Mad Catz R. A. T. 1: modular mouse with support for 3D printing

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MAD Catz is widely known in gaming circles as a company that is not afraid of bold experiments and innovation. She styled gaming devices modular design that users can customize, using the wide possibilities for customization. Recently the company released a new line of gaming mice-transformers. And if bundled with a senior representative you will find numerous replacement parts, it’s for a younger model, we propose to produce parts on a 3D printer. On the other hand, the Mad Catz R. A. T. 1 has minimal weight among all gaming mice, small size, and, best of all, the low price. That’s exactly what it is and will be our discussion today.

The packaging does not stand out special delights: a compact, like the mouse, disposable (packaging as it was originally, is no longer possible) and transparent, so that you can examine the contents in detail without opening the box. The equipment here is quite modest: in addition to the mouse, within just a few brochures.

The most important of all this scribbling are two QR-code. By scanning first, you can get to the site where flooded stl files are replacement parts that can be printed on a 3D printer and fit the ergonomics of the rodent. Unfortunately, this technology is not yet widespread, but in large cities it is already possible to find studios that do 3D printing. The second QR code will allow you to download detailed user manual.

The mouse itself is split and consists of three separate parts: the main module, which includes all switches and sensor, the housing and rest on the palm. In the assembled state R. A. T. 1 appears on one side weightless, and the other brash and aggressive, reminding sports car. Its dimensions are very compact and are 68x116x36 millimeters.

Immediately noticeable that the engineers have carried out the optimization of the design by weight: of mice completely lacking the Central part. Eventually, we managed to reduce the mass to 50 g. record All modules are clearly fixed on each other, no play or squeaks when squeezed. The shape of the mouse is symmetrical so it is suitable for both right-and left-handers.

The case represents a spatial frame of broken lines, providing maximum rigidity with minimal weight. Color or acid green or bright red, the back is a black insert for fastening the stop.

The material is glossy plastic, which is not very nice. The fact is that due to the small size of the mouse you have to hold the thumb and ring finger on the sides, and smooth plastic gives a firm grip, and the case could slip. The bottom has three Teflon feet for easy sliding.

The next module is the emphasis, made from black or white matte plastic and having two fixation points, allowing several or lengthen the mouse or to achieve maximum compactness. To reduce weight, in the panel there are two cut out Windows, and on the top there is a figure in the form of honeycomb, which prevents slipping of hands.

Finally, let’s talk about the main segment, where all the “brain mouse”. It is made of matte plastic and has dimensions of mm. 68x60x31 the Upper part consists of two major keys, which is located between the scroll wheel and the toggle switch with two positions. By default, it is used not to switch dpi, and assumes the functions of the navigation buttons.


The wheel is covered with a rubber grip with pronounced serifs for precise control. Switches the three main keys that work with the average volume of the click, clearly practicing clicking, scrolling occurs silently and clearly. Button-the lever is made of a glossy material and are designed with a certain degree of freedom, however, due to the peculiar grip of the mouse, switch it quite comfortably. On the sides of the main keyboard are the tabs-wings that will protect the fingers from slipping.

The front of the main unit goes non-removable wire with a length of 180 cm, terminating in a USB connector without the gilding. The cable is fabric braided, dense and tough coating of acid-green color, which easily remembers the shape you gave him, also on the entrance cable to the main module is thickening, protecting it from chafing. The bottom has three Teflon cradles (a total of only six on a mouse) and the optical sensor Pixart PMW 3320 with a maximum resolution of 3500 dpi is offset from the center and rotated 90 degrees.

Since all the “brains” are located only in one module, then the road can be taken only with him, not as a manipulator for a laptop. Another advantage of modular design: if you do not fit the size of the mouse, you can print a frame of the desired dimensions, would be a 3D printer.

Now let’s talk about the grip. As you know, there are three types: Palmar (whole hand covers the mouse), finger (hold the mouse comes with a finger) and kogteva (mouse rests in the palm, and the fingers hovering over the keys, form some semblance of a claw). The first variant disappears at once for anyone who does hand not less than the average, from his fingertips all the rest are just in front of the keys, and pressing are the second phalanx, which is very inconvenient.

But two other options are perfect for users with any hand size. Thus, a large and ring finger to hold the housing sides, the index finger easily slides off the wheel on the lever, but the little finger will have to adjust: either to try to squeeze to the case, where not much space or stick out from to the side and hold the weight. Another method of retention is to use the middle and ring finger for the right key. Then there is a place for the little finger from the right side, and generally to keep the manipulator becomes much easier.

From the manufacturer’s website to download the software: driver & utility to configure the Mad Catz R. A. T. 1. The latter has a Russian interface and intuitive. The tab “Programming” allows you to assign any commands, and combinations thereof, including specific to Windows 8 and 10 on any key, except the left main, for a total of 6 actions, and the tab “Custom commands” will help you to write your own macro. The drop-down menu on the left will allow you to save the configuration in a separate profile.

On the “Settings” tab you can change the sensitivity from 250 to 3500 dpi in increments of 250 units and polling rate from 125 Hz to 1000 Hz. Here is a button that allows you to launch mouse preferences in Windows (where you can reconfigure the mouse for left-handers), and a button “Reset” reset settings to the factory settings. It is a pity that it was not done setting the height of the margin. Finally, the last “Support” section allows you to view training videos, read a detailed manual, to download preset profiles for popular games or to contact the developers.

Now it’s time to tell you how Mad Catz R. A. T. 1 behaves during operation. For efficient and comfortable use, have a few days to get used to the features of this mouse. Not only is it weightless, so even with six Teflon feet, she just flies on the Mat at the slightest movement. Under extended fingers at the sides of the mouse are beginning to slide. So it is not possible to put the whole hand on the mouse, your fingers get tired pretty quickly, lacking in the usual sidebars to stay. Another caveat associated with light weight: rigid cable will affect traffic, therefore, it is recommended to use a special holder to resolve this problem.

Also some discomfort in the beginning is a non-standard location of the sensor creates a false impression that the cursor does not move where they should, but after a couple days of work came addictive. Sensor worked fine on any surface, and the cursor, thus, showed no sign of shivering or getting stuck, well practiced any acceleration, while maintaining high accuracy. Its resolution is more than enough for modern games at the monitor. The only gripe is the fixed height of the gap.

Keys proved to be very informative: clearly understand at what point the switch is tripped or turned the wheel. Move buttons short and clear. And again, it takes time to get used to using the lever. Very convenient was the use of R. A. T. 1 in active games that require fast movements of the manipulator: the effort to move the mouse, it is spent minimally. Failures in the software were found.

Mad Catz R. A. T. 1 – atypical gaming mouse and is not suitable for everyone. Ideal choice it will be for those who have small hands, accustomed to using small arms or looking for a notebook mouse. Also recommend you to look to the mouse for those for whom the small weight of the mouse is the main factor, but in any case, it will take some time to get used to its peculiarities. If the move away from ergonomics, 1 R. A. T. has something to boast about: it’s a great sensor, stylish appearance, accurate operation and quality Assembly. And, of course, the price of 2600 rubles (get it here) for a quality gaming mouse is very nice. And if you do not consider the package with the R. A. T. 1, as a completed thing and add another 1,000 rubles, it is possible to print such a body, which will perfectly suit you, thus receiving convenient in all respects positioner for relatively low cost.

Price: 2500

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