Weight, ergonomics, and handling
Weight: The first noticeable difference is the weight, as Roccat has reduced it in the Kone XP: while the Kone AIMO Remastered weighs 121 grams, the Kone XP weighs only 100 grams. This may seem like a small amount, but it is a significant change for a gaming mouse that can also be felt in everyday use.
I prefer to play with heavy mice, and in addition to the Kone AIMO, I also enjoy using the Logitech G502 Hero. Both mice weigh around 120 grams and are quite heavy. Since I rarely make large movements, the weight is ideal for me.
Roccat has now reduced the weight of the Kone XP to 100 grams. As a result, the mouse no longer feels like a “block” and sits more lightly in the hand. The 20 grams less become noticeable whenever I reposition the mouse and lift it up or when I travel long distances on the mouse pad. In my opinion, this is a sensible improvement compared to the Kone AIMO Remastered.
Grip and handling: Roccat continues to use similar material for the casing as with the AIMO Remastered. This material provides sufficient grip and does not become slippery.
Dirt can also be wiped off easily, just like with the AIMO Remastered. Roccat has maintained a good property of the Kone AIMO Remastered.
A significant improvement for general handling is the cable of the Kone XP. With the AIMO Remastered, the cable could be intrusive or form annoying knots. The Phantomflex cable of the Kone XP resolves this problem much better, and the cable is hardly noticeable. In comparison, the cable of the G502 Hero is also significantly stiffer.
Ergonomics: Roccat has changed the ergonomics of the Kone XP compared to the Kone AIMO Remastered. This is surprising to me because I felt the Kone AIMO Remastered offered unparalleled ergonomics.
In practice, several differences between the Kone XP and AIMO Remastered can be quickly noted: While the mouse fits well into my large hands (hand, approx. 19 cm), my girlfriend (hand, approx. 15 cm) finds the mouse too tight to grip and uncomfortable over time. The hand rests much more compactly on the surface and has significantly less space compared to the Kone AIMO Remastered. As a result, the hand rests more comfortably on the AIMO Remastered, as the fingers have more room here.
The fact that the Kone XP feels smaller to us than the AIMO Remastered can also be measured: at its widest point, the Kone XP measures just under 8 cm, while the Kone AIMO Remastered offers 8.5 cm. In comparison, the Razer Basilisk Ultimate is even slightly smaller (7.6 cm). Both the G502 Hero and the Kone AIMO Remastered fit better in the hand compared to the Basilisk Ultimate and the Kone XP.
Additionally, it is noticeable that the AIMO Remastered is slightly taller, giving more room for the hand’s arch.
Also, a less successful decision can be found with the buttons on the left mouse button. I can easily reach the buttons with my left index finger, while my girlfriend has to stretch to use them. Similar issues have already occurred with SteelSeries’ Rival 5, where the thumb buttons are placed too far forward.
With large hands, the mouse can easily be used in both palm grip and claw grip. For me, all buttons are easily reachable, and thanks to the textured side cover, the mouse offers sufficient grip.
The mouse buttons and scroll wheel
How are the mouse buttons? The clicks of the Roccat Kone XP feel crisp and precise. The optical switches provide a noticeable pressure point when I press the mouse buttons. However, the “clicking” sounds very hollow and dull compared to other mice. Similarly hollow sounds are also produced by the Kone Pro and Burst from Roccat. My girlfriend finds the clicks of the Kone XP significantly less pleasant than those of the Kone AIMO Remastered.
How is the scroll wheel? My biggest criticism of the Kone AIMO Remastered has always been the scroll wheel. It feels spongy and imprecise and always gives me the impression of floating through the texts.
With the Kone XP, they now use the new Roccat Krystal 4D Wheel. The scroll wheel does not differ in functionality from that of the Kone AIMO Remastered. It is a 4-way scroll wheel, and you can use it to scroll or move left and right.
The improvement lies in the details. The scroll wheel has a noticeable notching that allows for significantly more precise control. Additionally, it requires more force to move the scroll wheel than with the Kone AIMO Remastered. Accidental scrolling is no longer possible. This is overall unfamiliar but a significant improvement over the predecessor, where the scroll wheel was the major weak point.
Sensor
Roccat uses the Owl-Eye sensor with a maximum of 19,000 DPI in the Kone XP. The Owl-Eye sensor is based on the PMW 3370 from Pix-Art and is among the current best sensors with a low error rate. The sensor of the Kone AIMO Remastered offered 16,000 DPI.
Conclusion
For whom is the mouse suitable? Anyone looking for a well-manufactured and versatile gaming mouse gets a successful, albeit not perfect, successor to the Kone AIMO Remastered with the Kone XP. With its many buttons, the mouse is suitable for various genres.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Roccat Kone XP - Gaming-Maus mit 3D-Beleuchtung und optischem Sensor mit 19.000DPI, Krystal... | Zu Amazon |
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What alternatives are there?
- Logitech G502 Hero is a very good all-rounder with few notable weaknesses. You can also swap the weight and get a sleeker design. The Lightspeed model also offers a wireless variant of the mouse.
- Roccat Kone Aimo Remastered: The predecessor with excellent ergonomics, stylish lighting, and a precise sensor. The weight of this mouse is not adjustable and there is no special sniper button either.
- Razer Basilisk: Often referred to as a clone of the G502, this gaming mouse offers good ergonomics. As an Ultimate model, you even get wireless functionality at a high price. The Basilisk V3 has now also been released as a new version of the mouse.
- SteelSeries Rival 5: Also a good all-rounder with many functions and a stylish design. However, the ergonomics for small hands are not optimally solved. You can read the test of the Rival 5 on MeinMMO.
More gaming mice on MeinMMO: If you’re looking for more recommended gaming mice, check out our buying guide on MeinMMO. Here you will find the best gaming mice currently available for purchase:
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