The bread and butter of every PC gamer are keyboards and mice. Where keyboards function as modern hieroglyphic input devices, the mouse has evolved from basic ‘point and clicker’ to the increasingly fancy types of gaming mice we see today: RGB lighting, dedicated side buttons, wireless robotic chic, the spectrum is undeniably impressive. With extra bits of pretty plastic comes a heftier price tag, but what if you’re after something basic that’s still stylish and won’t burn a hole in your pocket? Welcome friend, the HyperX Pulsefire FPS Gaming Mouse is here to provide you with a quick and affordable solution.
Deceptively lightweight
One thing that caught my attention right away was how large the Pulsefire FPS was. If you’re more closely acquainted with generic, brandless computer mice, the expansive body area may surprise you. It spans 13 cm from top to bottom, and is 7.1 cm wide, so it does take some adjusting to (it took me a good twenty minutes). Despite its size, the Pulsefire FPS is an extremely cosy bantamweight division peripheral that weighs a miniscule 95 g. The weight of a mouse is often overlooked in favour of response times and higher DPI range, but common sense says lighter models allow quicker movements (especially in intense action games), and studies suggest weight has an important link with reducing muscular expenditure.
A strength of the HyperX Pulsefire’s design is definitely its angular, ‘endless’ left and right mouse button architecture; rather than sloping downwards completely, the plastic juts out, leaving your index and middle fingers with greater breathing space and freedom to sit naturally. It’s a tiny difference, but feels far less straining when used for multiple hours when compared to mice that slope downwards into a joint, rounded shape. This ergonomic combination of features secured the HyperX Pulsefire a Red Dot Product Design Award. Well deserved, indeed.
Fingers on the Pulsefire
Function wise, there’s no complex software or dedicated profile setups ala the SteelSeries Sensei range. This is plug and play at its finest. On the left hand side, you’ll see two plastic navigation buttons. The top button functions as ‘forward’ shortcut, while the bottom lets you go back. It’s a fairly standard feature, but it does save you from punching backspace or dragging your cursor all the way to the top of the screen just to access an earlier page. Both buttons are located in a convenient spot and are very easily accessed with your thumb.
Each side is complete with textured rubber padding for satisfying non-slip grip. Unlike the select textured keycaps used in the HyperX Alloy FPS keyboard, these grooves are internal; this ensures maximum comfort, protects against sweat build up, and is much smoother and gentler on your fingers. And though the left and right mouse buttons are comprised of harder plastic, the free-flowing architecture is a smart compromise. The braided, 1.8 m cable length completes the package for unrestricted movement and guarantees your baby won’t get its wires fried any time soon.
The HyperX Pulsefire responds quickly and accurately to user input, holding true to its promised 1000hz polling rate. Compared to my embarrassingly typical supermarket mouse, the cursor zips across the screen in fluid, precise swirls that an impart effortless sense of control, and I was internally grateful at the complete absence of jerky, erratic swipes.
More than skin deep
There’s nothing extravagant about the HyperX Pulsefire. Its wholesome, black and red colour scheme is modest. The barest hints of pizzazz manifest in the angular cut left and right mouse buttons, and of course, the red LED illumination. Red lights up the scroll wheel and HyperX logo in the back, adding a splash of colour to signify life. Paired up with the HyperX Fury S Pro Gaming Mousepad, its a picture of rudimentary elegance.
The matching aesthetics of the HyperX Fury S present just enough temptation to add it to the cart, and indeed, resistance is futile. This pad comes in four different sizes (and price ranges) which use anti-fry cloth (a must) that maintains a soft uniform distribution. Forget harsh, unloved fabric that makes you ditch the mouse pad and reach for the bench in relief, the HyperX Fury S gives your mouse of choice a genuinely comfortable, stable space to roam.
Keep in mind this is a pro gaming mouse pad range, and does consume more desk space, which is both a pro and a con. For crowded work areas, your best bet is the small (290 mm x 240 mm). On the flip side, the breadth of the largest option (900 mm x 420 mm) supports multiple controllers and/or phones that you’ll never have to leave grazing against wood or stone again. The option of different sizes demonstrates Kingston’s keen awareness of customer needs, which ultimately benefits gamers from all walks of life.
Underneath, the HyperX Fury S a gorgeous, rubber tessellation that is a true bastion of stability. Not once in my testing did it slip. Kingston excels in this department, although the trade-off is that its prone to gathering dust and isn’t waterproof like the SteelSeries Dex. One thing I really loved about the HyperX Fury S is its ability to be rolled up burrito-style for transportation, and miraculously assume a flat, bump-free shape when rolled out again. Not only is it woven with durable, anti-fry cloth, its precision engineering means it won’t be curling up into awkward configurations that demand constant flattening.
Conclusion
For an everyday, bread and butter peripheral, the HyperX Pulsefire FPS exceeds expectations. Prioritising comfort and precision, it forgoes extravagant bells and whistles for a basic mouse you can depend upon. A great introduction from Kingston. It’s available for $49.99 USD through Amazon, Newegg, eBay and BestBuy. If you’re sold on the Pulsefire, definitely treat yourself with the HyperX Fury S mousepad for an ultra comfortable gaming experience. Depending on your size selection, it won’t bump up the price too much and has everything you need. You can pick one up via Amazon.
Disclosure: Samples were provided for review.
