HyperX Pulsefire FPS review: Aim or twitch, the end will always be a frag

HyperX Pulsefire FPS review: Aim or twitch, the end will always be a frag
Rating

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston, is well known for its high-quality RAM, flash memory sticks, and gaming headsets. We've also seen them design and create a mechanical keyboard recently, but we've never seen a gaming mouse coming out of their factories. Things have changed for the better and this spring the company did that too. The first gaming mouse bearing the HyperX logo is called HyperX Pulsefire FPS, and it is a device that is designed for players who like first person shooters. We received this mouse for testing, alongside the extra large version of the HyperX Fury S Pro gaming mousepad. If you want our opinion about these two gaming accessories, read this review:

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Unboxing the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse comes in a cardboard box printed in black and red shades. The packaging has a matte silky finish all around, but every picture of the mouse is glossy, making it stand out. The front side of the box tells you that the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse is a "precise optical mouse designed for first-person shooters."

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

On the back and the sides of the box, you can see the contents of the package and the main features of the mouse.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

Slide the inner box and open it. You'll find the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse sitting on top of a plastic tray, just like a watch.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

Take everything out, and you should find the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse, a printed quick start guide and a welcome note.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The unboxing experience is enjoyable, and the mouse looks very good on a first impression.

Hardware specifications

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS is a right-handed gaming mouse that uses a Pixart PMW3310 sensor with a tracking resolution of up to 3200 dpi. It can reach a maximum speed of 130 inches per second and an acceleration of 30g.

The mouse has a total of 6 buttons: left and right-click buttons, two side buttons, the scroll wheel which acts as a third mouse button, and the DPI switch on the back of the mouse.

Both the left and right-click mouse buttons use Omron switches which should last for about 20 million clicks. If you want an estimate on how much this means in years of use, read this article: How long are millions of keystrokes and clicks, in years?.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse has a polling rate of 1000Hz and connects to your computer via a USB 2.0 plug that's found at the end of a braided cable with a length of 70.8 inches (1.8 meters).

It has a medium size of 5.02 x 1.65 x 2.79 inches (127.54 x 41.91 x 71.07 mm) in length, height and width, and is very light, having a weight of only 3.35 ounces (95 grams) without the cable and 4.23 ounces (120 grams) with the cable included.

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse has a red backlight on its scroll wheel and the HyperX logo found on its rear end. The DPI switch is also backlit in four different colors, depending on the tracking resolution set.

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse is officially compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. However, it should work with any other modern operating system.

If you'd like to check all the hardware specifications for the HyperX Pulsefire FPS, visit its official web page: HyperX Pulsefire FPS.

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Using the HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse is a device designed to appeal to gamers who love to play first person shooters. To meet the demands and expectations of this particular group of players, the Pulsefire FPS offers a high-performance optical sensor and a very light body.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The mouse is designed to be ergonomic and comfortable, and we can attest to that. However, you must be warned that its shape fits well in your hand only if you are right-handed. The back of the mouse is higher to the left than to the right, and its left side is slightly more vertical than the right. Unfortunately, if you are a leftie, you should probably look elsewhere, as the HyperX Pulsefire FPS doesn't have a left-hand version.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The right-hand adaptation of the HyperX Pulsefire FPS and its average size and height make it ideal for gamers with regular to large sized hands and a preference for a palm or claw mouse grip. This is the pattern that you will identify if you are looking at the vast majority of gamers who usually play first person shooters. I like the palm grip over anything else like finger or claw grip.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

Another ingredient that recommends the HyperX Pulsefire FPS to players who like FPS games are the two large slip-resistant textured grips that are placed on both sides of the mouse. They provide you with excellent grip and don't let the mouse fall from your hand when you lift it.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

Both the left and the right-click mouse buttons have a sharp click sound when you press them, but their feedback feels just right. The same applies to the two side buttons that are found on the left of the mouse, right where the rubber grip ends. I must point out that these two buttons have an excellent position - a position which makes them very easy to find and press when you want to, but very hard to accidentally press when you don't want to.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The scroll wheel is covered in a rubbery material. It is lit in bright red, a color which you cannot change or disable. The scroll wheel is easy to rotate and so silent that you almost can't hear it unless you are paying attention. However, when you use it as the third mouse button, meaning when you press it, it clicks just as loud as the left and right-click mouse buttons.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

On the center of the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse, on the back of the scroll wheel and to the middle of your palm, sits the DPI switch. Each time you press it, the mouse changes its optical sensor tracking speed to the next preset level. There are four DPI presets which you can use on the HyperX Pulsefire FPS: 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 dpi. When the DPI is set to 400, the switch LED light is white. If it is set at 800 dpi, it is red, at 1600 dpi is blue, while at 3200 dpi it is green.

There's also one other backlit area on the mouse: the HyperX logo from the rear end, which lights up in bright red. Like the scroll wheel, this light cannot be changed or turned off.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

Even if you have a very bad mousepad or no mousepad at all, the HyperX Pulsefire FPS will do well when it comes to "gliding." If you turn the mouse upside down, you can see why it performs well: it has two large silicon pads that keep it from stumbling and help it "glide" on your mousepad. It is pretty great if you are playing shooters and need to move and shoot non-stop.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

Unfortunately, if you're going to use the HyperX Pulsefire FPS mouse for extended gaming sessions and you have sweaty hands, you might find it a bit uncomfortable after a while. That's because, except for its side grips, it's made entirely of plastic. A rubber coating would have helped against the unpleasant sensation you get from your sweaty hand sitting on a plastic surface.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

While I had this mouse for testing, I used it for both work and leisure. Suffice to say that in office work and while browsing the internet, it's a mouse like any other but with a much higher degree of comfort. When it comes to the games I like to play; it performed very well. At the moment, the games I play most are League of Legends, Dishonored 2, and Styx: Shards of Darkness. In all these games, the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse was outstanding. Moving stealthily and choking or assassinating opponents is just as easy as farming minions. The mouse grips well and it doesn't tire my hand even after long hours of play. If only we could play all night and never have to sleep. 🙂

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS is an exceptional mouse with a robust, simple design, which fits perfectly in your hand. Its tracking precision can make the difference between a kill and a miss. The mouse is an excellent choice if you are right-handed and you like first person games and other types of faced-paced games.

The HyperX Fury S Pro XL gaming mousepad

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse didn't come alone for tests. We also received the HyperX Fury S Pro XL gaming mousepad with it. It's a huge mousepad made of soft but dense cloth that feels robust yet also very smooth. The edges of the mousepad are all stitched to prevent wear and tear and the threads used for that are soft, so they won't irritate your hands. Underneath the top fabric, there's a rubber material that keeps everything stable on your desk and also provides cushioning for your mouse, keyboard and any other device you might place on the mousepad.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS glides smoothly on this surface, with no interruptions or bumps of any sort, which is great. Being such a large mousepad means that you no longer have to worry about moving your mouse too far and losing contact with the mousepad. From my own experience with it, I can also testify that the HyperX Fury S Pro XL gaming mousepad feels great and very comfortable on your wrists and your elbows. My elbows have never been so happy. 🙂

HyperX Pulsefire FPS
HyperX Pulsefire FPS

The HyperX Fury S Pro XL gaming mousepad is 35.43 x 16.53 inches (900 x 420 mm) in length and width and has a thickness of 0.11 - 0.15 inches (3 - 4 mm). However, if you're not into such large dimensions, you might prefer one of its smaller sizes. You can choose between Large (17.71 x 15.74 inches or 450 x 400mm), Medium (14.17 x 11.81 inches or 360 x 300mm) and Small (11.41 x 9.44 inches or 290 x 240mm).

If you'd like to read more about this gaming mousepad, visit its official web page, here: HyperX Fury S Pro XL.

The HyperX Fury S Pro XL is a high-quality mousepad. The fabric from which it's made feels ideal for both your mouse and your wrists and elbows.

Drivers and software

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse is a plug and play device. There are no special drivers required for it to work and Kingston doesn't offer any dedicated software for it. For some gamers, this is a positive because it means less stress in configuring it. You cannot personalize what the mouse's buttons do unless the game you play lets you choose different actions for them. If your game allows you do that, it will likely number your mouse buttons like this:

  • The left-click mouse button will be mouse button 1
  • The right-click mouse button will be mouse button number 2
  • The scroll wheel will be mouse button 3
  • The front side button will be mouse button number 4
  • The rear side button will be mouse button number 5

Most games work that way. In Windows though, you can't customize what the additional mouse buttons do.

And, if you want to use macros, be warned that you cannot use macros on this mouse. You're also stuck with the four presets for the tracking speed. You cannot customize the DPI to a particular value. Finally, also because there's no software available for it, you cannot turn off any of the LED lights on the mouse.

Pros and cons

There are many good things about the HyperX Pulsefire FPS gaming mouse:

  • It is an ergonomic mouse with a classic design, meaning that its shape is created to fit perfectly in your hand
  • It uses an optical sensor with a high enough tracking resolution to be useful in games
  • It has two large rubber grips on its sides, which don't let it slip from your hand
  • It has two additional buttons positioned handily on its left side
  • The DPI switch lets you go through four different DPI presets and each of them has a different LED light color assigned, which makes them easy to identify at all times
  • The mouse is made from quality materials, and it shouldn't break easily
  • It's very light, and it won't tire your hand even after long hours of play
  • It has a very affordable price

As for downsides, we identified the following:

  • The back is made only from plastic. If your hands sweat a lot, using it might become uncomfortable. It would have been better if it had a rubbery finish
  • There are no specialized drivers or software available for it, so if you're thinking about using macro actions, you're out of luck
  • The LED lights cannot be changed, and they can't even be turned off, so you're stuck with the default look
  • The mouse is designed for right-handed gamers only, and there's no version for left-handed users

We would also like to point out the fact that the HyperX Fury S Pro XL gaming mousepad is a good choice for any gamer as well as for any person who spends long hours at their computer desk. It's made from high-quality materials and gliding your mouse on it will be a delight. And, if nothing else, you can look at it as a treat for your wrists and elbows.

Product rating 4/5
Verdict

Verdict

The HyperX Pulsefire FPS is a gaming mouse with a traditional and ergonomic design that feels good and fits very well in your hand, but only if you are right-handed. The tracking sensor and its four different DPI presets are a good fit for gamers, while the two additional side buttons are what you need for changing weapons or throwing grenades in shooters. The HyperX Pulsefire FPS is a mouse that's very comfortable to use and one that's so light and easy to move around that you might even forget you're using it. Use it on a well-made mousepad like the HyperX Fury S Pro XL and your gaming proficiency will improve.

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