ROCCAT delivers its next version of the Kone shaped mouse in the Kone XP which is a culmination of 15 years of research and development. I think one of my major issues with the Kone Pro was the lack of RGB lighting. ROCCAT not only added big-time RGB to this model, but they also installed a ton more buttons. ROCCAT’s Kone XP features 15 programmable buttons with 29 possible functions, refined Kone shape, 3D RGB lighting with 22 LEDs, a Krystal 4D wheel, a proprietary ROCCAT Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor, and a Lightweight Flexible PhantomFlex cable priced at $89.99.
Visually the Kone XP is a massive improvement in comparison to the previous Kone Pro. Not only in the RGB department but also in functionality with the addition of new buttons. 22 LEDs make up its 3D AIMO RGB lighting system. An entirely translucent topside with 8 parallel line light guides running underneath. “No cap” this is one dope-looking mouse. RGB fans are going crazy right now. AIMO is ROCCAT’s intelligent lighting system which is powered by their Swarm software.
Stepping on the scale at 3.6 ounces puts the Kone XP in the welterweight division. On the right and left sides there is a soft surface grip created by parallel lines in the plastic frame. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the material that makes my favorite type of glides due to the level of smoothness they provide. I didn’t notice a difference in this specific heat-treated version of PTFE glides featured on this mouse. They were mad smooth though.
ROCCAT markets this mouse to variety gamers due to its combination of being lightweight and extra buttons. This is a deep-rooted issue if you play competitive FPS, MOBA, and MMORPGs. MMORPG players want a mouse with 12 buttons on the side while FPS players just want the lightest mouse. MOBA players want the best of both worlds with a light mouse and extra buttons. Kone XP offers a happy medium with 15 buttons using ROCCAT’s proprietary Easy-Shift[+] technology to allow 29 possible functions at a respectable weight.
I need to dive a bit deeper into the buttons here because this is my first time seeing a system like this. Visually only 11 buttons appear to be available on Kone XP but it’s all smoke and mirrors because there are actually 15. Dubbed the 4K Krystal Wheel because it diffuses the RGB lighting, it also adds left and right lateral inputs making it 4D. A massive brain idea was the addition of 2 extra inputs on the main left and right mouse buttons. Mad props to the engineers for their ingenuity in developing this mouse!
ROCCAT not only did a wonderful job engineering this mouse, but they also made sure it was top tier in performance. If you are not familiar with how fast their Titan Optica switches are then just think “Laser beams”. A 0.2ms actuation speed on a switch tested up to 70 million clicks that offers adjustable debounce timing. “No Cap” this mouse got mad moves. An Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor that tracks mouse movement via the Swarm software is what makes the Kone XP so precise.
We all want a mouse we can use for everything we do; I think we may have found it. It’s the jack of all trades in the body of a goddess. It could be a bit lighter, but I would still feel comfortable in a competitive FPS setting with the Kone XP. I think the buttons on the side in the group of 4 are a tad small but I would have no issue playing an MMORPG with it. MOBA titles just kind of fit in the middle there. A pricey $89.99 but this mouse will take you where you want to go in style.
