Review: Mionix Naos 5000 gaming mouse
Short version: There’s lots to like, but not much unique, about this mouse from relative newcomer Mionix. And if it can’t beat the others on price…
Features:
- Ergonomic right-handed design
- 5040 DPI laser sensor
- 7 buttons
- On-board profiles and macro settings
- MSRP: ~$90
Pros:
- Comfortable shape
- Excellent configuration software
- Tracking is solid
Cons:
- Trackwheel seems a little stiff
- Doesn’t really offer anything other mice don’t
Full review:
It’s not hard to find a good gaming mouse these days. Microsoft, Razer, Logitech, and quite a few smaller companies all have compelling products, and it’s difficult to recommend one over the other since what fits your hand is very much a matter of personal preference. It’s amazing what tiny differences can do for usability. For example, when I was contacted about reviewing this Naos 5000, I immediately thought, “Wow, that looks exactly like the Cyber Snipa.” I mean, not exactly, but the layout and shape is very similar. But despite the close similarity, I found the Naos 5000 far more comfortable, and it’s hard to say exactly why.
My only issue was really with the scroll wheel, which has a stiff, notched feel to its rotation that feels like coarse vibration when you’re scrolling up and down any distance. I actually started having to scroll with my middle finger instead of my index because it felt like it was going to vibrate my fingernail right off if I kept on the way I was going. Loosen up, guys.
The configuration software, while technically “optional,” was a joy to use. It’s attractive and effective, though it takes forever to apply changes. You can create several profiles, something I never have had a use for, but some no doubt like it, and it keeps the information on the on-board memory. This is handy when you have multiple gaming systems or switch between multiple mice, as I do.
Tracking was good, though it depended a lot on the surface. My cloth mousepad gave the Naos trouble with small movements, but my steel desk and hard mousepad had no problems at all. The drivers include a surface analysis tool that tells you how reliable the mouse’s signal is. I got by with “acceptable” but you don’t have to.
Conclusion
Well, what we have here is a perfectly nice mouse with a great feature set, but which nonetheless doesn’t really offer anything new. To compound the problem, it costs $90 at the moment. I simply can’t recommend it at that price, since you can get a Death Adder, G500, or Sidewinder for far less, which all perform as well. If Mionix can get the price down, I think they have a good chance at making some serious sales against the big guys, but right now it’s just too expensive.
Product page: Mionix Naos 5000