Pulsar Pro Series JV-X Review
Specifications
Packaging
Shape & Size
The Pulsar Pro Series JV-X is a medium-sized, ergonomic mouse, measuring 121 × 62 × 40.6 mm. The mouse features a new shape, not a revision of an existing one, made in collaboration with Jessievash, who is a Filipino professional Valorant player for Team Secret.
The shape has a very tapered back that slopes downwards somewhat aggressively. For larger-handed users like myself, it might make palm-contact less aggressive, which you might be used to from mice that have a more pronounced hump positioned back. The left side of the mouse has a slight inward curvature, while the right side curves outward, similar to most ergonomic mice. On the left, the front flares slightly outward, while on the right, it remains quite flat. What I would consider the two main differentiating features of this mouse, compared to other ergonomic mice, are the tall button height and narrow width.
While the button height on this mouse is similar to some other ergonomic mice, such as the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, the overall size of the mouse is noticeably smaller. On most mice, this also leads to a lower button height, but on the JV-X, it remains quite tall. Personally, I prefer shorter button heights as I find it more comfortable and better to aim with. That said, I did not feel as though the taller button height on this mouse limited me in any way, it is just an area of the shape that does not align quite with my typical preferences.
The other noticeable thing about this mouse is that it is quite narrow for an ergonomic mouse. Personally, I am a big fan of this. While many mice tend to get wider at a medium or large size, especially ergonomic ones, this one remains very narrow, but not so much that it feels too narrow. I like this because it makes my hand feel more locked in when my fingers are closer together when I grip my mice.
Overall, while I do prefer a lower button height, I found this to be an incredible shape. I am glad Pulsar is creating new ones, because many mice nowadays reuse the same shape over and over. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as most of these shapes are very well-liked and typically offer something new in one way or another, but to see an entirely new shape is refreshing, especially one that is this comfortable to use.
Coating
The coating on the JV-X mouse is similar to what Pulsar offers in their other mice. It feels quite grippy and remains consistent, regardless of changes in humidity and temperature. I would still say that companies like Endgame Gear and now Razer offer a more rubberized-feeling and grippy coating overall, but what is featured on this mouse is still leaps better than what many other brands offer.
Build Quality
The build quality and feel of the JV-X mouse are excellent. It does not flex or creak whatsoever when I apply pressure to the sides and top of the mouse. Only on the bottom is there a slight flex, but less so than most mice, and nothing that ever affected regular usage. The mouse also does not rattle when shaking it.
Weight
The weight of the JV-X sits at 56 grams. It is not competing with the ultra-low weights that we see in some mice today, but the mouse also features a medium-sized ergonomic shape with no holes in the shell, which results in more materials and therefore more weight. Because the build quality is also excellent and the mouse has a very balanced weight, I believe 56 grams is quite good overall. Personally, I would love to see it slightly lowered, but I am more than happy with the current weight and do not feel like it holds me back by a noticeable amount.
Skates
The JV-X features two very large white PTFE skates, in addition to a ring around the sensor. These are very smooth right out of the box, and I did not feel it required a break-in period before they performed optimally. They are also thick enough that on soft mousepads, the bottom plastic does not sink into the mousepad surface, creating unwanted friction.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
The main buttons on the JV-X use Pulsar's own optical switches rated for 100 million clicks. They have a light actuation force, making them great for spam-clicking. They are also very tactile at the same time. Both main buttons have a slight amount of pre- and post-travel, but are still very low compared to a lot of other mice and were not noticeable during gameplay. The main buttons also do not have any side-to-side wobble.
The side buttons are also quite tactile, with little pre- or post-travel. They also do not have any wobble. My only problem with them is that they sit quite flat with the rest of the shell. I prefer side-buttons to stick out a bit more so that they are easier to hit, especially on taller mice like the JV-X where my thumb sits quite far down on the mouse compared to the taller position of the buttons.
The JV-X uses the Pulsar Blue Encoder in its scroll wheel. It feels extremely smooth and consistent, but it lacks a bit in terms of tactility. It is tactile enough that it does not feel too "loose", but slightly more definition in the steps, even at the cost of some smoothness, would make the scroll wheel feel more well-rounded.
Sensor & Performance
The JV-X uses the Pulsar XS-1 Sensor, which is based on the PixArt PAW3950. The mouse comes with 8K compatibility, meaning no additional dongle purchase is necessary for the highest performance. Like most mice releasing nowadays with the PAW3950 sensor, this mouse performs perfectly and without flaws.
Conclusion
The Pulsar Pro Series JV-X currently costs $129.95. This places it in the mid-high end of gaming mice in terms of pricing. The mouse has a decent weight, a solid shell, and excellent build quality. The skates are smooth right out of the box, and the performance, like most high-end gaming mice, is flawless. The main buttons are great, both in terms of spamability, tactility, and overall feel. I wish that the side buttons protruded a bit out of the shell to make them easier to hit. The scroll wheel is very smooth, but does lack a bit of tactility in my opinion. The main draw of this mouse is going to be the new and unique shape. It is different from what most ergonomic mice offer, but in a way that still feels familiar and, most importantly, very comfortable and excellent to aim with. If you are looking for a mouse with something new in terms of shape and that offers excellent quality and buttons, the Pulsar Pro Series JV-X is a great choice!
