This review hails the Vaxee R1 Pro as a strong contender for the "greatest budget mouse of all time," offering premium features at an accessible price point (around $37). The Pro version stands out with its lightweight 49g design, Kailh Blue Shell Pink Dot switches, and an ambidextrous shape ideal for claw and fingertip grips, akin to the Pulsar X2. It boasts excellent sensor implementation, low click latency, and full compatibility with the VHub software. While minor aesthetic issues with clicks and potentially shorter battery life on higher polling rates are noted, these are not considered "game-breaking." The mouse features a solid rubberized coating and robust build quality, surprising for its budget category. The reviewer strongly recommends the Pro version over the heavier Pro Max, the standard R1, and especially the SE model with its inferior 3335 sensor, ultimately questioning the necessity of more expensive mice given the R1 Pro's performance.
Review of the Vaxee R1 Pro Mouse
0:01 Introduction: The video introduces the Vaxee R1 Pro as a strong candidate for the "greatest budget mouse of all time."
0:12 Full Lineup: Max Gaming sent the entire lineup, but the focus is on the Vaxee R1 Pro, calling it an unprecedented budget mouse.
0:36 Weight: The Pro version weighs 49 grams. The Pro Max version is slightly heavier at 53 grams due to a larger battery.
1:06 Main Clicks: The Pro version features Kailh Blue Shell Pink Dot switches, which are praised for their good implementation. Minor issues include slight height variance in the left button and a faint squeak on the left click.
2:02 Clicks on Other Versions: The Pro Max has lighter, more spammable switches (Omron 20M or Kailh 8.0) that feel slightly cheaper.
2:17 Shape: The ambidextrous shape is compared to a size between the Pulsar X2 medium and mini, feeling less high-profile. It is deemed excellent for both claw and fingertip grips.
3:09 Sensor & Software: Both the R1 Pro and Pro Max are compatible with the VGN dongle and VHub software, which is described as fully-fledged with no issues related to motion, sensor implementation, or click latency.
3:57 Price: The Pro version is priced at approximately $37, making it a very strong budget option.
3:59 SE Version: The SE version, priced around $20, uses a modified 3335 sensor, which the reviewer strongly dislikes and advises against.
4:26 Coating: The SE version has a textured plastic coating (not premium, but better than cheap ABS). The regular R1 Pro and Pro Max feature a good rubberized coating, similar to Pulsar's.
5:34 Side Buttons & Scroll Wheel: Side buttons are solid, crispy, and comparable to Pulsar's. The scroll wheel is also solid with a lighter click actuation force.
6:26 Build Quality: The side walls are described as absolutely solid, with minimal flex even under extreme pressure, indicating good build quality.
6:49 Weight Balance & Battery Life: The mouse is very well-balanced due to the smaller battery in the Pro version. Battery life on higher polling rates is not amazing but not a "game-breaking issue."
7:04 Stock Skates: The stock skates are considered sufficient and up to par, even after breaking them in on a glass pad.
7:41 Connectivity: The R1 Pro and Pro Max are 2.4 GHz only. The cheaper R1 and SE versions also offer a Bluetooth mode. A DPI button is located on the bottom of the mouse.
7:51 Overall Recommendation: The reviewer gives the Vaxee R1 Pro (specifically the Pro version) a strong "seal of approval," suggesting it rivals more expensive mice in performance and questions the justification for higher prices.
9:31 Dongle: The VGN dongle, necessary for the Pro and Pro Max, is a separate purchase.