Overall and Final Verdict
After using the Havoc for a while, the shape of the mouse really grew on me. For those that really enjoy a palm-grip style mouse, the structure of the Havoc fits the hand almost perfectly. I think it’s well understood that the size of your hand plays a pretty big role in the comfort of a mouse, and I think Cooler Master had the best of intentions with that in mind. But there are a few minor areas that they missed the boat on, and one they weren’t even on the right dock for. In particular, the side button area is too busy for me. I’d like to see fewer, larger buttons than sticking a small third one in between. I just couldn’t train myself to hit that button in a way that never accidently pressed a neighboring button, especially the one behind it. When it is something as vital as communication with your team, you can’t and really shouldn’t have to worry about how your thumb is approaching one of those buttons.
The larger complaint I have is the finish on the left side of the mouse. It seems very odd to me that Cooler Master would recognize the need for a rubberized grip for only half the contact points of a grip style they are marketing for. Structurally, the Havoc is built similar to the Inferno, which is equipped with the rubber material on both sides and in the left-right click area, while trading the gloss finish for the palm rest.
Cooler Master had the right idea for the Havoc, but it doesn’t seem to have translated into the best execution, and it just isn’t a mouse that I would use or recommend.
