Review of the Habu

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Well I'm coming from a MX518, and I found it just a little bit too small for my liking(I have big fingers). From the first impressions, the mouse actually felt smaller than the MX518. Then I broke open the packaging and tested the size against the MX, and it is quite a bit larger than the MX.

The mouse buttons are wider as they are separate from the mouse(they can be lifted up by my fingers) making a more natural feel. More of the Razer's Boomslang or Copperhead. Also the wheel is made of a gripped rubber material, and over all feels way more natural compared to most of the other mouse wheels.

The changeable thumb buttons is a good idea, but I figured the original thumb buttons work well enough for me. I really can't comment on the software as it won't detect my mouse. As benplaut said, there's ton of bugged firmware issues so I'm not the only one that is experiencing these problems.

This is more in-depth on the extra buttons and features(light pipe, dpi buttons). The dpi buttons are not placed in a good spot as they require you to move your middle finger or wheel finger off of the wheel and into this little hole. The light pipe is much brighter on the left side compared to the right side, but the wheel is still brighter than them all!!1 The thumb buttons are the real problem for me, as I have a few crucial macros mapped to them(reload, duck, voice chat). They are placed too high and in a very awkward spot because they're trying to follow the Logitech mouse design.

Ok gaming performance and :camera:'s! With the middle finger controlling the wheel only, I have been able to get over 10 extra kills in a round of Counter Strike Source. In COD 2, there's little to no difference. Gmod again has no real gains because I build. Ok, :camera:'s(sorry some of them are blurry as my camera is sh!tty):1<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbar...albums/b299/potato28/habu005.jpg--</a>"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbar...m/albums/b299/potato28/habu005.jpg</a></a>
>2</a>34


Rating: Ergonomics: 9.5
Size: 8
Movement: 10

CLIFFS: Really good mouse
Thumb buttons just a little out of place
Other than that perfect. Hope you like it AT. :D

BIG EDIT! : After the software update from Razer and the firmware update from MS, the software works with the mouse! And it actually works much better once the updated firmware is applied :D
 

benplaut

Senior member
Oct 1, 2006
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go to razerblueprints.com, they have tons of threads in the forum about bugged firmwares :p
Remember: if you don't have lots of pictures, we will shun you.
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
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Originally posted by: benplaut
go to razerblueprints.com, they have tons of threads in the forum about bugged firmwares :p
Remember: if you don't have lots of pictures, we will shun you.

Trust me on this, there will be lots of pictures. I couldn't wait to open it so no box pictures unfortunately :p
 

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
14,264
3
81
With the middle finger controlling the wheel only, I have been able to get over 10 extra kills in a round of Counter Strike Source


What exactly does that mean? Your middle finger doesn't do anything else but control the mouse wheel?

and I found it just a little bit too small for my liking

The MX518, or the Habu? I'm guessing the MX.

Other than that, sounds good :cookie:. I'm considering the Habu for my next mouse.
 

JknowWhat

Senior member
Jan 1, 2003
206
0
0
I was initially considering the MX518 and G5 but now there's the Habu in the mix. I'm coming from a MX700. I can't decide. =( The MX518 has the thumb button and seems to track on more surfaces but doesn't have the snazzy features like laser and the weights. On the other hand, the G5 is missing that thumb button but is supposedly the upgrade with the 2000dpi and has a better grip. Now I have the Habu to consider. At this rate, I'm never going to find the right mouse for me. =P
 

benplaut

Senior member
Oct 1, 2006
229
0
71
we want better pics! :p
also, a set comparing MX518 to Habu would be great. Do you have an intellimouse 3.0 around to compare to?
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: benplaut
we want better pics! :p
also, a set comparing MX518 to Habu would be great. Do you have an intellimouse 3.0 around to compare to?

I don't have my MX anymore :( I sold it to my friend. My camera has a problem of not taking pictures without the flash on... and they usually wash out the look of the mouse.
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
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Originally posted by: Aflac
With the middle finger controlling the wheel only, I have been able to get over 10 extra kills in a round of Counter Strike Source


What exactly does that mean? Your middle finger doesn't do anything else but control the mouse wheel?

and I found it just a little bit too small for my liking

The MX518, or the Habu? I'm guessing the MX.

Other than that, sounds good :cookie:. I'm considering the Habu for my next mouse.

1st question yes :) and second the MX was just too small for my fingers. :)
 

imported_DocHolliday

Senior member
Nov 19, 2004
899
0
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I just bought myself a Habu and I love it so far. I have really large hands and the buttons that came in it are perfect for me. My thumb rests right inbetween them which makes pressing either very easy. Plus it's smooooooth! I've read that some people are having issues w/ it spazzing if you move it too fast, but I've shaken it back and forth as quickly as i can and it tracks perfectly. Def worth my 63 dollars.
 

SEAL62505

Golden Member
Oct 8, 2000
1,764
1
81
I just got mine today from buy.com I didn't intstall any drivers or update firmware since people have been seeing issues with that. Out of the box it is very nice w/o drivers even. Probably feels even slightly better than the IE3.0 because the right button has a slight inward curve to it which feels very nice. I think it was $36 shipped after google checkout and then I will turn in a pricegrabber rebate for another 5 off. Not bad!
 

NightSonic19

Junior Member
Oct 11, 2006
14
0
0
I myself got this mouse on Wednesday. I have to say this mouse is freakin awesome. That's all I have to say really.
 

larciel

Diamond Member
May 23, 2001
4,590
8
81
anybody compare this with old MS explorer 3.0 ?

I just noticed they brought it back after POS 4.0 can't decide between two!
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
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Originally posted by: larciel
anybody compare this with old MS explorer 3.0 ?

I just noticed they brought it back after POS 4.0 can't decide between two!

I don't have the IE 3.0 on call, but the Habu is a bit lower to the ground on the buttons side, but it's a bit higher on the back end. Also it's more ergonomic for righties.
 

imported_DocHolliday

Senior member
Nov 19, 2004
899
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Originally posted by: larciel
anybody compare this with old MS explorer 3.0 ?

I just noticed they brought it back after POS 4.0 can't decide between two!

That's actually the mouse I switched from. I had used the 3.0 from I think... 2002? until now. The mouse is not as tall as the 3.0 and it's just different. That didn't take any time to get used to. The biggest difference for me was in the position of the thumb buttons. They are much lower and your thumbs rest on them as you move the mouse. I have yet to accidently press them when moving the mouse, so don't worry about that. Where movement is concerned, it's just much much smoother and easier to aim. Anyway, if you are currently using the old 3.0 you won't be disappointed with the HABU, I def haven't had any second thoughts about it!
 

IEC

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jun 10, 2004
14,520
5,714
136
I got my MX518 for $30, and it was worth it. My old MS Intellimouse Explorer was going bad and was never really accurate...

It helped me with sniping a bit in games like CS:S but that's simply because I'd hit the limit with the MS mouse...
 

SEAL62505

Golden Member
Oct 8, 2000
1,764
1
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Originally posted by: larciel
anybody compare this with old MS explorer 3.0 ?

I just noticed they brought it back after POS 4.0 can't decide between two!

I had the old ie 3.0 awhile back and I now have the re-release as well. The re-release is better for the improved mousefeet alone. I have also been using the Habu for about a week or so now. I like the curved buttons a lot on the Habu. They are both great mice, but I have only used the Habu for gaming so far (IE3.0 is at work).
 

larciel

Diamond Member
May 23, 2001
4,590
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Originally posted by: RuffRyder1672
Originally posted by: larciel
anybody compare this with old MS explorer 3.0 ?

I just noticed they brought it back after POS 4.0 can't decide between two!

I had the old ie 3.0 awhile back and I now have the re-release as well. The re-release is better for the improved mousefeet alone. I have also been using the Habu for about a week or so now. I like the curved buttons a lot on the Habu. They are both great mice, but I have only used the Habu for gaming so far (IE3.0 is at work).

Yeah I'm eyeing the re-release as well since it's about $25-30 cheaper than haub.

does the performance difference make up for $30 price diff in you mind? only game I play is Counter strike and starcraft.

Tia
 

larciel

Diamond Member
May 23, 2001
4,590
8
81
just got both habu and 3.0

I"m trying 3.0 first and as soon as I plugged it in, it brought back good memories. This mouse is it!!

Although after using G7 at highest sensitivity level I need to get used to this . won't take long I hope.

I just wish MS will bring back Natural Pro keyboard or release Ergonomic 4000 with USB hub built in.

*Just installed HABU. and it does not recognize the mouse with 2.01 DRV. I hear you have to flash it to copperhead..

Hopefully MS will release 2.0 habu. until then this goes back to the store.
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
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Originally posted by: larciel
just got both habu and 3.0

I"m trying 3.0 first and as soon as I plugged it in, it brought back good memories. This mouse is it!!

Although after using G7 at highest sensitivity level I need to get used to this . won't take long I hope.

I just wish MS will bring back Natural Pro keyboard or release Ergonomic 4000 with USB hub built in.

*Just installed HABU. and it does not recognize the mouse with 2.01 DRV. I hear you have to flash it to copperhead..

Hopefully MS will release 2.0 habu. until then this goes back to the store.

Don't upgrade the firmware! Makes it worse! Don't even install the drivers... I installed them and I don't even run them. The mouse works better on its own.
 

larciel

Diamond Member
May 23, 2001
4,590
8
81
I can't seem to find the right dpi setting from default settings.. what are the default settings anyway? 400/800/1600 ?
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
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Originally posted by: larciel
I can't seem to find the right dpi setting from default settings.. what are the default settings anyway? 400/800/1600 ?

I think default is 2000 dpi. I'm not sure about this though.... and what does the little button on the bottom right of the mouse do? Does it reset the mouse's sensor?
 

larciel

Diamond Member
May 23, 2001
4,590
8
81
you should've gotten an extra side button panel. bottom button pops the side panel out. I have no idea why MS included it.. maybe it'll break easily?

 

SEAL62505

Golden Member
Oct 8, 2000
1,764
1
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Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: larciel
I can't seem to find the right dpi setting from default settings.. what are the default settings anyway? 400/800/1600 ?

I think default is 2000 dpi. I'm not sure about this though.... and what does the little button on the bottom right of the mouse do? Does it reset the mouse's sensor?

On the bottom of the mouse the rectangle button is to switch out the side panel with the optional thumb buttons. The circle button is a method to change profile without going into the Habu control panel. After you press the button the glow pipe will flash X number of times depending on which profile you are on. Say you have profile three active and you press the button. It then flashes 4 times to indicate you now are using the fourth profile. I am not too sure if this only works if you have the software installed though...