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If you are a user who prefers more buttons on a mouse, this is a good place to look. I have a couple versions of the G502 and they are really good buys. The latest one (Hero) is not too bad and tracks well, but the scroll wheel was lacking out of the box. Also, I wished it has more usable buttons. I also have a larger sized hand and I felt that I needed to unnecessarily grip the mouse tighter. It always felt too narrow for me. It is hard to even see in side by side photos, but the Kone XP is noticeably larger feeling in the hand than the G502.
I also liked the HyperX Pulsefire Raid form factor and it was not too bad overall. I actually had this prior to the G502 Hero noted above which replaced this one. I really liked the feel of that mouse in my hand and it was slightly wider than the G502. However, that died only after a year of light service and I am turned off from it.
By chance, I came across the Roccat Kone XP. I looked at it and it reminded me of a blend of the G502 and the Pulsefire Raid. Instantly, I was interested and the reviews were good and I decided to buy and try. Glad that I did.
First off, all the bling lights and such I don't really care about it. I would happily buy a version that was cheaper that had none of it and maybe even weighed a little less. Unfortunately, that stuff is considered a standard now. Speaking of weight, for me the mouse is not too heavy, but I would be happier if it was a bit less. Not a con, just a wish.
The first impression I had was shockingly positive after I plugged in the mouse and loaded the software. I happened to have the G502 Hero still plugged in and I instantly liked the tracking feel of the Kone more. No question. It just felt smoother and more accurate. I am running an older system and monitor and the difference was pretty darn noticeable. The only way I can describe the difference to me is that the Kone stops when I stop and the Hero G502 had the itty bitty bit of a delay. Now when I first used the G502, it was a really good feeling upgrade from the Pulsefire Raid and felt that itty bitty better. The Kone from the G502 felt like a similar upgrade. Then having them side by side, I was really intrigued by the difference in a good way.
Regarding the software, I generally only use it to set the DPI and rebind the clicks. All that is pretty easy and straightforward especially if you have used similar software before.
One thing that also makes the Kone XP standout is the thumb button for the right hand where your thumb sits. This is another big selling point for me since I need more buttons on my mouse. Despite the location and tactile feel (required pressure is just right to be easy to press without pressing accidently) being perfect, it opens up the mouse to becoming easily an 21 to 22 button mouse. You can use that thumb button as just a button, which would work fine, or you can use it as sort of a mouse isolated shift key. So by clicking the thumb button you can assign other keys to the mouse buttons you can reach. Clearly this is not all of them like the thumb buttons. However, you could easily use the thumb button and the right and left mouse buttons. Also the buttons next to the left mouse button are pretty easy to click while using the thumb button. The mouse wheel button are also doable, but probably not in the middle of a FPS firefight, but I think that would be user specific ( I find mouse tilt right the easiest of them all, but all are usable). Lastly, you could reach DPI button too for utility things.
As noted above, I have a fairly large hand. This mouse fits me very well. I don't feel as if I need to death grip this mouse to feel in control as I do with the G502. The G502 makes my hand tired to be honest. This mouse, despite looking almost the same shape as G502, feels much more comfortable for me to hold for short and long durations.
The four thumb buttons are very similar to the design as what was on the Pulsefire Raid. To my memory, they feel very similar too in location and feel. I have a big thumb and in the heat of battle, they are not easy for me to hit, but I am generally used to them. I rarely mis-click a button. This is not a con or a slight against the mouse. I am glad there are four instead of two.
One often overlooked item of a mouse that can drive you bonkers is the mouse cord. I don't do wireless because I always had interference issues with them in the past so I stick with cords for gaming. I am pleased to say that this cord is great and has very little cord tension/resistance if you move the mouse up and it begins bending while touching something. It is there and you can feel it, but much less than other mice I have used in the past including the G502.
Overall, this is a really good mouse for those who want solid tracking performance in a mouse that has more than the typical amount of buttons. It feels well made and I think the current $89 is a bit steep in comparison to the corded G502 you can get for $33. However, the Kone XP in my opinion is worth it if you can swing the premium price. It is a better mouse in almost every way.
| Brand | ROCCAT |
|---|---|
| Series | Kone XP Black |
| Item model number | ROC-11-420-01 |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Operating System | Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows 11, Windows 10 |
| Item Weight | 3.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 2.2 x 5.2 x 7.24 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 2.2 x 5.2 x 7.24 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Manufacturer | ROCCAT |
| ASIN | B09SMVG4ZW |
| Date First Available | February 23, 2022 |
