Speedlink is known as Hardware-Producer for many years. Their knowledge about PC-Peripherals and Gaming Products is very high and that is the reason why our expectations about their flagship are very high. Thanks to Speedlink we can test their Kudos Z-9. At the beginning we would like to say that this mouse got everything they promised. Let’s take a look at the technical dates:
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Weight: 137 grams- 4-way scroll wheel
- up to 8.200 dpi
- 64 colours for the profile indicator strip illumination
- 150 ips Tracking-Speed
- 125 up to 1.000 Hz Polling-Rate
- Main buttons with Omron Switches
- 9 programmable buttons
- Cable length: 1.8 meters long
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Before we go on, we would like to show you what’s in the package if you buy the Kudos Z-9. The packaging of Speedlink’s Kudos Z-9 is held in the colors like the mouse itself: black and red. You can see an image of the mouse on the front. In addition to that you can see there the most important features like the DPI of the mouse’s laser and more. What we like is that you can open the front of the package. This gives you the opportunity to take a look at the mouse directly. You also can see some Images and details about the mouse’s Software at the inside of this package. What we also like is that Speedlink added the most important features in 14 different languages on the back side of the package once again. In addition to the mouse you find in the Kudos’ box a Quick-Install-Guide which gives you the first tips for the correct using of the mouse. You also can find a CD which you can use to install the mouse’s software. Most of the of the Hardware companies did not insert a CD. You have to download the PC-Peripherals software or drivers from the developer’s homepage. On the one hand this protects the environment, on the other hand it is more user-friendly when a CD is included.
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Let’s talk about the look/design of the Kudos. At the first glance we noticed that this mouse is made for hardcore and casual gamers. We think that if you just only look externally on this mice, Speedlink designed it very noble. This look is given by the great metal red which is the main color and black highlights on the buttons. We like it that the company used that same colors for this mice like for the Prime Z-DW or the Decus. The bottom of the mice is completely black.
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We like how great this mouse The Kudos Z-9 fits comfortably in your hand. We also like the space for the hand’s thumb. This allows a firm grip while you are playing games. Really noticeable are the four buttons in the middle of the mouse which are fully programmable. In addition to that, Speedlink also added two buttons for the thumb. To get a design highlight they also added LEDs. Not only on the mouse’s wheel but also a thin line which is in the middle of this mice is shining in the company’s red color. But you can switch the color of the thin line by the help of the software. You are able to choose between 64 different colors. You also can see the DPI you have choosen by looking on the additional four LED’s. All in all, we like the the design. on the one hand it is futuristic but not too much technically like the MAD-Catz mices. On the other hand it is very noble. We think that this is a great mix and it helps that the mouse is very comfortable.
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Before we talk about the mouse further, we have to say that everyone has other preferences. You have to get this mice in your own hands to test it and to see if it fits to you. If you take this mouse in your hands for the first time you will notice directly that the Kudos is very light. This mouse only weighs 137 grams. This very light. This is one thing that not everyone likes but we noticed, because of our test, that this did not have any negative impact on the use of the mice. We also think that it is definitely a big change for users that had previously a heavier mouse. We noticed that Speedlink using a hard Plastic which give the mouse additional to the design a good feeling. They also using Omron Switches for the main buttons which are known for very long life and are designed for precise clicks. They also optimised the buttons pressure point which allows that this mouse is also attractive for Hardcoregamers. We also like that they added a 1,8 meter long cable which is sheathed with flexible plastic. Speedlink also painted the USB-Connection in/with gold which allows a higher transfer rate. For more stability of the typical cable break points they added an additional sheathing. This small details shows us Speedlink’s high experience in this industry. What we like is that this mice has a 4-way scroll wheel. In addition to the rotating wheel you can push it to the left and right. This offers two more buttons.
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Let’s take a look at the technical features of the Kudos. What we like is that this mouse offers everything you need and expect in this price segment. Speedlink plugged in a sensors that offers a DPI resolution between 50 and 8.200 Like in other tests we used three different underlays and pads. What we liked is that the mouse worked very well on all different tables and mousepads. We noticed that we could choose Polling-Rate from 125 up to 1.000 Hz. This mouse also uses the internal memory to save the user’s profiles and settings. What we love is that you can change all settings you made with the help of the mice’s software with an APP. This also works while you are playing games. If users have an Android or iOS tablet/smartphone can use this APP to change the mouse’s settings directly.
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After you installed the software you get the opportunity to choose between four options: Buttons, Sensor, Macro-Editor and Settings. You can choose the buttons configuration in the first sector. The software also suggest what you can choose in this part of the setting. You also can create different profiles which allows you to switch the complete configuration faster. You can also find a button called ‘function List’ which allows that get an overview on all possible functions and their functionalities. You also can choose for every profile a different color. The mice’s LED will shine in the color matching to the chosen profile. This software gives you also the opportunity to change the Kudos’ sensor. With the mice’s software you are able to create four different DPI-Profiles. Mostly you can only choose 5 or 6 different DPI levels. But this mouse supports to choose the DPI in steps of 50. 
You can start at a DPI of 50 und put it up to 8.200. You can also configure the X- and Y-axis independently from each other. With the help of the Macro-Editor you are able to create your own Macros and to use them for you shooter or role-playing-games. The last part of the software is called Settings. In this part of the configuration you are able to choose the USB polling rate with the following options: 125, 142, 166, 200, 250, 333, 500 and 1.000 Hz. You can also turn on/off the Lines-latching, see your configured DPI/Profiles and activate them and, if you need, to activate the mouse’s accelerator. You can also set back, restore and save the Kudos’ drivers.
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But there’s also the other side of the coin. Unfortunately, this mouse is designed only for the right hand. This mouse is not comfortable for people are using the left hand. Unhappily, there are also no options to shut down the lights of the mouse. There is a breathing effect for the LED included which can not be changed or turned off, too. We also think that people that are using this mouse will not often push the two buttons which are on the sides of the DPI switch-button in the middle of the mouse. But we want also say at this point that we think that mouse’s wheel is great. It has the right size, a great surface and can be operated very pleasant.
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All-in-all, we think that this is a great product. Speedlink’s Kudos Z-9 is exactly what we expected of her. This mice is ergonomic designed, includes high-quality switches and is technically up to date. On the one hand we have to say unfortunately that we wished it would be possible to choose more colors for the LEDs or to turn them off, if needed. We also wished it would be possible to change the breathing effect of the LED. On the other hand we also want to praise the mice’s cable which is long, flexible and stable at the same time. We love the idea to use an app to change the configuration of the mouse. We noticed that Speedlink used for the Kudos qualitatively high materials and we also happy that the software includes all functions that you need to configure the mouse like you want to. We expected such a great performance of this product but not for such a great price. And this is the reason why Speedlink get jadoRendr’s first award. We want to give the Kudos Z-9 the award for great price-performance ration. We think that the light weight is more a matter of habit but we are convinced that the Kudos is a great product. We can definitely recommend this mice to you.
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