MaximumPC 2004 04

T

his month we pit an old clas-

sic, recently reborn mouse

against an innovative new-

comer. Originally introduced

as the Razor Boomslang more

than three years ago, the Sniper

Boomslang 2100 offers pixel-per-

fect accuracy using a traditional

ball mechanism. That’s right,

boys and girls, there’s no optical

mumbo-jumbo here.

The highly novel Nyko AirFlo

mouse, on the other hand, aims

to increase your mousing stamina

with air-conditioned comfort.

—WILL SMITH

.YKo Air&lo Mouse

At first glance, the AirFlo mouse

looks like nothing more than a

standard three-button optical

jobbie. It’s when you plug

it in and start using it

that you notice a dif-

ference. The mouse

pulls air into

the sides and

blows it out

through

a pattern

of holes

on the top,

where your

palm rests. While

the AirFlo’s inter-

nal fan doesn’t move

much air, the effect

is apparent. A switch

on the mouse’s belly

lets you adjust the fan

speed or turn it off

entirely.

To test the AirFlo,

we arranged an

intense gaming session in the lab,

to be attended by Greg Vederman,

an editor at sister magazine PC

Gamer , and by far the sweatiest

person we know. After an action-

packed hour of Divine Divinity, the

Vede praised the AirFlo’s dehu-

midifying powers. “Normally I’m

a sweaty pig, but the AirFlo mouse

keeps my hand nice and dry.”

We’ll take his word for it.

In addition to its unique physi-

cal comforts, the AirFlo delivers

speed and accuracy. Its 850dpi

optical sensor is as good as any

we’ve tested. It consistently tracks

our position perfectly, no matter

how quickly we move the mouse.

Although the AirFlo mouse

has an ambidextrous design, it’s

restrictive to people who want

more than two buttons and a

mouse wheel. But we really don’t

expect more than the basics in a

mouse this price.

"&' TeChnoloGies

Sniper "oomslanG 200

Many, many moons have passed

since we last reviewed a mechani-

cal mouse, and with good reason.

Optical mice eliminate many of

the pitfalls that plague ball mice,

such as the frequent need to clean

the roller and a penchant for

imprecise tracking on uneven sur-

faces. But the original and much

beloved Boomslang emerged at a

time when optical mice weren’t

yet sensitive enough or fast

enough for gaming, a time when

gamers were clawing and scrap-

ing for any device that would give

them a slight edge in shooters.

This new model is essentially

identical to its sleek-looking

predecessor. It has the same five-

button ambidextrous design—the

scroll wheel doubles as the center

button—and the ball still resides

in the same odd place, directly

under the palm. Sensitivity is

great, and the mouse’s accuracy

is pixel-perfect, as advertised. In

fact, the Boomslang’s movement

felt even smoother than that of an

optical mouse.

The problem is that using the

Boomslang for extended periods

of time is terribly uncomfort-

able. The mouse’s flat design and

oversized buttons feel awkward

and ill-conceived. And the hyper-

sensitive buttons are so twitchy

that your fingers are likely to

accidentally depress one or all at

the slightest touch. Furthermore,

there’s the mouse ball’s illogical

location. Most mousers use their

wrists and fingers to move the

cursor on-screen from side to side

and up and down, but because the

Boomslang ball is positioned so

low on the mouse, it takes full-on

arm movement to get the cursor

to budge!

We know there’s an irrational

handful of Boomslang enthusiasts

out there who’ll be thrilled with

the product’s return. To them, we

say, “better you than us.”

XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX

The more things change, the

more they stay the same. It’s the

reincarnated Razor Boomslang

2100, complete with a poorly

placed ball.

Those holes on the side

aren’t for speed. No siree.

They’re part of AirFlo’s

state-of-the-art palm

ventilation system.

.YKo Air&lo Mouse

At first glance, the AirFlo mouse

looks like nothing more than a

standard three-button optical

jobbie. It’s when you plug

it in and start using it

that you notice a dif-

ference. The mouse

pulls air into

the sides and

blows it out

through

a pattern

of holes

on the top,

where your

palm rests. While

the AirFlo’s inter-

nal fan doesn’t move

much air, the effect

Those holes on the side is apparent. A switch

High resolution and great precision are terrific in

games.

BOW-WOW

MEOW

Goofy design makes us wonder if the engineers

who designed it are trackball users.

$80, http://www.bfgtech.com

MAXIMUMPC VERDICT 6

Reviews

Mouse Miasma

Two mice offer uniQue features, But uniQue isnt always good

keeps my hand nice and dry.”

We’ll take his word for it.

In addition to its unique physi-

cal comforts, the AirFlo delivers

speed and accuracy. Its 850dpi

optical sensor is as good as any The more things change, the

Two mice offer uniQue features, But uniQue isnt always good

 MAXIMUMPC APRIL 2004

Cool air on our fingers makes us happy.

STIRRED

No side buttons doesn’t cut it these days.

$40, http://www.nyko.com

MAXIMUMPC VERDICT 9

SHAKEN

AirFlo Mouse

Sniper Boomslang 2100