PMM AIM 8K Review
Introduction
PMM, a German company, has carved a niche in the peripheral market by producing 3D-printed mice, which incorporate components from renowned brands like Logitech and Razer. Beginning their journey in 2019 with 3D-printed shells that housed Logitech G305 internals, PMM has since advanced the materials used and broadened their shape offerings. While many of PMM's designs are inspired by existing models, this review will focus on their very own mouse and shape, the PMM AIM 8K.
Specifications
Packaging
Shape & Size
The PMM AIM 8K stands out significantly due to its shape, which diverges from traditional gaming mouse designs. It is specifically crafted for fingertip grip users and is one of the smallest mice available, measuring just 76 x 51 x 30 mm. Initially, I anticipated a similar experience to other small mice but found the AIM 8K to be uniquely smaller, making it challenging to compare directly with any "normal" mouse.
Distinctively, the AIM 8K does not have common features like front flares, side curvatures, and button grooves, opting for an almost completely square shape. While this flat design might be problematic on larger mice, it suits the fingertip manipulation of this model very well. However, for my hand size (20.5 x 10.5 cm), the mouse felt slightly too narrow. A slight increase in width, similar to the PMM CYBER 4.0, might have made it an ideal fit, as I otherwise appreciate the compact size of the AIM 8K.
One notable challenge with this mouse is the limited contact area on the sides, which requires precise finger placement to maintain a firm grip. Although initially problematic, I adapted my grip and soon found myself gaming comfortably.
Overall, the PMM AIM 8K's shape and size are exceptionally distinctive, making it a specialized choice that may not suit everyone. However, for those it does suit, it offers a gaming experience quite unlike that of most other mice.
Coating
Historically, PMM's 3D-printed mice lacked additional coatings, resulting in less grip compared to many commercially coated mice. To address this, PMM introduced the UltraGrip Coating, a ceramic-based finish designed to enhance grip on their 3D-printed plastic. This coating, part of their UltraGrip Collection, can be applied to the PMM AIM 8K if you select it during the order. The texture of this coating improves grip significantly, offering a feel somewhat akin to the chalky coatings found on some Razer mice.
Despite this improvement, I still find myself preferring the rubberized coatings seen on mice from brands like Zowie, Vaxee, and Endgame Gear. One distinct advantage of the ceramic coating on the PMM AIM 8K, however, is its performance in high humidity—unlike rubberized options, it remains dry and consistent, preventing the slipperiness that often accompanies moisture.
Build Quality
Given its 3D-printed nature, I initially had reservations about the build quality of the PMM AIM 8K, particularly due to the minimal material used to encase the PCB. However, the construction has proven to be surprisingly robust. The sides of the mouse are integrated directly with the PCB, which eliminates any flexing or creaking when pressure is applied.
Typically, I would assess the top and bottom structures as well, but the PMM AIM 8K features only small strips of plastic securing the PCB and will not be a contact point when gripping the mouse anyways.
Weight & Feet/Skates
Along with its extremely small size, a standout feature of the PMM AIM 8K is its remarkably low weight of just 20 grams. While many manufacturers strive to reduce the weight of their mice, there's a practical limit to how light a full-sized mouse can be. PMM achieves this significant weight reduction by utilizing only the essential parts of the PCB and minimal plastic for the buttons and sides, foregoing a full shell.
This reduction in weight creates a unique user experience; manipulating the mouse feels more like moving one's fingers rather than the device itself, enhancing the sense of control and responsiveness.
The importance of smooth skates is magnified in such a lightweight mouse, as any friction could detract from the effortless feel. The PMM AIM 8K uses skates made by ESPTiger, known for their high-quality mouse skates. These skates are smooth right from the start, eliminating the need for a break-in period and perfectly complementing the mouse's design to maintain its lightweight, agile feel.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
PMM does not manufacture their own PCBs; rather, they incorporate existing components from other mice. For the AIM 8K, they have utilized the PCB, buttons, and scroll wheel from the Razer Viper V2 Pro.
Having previously used the Viper V2 Pro with its optical switches, I found them less tactile than mechanical ones and was concerned this might carry over to the PMM AIM 8K. Surprisingly, the design of the AIM 8K positions the main buttons directly atop the switches, which eliminates any pre- and post-travel, enhancing the tactility of the buttons considerably even. This design also ensures there is no side wobble in the buttons.
To achieve its remarkably low weight and small size, the PMM AIM 8K omits side buttons. While this isn't a critical issue for my usage, as I simply rebound my functions to my keyboard, the lack of side buttons could be a considerable drawback for users who rely on them.
The scroll wheel, identical to that of the Razer Viper V2 Pro, strikes a good balance by being tactile yet easy to scroll through quickly. The actuation force required to press the scroll wheel is moderate and consistent with most other mice on the market.
Sensor & Performance
The PMM AIM 8K leverages the internals from the Razer Viper V2 Pro, ensuring it delivers identical performance and features. The performance is flawless, mirroring the high standards of the Viper V2 Pro, and I experienced no issues during gameplay. It's important to note that to access the 8K polling rate, the Razer HyperSpeed dongle is necessary. This dongle is available for purchase with the mouse. I did not have this dongle, so I couldn't test the performance at higher polling rates. However, based on Razer's reputation, it is expected to perform exceptionally well, as do other Razer mice with this capability.
Software & Configuration
Because the PMM AIM 8K incorporates the internals of the Razer Viper V2 Pro, it also utilizes Razer Synapse for software configuration. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Razer Synapse due to the issues I've experienced with it running in the background on my PC, despite attempts to disable it. Additionally, I have faced problems with settings resetting unexpectedly.
Conclusion
While the PMM AIM 8K offers a unique gaming experience, it's not a mouse that will suit everyone. Its specialized shape and size are specifically designed for fingertip grip users, which already narrows its appeal. Additionally, the price point is quite steep, which may deter potential buyers.
The cost of the PMM AIM 8K varies depending on how you choose to purchase it: $78 for just the mod-kit if you already possess Razer Viper V2 Pro internals, $185 for a complete set of parts requiring self-assembly, or $207 for a fully assembled unit by PMM. You can also use the code ELO to receive a 5% discount on your order.
Given its high cost, the PMM AIM 8K is primarily aimed at a niche market, those who prefer an extremely small and lightweight mouse and are comfortable with a fingertip grip. This makes it an investment for a very specific type of user, emphasizing its exclusivity and specialized design.
