With the SPC Gear GEM Plus, SilentiumPC’s peripheral brand releases a lightweight and compact gaming mouse that offers a relatively sleek design with high-end hardware at an unbeatable price. We put the mouse through an extensive test and reveal whether it’s worth buying.
Specifications
| Connection | USB type-A |
| Sensor | PixArt PMW-3370 |
| DPI | 50 – 19,000 |
| Polling rate | 1,000 Hz |
| Max. Acceleration | 490 m/s² |
| Weight | 67g (without cable) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 126 x 65.7 x 38.5 |
| Number of buttons | 6 |
| Switch | mechanical, Kalih GM 8.0 (min. 80 million clicks) |
| Cable | Textile sheathed (1.8m length) |
| Scope of supply | GEM Plus, quick start guide, extra PTFE mouse feet, SPC Gear sticker |
| Price | € 29.52 * |
Design and features
Instead of the obligatory cardboard box, SPC Gear packages the GEM Plus (SPG146) gaming mouse in an eye-catching plastic package that borrows from military equipment in terms of design. This is neither particularly environmentally friendly nor really practical, as opening and re-closing it for the first time requires a bit of force, but so be it.
Inside, you’ll find the GEM Plus mouse along with a quick start guide and an additional set of gliding feet along with stickers with the manufacturer’s logo – again, presented in an unattractive plastic package. The scope of delivery doesn’t turn out to be particularly lush, but it’s alright for the called price of around 45 Euros.
In terms of design and dimensions, the gaming mouse is strongly oriented towards the appearance of the SPC Gear Lix Plus, but does without the honeycomb design and presents itself in a closed frame instead. In return, the matte-black surface offers a better grip and convinces with excellent haptics on the upper side as well as the sides that are offset with many small triangles.
The closed design naturally results in a slightly higher weight: the GEM Plus weighs just under 67 grams (compared to the 59g of the LIX Plus). However, this additional weight is hardly noticeable during use: The gaming mouse thus still fits into the ultra-lightweight segment and feels very good in the hand.
All three common grip types are possible without any problems, especially since lefties, who are usually left out of many gaming mice, also get their money’s worth thanks to the ergonomic design.
However, the two side buttons on the left are permanently installed and cannot be used by lefties. The SPC Gear GEM Plus has a total of six keys, first and foremost the high-quality primary keys with the mechanical Kalih GM 8.0 switch. These score with a short and pleasant pressure point and work extremely precisely. With at least 80 million clicks, the longevity is also more than respectable.
The two lateral buttons also convince with a pleasant pressure point and good positioning. Both buttons are easily accessible even in a running game. On the other hand, points are deducted for the mouse wheel, which unfortunately turns out to be much too smooth-running and therefore quite spongy and often rotates when the mouse wheel button is pressed.
The build quality is quite okay for this price range, but the mouse back and underside can be pressed in quite hard with a bit of force – we’ve seen much better for under 50 Euros.
On the underside, there are black-painted PTFE gliding feet, which we can attest good gliding properties in gaming use. The mouse is connected via a 1.80 meter long USB-A cable made of light and flexible nylon, which doesn’t restrict mouse movements.
Of course, RGB lighting (in two zones, 16.8 million colors) is not to be missed. The mouse wheel and a strip at the bottom of the GEM Plus can be illuminated with the usual effects. The settings are possible using a key combination (mouse wheel + right mouse button) or via accompanying software.
Sensor and field test
The SPC Gear GEM Plus (SPG146) uses the still relatively fresh PixArt PMW-3370, which triggers with a maximum of 19,000 DPI – a strong value. However, the maximum performance can only be accessed with the help of the software, while the DPI button only offers a fraction of the possibilities in a total of six levels (400, 800, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 3,000 DPI). After all, the sensor can even be adjusted down to just 50 DPI.
The maximum polling rate of 1000 Hz proves useful in fast games and can be set to 500 Hz, 250 Hz or 125 Hz – but again, only in combination with the software.
In terms of maximum tracking speed, the GEM Plus also increases significantly compared to the LIX Plus, reaching a whopping 10.2 m/s at a lift-off distance of 1-2 mm, which are really strong values. Even demanding gamers and esport enthusiasts should be satisfied with these high-end specifications.
In fact, it is especially the two Kalih switches of the main keys that we liked the most in the test. They convince with a precise pressure point and trigger in under 2 milliseconds. At the same time, we found the classic, ergonomic shape to be very pleasant, even in continuous use.
Fast and slow movements are equally well recognized and implemented in the game. It’s annoying that the spongy mouse wheel can’t keep up with this, as its click stops are far too smooth and thus lack any precision.
Software
With the help of the SPG146-Gem-Plus software, extensive fine adjustments can be made. In addition to standard customization options for the RGB lighting in 16.8 million colors including various effects (breathing, waves, raindrops and many more), it can also be used to freely adjust the key assignments of the six buttons.
The software is surprisingly versatile, especially in terms of performance options. Six DPI settings can be set independently of each other, four options are available for the polling rate. At the same time, mouse speed, double-click speed, lift-off distance and even key reaction time can be adjusted. In addition, the creation of macros is also possible, which also records delays between inputs if desired.
Conclusion
With the GEM Plus (SPG146) gaming mouse, SPC Gear delivers a convincing representative that scores with a really good price-performance ratio. In the test, especially the mechanical Kalih GM 8.0 switches and the PixArt PMW-3370 sensor including diverse settings prove to be a strong duo that precisely implement even the fastest movements.
The symmetrical design is also appealing and scores with well-positioned side buttons – although lefties are once again left out. However, the GEM Plus is not free of criticism. Especially the spongy mouse wheel and the not completely convincing build quality are annoying. The material is a bit too soft, even for this price range, and quickly gives way under pressure. However, the long-term test will show how problematic this really is in the end. Nevertheless, the competition can do better.
Otherwise, there is little to complain about. The price-performance ratio of the SPC Gear GEM Plus is excellent. Price-conscious gamers looking for a lightweight and high-quality nager will get their money’s worth with the gaming mouse.
SPC Gear GEM Plus (SPG146)
Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value for money
86/100
Lightweight gaming mouse that scores with precise switches and a strong sensor. Despite criticism of the workmanship and mouse wheel, the price-performance ratio is right.
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