Roccat has decided to bring its Kone range to life with yet another reference, this time called Kone XP, unveiled last week. A new model that successfully retains the shape of previous iterations and emphasizes buttons and RGB lighting.
The mouse gamer Rocat Kone XP therefore takes up the general ergonomics of the Kone Pro already passed through our hands. The German brand emphasizes here the RGB lighting and the many buttons of this new model which draws some good ideas from the Kova AIMO.
The Kone XP does not seek to be the lightest with more than 100 grams on the scale. It also ignores wireless and is offered at a still high price of 90 euros. A risky bet for the brand, although its many buttons could make the Kone XP one of the most interesting general-purpose mice of the moment.
Always a benchmark for comfort
Roccat had the good idea to keep the exemplary shape of the Kone Pro range. The handling is therefore almost identical and still just as convincing. There is a tiny difference (which is perhaps only an illusion) on the rear part of the hull which seems a little less prominent on the Kone XP.
The Kone XP therefore shows always so comfortable and calls for use with a type grip palm grip, implied, with the palm and fingers resting on the shell of the mouse. With its ergonomic shape, it therefore offers little freedom and this point must be taken into account before purchasing.
Of course, notable differences are emerging, starting with the main clicks which seem slightly firmer and therefore more responsive. The wheel, narrower, is adorned with RGB lighting and now has side clicks. It is also a little more discreet and offers a firm and well-marked click.
The side shells are still covered with a very pleasant grooved soft plastic. The one on the left now accommodates 4 buttons that fall under the thumb. Increasing the capabilities of the mouse, they are nevertheless sometimes difficult to discern. We also have two additional buttons on the left of the main click, as we could find on the Kova AIMO.
At last, a last button takes place at the base of the left edge. It can be activated effortlessly using the thumb, but will require a little getting used to so as not to be activated by mistake. A final button is also installed on the back of the wheel while it was absent on the Kone Pro.
Under the mouse, the 19,000 DPI “Owl Eye” optical sensor is still in the game and here it is accompanied by 4 PTFE pads. The connection is limited, meanwhile, to a braided USB cable of about 1.8 meters. The latter is still just as light and flexible, and it will quickly be forgotten.
With 104 grams on the scale, the Kone XP is, on the other hand, not the lightest mouse around. It’s almost 30 grams more than the Kone Pro Air, which was wireless and therefore had to carry a battery as well. We bet that not all gamers are looking for an ultra-light mouse.
Let’s finish by addressing the other real particularity of this new model: its RGB lighting. Roccat has always had a knack for “innovating” in this area and the Kone XP is no exception. In this white livery, the translucent upper shell reveals RGB grooves Of the nicest effect. If this matters to you, you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Roccat has therefore perfected an already excellent recipe with this Roccat Kone XP. We take advantage here of a mouse that is still just as comfortable and which is improving with the arrival of a large number of buttons, intelligently placed. This novelty is nevertheless accompanied by a significant weight gain which must be taken into account.
Roccat Swarm still as complete
We turn again and again to the Roccat Swarm software to configure in detail all aspects of the Kone XP. The interface, still so austere and dated, nevertheless remains particularly complete and offers a plethora of settings to adapt the mouse to the needs of the user.
The sensitivity of the optical sensor can be defined on 5 different levels and the behavior of the sensor can also be modified. There is also a setting for double-click and debounce time. the polling rate can also be modified, but we advise you to leave it at 1000 Hz. Other more or less useful options are also included and make Swarm one of the most complete drivers.
With all its buttons, the Kone XP can logically be effective for many uses. As always, the driver offers the possibility to reassign all buttons with keyboard keys, system shortcuts or even macros. The easy-shift function [+] making it possible to duplicate the allocation of buttons is also included.
Despite the fact that Roccat particularly highlights the singular RGB lighting of the Kone XP, the settings are ultimately quite limited. It will be necessary to be satisfied with 6 “animated” presets which obviously highlight the capacities of the integrated lighting.
Finally, remember that all settings can be saved in profiles. These profiles, which can be saved in the internal memory of the mouse, can also be activated depending on the game or the application in use.
The performance obviously at the rendezvous
The optical sensor that equips the Kone XP no longer has much to prove since it already equipped the Kone Pro. He delivers exemplary performance and will technically be able to go up to a sensitivity of 19,000 DPI. On our side, it was used at a classic setting of 800 DPI, both in game and for office work.
The Kone XP shows itself logically very efficient and cash without flinching accelerations and sudden movements. No stalls to deplore and the tracking is quite precise, allowing you to obtain good sensations in game.
The mouse is, in our opinion, handicapped by its rather high weight, which may disturb those accustomed to lighter models. In the same way, its shape, as ergonomic as it is, does not leave much freedom as to the placement of the hand and its good grip will depend on the preferences of each one.
The different clicks and in particular the two main ones are all generally reactive and therefore allow you to chain actions without any problem. The Roccat Kone XP is once again positioned as a high-performance mouse in every way.
Roccat Kone XP Mouse Price and Availability
The Roccat Kone XP mouse is available at the recommended price of 90 euros on the Roccat site, at Fnac and from other partners.