Thermaltake Level 10 M Gaming Mouse Review
Author: Dennis Garcia
Published: Friday, December 28, 2012
Introduction
When Thermaltake announced their partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA back in 2010 we didn't know what to expect. The partnership resulted in the much lauded Level 10 case. Several successes later we are looking at their first attempt at a mouse; the Level 10 M Gaming Mouse.
Admittedly we have seen some pretty cheesy mice attempting to bring the sports car look to a functional mouse so it was refreshing to see the folks at BMW take this seriously. The Level 10 M simply looks stunning. The sleek lines paired with a wide open design almost distract from the fact this is a fully customizable, 7 button, 8200 DPI gaming mouse.
Admittedly we have seen some pretty cheesy mice attempting to bring the sports car look to a functional mouse so it was refreshing to see the folks at BMW take this seriously. The Level 10 M simply looks stunning. The sleek lines paired with a wide open design almost distract from the fact this is a fully customizable, 7 button, 8200 DPI gaming mouse.
Thermaltake approached the Level 10 M by first embracing the professional gaming community. German pro's like Kai "Kaii" Schäfer and Alexey "White-Ra" Krupnyk were brought in to work with the BMW designers in Munich with the goal of insuring form followed function.
The result is a unique design that features a two-part construction where the top surface is clearly separated from the all-aluminum base. The Level 10 M is available in black, red, green and the white you see here all accented with a racing stripe down the middle.
A separate top surface allows for airflow and lighting effects to show through the hexagonal venting and out the sides. The sleek, long profile lends itself best to a Palm grip with the long buttons to accommodate different finger lengths. The design also allows the top surface height and angle to be adjusted using the included tool or any hex set. This can dramatically affect the feel of the mouse in your hand. I found a couple of twists to the top and side made theLevel 10 M fit like a glove!
Accent lighting can be individually selected from the software or using the Z key located behind the left side buttons. There are 7 colors available matching nearly every common build.
A separate top surface allows for airflow and lighting effects to show through the hexagonal venting and out the sides. The sleek, long profile lends itself best to a Palm grip with the long buttons to accommodate different finger lengths. The design also allows the top surface height and angle to be adjusted using the included tool or any hex set. This can dramatically affect the feel of the mouse in your hand. I found a couple of twists to the top and side made theLevel 10 M fit like a glove!
Accent lighting can be individually selected from the software or using the Z key located behind the left side buttons. There are 7 colors available matching nearly every common build.
Features
3D Steering Axis Movement: The Mouse is divided into lower and top part which seems to float over the base. This part which is also the essential steering element of the mouse can be adjusted in regards to height and angle. The 3D dimensional character of the mouse provides for new and highly sufficient axis movements in various directions and makes the mouse fit as many gamers' preferences as possible.
Solid Aluminum base: Commonly used in the aerospace industry and in architecture, this material is characterized by its high resistance to corrosion. It ensures that the user's Level 10 experience is durable and resilient to mouse-gliding movement.
Air-Through Ventilation System: Additionally the Mouse is fitted with exquisite texture - a perforated surface which provides for a better air and temperature exchange as a means of passive ventilation, solving issues due to heavy use and direct touch of gaming equipment and the rise of temperatures of the hand.
Intelligent Software Application: The Level 10 M Mouse is a programmable gaming mouse capable of using the most comprehensive software application to customize settings based on user's needs. The Mouse has 2 regular keys on top and 5 additional keys at the side. Each key is programmable by software application by a single press with the finger. The so called "Z" key is especially designed for 5 different commands. There is a total of 11 programmable command keys on Level 10 M Mouse while the "Z" key offers another function: During the gaming mode this key can switch between up to 5 gaming profiles. In addition, the polling rate and the 7 lighting-effect colors of the Mouse are also customizable. The Level 10 M Mouse is equipped with 8200 DPI, adjustable from 800, 1600, 3200 to 5000 (default setting), and customizable by software application up to 8200 DPI. The Function-Lock Mechanism also serves to avoid accidental error command by locking side keys during gaming mode.
Solid Aluminum base: Commonly used in the aerospace industry and in architecture, this material is characterized by its high resistance to corrosion. It ensures that the user's Level 10 experience is durable and resilient to mouse-gliding movement.
Air-Through Ventilation System: Additionally the Mouse is fitted with exquisite texture - a perforated surface which provides for a better air and temperature exchange as a means of passive ventilation, solving issues due to heavy use and direct touch of gaming equipment and the rise of temperatures of the hand.
Intelligent Software Application: The Level 10 M Mouse is a programmable gaming mouse capable of using the most comprehensive software application to customize settings based on user's needs. The Mouse has 2 regular keys on top and 5 additional keys at the side. Each key is programmable by software application by a single press with the finger. The so called "Z" key is especially designed for 5 different commands. There is a total of 11 programmable command keys on Level 10 M Mouse while the "Z" key offers another function: During the gaming mode this key can switch between up to 5 gaming profiles. In addition, the polling rate and the 7 lighting-effect colors of the Mouse are also customizable. The Level 10 M Mouse is equipped with 8200 DPI, adjustable from 800, 1600, 3200 to 5000 (default setting), and customizable by software application up to 8200 DPI. The Function-Lock Mechanism also serves to avoid accidental error command by locking side keys during gaming mode.
Specifications
Color Diamond Black / Iron White / Military Green / Blazing Red
DPI 8200
Sensor Type Laser
No. of Buttons 7
No. of Macro Keys 11
No. of Game Profiles 5
Lighting Effect Yes
Pause-Break Effect Yes
Color Options 7
USB cable length 1.8m
Weight-In Design No
Graphical UI Yes
Industrial Rubber-Coating Yes
Weight 185g
Gold-Platted USB Yes
Dimension 147 x 67.5 x 38.8 mm
DPI 8200
Sensor Type Laser
No. of Buttons 7
No. of Macro Keys 11
No. of Game Profiles 5
Lighting Effect Yes
Pause-Break Effect Yes
Color Options 7
USB cable length 1.8m
Weight-In Design No
Graphical UI Yes
Industrial Rubber-Coating Yes
Weight 185g
Gold-Platted USB Yes
Dimension 147 x 67.5 x 38.8 mm
