The Zowie Mouse Fitting Kit is a smart solution to the age-old issue of having to test-fit gaming mice to see if they are ideal for your hands and style. Most gaming mice retailers don’t have the devices ready and available to try out and hold. These stores have them in the original packaging on display shelves, so you have to buy one to be able to open it and see how it feels in your hand.
Of course, buying to test-fit isn’t the best way to go about shopping for the perfect variant, especially since it could take a few tries to find the one. The kit promotes the idea of picking a mouse like you would sports equipment, such as baseball bats which need to have the correct length and grip design, according to Zowie’s E-Sports Manager.
So Zowie came up with the Mouse Fitting Kit which you can rent out for two weeks at a $10 cost. The kit includes several variants and sizes of the famed Zowie pointing devices so you can play using each one. Take note that every model has identical sensors and specifications, so testing the shapes and weights are what matters here.
How to Avail of the Zowie Mouse Fitting Kit
The Zowie Mouse Fitting Kit is available via Zowie Direct for only $10, which is a steal considering you don’t need to drive around and hunt for each model. You are technically renting the kit, but we think the $10 charge goes to the prepaid return label that comes with it.
Once your order is confirmed, you will receive instructions and an agreement to sign within 24 hours. You get the kit for two weeks from the shipment date, and we think that’s plenty of time to test and feel each model.
Take note that Zowie Direct requires a payment authorization hold of $250 from your credit card until you return the kit fully intact and without additional damage. Most of the mice included in the beautifully packaged set are brand new, but some are factory refurbished so there may be some minor damages involved.
Zowie Direct recommends that you report these flaws immediately since they will charge a specific amount from the $250 that’s withheld on your card.
What’s in the Box
The Zowie Mouse Fitting Kit features ten variants that are neatly arranged in a large box that’s comparable in size to your gaming monitor. The kit includes the EC, FK, ZA, and S series mice in different sizes and shapes. You get to check out the FK1+, FK1, FK2, EC1, EC2, S1, S2, ZA11, ZA12, and the ZA13. The model names are code for the sizing, and the higher the number is on the model name, the smaller the mouse will be.
All of these gaming mice from the fitting kit are driverless or plug and play, so you don’t need apps like Razer Synapse or SteelSeries Engine to change settings. Each model comes with the same sensor and sensitivity adjustments, with each increment set to 400 DPI, 800DPI, 1600 DPI, and 3200 DPI. Report rates are also preset at 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
This means the Zowie mice aren’t as customizable as other brands, but you have to remember that it’s less of a hassle to install and tinker with a new app. You don’t have to set and test multiple profiles, letting you play as soon as you unpack and connect any of the models in the kit.
Some of the Zowie E-Sports mice have LEDs that change color according to the DPI you selected. You get red for 400 DPI, purple for 800 DPI, blue for 1600 DPI, and Green for 3200 DPI. We know many like the idea of being able to customize lighting schemes and colors, but the Zowie mice are focused on functionality than aesthetics.
The guide on the lid can be used as a decoder for the mice since all of the basic information regarding the differences are printed there. It would have been nice if Zowie added short descriptions or suitable grip types for several models to make it easier. However, that ruins the fun of being able to test and play around, plus it defeats Zowie’s aim of giving you the chance to feel each one.
Zowie Fitting Kit Mouse Types
As mentioned, the Zowie Mouse Fitting Kit includes the FK, EC, S, and ZA series of gaming mice in different sizes. Of course, your first-hand experience will still best dictate which is ideal for you, but here are short descriptions of the contents:
Zowie EC Series
The Zowie EC series offers an ergonomic shape designed for right-handed people with maximum comfort in mind. The EC1 and EC2 are great for both palm and claw grips, plus they are a bit more comfortable to use due to the contour of the shell that cascades down to the right. The kit includes both medium (EC2) and large (EC1) variants, but we think the latter is better for palm grip users.
Zowie FK Series
The Zowie FK series is meant for ambidextrous palm grip use with its lower hump on the shell. It’s also usable for claw and fingertip grip users, but the slightly flat profile makes it very comfortable for palm grip gamers. The FK series is also the oldest in the lot, but it comes in medium (FK2), large (FK1), and XL (FK1+).
Zowie S Series
The Zowie S series offers some of the smallest overall dimensions in the line up which means its one of the lightest as well. it’s a short symmetrical-shaped mouse, but its mainly designed for right-hand users unlike the ZA and the EC variants. This model is great for fingertip and claw grips due to its size, especially since it only comes in small and medium sizing.
Zowie ZA Series
We think the Zowie ZA series is the best option for claw grips due to its taller hump on the top shell. This model is also ambidextrous, but we consider it as a smaller-sized alternative to the FK variants. The ZA models come in small (ZA13), medium (ZA12), and large (ZA11) so it won’t be suitable for palm grip users unless you have smaller hands.
Verdict
We love the idea of the Zowie Mouse Fitting Kit and we wish all gaming mice manufacturers would do the same for their loyal users. The program saves you time, money, and the trouble of going around and finding each model on retailers.
The ten bucks you lose are still a lot less than paying for gas and spending hours on end trying to find the best gaming mouse. It also covers the return shipping, making the deal hassle-free and customer-friendly.
You can also keep the specific model you liked after testing, but Zowie will charge an amount to cover the device you chose. We’re not sure how they calculate the cost, but users on Reddit have mentioned that it can go as high as $45, depending on the model.
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.