PC & Console Peripherals

Sabre Pro Champion Series – Corsair’s next gen gaming mouse in review

The wait is over and the successor to the popular Corsair Sabre was launched in early April 2021 – the Sabre Pro from the Champion Series. The mouse will be available in two variants, one with and one without RGB function (more on this later). In terms of price, both models are priced at 55 and 60 euros, respectively. Despite the low price, however, the Sabre Pro promises a lot of features, an informative spec sheet and a sleek, successful look.

We dissected the Sabre RGB Pro for you and report on our experiences and overall impression of the mouse in the following review.

Specifications

Connection 2.1m USB-A cable
Sensor PixArt PMW3392
DPI 100 – 18,000
DPI display Yes (LED)
Color Black
Sampling rate Up to 8,000 Hz
Response Time <1ms
keys 6 (incl. DPI)
RGB lighting Model dependent
Shape Right-handed mouse
Weight 69 g (without RGB) 74 g (with RGB)
Price € 29.99 * (without RGB), € 49.99 * (with RGB)

Scope of delivery

The Sabre RGB Pro comes compactly packaged in a black and yellow cardboard box. The front features a picture of the mouse while the back lists a majority of the features.

Included in the box are the mouse and a matching instruction manual. The cable is attached to the mouse and thus no other individual parts are included.

Design & Workmanship: sleek, but with power under the hood

The Sabre RGB Pro is a compact gaming mouse without a lot of bells and whistles. The simple design, however, can already become a plus point for many, as the mouse is not littered with buttons and also does not have an angular shape. It fits very well in the hand, the buttons are in good places, and using the mouse is a breeze.

The mouse is made of lightweight plastic, with a matte black finish. Weighing only 69 or 74 grams depending on the variant, it is also a true lightweight and glides smoothly over any mouse pad. For lefties, however, we have some not-so-pleasant news, because the mouse will only be released as a right-handed model as of now.

In addition to the main buttons and the clickable wheel, the mouse also has two Quickstrike buttons on the side, which are best suited for macros in MOBAs or shooters, for example. DPI settings are also controlled via a button, which can be found on the bottom of the mouse on the Sabre Pro, and behind the mouse wheel on the Sabre RGB Pro.

Sensor & DPI: Little gimmick with the colors

The DPI of the Sabre Pro can be adjusted between 100 and 18,000. In doing so, the mouse comes with as many as 5 different pre-saved DPI profiles. The current setting can be seen on the Sabre Pro by means of an RGB LED, which can be found on the underside next to the DPI button. On the Sabre RGB Pro, on the other hand, there are three LEDs on the left side of the mouse, which can also be individually illuminated, but do not indicate the status by color, but by the combination of the three LEDs – depending on the setting, different combinations of the LEDs will then light up.

The display colors for the DPI indicators can also be adjusted as desired in iCUE under “DPI”. In addition, the various stages can also be given custom DPI values. Another useful feature in terms of DPI is the so-called “On the fly DPI Tuning”. Here, a key combination can be used to increase or decrease the DPI in steps of 50 at a time.

A PixArt sensor is once again responsible for the DPI numbers. A PMW3392 is installed in the Sabre mice.

To enable the best possible performance, the Sabre Pro allows you to calibrate the mouse perfectly to the existing mouse pad. This is also done via the iCUE software under the menu item “Surface Calibration”. In the calibration, you only have to follow the instructions on the screen and drag and drop an icon into a spiral shape at a constant speed. Thereupon, an optimal calibration, also on the hardware settings, is saved.

In the device settings, firmware updates can be downloaded, custom profiles for query rate and DPI settings can be saved, and settings for more precise movement of the mouse (angle-snapping/cursor precision/cursor speed) can be made. This is done in a simple menu interface via drop-down function.

Polling: Snappy, snappy, Axon!

For the Axon hyper-processing technology Corsair is not only known since yesterday. Already some keyboards and mice were provided with it. It also makes it possible for the Sabre RGB Pro and the Sabre Pro to weigh in at a whole 8,000 Hz when it comes to the polling rate. A house number that earns Corsair ultra-low latency and lets them lead the market. Only Razer currently also offers a mouse with 8,000 Hz. The reaction of a click thus takes less than 0.115 milliseconds. The human brain probably can’t even react to the opponent that fast in a shooter. How good that the mouse then makes up for the time.

However, the 8,000 Hz polling rate cannot be used by every game (compatibility) and PC (performance), so it is of course adjustable and can be turned down to the usual 1,000 Hz, for example.

Switches: Corsair relies on old acquaintances

Built into the Sabre RGB Pro are Quickstrike buttons, where OMRON switches hide underneath. These trump with an ultra-thin suspension and a very short forward travel, which is virtually at zero, because the switch triggers immediately as soon as you make a click. This is especially suitable for very click-intensive games like shooters, where the keybinds for switching weapons can be placed on the side buttons.

In total, the switches endure more than 50 million clicks. That’s not world moving, but decent average.

Other extras of the Sabre Pro

Weighing 69 and 74 grams respectively, the Sabre Pro is an absolute lightweight and glides smoothly over any mouse pad.

The team at Corsair also acted with thought when it came to the cable. The braided paracord cable is lightweight, flexible and effectively reduces annoying jerking.

The Sabre Pro mice are part of the Champion Series, which are designed with professional e-sports players in mind for performance and precision. Also part of this series is the K70 RGB TKL, which saw the light of day along with the Sabre mice.

The feet of the Sabre RGB Pro are made of 100% PTFE, effectively reducing friction and providing the smoothest movement.

The Sabre RGB Pro’s additional features

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The RGB version of the Sabre Pro is equipped with lighting elements with a rich color palette of over 16.3 million colors to score visual points. These can also be synchronized with other hardware with RGB capability via iCUE software.

Peripherals of the 21st century have become eye-catchers in many ways, and those who like upbeat colors in their gaming room are well served by the RGB version for 5 euros more than the standard model.

Software: Well-known software in a new guise

The iCUE software from Corsair has received a new coat of paint. According to the new generation, Corsair peripherals can now be configured even more easily and attractively.

Within the software, a variety of the mouse’s key functions can be customized, DPI profiles can be created, and perfected calibration can also be performed. In addition, iCUE allows the RGB version of the Sabre Pro to be color matched to other components with RGB capabilities. Of course, macros can also be created here and the profiles for the RGB settings in terms of effects and colors.

The Sabre Pro supports two different operating modes. The hardware mode, which is always active if iCUE is not present on the end device or the end device does not support iCUE, and the software mode, if iCUE is present. In hardware mode, the functionality of the mouse is always in the manufacturer’s settings, while in software mode an existing iCUE profile can be selected for the mouse.

We have always found Corsair’s iCUE software to be excellently featured and easy to use. Now the interface has become even more intuitive and comprehensive. 1+ for Corsair at this point!

Conclusion

With the Sabre Pro, Corsair has brought a gaming mouse to the market that covers everything in terms of performance, functionality and features that we expect and even more in some cases. Well thought-out elements on the hardware paired with state-of-the-art software make for a convincing overall picture.

Especially small details like the PTFE feet and the Quickstrike buttons make the Sabre Pro a top model for gamers.

There are hardly any shortcomings in the Sabre Pro. In our opinion, only fans of fancy mouse designs might not get their money’s worth here.

Speaking of costs: Both models of the Sabre Pro Champion Series are also available for a pleasant price of 55 and 60 Euros, respectively. Neither overpriced nor cheap.

Corsair Sabre (RGB) Pro

Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value for money

96/100

The Sabre (RGB) Pro is an absolute top model in its price category and definitely convinced us. No real weaknesses with a multitude of strengths ensure that we can recommend it with a clear conscience.

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.

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The wait is over and the successor to the popular Corsair Sabre was launched in early April 2021 – the Sabre Pro from the Champion Series. The mouse will be available in two variants, one with and one without RGB function (more on this later). In terms of price, both models are priced at 55 … (Weiterlesen...)

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