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Mad Catz R.A.T. 4+ Optical Gaming Mouse $54.50 + $4.99 Delivery (Was $109) @ JB Hi-Fi

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Similar to their gaming headset (https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/mad-catz-f-r-e-q-2-gaming…) they're having a 50% off their gaming mouse also. Not many reviews but from what I've seen it seems to be a decent gaming mouse.

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closed Comments

  • +7

    Highly underrated series of mice imo. Despite it's appearance it's super comfy.

    • +6

      Lol i was going to say that is one ugly mouse

      • +1

        Would buy if wireless

        • +1

          They have wireless versions.

          • @SuBw00FeR: I have a wireless somewhere - not sure if exactly the same model but it looks similar. Was very comfy - I only replaced as I like song and dance leds

    • +4

      100% my R.A.T 7 finally gave up after 7yrs! (only the plastic started getting sticky)
      Most comfy and useful mouse i ever had!

      • +1

        Same here with mine! Unfortunately I spilled coffee on mine so it died an early death, but I do miss it.

        • +1

          You should know.. caffeine and 🐁 don't mix well.

      • My RAT7 had a button stop working after 4 years, which was pretty frustrating as it was a great mouse. Went onto a Corsair mouse that sucked, and now on a Logitech that's too narrow. When my current dies (or I get RSI), I'll go back to a RAT. Very comfy/customisable.

      • Wow.. lucky to get that life out of yours. My R.A.T 7's middle button stopped working and had to move on to a crappy logitech before going to the Razer Naga Trinity.

      • I must have been lucky as used mine daily for work for 3yrs of the time

    • +1

      I hope so! Looks like a transformer half way through pushing one out

    • +4

      Despite it's appearance it's super comfy.

      I strongly disagree, these are as hideously uncomfortable as they look.

      I had the R.A.T. 9 which is the laser sensor, wireless version of this and it was hands-down the most unergonomic gaming mouse I've ever owned (compared to any of the common competitors: Razer Mamba, Razer DeathAdder, Logitech G700/G400/G602/G402).

      The problem is the interchangeable palm rests are all way too high and they cause your palm to slide off the back of the mouse as well as concentrate most of your weight towards the back of the mouse (which is the heaviest part anyway) to the point that the front tends to lift up.

      Most of the swappable parts on the R.A.T. series are complete gimmicks which attach very loosely and give the mouse a flimsy feel, especially the adjustable palm rests that you could slide further out which left a really awkward gap when fully extended (which you need to do unless you have extra small hands) and wobbled when you were moving the mouse around.

      All of the customisability sounds good in theory but it's primarily marketing hype, and I could never find any combination of thumb/palm/pinky rests that actually felt decent for any kind of grip style, whether palm or claw.

      As others have mentioned, their sensors also had weird jitter/tracking issues that made pixel-precise, micro-movements really, really difficult.

      The only good thing about the R.A.T. series mice is the "precision aim button", which is a configurable DPI selector that switches the DPI to a preset sensitivity for as long as the button is held down. It's positioned right next to where your right thumb would be, with the idea being that whenever you're sniping in an FPS, you hold down the precision aim button which drops your DPI right down to something like 300, making it much easier to pull off those micro-movements and line up a difficult head shot, after which you let go of the button and your DPI goes back to normal for all your general purpose running-and-gunning needs.

      It's actually something I wanted to see replicated by Razer, Logitech or Corsair but thus far I don't think any other gaming mouse has done this.

      • +2

        Claw grip bro.

        • whats that

          • @UrbanLegend: Just a particular way people hold their mouse. Hand does a bit of a "claw" grab over the mouse.

      • +3

        My logitech has that feature. G502 I think is the model

        • yep, my G502 has this feature

        • And my G402 has precision aim button, too.

      • Imagine using a claw grip mouse like a palm grip mouse and then complaining about it

        • claw pain and strains me

          any recommendation for a palm grip gaming mouse for FPS with 2 buttons?

        • Imagine using a claw grip mouse like a palm grip mouse and then complaining about it

          Imagine not reading my post and making oblivious assumptions.

          All of the customisability sounds good in theory but it's primarily marketing hype, and I could never find any combination of thumb/palm/pinky rests that actually felt decent for any kind of grip style, whether palm or claw.

      • +1

        We must have had the same batch, because all your technical issues are similar to mine, except mine died after 1 year + 1 month, just out of warranty. Waste of $100+

        100% right about customisability. It's complete gimmick and I never readjusted it again after taking it out of the box.

        The sensor really sucked ass. Wouldn't recommend buying. Looks cool but I wouldn't try that again.

  • Am surprised it's only 90g before cable

    • The higher model RATs have adjustable weights that you can add to it..

  • Decent mouse - thanks OP

    • +8

      Its a r.a.t..

      Not mouse lol

      • l o l, well played

      • +1

        So … cover up your webcam?

        • I see what you did there

  • +1

    If only it was silver…

  • +1

    I've owned the Razer Deathadder and for the last +-5 years the Razer Mamba and I love them but in the 5 years this is my second mamba giving me some dodgy reactions… I've cleaned it better than you would clean a baby's @ss and still the same issue. So I'm considering a change but not sure if this is worth getting or should I look for something a bit better?

    • +4

      If you'd like a high end, Logitech G Pro mouse. It is very light and responsive

      • +1 for G Pro. Simplicity at it's best.

        Don't think I've ever used such a great mouse before…

      • +2

        +1 for logitech, i use the G502 Proteus Spectrum and it's the best mouse ive ever used.

        avoid the R.A.T. series

        • Thanks! Using G502 too, just love it but thinking about trying something else. Guess I will just keep my money for the G Pro upgrade then.

          • @RooBun: im probably gonna upgrade to the G502 wireless tbh

      • Shroud's mouse right?

    • i was tossin between Mamba/viper and G pro wireless

  • +5

    I don't know how they are now, but years ago when working in I.T the R.A.T series had a lot of returns, the other issue is they also liked to repair them rather than replace which meant a longer turn around for the warranty.
    Happy to be told they have changed, as it has been a while since working in the warranty department.

  • Are these any good as a normal mouse?

    • Not sure why you were downvoted, i use gaming mice as normal mice lol.

      I buy them at the same pricepoint as regular mice, so it's not like I am paying a premium.

      and they are more comfortable than most regular mice.

      • i'm not sure either - i know nothing about these products and was thinking about getting one to use a regular mouse.

        • +1

          I used to use logitech as my regular mice and I find they are too small for my hands.

          The main reason people like gaming mice is because is because of click latency and also some of the other functions/buttons.

          BUT, gaming mice still have to fulfill some basic fundamentals, like being comfortable. Good luck playing a game for any length of time with discomfort. They are usually designed ergonomically.

          So what makes them unsuitable for normal use exactly? You can use ALL of the buttons for normal use. The DPI settings are useful in normal circumstances, the forward and back buttons are useful in normal use.

          So yes I think there is nothing strange about using a gaming mouse for normal use. There are only two things someone might find strange, if you pay a premium (these can be very expensive), and perhaps some consider it some kind of taboo (which is stupid).

          I have used regular logitech mice and ummmm these are better at being regular than those lol. I even had a look at the new surface mice being sold in JB Hifi, and without using them, and already know gaming mice would be better for normal use.

          There are some good regular mice that are ergonomic, but guess what…they will cost the same as this mouse or probably even more!

  • Is this a mice or a transformer

  • +5

    I had one of these, worst mouse I ever had, it was actually infuriatingly bad.

    Would jitter on mousepad surfaces, then randomly move the mouse around when stationary. Apparently the optical sensor it had was absolute garbage, my return was exactly the same.

    Ended up getting a cheap logitech mouse and it performed 100x better without any bullshit. Mad Catz aren't known for quality products to be honest.

  • +1

    is dat tranformr

  • +3

    Had a RAT7 but sold it because it wasn't as smooth and quick as the Razers and Logitech.

    • +1

      I second this - I tried a RAT7 back in the day but no matter how I set the drivers/software, I remembered it was noticeably unreliable for quick movements and had a sluggish and inconsistent feel to it. I'm not sure if they ever fixed that through software/firmware. The best mouse I've used was the Alienware TactX (a rebranded Logitech G9x). After many years of service from the TactX and having the switch start to die, I tried to go to the Logitech G502, which was decent but the shape was just not quite right for me so I ended up going with a Roccat Tyon, which I'm quite happy with despite the software being a bit rough around the edges.

      • Loved the Logitech G9x. Pity only had one which got worn out.
        Using the Swiftpoint z now ($100) which has been good.

  • The underside pic makes it looks so cheap.

  • +4

    Downright the worst mouse I have ever used, but I owned one about 6 or 7 years ago when there were huge quality control and RMA issues. I would have no idea if they have improved since then.

    The sensor had an absolutely chronic problem of stuttering and jittering on every concievable type of mousepad/tracking surface and it was just generally not a comfortable mouse, despite being touted as the ultimate in ergonomics. It always seemed to feel awkward under the hand.

    When I used one, I was involved in FPS/E-sports at some of the highest competitive levels in Australia. It failed on me in the final of a tournament and I threw it in the bin after that.

    I have since used Steelseries Sensei and now the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum, and it's the best mouse i've ever used

  • +4

    You guys must be lucky, I went through 2 RATs in 2 years and both times the buttons stopped working. I think it was in 2012 though. Bought a Logitech mouse and never looked back.

  • +2

    I have been using a RAT 9 since 2013 batteries don't last long these days and the dingle is twice the size of the mouse I'd definitly go with the wired versions. Still demands attention looks like a batman mouse…

  • +1

    I thought Mad Catz went bankrupt

    • +1

      Brand names are sold to liquidators to relaunch all the time.

      • Oh, forgot about that lol. I think that’s what happened to atari for example

  • Clicking a Logi G502 right now, really tempting, is it better compared to G502 pls?

    • no, g502 is one of the best ever gaming mice.

  • +1

    Been using the rat mouse for 7 years now. It's awesome but I struggle getting the software to run it now days. Hard to find for my model. It's solid and never missed a beat. It also has a cool sniper button you hold down to temp drop the dpi. Mine was $150 years ago. The braided cable is nice also. Yes I bought it because it was super futuristic

  • +1

    I had one of these, worst mouse I have ever used, felt comfy at first and stopped working quite quick, the software that comes with it is just rubbish. I think I got about 6 months out of it before I threw it away. I was happy it broke and went back to Logitech.

    • Thanks for pointing that out, looks cheaply made.

    • Yeah can't beat logitech imo

  • Have had my RAT 9 wireless for about 10 years. Nothing like it.

  • Can anyone compare this to a Logitech G9x? Their form looks quite similar and I love the G9x's shape.

    • +1

      If you like the G9x, you should probably steer clear of the RAT series mice
      Size-wise they might be similar but performance feels very different

      • Cheers for that. That's a bummer. Got any recommendations for a G9x replacement then?

        • I have tried many mice in the vein attempt to replace my G9X. Personally the closest shape/feel/weight I've found is the Corsair M65 Elite (If you used your G9X previously in fingertip/claw grip). The hump is towards the back, width is the closest you'll find there is even the outer channel on the right side you can rest you finger which I loved about the G9X. Ignore the big red side button, unless you are using palm grip you will never reach for it or bump it. Only complaint I have is the mouse feet are a bit average. Right now I'm using the Cooler Master MM710 but that mouse is a bit too thin but otherwise a decent mouse if you're wanting to try something lighter than the G9X or M65.

          Edit -
          I have a RAT4, the side flex is insane making it feel cheap and mouse feet are tiny and awful

    • As a huge fan of the G9x I can't recommend the Zowie EC2a enough.

      • That looks like a Microsoft Intellimouse.

        • +1

          The Intellimouse was one of the most favoured mice used by professional eSports competitors (especially StarCraft players) for two decades.

          The shape, simplicity and durability were unbeatable.

          Most people don't realise that professional gamers who depend on their mice for a living have never favoured modern-day, 10 million DPI, RGB lighting, 14-macro key monstrosities because of the fact that laser sensors had historically unavoidable acceleration and jitteriness and because they're simply completely unnecessary for most games (not to mention plagued with way too much instability/reliability because of their complexity and their less-than-stellar drivers).

          One of the best professional FPS players of all time, Johnathan Wendel, used either the Microsoft Intellimouse 1.1 or the Intellimouse 3.0 for most of his career.

    • Alienware TactX

  • Buy it up NERDZZZZZZ

  • I think the appearance looks funny, would buy if I wasn't happy with my self-repaired MX Master 2 :)

  • +1

    I have Cyborg R.A.T. 5 since 2011 (it was Cyborg back then). It still works well, precise and comfy. The only issue is the wheel, which became too sensitive.

  • My Tt Commander (refurbished) started acting weird so I ordered this mouse.

    It is the second Tt mouse I have had go funky on me, but both were refurbished.

    Hopefully this brand new Mad CATz one does the trick.

    I'm so bummed because I found the Tt so comfortable. Hopefully this one is too.

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