Mad Catz R.A.T. TE Gaming Mouse Review

Looking around the R.A.T. TE

The R.A.T. TE is an average sized gaming mouse at 4.25 x 3.45 x 1.5 in (LxWXH) / 10.8 x 8.8 x 3.8 cm. The rear adjustable plate can lengthen the mouse an additional 15 mm. A non-adjustable thumb rest on the left side of the mouse extends the width of the mouse which would otherwise measure around 2.75 inches.

This is also one of the lightest mouse we have ever used. It took little effort picking up the mouse off the table top and was lifting-off unintentionally at the end of every swipe until I got used to how little the R.A.T. TE weighed.

The R.A.T. TE has a 6 ft (1.8 m) long braided cable that terminates at a gold plated USB plug. A cable tie is included to manage the cable length. Also visible is a sticker covering the laser sensor.

Two big things that differentiate the R.A.T. TE from other Mad Catz R.A.T. mice are on the underside. First, the base is an opaque blue lightweight plastic in contrast to metal. Second, an entirely new laser sensor is built into the mouse capable of up to 8200 DPI and lift-off tracking.

In the image below, the M.O.U.S. 9 is placed to the right of the R.A.T. TE. What should be apparent is that the R.A.T. TE lacks a horizontal scroll wheel, with only two other Mad Catz mice lacking such the R.A.T. 3 and R.A.T. M. What’s not obvious is the choice of surface coating. Most of the R.A.T. TE is covered in a rubberized matte finish and some, but not all of the blue stripes around the mouse are glossy plastic.

The R.A.T. TE has a decently boxy profile with a low height that suits itself well for those who hold their mice with a claw grip.

The R.A.T. TE has two LED indicator zones. The one visible in the below image indicates DPI level and uses red LEDs. Up to four DPI steps can be set in the mouse settings software for each profile.

There are three thumb buttons with the circular button acting as Precision Aim by default which drops the DPI to a defined level while held.

The rubber textured scroll wheel is not tiltable like the one used on the Mad Catz M.O.U.S. 9, but the button next to it in between the primary mouse buttons does. By default, the tilting buttons change DPI level. As for what the RAPIDFIRE button does it’s just the left mouse button like on any other computer mouse. It’s also the only button that can’t be customized over its default function in the customization software.

The MODE button located on a wing to the left of the left mouse button by default rotates between the three mouse profiles. A small Mad Catz claw logo on this button lights up in one of three colors red, blue, and purple to indicate which of the three profiles is active.

The R.A.T. TE can be lengthened in three self-locking increments of 5 mm, extending the mouse by 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm. A latch on the side of the mouse locks the ratchet in place and pressing on it will allow the user to slide the adjustable plate back and forth.