The Turtle Beach Kone II gaming mouse offers a compelling combination of performance, comfort, and customization for MMO players. With an impressive array of features and an affordable price point, it’s a strong contender in the competitive gaming mouse market. This review delves into the design, performance, and overall value of the Kone II, exploring its strengths and weaknesses.
Design and Build: Comfort Meets Customization
The Kone II boasts a generous size (5.13 x 1.72 x 3.25 inches), making it ideal for gamers with larger hands, while still accommodating various grip styles. Its ergonomic design, reminiscent of the Logitech G502, features a comfortable right-handed skew and a well-placed thumb rest. However, the Kone II sets itself apart with a cleverly integrated Easy-Shift [+] trigger button within the thumb rest, allowing seamless access to an expanded set of 23 programmable commands.
Turtle Beach Kone II
Three programmable RGB lighting zones add a touch of personalization, compatible with Turtle Beach’s AIMO ecosystem for synchronized lighting effects across compatible devices. Despite its size, the Kone II remains lightweight at just 3.17 ounces, facilitating precise movements and minimizing fatigue during extended gaming sessions. The heat-treated PTFE feet and the flexible PhantomFlex USB-A cord contribute to a smooth, effortless glide.
Performance: Speed and Precision
As a wired mouse, the Kone II eliminates latency issues often associated with wireless peripherals. While its 1,000Hz polling rate is standard, the 26K Owl Eye Optical sensor delivers exceptional accuracy and responsiveness, proving reliable in both fast-paced FPS games and demanding MMOs. The Titan Optical Switches provide crisp, tactile feedback for all buttons, including the peripheral ones, ensuring deliberate and satisfying clicks.
Turtle Beach Kone II
The oversized main buttons accommodate multiple fingers, enhancing clicking speed and reducing strain. The four-directional scroll wheel offers added functionality, although its size could be slightly larger for optimal comfort. A thoughtful touch is the color-coded DPI switcher buttons, providing clear visual feedback on the current DPI setting.
Verdict: A Solid Choice for MMO Enthusiasts
The Turtle Beach Kone II offers exceptional value for its $69.99 price tag. Its comprehensive feature set, including the innovative Easy-Shift [+] trigger, robust sensor, comfortable design, and customizable RGB lighting, caters specifically to the needs of MMO gamers. While the polling rate and scroll wheel size could be improved, these minor drawbacks are easily overshadowed by the mouse’s overall performance and affordability.
