Finalmouse Starlight Pro TenZ Review

The Finalmouse Starlight Pro TenZ edition features another addition to the Starlight series in collaboration with Valorant sensation TenZ. So if you ever wondered what mouse TenZ uses, it’s this one. Finalmouse are known for their lightweight gaming mice dating back to their Ultralight Pro, a collaboration with Fortnite streamer Ninja with the Air58 Ninja, and more recently, the wireless Starlight series lineup.

The community has mixed feelings about Finalmouse. There’s strong criticism towards Finalmouse’s business model of limited release drop. There have also been several quality control issues including double clicking, broken scroll wheels, and uneven mouse clicks on multiple models.

The Starlight Pro TenZ hopes to demonstrate significant improvements in quality and accessibility. With a hefty price tag of $189.99 at launch, is this a mouse to consider when there are other reliable substitutes including the famous FPS king Logitech G Pro X Superlight and close second, the Razer Viper V2 Pro. Prices are even more expensive as Finalmouse have run out of stock and the only way to acquire them is through the aftermarket where prices are hiked up.

What’s in the Box

The unboxing of the Starlight Pro TenZ is similar to any other mouse. Inside the box, Finalmouse have included:

• USB receiver extender
• Micro-USB to A cable
• Side grip skins (1.2mm, 2mm, and 2.5mm)
• Documentation

Design

The Starlight Pro TenZ mouse, keeps  the same shape as previous Starlight mice. The shape is closest compared to the Razer Viper Ultimate and Razer Viper Ultimate V2. If you’re familiar and enjoy this type of shape, the TenZ mouse will feel quite comfortable.

Finalmouse has a reputation of having the lightest wireless mice on the market, which remains true to this day. The small version comes in at a mere 42g and the medium at 47g.

They achieve this by implementing a magnesium alloy chassis; a very lightweight and durable metal that distinguishes Finalmouse from the rest of the competition. To ensure wireless signals to pass through, the TenZ mouse features a plastic underside composed of a material called Ultem. Finalmouse does advise not to squeeze the mouse too hard in case any flex or bending follows.

It’s 2022, we would expect that mice would use USB-C charging; unfortunately, the micro-USB port is still here.

On the bright side, the mouse utilizes a Jauch Lithium-Ion battery and has been one of the longest lasting batteries amongst wireless mice. Finalmouse claims that the battery can last approximately 160 hours of continuous use. After using the mouse for a month, only one charge was required.

Inside the mouse are LED indicators which flash green for a healthy battery life or flash orange when it needs to charge. Unlike other mice on the market, there is no way of determining the exact battery life percentage as Finalmouse does not provide any software.

At the top of the mouse is a DPI button which allows users to toggle between 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 DPI. No software is required to use the TenZ mouse, just plug and play.

Notable changes to the TenZ mouse begin with the exterior design. Finalmouse decided to remove the Greek-like engravings and transition to a more minimalist design. Personally, the chromatic silver and engraving of “Starlight” on the right mouse button is something that is much preferred over previous Starlights.

Shape

The shape of the TenZ mouse remains the same as other Starlight mice. The small has a length of 115mm, height of 35mm, width of 60mm, and grip width of 56mm. The medium has a length of 122mm, height of 37mm, width of 63mm, and grip width of 58mm. Claw and fingertip grip are the most comfortable for the TenZ mouse. You can use a palm grip but it will feel uncomfortable if your hands are too large since these mice are on the smaller side.

Build quality

The Starlight Pro TenZ is built very well. The magnesium alloy exterior is lightweight but durable and shows no flex when pressed hard on the sides. Finalmouse has made efforts to reinforce the underside Ultem plastic, but if pressed hard enough there is slight flex. Realistically, this flex won’t occur with regular use and will not pose any issues.

Side Grips (Infinity Skins)

Finalmouse have reintroduced their side grips, evolving to a new and improved version called Infinity Skins 2.0. This concept was first introduced with their release of the Ultralight 2 Cape Town edition. They retain the original padded feel while offering texture and greater grip to provide more stability when holding the mouse.

A recurring problem on the original infinity skins is that they left adhesive residue on the mouse and did not provide sufficient grip, especially with sweatier hands. The new and improved grips leave no residue and tackle the challenge of sweaty hands with no problems.

Buttons

The TenZ mouse changed the switches to Kailh GM 8.0; a replacement over their Omron 20M switches used in previous Starlight mice.

The TenZ mouse offers overclick protection to reduce the risk of running into double-clicking issues which were prevalent on older models.

The side buttons are very good as they are easily accessible, light, and have a crispy feel to them. In comparison to the Logitech G Pro X Superlight, the buttons on the TenZ mouse feel much less mushy, lighter, and have a more comfortable placement.

Both the main clicks and side buttons both present slight pre-travel but this shouldn’t impact competitive gameplay by a significant amount.

Mouse wheel

The scroll wheel is lined with rubber and is smooth to the touch. Although it lacks texture, the mouse wheel still feels grippy and responsive. Movement of the wheel offers tactile steps and it feels satisfying to scroll with it. Moreover, the middle click feels durable and sharp all while being not difficult to press.

Some models have come with slightly slanted mouse wheels but this is not the case with our model. It is firmly set right in the middle of the mouse and has little to no wobble.

Wireless Performance

The Starlight Pro TenZ features Finalmouse’s “Finalsensor” which they produced for their wireless mice lineup. While testing the sensor for any spin outs, pixel tracking, and acceleration/deceleration, there were no issues here. In terms of regular use, there was no jitter or lag present.

The TenZ mouse has a polling rate of 1000Hz; a benchmark most wireless mice hit these days. The mouse utilizes a wireless dongle in the shape of a puck-like design that is plugged in using the given micro-usb cable.

Mouse Feet

The mouse feet on the Starlight Pro TenZ are great for stock. They are made of virgin grade PTFE pads that produce no scratchiness and glide very easily. The orientation of the feet have been kept the same with 4 individual feet covering each corner of the mouse.

QC Issues

Finalmouse production has never been perfect. Their mice are known to have the most quality control issues, either it be during production or from wear and tear. This included double clicking, the infamous final mouse slanted scroll wheels, rattling, and uneven mouse buttons. Although less issues occur after every drop they do, there are still issues circulating about the quality of the TenZ mouse.

Warranty

Finalmouse offers a one-year warranty for the Starlight Pro TenZ mouse. More information on the matter can be found on their website.

Tech Specs

Finalmouse Starlight Pro TenZ