G-Cube V-Track 310 Wireless Mouse Review
Manufacturer: G-Cube, Inc.
Product Name: V-Track 310 Wireless Mouse
Model Number: G9V-310R
Price As Tested: $29.99 (Amazon)
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by G-Cube.
When I first started using computers, we didn't have mice. The IBM PS2 shipped with a mouse, but somehow it never reached any of us at the company. It wasn't that big of a deal because we were working under DOS, and DOS programs were simple drop down menu systems, similar to a BOIS interface. Unlike the days of DOS, working mouseless with modern software would be incomprehensible, and in some capacities, virtually impossible. Wireless mice are also becoming the de facto standard along with macro software that further enhances productivity, while at the same time, decreasing repetitive clicking.
Today, mice are as diverse as the machines and software they connect with, and their options even more so. Choosing a mouse with options that suits your needs, without causing fatigue or pain, is imperative. In today's market, that's no easy task because the spectrum of mice, and their options, spans from macro mice to precision DPI mice to wireless mice and combinations of everything between. The G-Cube V-Track 310 boasts sixteen macro “Gestures” for the right button, with a multitude of actions per gesture, two options for vertical and horizontal scrolling, four DPI settings, three report rates, and it's wireless. It also comes in four colors, Red, Blue, Green, and Black. Sorry no eggshell white.
The V-Track mouse boasts of an “innovative” tracking technology that offers smooth operation over all surfaces. It also boast zero lag technology and like other wireless mice, a multi-link receiver, and more. I'm usually happy if a wireless mouse can kept a solid connection, especially under $30. So let's see what the V-Track 310 can do.
V-TRACK 310 Features
- Short light path: Less power consumption
- Vertical reinforced light ensures perfect precision
- Cursor moves smoothly on soft 3D fabrics
- Incomparable adaptability on all surfaces
- Tiny lens aperture prevents dust accumulation
V-TRACK 310 Specifications
- Far Range Up to 15 Meters or 30 feet
- Ultra-Far Wireless range ensures more operation freedom (Note: Actual operating distance may vary and depend on working environments.)
- Nano-receiver is Storable for Portability
- 3 Shiftable Report Rates, Ensures No Lag Response
- Instantly shifts mouse report rate between 8 / 4 / 2 ms for power saving and delivers smooth, accurate cursor control
- Multi-Link Receiver Allows you to connect up to 5 wireless devices using same receiver
- 16-in-One Software: 16 Gestures provides 16 programmable hotkey commands
- 0 Lag Technology Provides smoothest cursor motion
- 5-DPI Shift: Shift from 800-1000-1200-1600-2000 DPI
- Anti-interference with Auto Channel Hopping Automatically detects and secures available channels in the busy public 2.4GHz universal bands.
- 2-Way Communication ensure precision Error correction capability speeds up data transmission without delay and increases wireless precision.
- 8 Gestures in Right Button The mouse allows you get 8 functions on "Right" button.
- Battery Status Indicator Aware of the battery power anytime with G-Cube's uniquely designed "SmartRight 8" software
Closer Look: G-Cube V-Track 310In the next two sections, we'll go through the basics of the mouse. Below we have your typical rage inducing packaging. You'll need a cutting device to get into it or really sharp teeth.
This is what comes in the package: AAA batteries, an install disk, catalog, and a user manual.
Front view. The mouse is plastic and has a nice feel to it.
Top view: Note the sharp indentations on the back of the mouse. This makes it very ergonomic and easy to hold.
Side view.
Next, we'll take a little closer look at why the mouse is ergonomically sound and a few other details.
G-Cube V-Track 310 Detailed FeaturesGetting up close and underneath, we can see that like other mice, this is pretty much standard. The mini-receiver goes into the battery compartment. Although the mouse has an off and on switch, it also has a software power saving option too.
Same as above, but with the receiver extracted. The 310's wireless worked perfectly, and tracking was perfect also, even on my velour chair. The LED/laser is red in color, not the blue that many gaming mice have gone to, but I didn't see any trouble with tracking. You have five DPI setting: 800; 1000; 1200; 1600; 2000. I tried them all and settled on the 800DPI setting, even with a triple monitor setup running in 1920 x 1200. You can also change the report rate from a standard 125Hz, to 250Hz, or to 500Hz, which creates a more precision instrument.
Here we can see the indented and curved back side of the V-Track. This design is surprisingly ergonomic and my hand, or I should say fingers, intuitively went right to the lowest area of the indentations. Note also that the indentations are not rounded off, so you're fingers don't have a tendency to slide back or otherwise move around as you use the mouse. My fingers felt as if they were slotted to the mouse itself.
The V-Track mouse is tiny, and although I don't have large hands, it doesn't feel small. In fact, compared to my Microsoft X-8 Gaming mouse, it's more comfortable in that it doesn't seem like it's always trying to squirt away from my fingers. Since I only use a mouse for gaming, absolute comfort is less an issue for me. But comfort cannot be overlooked. Comfort important, and after using the V-Track mouse, I may be looking for a smaller “claw” type mouse for my gaming needs. Image: Left Upper Corner: Microsoft X8 Sidewinder gaming mouse. Upper Right: Logitech Trackball Marble. Bottom: Logitech Trackball, older version.
The software offering for the V-Track is what sets it off from other similar mice. On this particular mouse, you can only customize the right button. Customizing the middle click button is not offered. This might be a little confusing because the software is generic to all the G-Cube mice, or many of them, so read the manual. The manual specifies “right key” customization only.
Configuring the right key using what G-Cube calls “gestures” offer the right click and drag method of calling a function or other effect, such as zooming or refreshing a web page. Some of the functions do not work in some programs, however. Zooming a web in Firefox didn't work, whereas other browser functions did, such as refresh, forward, and backward. Gestures are a good way to use one key for a multitude of tasks. The manual says you can only use eight of the sixteen movements (“gestures”) but I was able to use all 16. There is even an option to open files of your choice, which means you can launch apps too.
There are also two options to use the mouse wheel for both vertical and horizontal scrolling. If you move the mouse to one side of the document or file browser, you can use the wheel to scroll vertically while the other side will scroll horizontally, even though the wheel only scrolls in the mechanically vertical direction. You can also left tilt the wheel button which temporarily changes the mouse to a vertical and horizontal drag to scroll apparatus. I didn't have any problems with the software. It installed off of its mini-disk with no hitches and performed well. There are a lot of options, and the usefulness of some may be questionable (e.g., "undo").
V-TRACK 310 Final Thoughts
Size
This shows you how small the mouse is. It's about the size of what is typically called a notebook mouse. Remember those are AAA batteries, not AA.
Looks
As we all know, looks don't do anything, and looks should not be confused with ergonomics, which do much. But the looks of the V-Track 310 is sharp and sporty like a sports car. And it comes in three bright colors plus black. Comparing it to other well known brands, I think the design is exceptional.
Wireless
The receiver is "multi-link," which means you can plug in multiple G-Cube peripherals using only one receiver. The LED/laser is red but the “V-Track Technology” and it's “focused beam” is suppose to be unique and. Tracking and wireless communication were flawless, even on my velour chair. There are five DPI setting: 800; 1000; 1200; 1600; 2000. You can also change the report rate from a standard 125Hz, to 250Hz, or to 500Hz, which makes the mouse a more precision instrument.
Software
The software for the 310 is what sets it off from other wireless non-gaming, and lower priced mice on the market. The right button is customizable with sixteen different gestures each with multiple options under each gesture (.e.g, refresh browser, back, zoom document, etc.). There is another section of the software that allows you to use the scroll wheel as both a vertical and horizontal scroller. Another option for scrolling is to use the left tilt mouse click. This brings up a multi-scrolling icon, similar to the one you get with most mouse software for vertical drag to scroll functions. This one allows you to scroll horizontally also also by dragging the mouse.
Build Quality
Everything fits together nicely and it's very solid. I tried squeezing it as hard as I could in a pinch grip and couldn't feel any flex. The scroll wheel is positive and has a nice dampened feel to it. The inward curved sides provide a very positive feel when gripping the mouse, much more than a typical rounded back design. Ergonomically, it's very comfortable.
G-Cube V-Track 310 Conclusion There isn't much I dislike about this mouse. It is simple but with the option of adding plenty of functions to the right key. The design and build quality are solid. Everything worked as advertised, which means I had no problem with wireless skipping or stalling nor any problem with the software. The inward curved side design feels positive and comfortable and is a nice touch. It's better than the typical rounded back mouse.
Wireless was spot on and sensitive, even on a velour type chair, and the software never hitched. The wireless performed as well as my Microsoft X8 gaming mouse. At first glance, the software is fairly complex, but not overly so. DPI settings go from 800 to 2000 in five increments. You can also set the report rate from 125Hz/250Hz/500Hz for smoother more precision operation, and if you have never tried that, it makes a huge difference. My only gripe about the software was that upon installation, you don't get a choice to change the installation directory.
Functionally speaking, this is not a gaming mouse. Although the sensitivity settings are good enough for gaming, and the optional report rate settings for fine movement is very nice too, the mouse isn't a macro style mouse. It's more if a productivity mouse than a gaming mouse, but if you don't need any quick fire macro type buttons, it should work just fine as a gaming mouse too. The software gives you many ways to change the use of the mouse, such as the scroll wheel tool that gives you're scroll wheel both vertical and horizontal function, and the right mouse button gestures turn the right mouse button into a function powerhouse, such as opening apps, zooming, and refreshing web pages. It's also very comfortable.
Build quality is solid and everything on the mouse performs tightly. The scroll button is solid and dampened.
There is a lot of competition in the productivity mouse area, much more than with gaming mice. For $29.99 (Amazon) this is going to be a hard sell, unless you absolutely need the extras that come with the software. Or, you love the design. Logitech and Microsoft are selling wireless mice with similar technology for less than $18, for instance, and both companies provide extremely solid quality and are well known. Given that this mouse is pretty much like other good quality wireless mice, but with extra software and a spiffy design, the $30 price seems optimistically high.
Pros:
+ Nice Ergonomics
+ Well built
+ Software customization
+ Excellent Wireless and Tracking Performance
+ Excellent External Design
Cons:
- Price
- Usefulness of Some Options Questionable
- Packaging
- No Directory Installation Option
Ratings:
-
Performance: 9.50
-
Appearance: 9.75
-
Construction: 9.00
-
Functionality: 8.00
-
Value: 7.75
Final Score: 8.8 out of 10.
Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award.
Benchmark Reviews invites you to leave constructive feedback below, or ask questions in our Discussion Forum.
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Comments
As for the price, I guess that if you want it bad enough, you'll buy it. I just may try one of these out.
Thanks for the review, it was a good read.
I saw a Logitech wireless mouse at Ross Dress for Less (USA discount store)a couple days ago for 9.99. lol
Still, if you need the functions, then it's worth it.
um NO 15M = 49.21245 feet
hmmm last thing I ever saw that G-Cube made was an old ATI X800XT I had they've been keeping quite