Test: be quiet! Dark Perk Sym and Ergo

A few months ago, we reviewed be quiet! keyboards, which marked the brand’s entry into the world of peripherals. Now it’s time to take a look at their mice, which boast impressive specs. Be quiet! is clearly targeting the high end of the market, but will these mice live up to expectations?

A big thank you to be quiet! for providing these two mice.

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Before we begin, a quick note: the two models presented here are identical in terms of technology. They differ only in their shape and feel. The information provided in this article will therefore apply to both models!

The box

The packaging is fairly simple. It features an image of the mouse and a reminder of the selected model. On the back, you will find the technical specifications, which we will discuss later.

Unboxing

Once the two parts of the box are separated, the mouse is immediately visible. It is held in place by a plastic mold, which also protects it during transport. After removing this plastic, we find a small cardboard pocket containing the accessories.

Accessories

The bundle is fairly modest, but sufficient. The following items are included with the mouse:

• The USB-A to USB-C cable
• A USB-C dongle for wireless mode
• Replacement skates
• The user manual 

We appreciate the orange cable, which echoes the brand’s colors. It’s also nice to have extra skates, as these are wear items.

The wireless dongle is split into two parts: the USB-A transmitter and a USB-C adapter. This feature allows you to plug it into a USB-A port if necessary. But you can simply connect it to the end of the supplied cable, which allows you to keep the transmitter close to the mouse.

Another special feature is the USB-C part of the cable. As you may have noticed, it is slightly curved. Be quiet! does not specifically mention this feature, but it looks like a system designed to keep the cable slightly raised. We will come back to this point later.

Features

As mentioned in the introduction, this mouse is designed for the high end of the market and aims to satisfy demanding gamers. To do this, be quiet! has plenty of arguments in its favor.

If you don’t understand all these details, don’t panic, we’ll explain.

In short, be quiet! offers mice equipped with the best sensor on the market, coupled with a featherweight design. The battery life is also impressive. Be aware, however, that this will decrease depending on the selected polling rate. The higher it is, the shorter the battery life will be, and vice versa. You will therefore need to find the right balance between performance and battery life, depending on your preferences.

Here you can see the sensor, as well as cutouts on the bottom of the mouse. This method saves precious grams, helping to make the mouse so light! A nice little extra is the writing on the PCB, a detail that is certainly small, but nice to see.

While we’re under the mouse, let’s take a look at the two buttons next to the sensor. Starting with the one on the left, you can see the power button, then the shortcut for selecting the DPI “level.”

A small colored tab indicates whether the mouse is on or off, changing from white to red. The DPI “level” is selected using a simple push button, which does not have a light indicator.

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In terms of components, these mice are clearly top of the line. But is the software just as good?

To start with, we’ll download the IO center software. It’s also possible to use the web version, which is always handy.

First look

Once the installation is complete, you will need to restart your computer. You can then launch the software, and we’re ready to take a tour.

The home page is quite simple, almost empty. You can see the mouse model with an associated image. At the bottom, various elements scroll by, including tips for use.

The part we’re interested in is on the left and can be accessed by clicking on the mouse icon. This takes you to a submenu for assigning keys. You can also assign macros, which can be very useful depending on how you use the mouse.

The second submenu concerns the setting of different DPI levels. This section is particularly well designed: you can enable or disable certain “levels,” but also customize them. It is therefore possible to create your own DPI “levels,” with up to five options.

Finally, the last submenu gives you access to several other settings, including the polling rate. This can be set between 125Hz and 8000Hz, which is a very wide range. This is another nice feature that allows you to adapt to each use. There are also settings for sleep mode, sensitivity, and many more.

Please note

The version used for this test is in beta, so the software may still evolve. As it stands, it is generally simple but effective software. All the elements necessary to optimize the use of your mouse are present, without any unnecessary “packaging.”

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And how does it perform in use?

In order to provide the most comprehensive test possible, I used one of the two mice on a daily basis for a while. After trying both versions, I settled on the ergo. This was due to several factors, including the different shape. As a reminder, the sym is perfectly symmetrical, whereas the ergo model has a slightly more elaborate shape.

Another factor is the size of these mice. They are relatively small, and the Sym is slightly less suited to the size of my hand. These factors are subjective, so they will depend on your grip and hand size. A quick reminder of the different types of grip:

Personally, I mainly use the palm grip. But I also tested the claw grip and the fingertip grip. And I can tell you that the mice are suitable for all three without any problems.

Without being an expert on these two grips, I still found the Sym model more comfortable for the claw grip and fingertip grip. But again, this is subject to individual preference.

First impressions

Depending on your preferences and habits, both mouse models will satisfy you. The grip is comfortable and feels natural very quickly. The light weight greatly contributes to this feeling, which is very good.

The mice are of course recognized without any special manipulation, both in wired and wireless mode. Speaking of the wire, it is well designed. It is very flexible, and combined with the unusual shape of the connector on the mouse side, you almost forget it is there. But of course, it does not offer the same level of comfort as wireless.

Once the software is installed, you unlock a wealth of interesting settings that are easy to access. It is simple, comprehensive, and effective.

Remarkable glide

When I first used the mouse, something immediately struck me: the skates are excellent, and the glide is just as good! The combination of a lightweight mouse with high-performance skates makes for very smooth and effortless handling. This is a very good point, which be quiet! seems to have mastered from their very first mouse.

Comfortable for mixed use

Some of you may use your computer exclusively, or almost exclusively, for video games. At the editorial office, even though we don’t say no to a quick game, office use is also very common. So, what’s the verdict on these mice?

Well, the transition is seamless. I was able to enjoy my games to the fullest without feeling bothered by the mouse. On the contrary, it’s a rather pleasant experience, thanks to many factors: its light weight and excellent glide, coupled with excellent technical specifications, including the best sensor on the market today.

On the other hand, be quiet! mice are just as comfortable for office use. It’s nice to have a mouse that’s easy to handle for this purpose, and its light weight prevents wrist fatigue. This use also highlights another impressive feature: its silence!

A mouse you forget you’re using

Of course, how can we talk about a be quiet! product without mentioning its silence? It’s the little touch that makes all the difference, and one that is greatly appreciated!

On a mouse, there is only one element that can make noise: the switches. Here, the technical specifications already promised high quality and a pleasant feel, as be quiet! opted for a recognized brand. But their added touch is the impressive silence. And that makes the mouse all the more pleasant to use.

Build quality

We haven’t mentioned it yet, but the build quality is just as impressive as the other features of these mice. The plastic is very sturdy and doesn’t bend even under pressure. The various buttons are high quality and fit snugly into their sockets. The scroll wheel is very pleasant to use, with a slightly notched feel.

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Now you know everything there is to know about these be quiet! Dark Perk sym and ergo mice. As you will have gathered from reading this review, they are a success, especially for a first attempt. The brand aimed high, and it has achieved its goal.

A successful gamble

With a price tag of €109.90 in France and impressive technical specifications, be quiet! is clearly aiming for the high end of the market. You could say that for a first series of mice, this is ambitious to say the least. And yet, the brand makes an immediate impression.

Build quality, design, technical specifications… the recipe for success involves several elements, all of which are in place here. The result? A lightweight, robust mouse with glide that is as excellent as its technical specifications: battery life, sensor, switches, nothing has been overlooked.

The cat and the mice

Verdict?

We’ll spare you a long-winded conclusion: it’s a success. These mice won me over in many ways, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. For a first attempt, be quiet! has made a big splash. It makes you wonder… what’s next for the brand’s peripherals?

We liked:

• Top-notch technical specifications (sensor, switches, battery life, etc.)
• High-quality, robust mouse
• Lightweight
• Very good glide
• Simple and comprehensive software
• Reasonable price

We would have liked:

• Nothing to complain about. Maybe an “XL” version in the future?