The white version of the DareU A950GM completely loses the performance losing attributes of the series. Gone are the days of having a RGB LED strip and a magnetic charging dock. Now, for the first time, DareU takes a more performance-centric approach, putting in a top-tier PAW3395 sensor and achieving a “disruptive” price of around $15 at only 60 grams.
Many people who have been around the gaming gear market in Asia will remember the name DareU A950. When it first launched, the A950 caused a storm, because for only $40 it offered a cool design and came with an RGB charging dock. But a gaming mouse will always become old news in a matter of seconds. What is more important for a gaming mouse nowadays is having the ability to be the most lightweight gaming mouse on the market to alleviate the stress of the wrist. It also requires the ability to track flawlessly and precisely.
A massive weight loss from 88g down to 60g
When you look at the old A950, you can tell it has a lot more mass in the overall design when compared to this new A950GM. With a total weight reduction of 30%, this new mouse has gone from a weight of 88g to 60g. It is still a fully enclosed shell design. There is an absence of the side LED lighting. The metal contact pins that allowed for the magnetic charging dock have also been eliminated from the bottom.
A primary white ivory-white casing accented with a black scroll wheel and black side buttons (a “Panda” scheme) gives the A950GM a nice aesthetic. Rather than going the route of most soft-touch rubber coated mouse which will inevitably begin to peel and get sticky after coming in contact with sweat from gamers living in more humid/warm environments like Vietnam, DareU has coated the entire shell in a fine textured matte ABS plastic. This is the perfect middle ground for friction as even during my sweatier gaming sessions I never found myself slipping off the mouse.
The construction of the A950GM is very impressive, especially considering the price of the mouse. A lot of gaming mouse that go the ultra light 60g route will use thinner shells which become incredibly flexible and will bend when a gamer exerts even the slightest pressure on the sides. The internals of the A950GM do not have any noticeable rattling when the mouse is shook.
Compact Size – Ideal for Asian Hand Sizes
At 123 x 64 x 39 mm, the A950GM is a much smaller alternative to larger gaming mouse which usually come in at around 126–128mm, thus leaving room to accommodate smaller Asian hands while still being large enough for a solid palm grip.
By reducing the mouse’s length to 123mm and arch peak to 39mm, we’ve created a distinct advantage for players using fast-paced shooters. We’ve increased the distance between the palm of the hand and the mouse’s rear to create a more open space for those who use a claw or fingertip grip to make small adjustments and even pull the mouse toward themselves for recoil control.
With its side contours that offer natural grooves for the thumb and ring finger, the A950GM has made lifting the mouse off the pad very simple. Added to that is the mouse’s pure white PTFE feet with rounded edges that provide a practically friction-free movement, especially on mousepads.
DAREU A950GM Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse,26K DPI,60g Lightweight:
DAREU A950GM Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse,26K DPI,60g Lightweight:
DAREU A950GM Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse,26K DPI,60g Lightweight:Check Availability on Amazon
Performance in the wild: Getting it on the level
At an MSRP of under $20, DareU’s A950GM is a crazy good value proposition because it utilizes the PixArt PAW3395 sensor. This specific sensor, until very recently, cost in the triple digits and even quadruple digits for products that used the sensor officially.
For the $20 MSRP, you are essentially getting top-tier specs of a 26k DPI, 650 IPS tracking speed and 50G acceleration in an officially supported mouse.
I put the A950GM to the test in two esports games with two different types of aiming: Valorant, with a crosshair that has to stay still and has a very short movement to be precise, and Overwatch 2, which requires following very fast and erratic movements of opponents. Both tests were performed at 800 DPI with a 1000Hz report rate using the provided wireless 2.4GHz receiver. 180-degree swipes are what the sensor of choice in gaming, the PAW3395, is built to excel at, and with the A950GM it is no different. The sensor handles rapid swipes of an extra-large mousepad flawlessly and there are no tracking issues and absolutely no “spin outs” of the sensor when cursor unexpectedly moves vertically. Wireless connection is also very consistent and stable at 1ms with 1000Hz. Any very slight wrist flick to adjust position instantly translates onto the screen with a perfect 1 to 1 movement ratio.
The sensor is joined by 100 million click mechanical switches that live under the main buttons with a design that conforms to a person’s finger. DareU did a great job to ensure that the hinges on the buttons don’t have unwanted motion. When clicking the buttons of the A950GM to take shots in the Vandal in Valorant, the button was able to be clicked again very quickly because of the switch and the tactile sensation was there to click after each shot to reset and make a clean and crisp button click for the index finger. Scroll wheels are usually a design weak spot in many gaming mouse but DareU did it right. Each position is well defined and will not scroll too easily, but at the same time, is easy to use for rapid scroll maneuvers to bunny hop in game.
A solid power management system for all your multi-tasking needs, all in one package
There are lots of mouse products on the market designed for gamers that have gaming features for multiple devices, but the DareU A950GM has perfected the gaming mouse market and then some. It includes a toggle switch for triple-mode versatility and a solution for the headache that is modern power management.
If you are using it on your laptop in a coffee shop, you can just flip the switch to Bluetooth and be connected, all without a USB dongle. When you return to your desktop and your competitive gaming PC, you can switch back to 2.4GHz for high speed, 1000Hz polling rate for the highest of performance.
Removing the RGB allows the mouse to have significantly less weight while also allowing for a larger battery life. Due to the energy efficiency of the PAW3395 and a 500mAh internal battery, the A950GM has up to 65 hours of continuous battery life at 1000Hz in 2.4GHz mode and a whopping 125 hours in Bluetooth mode. In typical day-to-day use, this gaming mouse would easily last you more than a week of heavy use. When it comes time to charge, simply plug the ultra-soft, braided USB Type-C cable that came with your mouse into the Type-C port, and go back to gaming as usual. In the meantime, the mouse is a fully wired gaming mouse. A full charge will only take you around an hour.
Final Words
The DareU A950GM shows that DareU knows what their customers want by removing unnecessary features and putting all of their focus and resources on what is most important for winning games, which they were able to do for $25. For the price, it’s going to be difficult to find a real gaming mouse in Asia that combines a 24-month warranty, top tier PAW3395 sensor, and 60g ultralight weight. If you’re looking to dominate and get your rank up with an elegantly white aesthetic mouse, this mouse is your best bet, especially if your hands are on the smaller side.
Pros:
Good price to value ratio: For less than $25, this mouse includes the top tier PAW3395 sensor (650 IPS, 50G) and has an ultralight weight of 60g.
Strong build.
Smaller 123mm shape.
The switches are great. Short travel and a very responsive click.
Great battery life.
Cons:
Missing magnetic charging base of the more expensive A950 series mouse.
Length of 123mm may not be suitable for gamers with larger hands of over 19 cm, preferring a full palm grip.
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