So, feeling both curious and hopeful, let’s review the Glorious Model I 2. This gaming mouse shouts gamer bro from a rooftop! Its honeycomb chassis glows with RGB lights like a Vegas casino, and its 103 keys offer up a generous amount of customization options. $65 for a wired mouse in this day and age?! However that’s the real question we need to be asking.
Unique Buttons Worth the Price?
The Model I 2 boasts a sleek design, a comfortable-ish shape (that thumb slot is not for everyone, trust me), and a whole lotta buttons. Four side buttons plus a sniper button, all fully customizable with included caps … even blank caps are included, so you can avoid confusion. Glorious is making a huge bet on the idea that you want that much control.
Do you really? Think about it. Do you think that those additional side buttons are suddenly going to turn you into a pro CS2 gamer? Will that sniper button instantly grant you headshot precision you never had to unlock headshot precision? Or are they simply shiny distractions, preying on our basic gamer quest for more? It's like adding racing stripes to a minivan – cool, maybe, but it doesn't make it a Ferrari.
Wired in 2024: Seriously?
Having grown up in a world where wireless peripherals are all but standard, the Model I 2’s wired connectivity seems… archaic. It’s the equivalent of trying to hold onto dial-up internet access while every other country in the world moves to fiber optic. Sure, the cable is super thin and flexible, claiming to reduce drag. But it's still a cable. It's still a tether.
That price tag? $65 for a wired mouse? That’s getting up close and personal with some amazing wireless alternatives. Maybe if you’re lucky you can catch a Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED on sale, or better still find a used Razer Viper Ultimate. All of the sudden, those “convenient” side buttons aren’t so convenient when you’re trying to tame a cord.
This brings me to a point that is rarely talked about: the freedom of wireless is psychologically beneficial. It removes the frustration of that barrier, letting you spend your time in the game instead. You're investing in your peace of mind. Glorious looks to be skating over this psychological angle, though, just zeroing in on the actual visual features.
Glorious Core: Control or Confinement?
Glorious Core software lets you adjust a good number of performance settings, including lift-off distance and debounce times. You can even set the polling rate as high as 1K and DPI up to 26,000. Impressive on paper, sure. How much of this really comes together to make an appreciable change to your gameplay?
More importantly, the rebinding options are limited. No system or media shortcuts? That's a serious oversight. It’s equivalent to constructing a fancy high-performance engine under the hood but skipping out on putting a steering wheel in. It’s like having all this variable generation power and just not being able to tap into it.
The UI is apparently too small as well, which seems like a cop out. So are they actually trying to make it hard to use, or…
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting the software is a waste. I’m not saying that it’s a carrot. The same company is attempting to mislead you into thinking that you’re getting more than you think.
The Value Proposition: A Reality Check
Glorious clearly intends for the Model I 2 to be viewed as an attractive option with standout features. The reality is more effective, more cost-effective options exist. Alternatives like the Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air and Cooler Master MM311 are cheaper but still provide similar performance.
The Model I 2 barely edges out these competitors in a meaningful way. The click feel is crisp and snappy, though the distance of travel is fairly long. The ride quality is good overall, but not remarkable. The balance has been well figured out, though we admittedly expected something a bit groundbreakingly light.
The tactile, precise scroll wheel definitely feels good to spin. Does it really give a real-world benefit compared to the scroll wheel on a $30 mouse? Probably not.
We want to acknowledge that inflation is impacting all of us tremendously right now. Even the gaming industry isn't immune. Supply chain disruption and climate change, coupled with the inflation of production costs, are raising prices everywhere. That doesn't excuse overpriced peripherals. As consumers, we have an obligation to be shrewd and expect something for our hard earned dollars.
| Feature | Glorious Model I 2 | Cheaper Alternatives (e.g., Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.99 | $30 - $40 |
| Wireless | No | Some options available at similar price points |
| Side Buttons | 3 + Sniper | Varies, often fewer |
| Software | Glorious Core | Often similar functionality |
| Performance | Good | Good, comparable |
Inflation & The Gaming Market
So, if you’re worried about my opinion, no, the Glorious Model I 2 isn’t a bad mouse. It's just not a great value. The distinctiveness commands the attention, but they do not even begin to make a business case for the price premium. This is particularly the case when you consider the mouse’s wired nature and the software’s limitations.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. But before you drop $65 on the Model I 2, ask yourself: Are you buying a genuinely superior gaming experience, or just succumbing to marketing hype? Whether you’re actually receiving new features that improve your game or simply shelling out for the privilege of saying you own it. Your wallet – and your K/D ratio – will thank you for using it.
The Glorious Model I 2 isn't a bad mouse. It's just not a great value. The unique features are interesting, but they don't justify the price premium, especially when you consider the wired nature of the mouse and the limitations of the software.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. But before you drop $65 on the Model I 2, ask yourself: Are you buying a genuinely superior gaming experience, or just succumbing to marketing hype? Are you getting features that will truly enhance your play, or just paying for bragging rights? Your wallet – and your K/D ratio – will thank you for it.
