Darksaber
02-02-2007, 09:31 PM
[page=Introduction & Package]
Introduction
I would like to thank I-Rocks (http://www.i-rocks.com/) for supplying the review sample.
I-Rocks has its headquarters in Taiwan with a factory in China. The company produces mice, keyboards and hard drive as well as other PC accessories.
This is how they describe themselves:
Company Overview
I-ROCKS Technology is a renowned Taiwanese brand of computer peripherals that are sold worldwide, continually providing its clients and customers with innovative high-quality. computer peripheral IO devices. Since it's establishment, I-ROCKS has insisted on innovation, utility R&D, and successful marketing, there by providing high-quality, high-value products which meet customer needs in every possible way. Currently, I-ROCKS has manufacturing facilities in China and branches in many countries, all with the goal of embracing globalization and international developments in marketing, and providing customers with high-quality peripheral products at reasonable prices. I-ROCKS is a leading brand name and manufacturer of computer, Internet, and online gaming products.
Mission
Rocks is dedicated to achieving excellence in computer peripherals, contributing to I-Rocks' overall viability and leadership to provide quality, service and competitive pricing to our customers while maintaining a safe and environmentally sound workplace which upholds I-Rocks' reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.
Vision
To be the most innovative, advanced, and the largest peripherals provider.
We get to take a look at the IR-7330L 4-Way Navigation Laser Mouse. It comes in three different colors:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/IR-7330L_all.jpg
Specifications:
Key numbers : 5 buttons.
Sensor Technology : Avago Laser Sensor.
Resolution : Selectable 800 and 1600 dpi resolution.
Image Processing : 6400fps.
Cable Length : 1.5M.
Interface : USB.
Dimensions : 117.5(L) X 90(W) X 44(H)mm.
Certifications : Laser Class 1、FCC、CE、BSMI、C-Tick、RoHS.
We get to try out the red variant today.
The Package
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxfronts.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxbacks.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxback.jpg)
The packaging is made out of high quality and very thick card board. The window shows the mouse and its color, while the back lists the features in four different languages. The entire package can be hung up on a shelf. The name of the mouse is not very creative. Any user looking for a gaming mouse will most likely opt for something with a cool name instead of a mere model number.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/contentss.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/contents.jpg)
I was a bit surprised to find a CD inside the packaging, as the back of the card board box mentioned the mouse and a manual, but no CD. Turns out there is a driver CD and the product website mentions it - just not the packaging.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouses.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouse.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousesides.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouseside.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/wheels.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/wheel.jpg)
The mouse itself looks quite nice. the shape reminds me of the Logitech MX1000 but seems a bit wider. The mouse cable is fairly thin and has a length of 1.5 m. This should be long enough for most environments. The side of the mouse houses the forward & backward buttons. A lot of mice have these two buttons. The Razer DeathAdder, Logitech MX series all sport the same functionality. The mouse wheel is semi transparent and has more functionality than simple scrolling. It is a 4 way navigator. The four directions include the up and down scrolling, but it can also be pressed left and right.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/switchs.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/switch.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouseons.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouseon.jpg)
The bottom of the mouse has nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing of interest is a very small switch. It is labeled "L/H" and is used to select 800 or 1600 DPI. I do not have very big fingers, but had trouble reaching the switch. You better have very thin fingers, long nails or something like a pencil nearby if you want to change the DPI setting. It would be much better if the switch was larger, or even placed it on top of the mouse, right below the scroll wheel. The user can switch the DPI "on the fly", which makes the use of such a small switch even more puzzling.
Once the mouse is plugged in, it works right away. There is not need to install the included software to use the standard features. The scroll wheel lights up blue, which is very nice and will look good at any LAN party or at night.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousecompares.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousecompare.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousebottoms.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousebuttom.jpg)
The I-Rock Laser Mouse compares well to mid and high-end mice in size. While it is just a bit shorter than the MX Revolution, it is much wider. The bottom of the mouse is black and has four skid pads. They are located at the four outside spots of the mouse. As you can see, the Logitech mice have them located at strategic places, which are not necessarily as far apart as possible.
[page=Software & Performance]
Software
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install1s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install2s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install2.jpg)
Upon placing the CD in the drive, the Setup autostarts. It is the good old kind, nothing new with Windows Installer 3.1 or a newer version of DemoShield. The installer reminds me of the Windows 98 based installations. Another thing to note is the font and lack of languages. The package of the mouse includes an English, French, German and Spanish description, while the installer leaves the user English, Chinese and Japanese. The font used during installation is the traditional one used for Asian environments when a language with these letters needs to be displayed. The next thing to note is the lack of an EULA or End User License Agreement. Some countries require such an EULA by law. The software installed is called "Multi-Direction Mouse 1.3" - not very creative.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install3s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install4s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install4.jpg)
The installer finds the standard, German "Program Files" folder. This is not something to take for granted, as many small programs - especially the older kind, force the wrong Program Files folders and thus create a second one. Another interesting note is the small size of the program: 1.7MB. The installation files take up 1.25MB on the CD. These could have fit on a floppy as well, but I-Rocks chose a CD as some no longer use a floppy drive in their computers.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install5s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install5.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install6s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install6.jpg)
The rest of the installer did not have any notable difference compared to other such procedures. The user is asked to restart their PC at the end of the installer, but I chose not to. Even without a restart, the software worked flawlessly. The entire text during the installation was written in good English without any obvious spelling and grammatical errors.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/prog1s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/prog1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/choices.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/choice.jpg)
The application itself is quite small. There are two major settings:
The function of the Tilt-Wheel button, also known as the middle mouse button. The user can choose what program it opens or function the button has.
The use of the left and right button of the scroll wheel itself. The default is set at horizontal scrolling, but the user can set it to other functions, like navigation in Internet Explorer.
Performance
Judging the performance of a mouse is base almost purely on subjective opinion. Some gamers like a fast, small and light mouse. Other want to use bigger movements and mice that fill the entire palm, while feeling the weight during movement. The i-rocks Laser Mouse can be operated at 800 or 1600 DPI. Both of these values are by no means the highest offered by a mouse. The Razer DeathAdder has 1800 DPI, you can read our review here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/DeathAdder).
I fired up my favorite game - Half-Life 2 and played through the first few levels. The game requires relatively fast and accurate movement. It may not be as speedy as Counter-Strike, but faster than games like El Matador, Condemned or Far Cry.
The switch between 800 and 1600 DPI yields a very different feel when playing a first person shooter. The mouse buttons were not as responsive and need a bit more force than the Logitech MX518 or MX Revolution. The dept of the push needed is a bit higher as well. The very light mouse does take some getting used to, as does the wide size. All buttons of the mouse can be reached quite easily and the middle button works good as well. The mouse wheel itself is not very comfortable. Moving it does not give very good feedback, so switching things like weapons is not quite as easy as with other mice.
The i-rocks Laser Mouse works on all surfaces tested: plastic and cloth pads as well as different kind of table surfaces.
[PAGE=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The I-Rocks IR-7330 Laser Mouse can be had for about $20 to 25 USD. This is a great price considering 1600 DPI, laser technology.</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Excellent price
Switch between 800/1600 DPI
4-Way Navigation button
Software is solid and small
Blue LED scroll wheel looks great
Nice look
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Very light for a gaming mouse
Buttons and wheel need more force to be used than other mice
The switch is incredibly small and located at a very inconvenient spot
Software is very simple
</td></tr>
<tr><th>8.0</th>
<td>The I-Rocks Laser mouse looks big & heavy, but do not be fooled. It is by far the lightest mouse I have ever used. Gamers looking for an ultra light part should definitely consider the IR-7330. Contrary to its light size, the pressure needed to use the buttons is higher than with other gaming mice. The build quality is quite good and the paint job is comparable to any of the big mice like the MX series or Microsoft mice. The scroll wheel looks great and should draw some attention during LAN parties.</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/budget.gif</td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
I would like to thank I-Rocks (http://www.i-rocks.com/) for supplying the review sample.
I-Rocks has its headquarters in Taiwan with a factory in China. The company produces mice, keyboards and hard drive as well as other PC accessories.
This is how they describe themselves:
Company Overview
I-ROCKS Technology is a renowned Taiwanese brand of computer peripherals that are sold worldwide, continually providing its clients and customers with innovative high-quality. computer peripheral IO devices. Since it's establishment, I-ROCKS has insisted on innovation, utility R&D, and successful marketing, there by providing high-quality, high-value products which meet customer needs in every possible way. Currently, I-ROCKS has manufacturing facilities in China and branches in many countries, all with the goal of embracing globalization and international developments in marketing, and providing customers with high-quality peripheral products at reasonable prices. I-ROCKS is a leading brand name and manufacturer of computer, Internet, and online gaming products.
Mission
Rocks is dedicated to achieving excellence in computer peripherals, contributing to I-Rocks' overall viability and leadership to provide quality, service and competitive pricing to our customers while maintaining a safe and environmentally sound workplace which upholds I-Rocks' reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.
Vision
To be the most innovative, advanced, and the largest peripherals provider.
We get to take a look at the IR-7330L 4-Way Navigation Laser Mouse. It comes in three different colors:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/IR-7330L_all.jpg
Specifications:
Key numbers : 5 buttons.
Sensor Technology : Avago Laser Sensor.
Resolution : Selectable 800 and 1600 dpi resolution.
Image Processing : 6400fps.
Cable Length : 1.5M.
Interface : USB.
Dimensions : 117.5(L) X 90(W) X 44(H)mm.
Certifications : Laser Class 1、FCC、CE、BSMI、C-Tick、RoHS.
We get to try out the red variant today.
The Package
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxfronts.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxbacks.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/boxback.jpg)
The packaging is made out of high quality and very thick card board. The window shows the mouse and its color, while the back lists the features in four different languages. The entire package can be hung up on a shelf. The name of the mouse is not very creative. Any user looking for a gaming mouse will most likely opt for something with a cool name instead of a mere model number.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/contentss.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/contents.jpg)
I was a bit surprised to find a CD inside the packaging, as the back of the card board box mentioned the mouse and a manual, but no CD. Turns out there is a driver CD and the product website mentions it - just not the packaging.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouses.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouse.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousesides.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouseside.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/wheels.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/wheel.jpg)
The mouse itself looks quite nice. the shape reminds me of the Logitech MX1000 but seems a bit wider. The mouse cable is fairly thin and has a length of 1.5 m. This should be long enough for most environments. The side of the mouse houses the forward & backward buttons. A lot of mice have these two buttons. The Razer DeathAdder, Logitech MX series all sport the same functionality. The mouse wheel is semi transparent and has more functionality than simple scrolling. It is a 4 way navigator. The four directions include the up and down scrolling, but it can also be pressed left and right.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/switchs.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/switch.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouseons.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mouseon.jpg)
The bottom of the mouse has nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing of interest is a very small switch. It is labeled "L/H" and is used to select 800 or 1600 DPI. I do not have very big fingers, but had trouble reaching the switch. You better have very thin fingers, long nails or something like a pencil nearby if you want to change the DPI setting. It would be much better if the switch was larger, or even placed it on top of the mouse, right below the scroll wheel. The user can switch the DPI "on the fly", which makes the use of such a small switch even more puzzling.
Once the mouse is plugged in, it works right away. There is not need to install the included software to use the standard features. The scroll wheel lights up blue, which is very nice and will look good at any LAN party or at night.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousecompares.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousecompare.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousebottoms.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/mousebuttom.jpg)
The I-Rock Laser Mouse compares well to mid and high-end mice in size. While it is just a bit shorter than the MX Revolution, it is much wider. The bottom of the mouse is black and has four skid pads. They are located at the four outside spots of the mouse. As you can see, the Logitech mice have them located at strategic places, which are not necessarily as far apart as possible.
[page=Software & Performance]
Software
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install1s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install2s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install2.jpg)
Upon placing the CD in the drive, the Setup autostarts. It is the good old kind, nothing new with Windows Installer 3.1 or a newer version of DemoShield. The installer reminds me of the Windows 98 based installations. Another thing to note is the font and lack of languages. The package of the mouse includes an English, French, German and Spanish description, while the installer leaves the user English, Chinese and Japanese. The font used during installation is the traditional one used for Asian environments when a language with these letters needs to be displayed. The next thing to note is the lack of an EULA or End User License Agreement. Some countries require such an EULA by law. The software installed is called "Multi-Direction Mouse 1.3" - not very creative.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install3s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install4s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install4.jpg)
The installer finds the standard, German "Program Files" folder. This is not something to take for granted, as many small programs - especially the older kind, force the wrong Program Files folders and thus create a second one. Another interesting note is the small size of the program: 1.7MB. The installation files take up 1.25MB on the CD. These could have fit on a floppy as well, but I-Rocks chose a CD as some no longer use a floppy drive in their computers.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install5s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install5.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install6s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/install6.jpg)
The rest of the installer did not have any notable difference compared to other such procedures. The user is asked to restart their PC at the end of the installer, but I chose not to. Even without a restart, the software worked flawlessly. The entire text during the installation was written in good English without any obvious spelling and grammatical errors.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/prog1s.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/prog1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/choices.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/irocks/LaserMouse/images/choice.jpg)
The application itself is quite small. There are two major settings:
The function of the Tilt-Wheel button, also known as the middle mouse button. The user can choose what program it opens or function the button has.
The use of the left and right button of the scroll wheel itself. The default is set at horizontal scrolling, but the user can set it to other functions, like navigation in Internet Explorer.
Performance
Judging the performance of a mouse is base almost purely on subjective opinion. Some gamers like a fast, small and light mouse. Other want to use bigger movements and mice that fill the entire palm, while feeling the weight during movement. The i-rocks Laser Mouse can be operated at 800 or 1600 DPI. Both of these values are by no means the highest offered by a mouse. The Razer DeathAdder has 1800 DPI, you can read our review here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/DeathAdder).
I fired up my favorite game - Half-Life 2 and played through the first few levels. The game requires relatively fast and accurate movement. It may not be as speedy as Counter-Strike, but faster than games like El Matador, Condemned or Far Cry.
The switch between 800 and 1600 DPI yields a very different feel when playing a first person shooter. The mouse buttons were not as responsive and need a bit more force than the Logitech MX518 or MX Revolution. The dept of the push needed is a bit higher as well. The very light mouse does take some getting used to, as does the wide size. All buttons of the mouse can be reached quite easily and the middle button works good as well. The mouse wheel itself is not very comfortable. Moving it does not give very good feedback, so switching things like weapons is not quite as easy as with other mice.
The i-rocks Laser Mouse works on all surfaces tested: plastic and cloth pads as well as different kind of table surfaces.
[PAGE=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The I-Rocks IR-7330 Laser Mouse can be had for about $20 to 25 USD. This is a great price considering 1600 DPI, laser technology.</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Excellent price
Switch between 800/1600 DPI
4-Way Navigation button
Software is solid and small
Blue LED scroll wheel looks great
Nice look
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Very light for a gaming mouse
Buttons and wheel need more force to be used than other mice
The switch is incredibly small and located at a very inconvenient spot
Software is very simple
</td></tr>
<tr><th>8.0</th>
<td>The I-Rocks Laser mouse looks big & heavy, but do not be fooled. It is by far the lightest mouse I have ever used. Gamers looking for an ultra light part should definitely consider the IR-7330. Contrary to its light size, the pressure needed to use the buttons is higher than with other gaming mice. The build quality is quite good and the paint job is comparable to any of the big mice like the MX series or Microsoft mice. The scroll wheel looks great and should draw some attention during LAN parties.</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/budget.gif</td></tr>
</table>