“Tron” Gaming Mouse Glows Like a Light Cycle

     Here’s a gaming mouse that will make you feel like you’re driving a light cycle in the movie Tron: Legacy.
Not only does this ambidextrous pointing device from Razer look like some sort of implement from the far-off future; it sounds like one, too.

    Tron: Legacy was the #1 movie in the U.S. last weekend, so this mouse is certain to attract the attention of fans. But will it measure up for gamers? Let’s get our hands on one.
Besides the fact that this is a wired mouse — a controversial attribute for a gaming mouse among aficionados — the one spec gamers will care most about is this mouse’s fine 5600 DPI 3.5G sensor. Its sensitivity is excellent, and its two extra buttons on each side are programmable for any function. So yes, its specs are gameworthy, though not groundbreaking.

    It’s a shame that this $100 mouse has such a plastic feel to it. Its all-plastic construction feels just a little too light for my taste, and its left and right click sounds are slightly loud. Those quibbles aside, the mouse feels balanced in a medium-sized hand, and I got accustomed to it quickly.

    Its claim to fame is its Disneyesque lighting and sound effects. I especially like the way the rubberized mouse wheel resembles the wheels on those Tron light cycles. And that lighting stays on all the time, except for a light blue taillight that glows only when the mouse’s laser sensor is engaged.
When you first plug it in, it makes whooshing sound effects and its lights flash, an odd routine that startled me a couple of times. Check out the video below to see and hear with that’s like. It’s fun to show that to your friends when you first get it, but thankfully, the noises can be turned off in the software controls as soon as the novelty has worn off.

    The Tron Gaming Mouse is available for $100, but if you want to get the full effect, you can spend $30 more to get a set that includes a bioluminescent mat. Its most unusual characteristic is the way it displays a blue glow for a few moments wherever the mouse’s laser has shown onto it. Besides its snazzy landing-pad appearance, it has just the right amount of friction to perform as a suitable complement to the Tron mouse.

    Sure, this is a Disney-licensed product that’s mostly a gimmick, but it’s a fun gimmick, and it looks way cool on the desktop. You might not want to whip this baby out at the office; but for your gaming center, it could be a suitable centerpiece for Tron fans.