Free yourself from USB tethers with the ROG Gladius II Wireless gaming mouse
The ROG Gladius II Wireless gaming mouse debuts at Computex 2018. Borne from the same design as the Gladius II Origin, its development was heavily influenced by esports pros and brings pervasive comfort with wide scope for customization. The new variant homes in on gamers seeking familiar comforts in an untethered package, but making the Gladius II wireless took more than just severing the ties that bind. We bolstered the change with complementary tweaks, upgrading key internal components to better match the Gladius II’s newfound status as a wireless mouse, and modifying aspects of the design to keep things balanced.
I want to break free
Going wireless offers a freedom of movement that just isn’t possible when your mouse is physically tethered to your PC, but it’s hard to beat the plug and play nature of a wired connection. For flexibility and convenience, the Gladius is equipped with multiple ways to connect to your computers.
The first is via regular RF, which operates on the 2.4GHz frequency with long range up to a maximum of 300 feet under ideal conditions. You can also use Bluetooth, which has a shorter range but works with the integrated Bluetooth available in most laptops. Between the two, you can connect the mouse to almost any laptop or PC, even if you forget the RF dongle or manage to lose it. A dedicated button allows you to switch between modes quickly and easily, and you can always plug in with the charging cable if the battery is low. The Gladius II is wireless only when you want it to be, so you can game without hassle, even while the mouse is charging in USB mode.
We made some changes under the hood to compensate for the lack of wired power. The first step was to upgrade the optical sensor to Pixart’s fourth generation PMW3390, which offers impeccable tracking and extends the maximum DPI to an insane 16,000. However, our engineers noticed the sensor wasn’t as power-efficient as it could be, so they worked with Pixart to implement changes that preserve battery life. These tweaks are now part of Pixart's firmware, so all mice that use the sensor can benefit from ROG expertise. To accompany the sensor, we added a newer MCU that improves power efficiency and addresses some complaints about the older MCU in our Spatha wireless gaming mouse.
The balance of power
While a bigger battery means you can go longer between charges, it also means a heavier mouse. After considering multiple capacities, we opted for an 800-mAh unit, which we positioned in the center of the mouse to avoid throwing off the balance. We went through multiple iterations of the internal battery mount as we found ways to shave material and keep the weight as low as possible.
In order to squeeze more juice out of a single charge, we reduced the number of RGB LEDs that consume power, eliminating the light ring on the bottom of the Gladius II. Because Aura Sync is awesome, we kept two distinct zones, so you can still customize the scroll wheel and the ROG logo on the back, and match the colors and effects with the rest of your system.
Thanks to our efforts, the Gladius II Wireless is just 20g heavier than its wired counterpart despite having more than enough stamina for even your longest gaming sessions. It’s rated for a full 24 hours of play with the lighting turned off, so you don’t need to worry about your mouse dying mid-way through an important match. Once the battery is finally spent, drop anchor and connect the charging cable. The USB cable doubles as a power source for the mouse, which switches to wired mode automatically when you connect it.
The legacy continues
When it comes to physical control, the Gladius II Wireless takes cues from its wired sibling. You get the same comfortable design suitable for any grip style, with Mayan-inspired textures on the mouse wheel and left thumb area to firm up your hold and add some aesthetic flair.
The main buttons on a mouse endure relentless punishment, especially in MOBA games that require a lot of clicks per session. The Gladius II uses durable Omron D2FC-F-K switches that can withstand 50 million clicks to maintain a sharp sense of precision for years of typical play. It’s also inherits the push-fit switch socket familiar from other ROG gaming mice, so you can replace the switches if you don’t like the feel of the ones in the box. Swapping switches allows you to tailor the resistance, tactile feedback, and travel to suit your personal tastes.
Look Ma, no wires!
The ROG Gladius II Wireless is based on the same DNA as the wired version, but we made some thoughtful changes to match its new wireless capabilities. With a comfortable design and a battery that can last all day and all night, it’s primed for marathon gaming sessions and travels well thanks to the ability to connect via Bluetooth or RF. Look for the Gladius II Wireless on shelves in Q3, and check with your local ROG representative for specifics on availability and pricing in your region.
Be sure to check here first for our many other Computex 2018 product announcements. Skip over to this article for a summary covering the entire scope of announcements.
