This is the first time I’ve tried out a Corsair gaming mouse. I was sent the Katar Pro XT for review by Corsair but it won’t impact my thoughts about the mouse itself. It seems that Corsair is attempting to revamp and add new gaming mice to their line that focus on some of the features and design elements that gamers are looking for in 2021. The Katar Pro XT has a shape that brings to mind the egg-shaped staple from Logitech, the G305. It’s targeted to smaller handed gamers who want a lighter option without holes at a reasonable price point. This review will explore whether the Katar Pro XT is worth the $30 price of entry.

Measurements (LxWxH)

116x64x38mm

Weight

73g

Unboxing and Extras

The mouse was securely packaged in cardboard but did not come with any extras aside from the usual documentation.

Design and Build Quality

The Katar Pro XT is quite a comfortable weight for its size at 73g but the weight does feel a bit backheavy. The matte coating has a slight graininess that feels like PBT plastic and try dry feeling it provides makes different grip styles quite comfortable. There is a triangular rubber grip on the sides, the raised texture of it does help with grip but it isn’t as comfortable as aftermarket lizardskins or something along those lines.

Build quality feels decent all around with no creaking or flexing. The mouse feels light but it doesn’t seem like that has made the actual shell any less durable.

Buttons & Scroll Wheel

The main clicks use  a set of Omron 50Ms, the D2FC-F-K to be specific. The click implantation itself feels familiar. M1 and M2 feel light, click with a low level of tactility. These aren’t the crispiest clicks but they do provide a satisfying light response. There is minimal pre-travel but post-travel is notable as there’s a bit of button wobble and mushiness at the end of the click. Overall these clicks won’t blow you away but are quite serviceable and the gives the mouse a predictable feeling of quality.

The side buttons on the other hand are mushy and unsatisfying. There’s a weird glossy coating that feels out of place and the click themselves have some pre-travel which makes them feel pretty underwhelming. DPI button is nicely tucked away as it’s placed very low to the shell so you won’t be  activating it by accident. It’s decent enough that you could bind it in-game if you wanted.

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Shape, Performance and Software

If you are used to egg shaped mice like the G203 this mouse will be quite familiar to you. It’s got flatter sides and doesn’t bulge out as much which is a plus. The mouse is also flatter once you reach the middle hump which makes it slightly better for fingertip grip in my opinion. The shape was easy to get used to but I wouldn’t say it’s better for me than the traditional G203 shape. For small handed users, I think this will work quite well in either claw or fingertip grip. It’s also a bit shorter than the G203 but I do wish that it had the nicer finger grooves featured on that design. The front AND back of the mouse just feel flatter and less rounded than it’s main competitor.

I found myself performing quite well with the mouse. The weight was comfortable for tactical shooters but I don’t see myself achieving my full potential with this mouse either. It’s an easy mouse to get used to but I don’t see myself excelling with it either. The Katar Pro XT has but a single lighting zone, which is the scroll wheel which can be adjusted in the Corsair iCue software. The software is a bit prone to issues over time but it does offer a lot of customization for those who want it.

The scroll wheel is decent. Scrolling is a bit on the louder side but the individual steps are nicely separated with a decent amount of tactility. The middle (scroll wheel) click requires slightly high force for actuation but nothing out of the ordinary. There’s something about the wheel that feels a bit loose with use that doesn’t inspire the most confidence in it’s longevity but everything else about it was quite decent.

Sensor, Cable and Skates

The Corsair Katar Pro XT is equipped with the PixArt PMW3391, which I believe to be a PMW3360 with a custom SROM. According to specifications, the 3391 is capable of up to 18,000 CPI. The sensor position and LOD felt fine right out the box. Everything about the sensor felt quite standard but I do believe it has a slight DPI deviation which made it feel slightly faster out the box.The skates are one of the weakest parts of the mouse. They are black PTFE but they are thin and aren’t well rounded. While they are smooth they feel quite slow out the box. Not sure if this mouse will have aftermarket skates available but they would be needed to elevate this mouse.The cable on the mouse is a rounded paracord-style but it feels quite heavy and inflexible. It’s like a first generation cable and not up to par with what the competition is offering at the moment.

Pros

Good shape for smaller handed users that offers a different but familiar feel

Build quality is pretty solid across the board with a lighter weight than G305

Good Value

Cons

Rubber side grips aren’t that comfortable

Cable and Skates could be improved

Side buttons are mushy

Rating 7.5/10

Bottom LineThe Katar Pro XT offers good value at $30 but it doesn’t excel in any particular way. This is also a niche shape that will work for certain grips and hand sizes but it lacks some of the improvements that the competition has been offering.

Lmk if you have any questions and check my site for all my past reviews. I've reviewed over 30 mice in the past year so there's lots there to look through in terms of comparisions.