EIA, it is reasonably priced, but not a bargain. A possible reason for purchase would be in particular the well implemented additional keys and – for left-handers – the symmetrical layout, whereby the Kova Aimo just won our Silver Award.
However, the older Kova Pure is much more attractive at the moment, which is absolutely identical except for the Aimo functionality and is currently available for considerably less money. If you only want to buy a single mouse without having other Roccat devices for lighting synchronization, the Kova Pure is a better choice as long as it is significantly cheaper.
Roccat Kova Aimo
Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value for Money
Good mouse with aged sensor
