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OCZ Behemoth mouse review

OCZ Behemoth mouse review

Massive options

profileOn the software side, OCZ includes a Behemoth configuration tool that requires no installation. The executable is a standalone application and its settings are stored within the mouse’s onboard memory for unrivaled portability. The software also allows you to create a library of stored profiles. You can save settings as profiles in your library, save your current mouse settings as a profile in the library, or push new settings directly to the mouse without saving them anywhere.

New functionality can be assigned to every button and scrollwheel axis the Behemoth offers save for the left mouse button. Button reassignment is robust and includes options for keyboard macros, multimedia keys (play, stop, pause, etc.), scripting, DPI changes, or disabling the button. The mouse (and keyboard) can also be assigned a “Keepshot” which allows you to auto-fire in fast, medium or slow rates with a single button.

config

Keepshot options range from 1-254, while selecting 255 will make the key press loop continuously. The mouse’s “fast” keepshot setting is defined as 30 times per second, while the keyboard’s “fast” setting is 15/second. Medium is 15/second and 10/second, respectively, while slow is 6/second for both keyboard and mouse.

As mentioned, the buttons can all be remapped to run one of six scripts, though scripts five and six can be twice as big as the first four. Assigning a script for the first time takes you to an editor that records keystrokes to serve as the script. The timing of the keystrokes can be recited as recorded or executed with pre-set delays. The script can also be configured to fire once, loop until pressed again, or keep firing, which will loop it as long as the user holds the button down.

The underside of the Behemoth where the profile button lives.

The underside of the Behemoth, home of the profile button.

The middle, forward and back buttons can also accept “macro” functions in addition to the scripts, though the macros appear identical to scripts aside from the shorter character limit. Mouse wheel assignments are limited to keyboard keys, other mouse buttons, or disabled.

Clicking on “configuration” in the profile section will permit you to set the number of switchable DPI settings from one to four; this section also allows you to change what DPI those settings represent. By default, level one is 800 DPI, then 1600, 2400, and 3200 DPI for level 4. The same screen also allows you to change the USB polling interval, which can be set at 125MHz, 250, 500, or 1,000MHz.

When experimenting, remember that the mouse technically has four stored profiles: Default, 1, 2, and 3. No matter what you set in the Behemoth control application, nothing will happen with the mouse until you cycle to your profile with the toggle on the bottom of the Behemoth. Your active profile is indicated on the forward and back buttons: forward lit corresponds with profile 1, back with profile 2, and both with profile 3. Unlit means default mouse actions all around. Similarly, the Behemoth’s current DPI is displayed by lights next to the DPI selector on the top of the mouse: Unlit represents setting one, while three lights represents setting four.

Testing

Attractive retail packaging.

Attractive retail packaging.

I was impressed with the Behemoth’s form and function in my two weeks of testing. The 3200 DPI is plenty responsive for all but the twitchiest of gamers, and the 1,000MHz USB polling rate means very quick response times. The rubberized grip was comfortable in practice and wasn’t prone to collecting hand sweat. The Behemoth’s buttons were all well placed, though I did notice that the left and right mouse buttons are tougher to click than other gaming mice. After several gaming sessions, however, I cannot say that resistance has bothered me any.

The Behemoth’s ergonomics felt unnatural at first, as I felt the full-palm grip would work my wrist more than other mice that only require my fingertips. My acclimation period was brief, however, and now I realize how hard it is to go back to narrower mice. It feels very natural to place your entire hand on the mouse, and while it might encourage you to rest your arm on your mousing surface, movement isn’t any more difficult if that happens.

The Razers are pretty and certainly capable, but I think the Behemoth might be my primary mouse for the near future.

Final thoughts

If I could nitpick at one flaw with the Behemoth, it would be the location of the profile selection button. Located on the bottom of the mouse, this button is inconvenient. I believe the mouse would still be comfortable if this switch were located in a finger groove for easy access. Still, the ability to switch between profiles on the fly is more convenient than many mice, and having profiles at all is clearly a win.

In all, the Behemoth is a comfortable, wonderfully ergonomic mouse with a very robust button reassignment scheme. With onboard profile storage and a self-contained configuration tool, this mouse is truly portable. The 3200 DPI is plenty snappy for almost any user, and configurable weights give you more control in matching your mouse to your mousing style. At no more than $30 online, this mouse is a damn steal (the Behemoth mousepads are also recommended). OCZ has put out a real winner with the Behemoth, and I’ll happily recommend this piece of kit to anyone.

ic_golden_200.jpgPros:

  • Ergonomic
  • Multiple profiles
  • Onboard storage
  • Variable weighting
  • Inexpensive
  • Portable configuration tool

Cons:

  • Profile switch button location

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Comments

  1. Annes
    Annes Excellent writeup, Snarky. I think I'm just about sold on one of these.
  2. Linc
    Linc Yeah, I think I'd appreciate a larger mouse. My G5 doesn't fit my hand very well. Nice writeup, Lord of the Peripheral!
  3. Cliff_Forster
    Cliff_Forster Wow, for $25 its appears to be a practical no brainer. Good review.
  4. chrisWhite
    chrisWhite I love people who share my gadget fetish. You have no idea how much I've spent on Mice over the years (I've bought THREE MX Revolutions...)
  5. Snarkasm
    Snarkasm I currently have four Razer, two Logitech, and now one OCZ mouse, along with a Razer keyboard, two Logi keyboards, a simple generic one, and a specialty gaming keypad.

    I can't help it, something just draws me to them. I think I'm going to grab the Logi G19 when it comes out, and likely the Razer Mamba. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.... :D

    The Behemoth is an incredible steal and a fantastic mouse. I don't think I can say enough about it. Highly, highly, highly recommended.
  6. chrisWhite
    chrisWhite Ha, my current setup is my Revolution for my laptop and general work mouse, my G7 for gaming, keyboard is the diNova Edge—which I love and paid way too much for—plus I have a wireless numpad, a Contour Shuttle Pro and a Space Navigator. I love the Revolution mice but they're just too slow for gaming (particularly the click speed of all things) and I'm reasonably happy with the G7. Actually, shockingly, my favorite gaming mouse is actually the HP terrible mice included with their workstations, so light and fast. I should hate them but I don't
  7. Mochan
    Mochan I've always hated Logitech mice. They never handle properly, I begin to suck at FPS deathmatches whenever I use Logitech mice. The OCZ Behemoth looks too big for me; I like smaller, light mice that really let me aim properly.

    I have a bit of a peripheral fetish too, I have 4 mice on me right now, 2 Logitech and 2 A4 Tech (a largely unknown brand that IMO has better mice than Logitech). I always fall for Logitech though because their packaging is so sweet. Even if functionally they are not my thing.

    I also have 4 keyboards one normal one, 2 Logitechs, 1 A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard and 1 Belkin N52 TE -- which I should also review. I couldn't really get into theBelkin, though, cool and geeky as it was. It just didn't have enough buttons; as someone who's been playing FPS for more than a decade certain controls had been hard-wired into my muscle memory and using 1,2,3 and 4 keys for switching weapons was one of them; this was the Achilles heel of the Nostromo N52.

    I see Chris you have a Dinovo; I didn't get the Edge, but I got the Mini, because I needed a small keyboard for home theatre use. I must say, it's rpetty shoddy and way overpriced, but it's pretty cool. It's not totally usable though; it powers out way too much and it takes too long for bluetooth to reconnect from sleep mode. Overall I guess I'm not happy with Logitech; they are an overhyped brand for all their peripherals except their speakers, IMO.
  8. NiGHTS
    NiGHTS
    Mochan wrote:
    I also have 4 keyboards one normal one, 2 Logitechs, 1 A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard and 1 Belkin N52 TE -- which I should also review. I couldn't really get into theBelkin, though, cool and geeky as it was. It just didn't have enough buttons; as someone who's been playing FPS for more than a decade certain controls had been hard-wired into my muscle memory and using 1,2,3 and 4 keys for switching weapons was one of them; this was the Achilles heel of the Nostromo N52.

    I don't buy that. There are 20 buttons on the face of it with the ability to scroll through 3 key settings. That's 60 buttons.

    I set up the d-pad to do my weapon switching - try that.
  9. Mochan
    Mochan I tried the d-pad but it wasn't responsive enough to really fit the bill, but I suppose that's just me. I wasn't able to really adapt to it. I tried, for two weeks, but I suppose it just wasn't for me. Just an extra 4 buttons on top of the WASD would have made it perfect.
  10. Snarkasm
    Snarkasm
    Mochan wrote:
    The OCZ Behemoth looks too big for me; I like smaller, light mice that really let me aim properly.

    You can take the weights out of the it and get quite a light mouse. Moreover, with greater surface area contact with the mouse, you actually have more control over how it moves. My movements feel much more secure with the Behemoth than they do with a standard two-button where my fingers fall off the side.

    I've wanted to try the Belkin, the Logi coming-soon-equivalent (G13), or similar pads for a while, but they always seem a little too expensive for what they are, and just another thing to clutter my desk. I do all right with my keyboard for now, though.
  11. PatrickMoorhead
    PatrickMoorhead I got a lot of geek gadgets for Christmas, but ironically, I got most excited about a Logitech illuminated keyboard. I was almost, almost embarrassed to get into a keyboard that much.

    But, then again, you are using it almost 100% of the time, so I guess keyboards are "exciting." :) See, men can rationalize so much!
  12. BuddyJ
    BuddyJ That makes total sense.
  13. Leonardo
    Leonardo Can you overclock it?

    Next!
  14. Snarkasm
    Snarkasm
    Leonardo wrote:
    Can you overclock it?

    Yes.








    If by overclock you mean "raise DPI sensitivity." For a mouse, that's pretty much what overclocking relates to! ;D
  15. chrisWhite
    chrisWhite Hmm, never had any trouble with the Logitech keyboard, it's always connected and I love the feel of it. That said, it's way overpriced like you mentioned. I think Logitech realized it too since they now have that other keyboard that looks extremely similar at a much lower price.

    I think Logitech is overrated, I've loved their mice but sometimes they suck, their drivers really suck and that ****ing batter issue with the Revolution just kills me. I've had three Revolutions die on me, the last one I was smart enough to keep the receipt and return it for one that actually seems perfect.

    The SpacePilot Pro is my current wet dream gadget. $10 says the drivers still blow on it though. $20 says I buy the damn thing at SIGGRAPH.

    20090422-d443exh77fbcaxwutd7s1i1pfi.jpg

    I'd kill for it to work in games like Sins of a Solar Empire or any similar game and I'd love to try it in an FPS, so precise.
  16. Cliff_Forster
    Cliff_Forster Day 2 using my Behemoth, Day 1, took some getting used to, I just thought it felt wrong, but now that I have a few hours on it, its starting to feel very natural. I wish the side forward/back button was a little better made, but otherwise its very nice.

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