Mad Catz R.A.T. 3

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 3 is a truly unique gaming mouse. It has been developed to be extremely sensitive to each click and movement, meaning that it is ideal for in-depth gaming. It is fully customisable and instantly recognisable due to its unusual design.

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 3 really doesn't look like a typical mouse. Instead of smooth lines and buttons, this mouse has numerous angular plastic sections, with some of the wires visible through a hole in the mouse. It is available in several different colours, such as black, white, and red. A reviewer at www.kitguru.ne and r-a-t-7-review-the-ultimate-mice/2/ found the design to be 'striking', and while they were worried that it looked uncomfortable, in reality they warmed to the shape and feel of the mouse.

The main advantage of this mouse is that it can be modified. A reviewer at www.engadget.com notes that it even comes with its own Allen key so that users can 'take it apart and reassemble it at will'. The mouse has five buttons with three modes available, as well as an optical motion sensor and laser scanning technology. It connects to a computer via a USB cable. Its resolution is adjustable with a minimum of 450 DPI and a maximum of 3,500 DPI.

This mouse comes with software that is easy to install and, after a short installation on any PC or laptop, users are able to create mouse 'profiles' with specific settings for each user. Buttons can be customised for gamers that wish to get the best out of this mouse while playing. The device feels light, which may suit some users; others may prefer to have a little more weight under their hand. The tracking of the Mad Catz R.A.T. 3 is very good and can be used for all forms of gaming.

Overall, this particular device is a mid-price buy with performance that works above its price tag. The design is not for everyone; and though it looks sharp and angular, most reviewers found that it was comfortable to use. The R.A.T.3 is not designed for everyday use, but is aimed at the gaming market where players need extra sensitivity and the ability to customise the settings.