Pulsar Xlite Wireless v2 Review

Xlite Wireless V2 Intro

The Xlite Wireless V2 is now priced at $79.95 and is typically found in black or white, with the red version shown in this review being a limited edition. In terms of specifications, the V2 retains the same components as its predecessor, including PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, CX52850 MCU, a 300 mAh battery, and offers up to 70 hours of battery life. Despite its enhancements, the V2 maintains a lightweight design at just 59 g. The bottom plate has been redesigned and the battery position rearranged, leading to better weight balance. Additionally, the scroll wheel has been elevated and its switch is now less stiff. The most noticeable change is in the sides, which are now nearly hole-free. Founded in 2020, Pulsar is a gaming peripherals company based in Korea, offering innovative products like the Xlite Wireless V2, which boasts these three key improvements over the original Xlite Wireless.

For full details please refer to the original sources. Anything that isn't discussed remains the same. This review focuses primarily on the distinctions between V2 and V1.

Overview

Packaging Contents

Inside the sturdy box, you’ll find a quick start guide, a sticker, a wireless dongle, a wireless extender, and a charging cable (USB Type-A to Type-C). Unlike the V1, the mouse now sits on a plastic tray instead of being cushioned.

Weight Consistency

It's impressive that the weight remains unchanged compared to the V1, even with the now fuller bottom plate and fewer holes on the sides. My scale reads about 59 g (+/- 1 g), which aligns perfectly with what Pulsar has stated.

Cable Quality

The cable is 1.80 m long and features gold-plated USB connectors, along with a ferrite bead to minimize signal noise. Identical to the one from the V1, this cable is a paracord-like, braided charging cable (USB Type-A to Type-C). The only difference is its color. The Xlite Wireless V2 includes this charging cable.

Foot Design

Indents next to the feet make them easier to remove. The ring surrounding the sensor helps maintain consistent CPI even when vertical pressure is applied. Glide is excellent, thanks to the white-dyed pure PTFE (Teflon) feet on the Xlite Wireless V2.

Side Design

Additional impressions of the mouse can be found below. The top remains unchanged. The most noticeable alteration in both appearance and design is the absence of holes on the sides. While there are still a few at the front, the main grip area now has no holes on either side.

Build Durability

No accidental clicks happen when you slam down the mouse, regardless of the debounce time set. It's impossible to activate the side buttons by squeezing the sides, ensuring there's no unintended engagement. When lateral pressure is applied, the shell shows no signs of creaking or flexing. However, there is a slight rattle when you shake the mouse. Overall, the build quality is solid.

Button Feedback

The Xlite Wireless V2 features a set of Kailh GM 8.0 (80 M) switches. The button stiffness is medium, providing a solid feel. The feedback from the buttons is more mechanical than in the previous V1, which had a more muted response. This change is due to the bottom plate, which now acts as a resonator. Both the left and right buttons have some pre-travel; the left button has moderate post-travel, while the right button has low post-travel. Overall, the main buttons on the Xlite Wireless V2 are still very good and deliver a firm and enjoyable response.

The tactile switches from MWK are used, ensuring a responsive experience. Actuation is easily achieved by rolling your thumb across due to the well-placed buttons. Feedback is noticeably better compared to the V1, providing a more engaging experience. The pressure point is perfectly consistent across all buttons, enhancing the overall feel. Both pre and post-travel are nearly absent, leading to a very firm and snappy button response. Side buttons remain impressive, making them a great feature.

The mouse features a straightforward on/off switch located at the bottom, and it functions perfectly.

Scroll Wheel Mechanics

Surprisingly, a Huano switch (blue plunger) is still used for the middle (scroll wheel) click, which now needs medium force to activate. The encoder, sourced from F-Switch (brown, pink core), stands at a height of 14 mm. While I didn’t face any issues with accidental scrolling, the tactility feels somewhat lacking. However, the noise levels are impressively low, and overall, the scroll wheel remains in good shape.

The V2 has a wheel that is raised by 1 mm, which is different from the V1.

Surface Quality

Overall, the materials used are excellent. After cleaning, there are no signs of wear noticeable on the Xlite Wireless V2. It's easy to clean and doesn't gather fingerprints, dirt, or similar spots. The smooth matte surface covers the entire device.

Shell Disassembly

The clips on the top shell of the Xlite Wireless V2 are tougher to dislodge than those on the V1, needing a bit more strength. Once the top and bottom shells are separated, you can easily access the inside. Start by taking off the rear skate and the two screws that are underneath it. Disassembling the Xlite Wireless V2 is a straightforward process.

The MCU in this setup is a CompX CX52850. To keep it as lightweight as possible, a very thin PCB is used, with the side buttons positioned vertically on top of it. Instead of having a dedicated CPI button, Pulsar managed to utilize a single PCB efficiently. This design approach echoes the wired Xlite, showcasing remarkable internal efficiency. In total, four screws secure the PCB to the bottom shell.

Noteworthy flaws are absent when it comes to the soldering and overall quality of the PCB.

Click Latency Overview

For reference, the latest version of the graph is provided, even though click latency remains the same.

The resulting values may be considered quasi-absolute, as the Zaunkoenig M2K has been suggested as a standard for being within 0.1 ms of the potential minimum click latency for high-speed devices and within 0.2 ms of a theoretical absolute minimum. This evaluation relies on devices being connected to the PC via a wired setup. To measure the relative delay, a test setup involves connecting the NO pin of one main button switch from the test subject to one from the control subject, which is the ASUS ROG Chakram Core. The process utilizes qsxcv's program to assess the latency between the two buttons. Debouncing, which is necessary to prevent unintentional double clicks, introduces a delay—referred to as click latency. Most computer mice utilize mechanical switches for the primary buttons, requiring this debouncing to function correctly.

Final Words

It’s worth noting that the weight remains unchanged at just 59 g, despite the significant modifications. The battery has been relocated to the rear, thanks to a newly designed bottom plate that enhances weight balance. This adjustment corrects the previous front-heavy feel experienced with the V1, where the battery was positioned above the PCB on a plastic assembly. Furthermore, the absence of holes on the sides is a notable shift. Now, there are only holes at the front, keeping the rest of the sides solid. This change can be seen as either positive or negative, depending on personal preference. While I never had problems with the holes on the Xlite series, a solid surface is certainly more hygienic. Looking at the overall performance, it's no surprise that the V2 focuses on refining details. Key aspects such as sensor performance, battery life, and switch selection remain unchanged.

The wheel's height has been adjusted in the V2, raised by 1 mm to address concerns about it being too low, unlike the more recessed scroll wheel found on the Aerox 3 Wireless. However, the design of the wheel itself remains the same, with the added height coming solely from the encoder. Moving on to the clicks, the V2 features a bottom plate that is partially covered at the rear, which significantly impacts the acoustics of the clicks. This change results in a more mechanical and sharper feedback compared to the softer and more muted sounds of the V1, which had an almost completely open bottom plate. It's important to note that the preference for one sound over the other is purely subjective. The effects of these changes on the overall experience are notable, yet they are often overlooked in discussions about the mouse's design.

In short, the Xlite Wireless V2 once again earns our Editor's Choice and Budget awards. While the price has risen to $79.95, I believe it is warranted due to the essential updates in tooling, and the Xlite Wireless V2 still competes well with brands like Glorious. The only aspect that requires attention is the polling stability at rates under 1000 Hz in wireless mode, which is tied to the MCU and can't be resolved through firmware updates. It's great to see that the Xlite Wireless V2 is a direct outcome of customer feedback. Rather than radically changing the Xlite Wireless, the improvements refine an already outstanding mouse by addressing previous concerns. As one would have expected, the changes to the V2 don't drastically transform the original design.