ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition
ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition Review. A mouse that seems to understand why Armoury Crate is bad…
I purchased some items and coupons during last Black Friday. I will write more later, but even though the mouse I primarily use is good, there are a few shortcomings, so I felt the need for a different mouse. So, after researching some mice based on my own criteria, I ended up getting the ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition!
Table of Contents
- ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition Review. A mouse that seems to understand why Armoury Crate is bad…
- The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition is of a decent size and has good build quality!
- The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition looks quite ordinary.
- I like that the ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition also supports Bluetooth connectivity.
- Although it is an ASUS ROG product, DPI can be adjusted without Armoury Crate!
- The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition collaborates with Aim Lab to help you find the optimal DPI!
- The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition is expensive, but it is well worth the value!
- ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition Summary
The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition is of a decent size and has good build quality!
The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition is not particularly large in terms of its size. My hand is not that large, so it reaches only up to F1-F10 comfortably. Comparing the mice I’ve recently used, the Razer Pro Click has the largest click (just to note, this one is really substantial, on par with the commonly used Logitech MX Master 3 in offices), and it is similar in size to the G Pro Superlight but slightly smaller. Nevertheless, it’s not a completely small mouse. Objectively, it is considered to be of a moderate size. In practical use, it doesn’t completely cover the hand; rather, it gives a feeling of wrapping the mouse with the fingers. I thought they might have designed it with the idea that, for a gaming mouse, you need to swiftly glide it around.
The ROG Harpe ACE connects via USB Type-C, fitting the modern trend for mice, and it’s great that it has a structure allowing any USB Type-C cable instead of being restricted to the provided one. If you’re asking, “Aren’t most mice USB Type-C these days?” then you’re mostly correct. However, both of the mice mentioned above use Micro-USB. Despite neither being mice that have been out for that long. Especially the G Pro Superlight, many people continue to actively use it even now, even with the release of the G Pro Superlight 2. Despite that, the fact that it’s not USB Type-C is a drawback. Moreover, the Razer Pro Click not only relies on using Micro-USB but also has a connector structure that almost feels like it requires a proprietary cable due to its snug fit. In simple terms, it means you can’t use just any Micro-USB cable with it; it has a structure that requires a specific type of cable. The G Pro Superlight didn’t go to that extreme, but…
On the other hand, the USB cable is made with the popular Paracord, which is the current trend for gaming mice, and I find this aspect pleasing as well. Actually, since it’s wireless, I don’t often plug in the cable; nevertheless, I consider these details as a kind of thoughtful feature.
· ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition Key Specs
Connectivity | USB 2.0 (TypeC to TypeA) Bluetooth 5.1 RF 2.4GHz |
Sensors | ROG AimPoint |
Resolution | 36000DPI |
Maximum Speed | 650IPS |
Maximum Acceleration | 50G |
Report speed | 1000 Hz |
L/R Switch Type | ROG 70M Mechanical Switch |
Battery life | 90 hours without lighting 79 hours with default lighting(Breathing) |
Dimensions | 127.5(L)x63.7(w)x39.6(H) mm |
Weight with cable | 54g (without cable and USB dongle) |
The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition looks quite ordinary.
The patterned grip tape complements both the appearance and performance.
The mouse looks somewhat ordinary in its default state. Gaming mice from non-Razer products like ZOWIE GEAR or G Pro Superlight, which were popular in the past, tend to have a somewhat ordinary appearance. Is it a mindset that prioritizes performance over appearance? This is also the case with the ROG Harpe ACE. However, by applying the included patterned grip tape, you can enhance both the appearance and performance. Personally, when compared to the Razer grip tape that I highly favor, I find the feel of the laser tape better. However, the ROG tape is not bad either. To put it succinctly, the Razer tape gives a distinctive feel, easily recognizable when touching the tape, whereas the ROG tape feels a bit more integrated with the default mouse. Here, the default plastic material of the ROG Harpe ACE is also smooth and nice, so there is a certain level of contrast between the two.
The weight is 56g, and it definitely feels light. My Razer Pro Click is around 106g, so it’s almost twice as heavy. However, the sensation is definitely different, but I can’t help but think, “Twice as much… really?” Well, considering smartphones weigh around 100g from the start, the sensation of being twice or three times as heavy doesn’t really register. Such weight differences might become noticeable during long gaming sessions. A heavy mouse might be good for productivity tasks, but it’s not ideal for gaming over extended periods as it can strain the wrists.
I like that the ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition also supports Bluetooth connectivity.
If you use multiple computers or Macs, it can be a crucial option to consider.
I had a few more considerations when choosing a mouse. Firstly, since I also have a MacBook, I preferred a mouse that can be used on both Mac and Windows systems if possible. As a result, most gaming mice were ruled out under these conditions. Razer has a few products that somewhat meet these criteria, but Logitech is almost out of the picture. Logitech seems to clearly separate gaming and office mice, each designed for its specific purpose. As a result, the range of choices itself was somewhat limited.
The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition, being a gaming mouse, comes with a dedicated Bluetooth dongle, but in addition to that, you can also configure and use up to three other Bluetooth devices. Including the dedicated dongle, you can connect and use a total of four devices. These days, many mice, possibly due to weight considerations, are being released without this feature. Moreover, there are quite a few cases where this feature was present in previous versions but got removed in the newer versions. A very precious feature to me…
Although it is an ASUS ROG product, DPI can be adjusted without Armoury Crate!
It is impressive that ASUS provides separate firmware updates and software removal tools.
As befits a ROG product, I also tried out the infamous armorury crate. The program was definitely slow, but it was still usable. The funny thing is that one of the features that this mouse boasts most is that it can change DPI without Armory! The official website requires that Armoruy be turned off when downloading and running the firmware. After that, Armoury shows that the firmware can be updated again. Does this mean that the firmware is overwritten? It’s like a war going on inside… the software is lagging a lot, and I’m not sure if Armory is the cause, but my laptop has been running very slowly lately, so I ended up deleting it. The deletion should not be done as simply as deleting a program from the Control Panel. It is said that it remains in the registry area. It should be deleted through the “dedicated deletion tool” on this page.
DPI can be changed by itself = DPI can be changed on a Mac.
Even without Armoury, you can change the DPI by manipulating the bottom part of the mouse. It’s good that it’s not particularly troublesome. I like this part in particular. This is because my Razer Pro Click is not supported by Razer Synapse, which is the Razer equivalent of Armoury. I did support at some point, but it disappeared at some point. Why remove a feature that existed? The lack of a Mac version for Razer Synapse is a disappointment for many Mac users, as only the Windows version is available. Back in the day, at least there was support on Windows for DPI changes, but now it’s impossible to make any changes at all. The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition allows DPI changes directly on the mouse, making it feasible for use on Mac without any issues.
RGB customization is only possible through Armoury, so there is certainly a drawback in that aspect. I don’t place much emphasis on RGB, so I simply change the colors to fit my style and use effects in a standard manner. Even here, Armoury’s software has numerous issues, with the available effects varying based on the path taken to RGB settings; it’s a problematic software in many aspects.
The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition collaborates with Aim Lab to help you find the optimal DPI!
One of the key highlights of this mouse is its collaboration with Aim Lab, helping users find their most suitable DPI. Although it didn’t seem specifically tailored for this mouse, after continuously cycling through three or four games for about 10 minutes, it helps find the DPI that suits me best. I’m not sure how accurate it is. Nevertheless, ‘What DPI is most suitable for me?’ is a significant concern for many gamers in their own right. Just providing one reference point alone is meaningful, in my opinion.
The ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition is expensive, but it is well worth the value!
Still, ASUS ROG frequently offers discounts, so purchasing it during a sale is advisable.
The mouse is quite expensive, but it’s undeniably well-made. It’s also good to know that they’re made to be as far away as possible from enemy inside, armoury. If you’re not using a two-computer setup, options like the Glorious Model O Wireless or the Faker mouse might be suitable choices. However, if you need to consider Bluetooth like I do, it’s worth looking into as one of the viable options. Objectively, it may seem expensive, but considering that many premium mice, such as the Glorious Model O Wireless, often exceed 150 dollar, it might actually have competitive pricing. Moreover, it seems that ASUS, especially in the mouse and keyboard sector, is somewhat overshadowed by more prominent brands like Razer and Logitech, leading them to occasionally offer discounts. If picked up at the right time, it could become a very good choice. There’s nothing lacking in terms of specs and features, making it a solid companion. If you happen to use an ASUS laptop, using Armoury might be the only option, making it an even more optimal choice!
- I personally purchased and am using this product with my own money, but I could receive a commission.
ROG Harpe ACE Aimlab Edition Summary
Good point
- The mouse’s performance, including its weight, is outstanding.
- The grip tape significantly enhances both the appearance and performance.
- The mouse’s inherent ability to change DPI means DPI adjustments are possible on Mac as well.
- In addition to the dedicated Bluetooth dongle, it can also connect to up to 3 devices via Bluetooth.
Bad point
- The mouse is expensive compared to its level of recognition.
- While Armoury is not necessary, in that case, RGB customization is not possible.