Roccat Kova[+] Gaming Mouse
Category : Mice
Published by Patrick Graf on 24.06.11
With the Kova[+] Roccat released the successor of the already very successful Kova mouse. This thing tough comes with some new features which we've seen on the Kone[+] like for example the illumination and the Easy-Shift button. Naturally Roccat put a high quality 3'200 DPI sensor into the Kova[+] which should be enought for almost every gamer. At this point we're now very curious how this thing performs in our tests.





On the following pages we will show you the strengths and weaknesses of the Roccat Kova[+] Gaming Mouse.

Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Software / Driver
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Handling
Page 3 - Specifications / Delivery Page 7 - Conclusion
Page 4 - Test conditions



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Preview







Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Software / Driver
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Handling
Page 3 - Specifications / Delivery Page 7 - Conclusion
Page 4 - Test conditions



Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

Specifications

Delivery



Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Software / Driver
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Handling
Page 3 - Specifications / Delivery Page 7 - Conclusion
Page 4 - Test conditions



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Test conditions

The mouse has been tested under various conditions. During testing we focused on the different movements within programs for expample Word, Excel etc. A special focus has been taken on the behaviour in Games, since the mouse is labeled as a Gaming mouse. Futhermore our mouse reviews represent a specific testers subjective point of view. 

Testsystem

Mousepads

Games



Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Software / Driver
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Handling
Page 3 - Specifications / Delivery Page 7 - Conclusion
Page 4 - Test conditions



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Software / Driver

The Roccat Kova[+] can be used without the installation of additional drivers. Nevertheless it's highly recommended that one installs the software in order to gain access to this products full functionality. Once you've installed software and drivers it is possible to program each button. There also is the option to to use the so called "easy-shift" button. As soon as you press it you get access to a second set funcitons which can be programmed to the button too. What also belongs to every good gaming mouse is the possibility to save macros. Of course Roccat has thought of this and offers this feature with the Kova[+].


The driver also comes with a macro manager. Using it one can define small scripts which can be programed to the different mouse buttons. If you want to change the DPI resolution Roccat offers with the Kova[+] four different presents: 400 DPI, 800 DPI, 1600 DPI and 3200 DPI. Low-sense as well as high-sense gamers should be ok with this but it would have been nice if there was the possibility to adjust this setting exact on one DPI. If you have the software installed you can activate the sexy women sound which tells you for example your DPI setting.

Another feature that comes with the Kova[+] are the integrated LEDs which can switch colors. Furthermore one can also alter the lighting effects. We especially liked the "breathing" effect. Generally we can say that it is absolutely possible to configure the mouse individually.






Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Software / Driver
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Handling
Page 3 - Specifications / Delivery Page 7 - Conclusion
Page 4 - Test conditions



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Handling

Ergonomics

The Kova[+] lies comfortably in in ones hand an like its predecessor it's got a V-shaped body. Because the body is furthermore symmetrically built the Kova[+] suits left as well as righ-handed gamers. As we've already mentioned every button can be programmed individually which is another point that is important for a mouse which suits not only right-handed users. If you use the scroll wheel you'll feel alsmost no resistance and the interaction is very homogenous. With it's size of only twelve centimeters in legth and 6.5 centimeters in width the Kova[+] is quite compact and also suitable for smaller hands. Weighing only 90 gramms this thing is also very light for a gaming mouse. Last but not least in this section we have the pressure points of the different buttons which have all been well chosen.

 


Gliding characteristics

We've tested the Kova[+] on three different surfaces. If you should decided to use this mouse in combination with a cloth mousepad the gliding characteristics will be good but the glidepads can wear out the cloth pad quite quickly. Pairing up the Kova[+] with a plastic mousepad also results in gliding characteristics which are good. Unfortunately moving the mouse over the surface makes quite some noise which might bother some players. Using the Kova[+] on a mousepad that consists of metal also shows good gliding characteristics but the noise the mouse make gets even louder. Generally we're under the impression that the gliding pads might be worn out quite quickly and that Roccat could try to optimize them.



Precision / Speed

First of all: all movements can be done very precisely. The possibility to choose between four different DPI settings is sufficient but not excellent. It would have been nice if it was possible to set the resolution on one DPI exact. Fortunately it took alomst no time at all to get used to the Kova[+]. After a short while playing with this mouse we hit the targets precisely when playing a first person shooter.



Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Software / Driver
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Handling
Page 3 - Specifications / Delivery Page 7 - Conclusion
Page 4 - Test conditions



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Conclusion

With the Kova[+] Roccat proves that even a good product can become better. The German based manufacturer of gaming peripherals was therefore able to convice us that the Kova[+] really is a good product. For example the feature that one can program this mouse and afterwards use it without the installation of any drivers is very useful especially for LAN gamers. Furthermore every single button can be configured with the function you'd like. Together which this products symmetric V-shape it is equally useful for left as well as right handed people. You even get some lighting features which can make the mouse look really cool when its dark. There are only two things we would wish Roccat to improve: first the gliding pads could be of a higher quality and second the DPI selection. This one should be programmable in steps by one DPI.

Generally the gliding characteristics are good but it would be very nice if they were a little bit better. This would make the feeling perfect then. Nevertheless it takes almost no time at all to get used to this mouse and it's even suitable for gamers with small hands. Already after a short time you'll hit targets precisely. Especially in combination with aluminium or metal mousepads the noise which is being created when you move the mouse over the pad can be a bit annoying because it's quite loud. On the other hand there is the scroll wheel which feels just perfect. A last thing we missed with this product were additional weight stones because there is quite a number of gamers out there who like heavy mice and for them the Kova[+] really isn't suitable.

The Kova[+] is a very good mouse for gamer who are looking for an individually configurable and very lightweight mouse. Of course the product can also be used as a very precise desktop tool.


 
The Roccat Kova Gaming Mouse can be bought at Digitec to a price of CHF 62.- (est. EUR 48.-).

Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Software / Driver
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Handling
Page 3 - Specifications / Delivery Page 7 - Conclusion
Page 4 - Test conditions


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Author: p.graf@ocgaming.ch Redacted by: m.buechel@ocaholic.ch