The Asus ROG chakram has a lot of features making it a great gaming mouse. But, its hefty price tag overshadows its excellent performance.
Asus is known for its “Republic of Gamers” peripherals. The Asus ROG Chakram is one of the latest products in its ROG lineup. But, as expected of gaming peripherals, it is coupled with a questionable pricetag.
There is no doubt that Asus produces top-tier products ranging from mouses, keyboards, and even gaming monitors. However, it seems like the company is using its name to charge higher than what a product should have.
With that being said, here is a quick look at the Asus ROG Chakram and if it is worth the price tag.
Design and build quality
The Asus ROG Chakram has a simple design when viewed on top. It has a textured finish with the ROG logo on top. The size is perfect for users with a medium-size hand.
The mouse buttons feel rigid and tactile while the scroll wheel moves smoothly. There are two macro buttons located on the left side.
Asus did not disclose the mouse sensor but it can go up to 16,000 DPI. It remains accurate at 400 inches per second. It is not a record-breaking feature. But, it is nice to have considering that the device is wireless.
However, the magic lies on its side where Asus tries to mix a classic joystick and a modern gaming mouse.
The left side of the mouse houses an analog joystick for added input when gaming. It can be pushed up, down, and sideways for movement.
There is software available to customize the joystick macros. It is not exclusively used for gaming. The joystick may also be used to scroll through web pages and other functions.
On the bottom part of the mouse lies the power switch, DPI selection, and the Bluetooth pairing option.
Easily swappable parts
Another thing that differentiates the Chakram from other devices is the swappable parts. This mouse has mechanical switches that can be replaced by removing the right and left mouse cover.
Asus includes two switches in the box. There are blue dot switches and grey dot switches available for use. It depends on the user’s preference on what switch to install.
The main difference between the two switches is the feel. Using the blue switches give a springier feeling. Meanwhile, the grey switches are stiffer but feel more durable. The blue switches are quieter though.
Despite these differences, it is not as significant as switches found on mechanical keyboards—it is barely noticeable.
The advantage of having hot-swappable switches is for better longevity. Once the user feels like the switches are worn out, it is easy to pop off the old switch and replace it with a new one.
How does it perform?
Spec sheet comparison between the Chakram shows how imbalanced the price to performance ratio is.
It has a similar DPI and acceleration speed as the Roccat Kain. However, Roccat is more affordable than the Chakram.
In terms of price, it is better to compare it to the Razer Basilisk Ultimate. But, the Razer mouse has 20,000DPI and 650 inches per second acceleration. This makes the Chakram fall behind in specs.
Nevertheless, specs sheets do not define performance. What this comparison says is the ROG Chakram does not provide the best value.
Performance-wise, it works really well. Tracking through FPS games feel smooth. There are no hiccups experienced while playing.
It is highly recommended to use the 2.4Ghz wireless mode for better connectivity.
Battery life is great with the Chakram if used through the Bluetooth mode. However, there are downsides to this. The analog stick will not work through Bluetooth. It is only activated if the connection is done through the 2.4GHz dongle.
The Chakram may last up to 12-hours through the dongle. It is not bad considering that charging it will not take much time either.
Is the Asus ROG Chakram worth it?
For those who play games that take advantage of the analog joystick, the Asus ROG Chakram is definitely worth it.
However, there are gamers who prefer devices with great value. The ROG Chakram is not that mouse. The Razer Basilisk or the Logitech G502 Lightspeed are better options.
Despite having excellent features, great joystick, hot-swappable keys, it is on the pricey side. For US$160 [AU$233], there are mouses out there that have the same specs or better, But without the joystick.
Images used courtesy of ASUS ROG Chakram