Asus may not be known for its peripherals, but that doesn't mean that the company isn't good at making them. Today, Asus announced the availability of its ROG Gladius gaming mouse, which stands out with a handful of distinguishing features.
As far as the basics go, the Gladius is a right-handed gaming mouse with six programmable switches and a 6400 DPI optical sensor. It can track at up to 200 inches per second and accelerate accurately up to 50 Gs. The lift-off distance is set at 1.5 mm. The top of the mouse comes with a sweat-deterring coating, and the right and left sides are covered with rubber grip pads.
The front left and right switches are made by Omron, and best of all, they're replaceable. The mouse comes with two additional Omron switches that have a different tactile feel, allowing you to choose which switch you prefer. You can also use aftermarket switches if you're able to get your hands on some.
Also included with the mouse are two USB cables. One of the cables is a braided cable; the other is a standard rubber cable, which is a highly welcome addition. They connect to the mouse through a micro-USB interface, and don't worry, it is lockable to ensure it doesn't become detached while gaming.
The good stuff doesn't end there though. If you've ever owned a mouse for a long time, you may have noticed the slippy pads start to wear out. Asus included an extra set of pads, although you should be careful not to lose them. Consider keeping all the accessories in the carrying pouch that comes with the mouse.
We've seen other customizable mice in the past, but the details that you could customize were quite different and arguably less important. For users to be able to change to a non-braided cable that won't get trapped behind course surfaces and use a different switch type isn't something we've seen before, and we warmly welcome it.
The ROG Gladius gaming mouse is available immediately through select retailers with an MSRP of $69.
Follow Niels Broekhuijsen @NBroekhuijsen. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
