The Wargamer

Bling for Geeks

Modded computer cases, creations of rabid hardware fanatics who are looking to pimp out their computer cases, are rapidly gaining popularity across geekdom. Rather sticking with the plain black Dell computer cases, gamers are going the extra mile, building their computers with tons of extras. Some have added special water cooling, neon lighting, fish tanks, while others have gone so far as build computers in BBQ pits or water-enclosed tanks (see more). 

A cynical person might not see the value of these case modifications, but to those who admire the fancy aesthetics, MonsterGecko is offering a new mousing product. The young California hardware manufacturer recently put out its new specialty mouse, the PistolMouse FPS. The aptly-named mouse is shaped like a snub-nosed 9mm handgun, complete with a bulky grip and a trigger used as the primary clicker. The stylish mouse is the perfect bling statement for serious gamers, but how does it perform as a mousing device?

Components & Installation

MonsterGecko’s PistolMouse FPS is marketed as a specialty mouse designed for first-person shooter (FPS) gamers. It is for that reason that the designers at MonsterGecko designed the unit like a small handgun, giving players a chance to emulate the soldier onscreen. 

The pistol is placed atop a very large base which contains the optical eye. Like other new mice, the PistolMouse uses optical laser technology for higher resolution and more rapid response. The developer claims the laser is good for 800 DPI (dots per inch, a measurement of movement resolution), a rate which is comparable to the very best micing devices available today, including Microsoft’s Intellimouse and Logitech’s MX series. (Higher DPI ratings mean the mouse captures even the tiniest movements, a necessity for the precise movements found in FPS games.) The optical laser is located towards the front of the mouse’s base, which itself is a massive six inches in length, one inch longer than my own massive Logitech Mouseman Optical. As I’ll explain later, the size of the base was necessary in order to insure the unit’s stability.

In all, the PistolMouse measures seven inches in length, two and a half inches in width, and six inches in height. Even coming from my abnormally large Logitech, the PistolMouse is huge, if not downright imposing. Placing it in front of a workspace creates a lasting impression: it just looks audacious. It gets even more imposing when the lights are turned out: the large base becomes fully illuminated whenever the optical laser is put to use. If size matters with mice, the PistolMouse is the hands-down winner.

The austere unit is made of a hard black plastic cut with sharp, masculine edges. Touches like a defined loading chamber, ridged surfaces, sight, aluminum trigger, and gel grips all look terrific. Since the unit acts as a mouse, the three basic buttons are designed into the gun: the trigger acts as the primary button, the secondary button is discreetly tucked up against the base of the trigger guard, and scroll wheel is located just above the grips. Overall, the unit has a very weighty feel, giving me confidence in the unit’s durability. 

The black and red unit comes in a large rectangular box, complete with a large viewing pane for potential customers to gawk at the device. The attractive box is an early clue to the quality of construction, and the ease of use continues with an exceptionally ease installation. After taking the unit out of the box, installation was as simple as untangling the USB cord and plugging it into the back of my computer. Presto, Windows recognized the new device and I was instantly clicking around in XP with my PistolMouse. As a final touch, my regular mouse continued to work fine even though it was also connected.