Games tested: Kovaak's / TF2 / Battlefield 6 / CS2
Sensor
5 out of 5
It works
Preface
The X2F has been on my wishlist since early this year, but I decided to put it off once I heard that a Crazy Light version is coming out. That being said, I unfortunately cannot use the original X2F as a comparison in this review. I bought this mouse for $1,149 HKD, which roughly converts to $147 USD. Now, let's take a look at the new X2F CrazyLight.
Packaging
Package includes:
The mouse
8K dongle
Charging cable
1x Dot skate set
1x Full-size skate set
User manual
Sticker
Very satisfied with this packaging from Pulsar. The box itself is made of a type of foam, which acts as one big protection layer for the mouse. The slide-to-open design is also very pleasing to use. The mouse comes without any skates pre-installed.
Components Analysis: Dongle, Cable & Skates
Dongle:
The 8K dongle features 2 functional buttons, one for setting the DPI, one for customised function. There's also a LED below the button to indicate the stages. A dongle with functional buttons is always a plus; while I don't use this feature often, I know this is a great need for some people.
Cable:
The mouse comes with a braided USB-A to USB-C charging cable. The cable is not too stiff, but not particularly flexible, either. Playing in wired mode is possible but not recommended. Although, I assume most fingertip mouse users tend to avoid playing in wired mode.
Skates:
I must apologise since I didn't use the included skate, so I wouldn't be able to discuss the quality here. I can only assume that it feels familiar with the other stock PTFE skate from Pulsar. But one thing I must complain about is that only 2 sets of skates are included. I know they include 16 pcs of dot skates in their other models like the X2N and X2CL, so why do we only get 1 set of full size skates and 4 dot skates for a $150 mouse?
Shape
The best way to describe the X2F is that, it's just a regular mouse cut in half. Compared to another fingertip mouse that I have, the G-Wolves Fenrir Max, the X2F has a lengthier side-wall and a higher button height. My hand-size is 18x9.5cm, and when I'm holding the Fenrir Max, I feel like there isn't much space for me to rest my fingers on. The X2F, however, provides a lengthy side-wall that attempts to accommodate most hand sizes. This lengthened side-wall simply gives me the anchor points for my fingers that I would normally find on a regular mouse.
Additionally, the X2F is shaped with a very comfortable side curvature, providing great support for my fingers. On some other fingertip mice, such as my Fenrir Max, you may often find a rather narrow and flat side-wall. Personally, I can't grip such mice comfortably without any grip tapes, and I'd always have to readjust my finger position; but for the X2F, I just felt like holding a normal full-size mouse with its butt cut off, no grips needed. Since the sides on the X2F do not narrow towards the front and has a comfortable curvature, I can endure long gaming sessions without fatigue building up quickly.
Weight & Balance
My unit of X2F CL weighs in at 29.5g with 4 dot skates applied, which matches the advertised 29 ±2g manufacturing variance. In hand, it feels absolutely divine to maneuver. Moving the mouse is quite effortless, close to feeling like I'm holding nothing in my hand. The weight balancing is also done well.
The Crazy Light version managed to shave off 9g from its previous version, which is excellent. You can see it right from the get-go that Pulsar made many additionally cuts to the shell in order to achieve this reduction. I would say, though, that the Crazy Light version is just what the previous version should've already been.
Build Quality & Coating
The build quality is definitely solid. There is no rattling when shaken or creaking when pressure is applied to the sides. However, minor flexing can be observed when applying pressure in the same area. This is most likely due to the removal of that supporting frame on the bottom plate from the previous version.
While I do not have the earlier version of the X2F, I have had the opportunity to try it at a peripheral store; evidently, the Crazy Light version feels less rigid now compared to its previous version. The shell just feels thinner, overall; but it's only a trade off for weight reduction, which is actually preferable for me.
The coating has a rubbery feeling unlike my two other Pulsar mice. This coating actually grips really well and I didn't need to apply any additional grip tapes. While the coating on the X2F CL does attract fingerprint easily, oil is not as visible, and debris doesn't get caught easily. It is also very easy to clean.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
Unlike the previous version, the X2F CL uses the Pulsar Optical Switches for its main clicks. The immediate impression of these switches is that they are rather stiff. Actuation requires a higher amount of force, but other than that, the implementation actually feels really good. Pre-travel is very low, and post-travel is moderate. Actuation feels very snappy and responsive. However, there is quite a bit of side-to-side wobble, but that's not a big problem.
Side buttons are decent. I noticed that the side buttons on my unit doesn't feel the same. The forward button has a higher pre-travel with low post-travel, which makes it feel sluggish to press. On the other hand, the back button has lower pre-travel but moderate post-travel, making it snappy and satisfying to click. The position and the shape of the side buttons is very good. The distance between the two buttons are far apart enough to avoid accidental actuation, and the level of protrusion from the shell makes them very easy to click. It's also not difficult to reach the side buttons by simply rolling my thumb.
The scroll wheel on the X2F CL is probably the best scroll wheel I have used so far. Each step is very distinctive in-between, resulting in a very tactile scroll. The middle click is also very snappy and spammable. However, there is a slightly noticeable wobble when moved from side-to-side.
Software
Pulsar provides both a standalone driver and a web driver. Here are the features:
Battery reading
Button remapping
Lighting setup
DPI 6 stages
Polling rate stages at 125/250/500/1K/2K/4K/8K
Sensor angle tuning
Motion sync
Ripple control
Angle snap
Turbo Mode
LOD
Debounce time
Macro
Low power mode
Auto sleep
Long distance mode
Dongle function button setup
The driver has pretty much every settings you could ask for. The UI is also very intuitive and easy to navigate. Driver update can also be done very easily. But the one thing that I love the most from them is the way they teach you how to update the drivers. They write out instructions in a way that they assume the user is a complete dumbass, which is VERY GOOD. However, if there's one thing I have to complain about, it's that there is no dark mode in their driver. Or if there is, let me know.
Battery
The X2F Crazy Light is equipped with a 210 mAh battery. I used this mouse for a week, on an average of 3-4 hours a day for gaming and productivity, on 1k polling rate. I also didn't use any additional settings like motion sync or turbo mode. After a week, I have about 30% battery left. If you were to use 2k or high polling rate, I assume it will only last you a couple of days.
Performance
I mainly used the mouse for aim training and productivity, with occasional FPS gaming on TF2, BF6 and CS. I also tested the mouse on both cloth pad and glass pad. I didn't experience any issues for the time I was using it. There were no signal dropouts or tracking issues; the sensor didn't pick up any issues on glass surface, either.
An aspect that often goes unnoticed but often gets more annoying as time goes on is the wake up speed. Fortunately, activating from sleep mode on the X2F CL is pretty much instant. This has become one of my pet peeves in a mouse as I experience the complete opposite in the IPI Haze X which I had reviewed.
The only real obstacle you can run into while using this mouse is the adjustment period. If you're already used to fingertip grip, then it should be a piece-of-cake, given that the shape fits your hand. However, transitioning from traditional claw/palm grip can be difficult when the stability provided by your palm is forcibly taken away from you. I'm not a good fingertip grip user, and I'm still not used to fingertip grip. But aside from aim training, I actually really enjoy using this mouse in casual gaming. Maybe it's the freedom on the y axis it offers, or that it gives me great breathing room for my sweaty palm; either way, the mouse is very satisfying to use.
Price
The X2F CL comes in at $149.99 USD. I bought the mouse for $1,149 HKD, which roughly converts to $147 USD. It's not a good price, but it certainly was worth it for the build quality and accommodating shape. But here's the thing, at $150 USD, they don't even bother putting in more accessories. Only one set of full-size skates and 4 pcs of dot skates is diabolical. Even G-Wolves, at a similar price point, includes grip tapes, more dot skates, and a travel case, even. Sometimes, it just feels insulting buying from Pulsar. I don't want your sticker. Give me more dot skates (even if I don't use it).
Conclusion
+ Comfortable, accommodating shape
+ Light weight
+ Has both web/standalone driver
+ Good coating
+ Great scroll wheel
+ Dongle with functional buttons
+ Featureful driver
+ Fast wake-up time from sleep
= Stiff but snappy main clicks
= Average battery life
- Pricey
- Very few accessories included for the price
The X2F CrazyLight is what I would consider to be a great mouse for people who wants to begin transitioning from traditional claw/palm grip to pure fingertip grip. With an exceptional build quality and a shape that aims to fit all types of hand sizes, it would be the perfect introduction into this niche market. However, this decision can be put to halt by its rather expensive price tag when other cheaper options are available. Nevertheless, the X2F CrazyLight provides a very comfortable fingertip experience for me, which, in the end, somewhat makes me feel less guilty from the purchase.
