Sandberg decided to up their game with specialized products from their EsportsEquipment range. Today we are looking at the Blast Mouse. Something that I normally would see in a Transformers movie. I think you would agree with me on this one that when you will open the box you would expect it to transform into an Autobot. But until it will decide to do that, let’s see what this gaming mouse can do.
Sandberg states that their brand stands for quality and user-friendliness.
Their ideology “IT is for everybody” is part of everything we do. A Danish firm that since its inception in 1985, private consumers, institutions and companies have benefited from this simple philosophy. Distributors and dealers appreciate the availability, range, simple procedures and the exceptionally low failure rate. Every year over half a million Sandberg products find their way to users in more than 65 countries.
Choosing Sandberg means choosing a safe and conscientious product that meets all applicable regulatory requirements. A product manufactured by subcontractors who are committed to following Sandberg’s Code of Conduct to ensure decent working conditions and reduce the environmental impact of the production and waste disposal.
Price when reviewed
http://www.sandberg.it/en-uk/product/Blast-Mouse
Sandberg : ÂŁ 39.99 – Via Amazon.co.uk
Presentation and Specifications
A nice 3d rendering courtesy of their website.
– Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm
– Weight: 140 g
– USB interface
– USB cable 2 meters
– Avago 3050 optical sensor
– Up to 4000 DPI switchable
– 6400 fps frame rate
– Multi-color RGB LED lights
– 10 programmable buttons
– Key life: 5 million
– Built-in heavy iron plate
Visual inspection
The box has a black theme with the mouse in the center, suggesting that it is born from the gods of thunder – another hint that supports my suspicion of this mouse being an Autobot, because it has the All Spark energy in it. Also it gives us information regarding Windows support (and it supports everything from XP onward), has up to 4000 DPI and that it has a metal iron plate that helps the balance of the mouse.
On the back, we have a multilingual chart that combined with the specifications on the bottom gives further information about the mouse like the contents, the sensor type, that it has 10 programmable buttons and that it supports a frame rate of 6400 FPS.
Open the top flap that it is held in place by small magnets ! (nice touch Sandberg) and we see the Blast Mouse secured in the box by a clear plastic cover.
Inside, you also get a mini CD that contains the software to program and set up the mouse.
You can download the installation kit from here, the link is also printed on the CD as well.
And here it is. From this angle we see 9 of the 10 programmable buttons. More of this later.
A lot of going on here suggested by these skeleton structure and springs. The logo is imprinted on the palm shell and it is transparent which you will see later help the RGB lighting.
Then the 2 meter long USB cable with red and black nylon accents.
Moving to the metal plate on the bottom. Here is the 10th button, normally it turns ON or OFF the RGB lighting.
And various angles that shows the intricate structure and components. Everything is of hard plastic only the bottoma plate is of metal.
Here we have a quick video to give a size reference.
Testing
We will first dive into the bundled software, configure it and then do some gaming session to see how it performs.
Hardware used.
– CPU: Intel i7 4790k @ stock 4.0 Ghz w/ 4.4 Turbo Boost – 88 W TDP
– CPU Cooler: Cryorig C7
– SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 512 GB MLC
– Memory Modules: 16 GB (2x 8 GB) DDR3 Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracers 1600 Mhz CL8 LED
– Video card: MSI GTX 770 Twin Frozr IV Gaming OC – 230 W TDP
– Case: Thermaltake V1 Core mITX
– Fans: 1x Thermaltake 200 mm
– PSU: Corsair SF600 SFX 600W
Software used.
– Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1511.10586
– Witcher 3 v1.21 – 30 minute gaming session
– Crysis 3 – 30 minute gaming session
– Diablo III – 30 minutes gaming session
The bundled software. Like previously said, install it from the CD and/or from the website.
Here we have the main view from where we can do the following:
– program all the 10 switches with 2 profiles for quick access and by default they came setup up like this on the left section:
– adjust up to 4 selectable DPI settings and profiles, even choose their own LED lighting
– choose what LED RGB effect from always on and what intensity and timing, Neon and Respiration, both that pulses and cycle through all the colors.
Here is what the two lighting effects look.
Now you believe me that it is alive?
🙂
Then the other tab of the interface, where we can select the mouse speed, the scrolling speed and the double click speed.
It even has a macro activation very handy when you do various tasks that you perform several times per day.
When you press the DPI button to cycle the profiles, on Windows 10 it gives you a notification informing on what setting you are. Very nice.
Results
Although I have long fingers, this mouse is very ergonomic and you can use it with both hands despite of the side plate (thumb rest) that is optimized for right handed people. It has a satin finish, the plastic is very hard and no worries that it will break easily and it is very pleasant to touch and grip. The clicks are quick and precises, no funny noises or problems. Including the scroll wheel.
The USB cable is more than you ever need at 2 meters long.
Using the software, it gives you the ability to control and configure the mouse to your precise needs. Here also is where you can tune the RBG lighting that adds a special touch to the overall theme of the mouse and is highly welcomed.
After some time in different game genres such as from shooters, online hack and slashs and RPGs, the Blast Mouse from Sandberg is really really good. It improved my gaming experience overall and found nothing to complain about.
We shall see in time how the paintwork will handle the usage but i don’t think we will see any problems any time soon.
All the buttons are strategically located that you won’t press them by mistake or confuse them. Although a learning curve is required but that’s why it is programmable to overcome any issues.
And as for productivity, we used it to write, edit and create this review as well and quick switching between windows and back and forward option helped a lot. Thus is also of great help in this area as well.
Conclusions
The Good:
+ Very comfortable
+ High warranty (5 years)
+ A lot of features for the price
+ Highly customizable
+ RBG implementation
+ Great design
+ Ambidextrous
+ Long braided USB cable
The bad:
– Maybe offer it with more outer color options
– Some products from the competition in the price range offers the ability to add/remove weights
The Blast Mouse ticks all the right boxes for a gaming mouse, so:
Glob3trotters “Editor’s Choise” Award – 5 out of 5
A lot of thanks to Sandberg for supplying us with this small ‘Transformer’ !
