Vancer X Arbiter Akitsu Review
Specifications
Packaging
Shape & Size
The Vancer X Arbiter Akitsu is a compact, symmetrical mouse measuring 118 x 59.7 x 36.5 mm. Its dimensions are comparable to the Finalmouse ULX Small and WLmouse Beast X Mini, but the Akitsu differs in its shape. The sides are flat and lack inward curvature, and the front has only a slight outward flare. It also has a centered hump placement, making the overall design safer, accommodating a wider range of users, depending on their grip style.
Its small size makes it ideal for fingertip grip across all hand sizes. For larger hands, claw and palm grips are unlikely to work, leaving fingertip grip as the main option. Medium-sized hands may find claw grip usable, but palm grip remains impractical. Most small-handed users, however, should be able to comfortably use all grip styles.
Coating & Grip-tape
The Akitsu features a carbon fiber composite shell, giving it a texture different from typical plastic. The surface feels smooth yet maintains a decent grip, though it’s not as tacky as coatings from brands like Zowie, Vaxee, or Endgame Gear. The texture offers a good grip for my usage, but the included grip tape—for the main buttons and sides—provides extra grip if needed.
I was not able to make its shell flex at any point, even when large amounts of pressure were applied to the mouse.
Build Quality
Thanks to its carbon fiber composite construction, the Akitsu achieves an impressively low weight while maintaining a solid feel. This is further aided by cutouts in the shell and its compact size. Although previous carbon fiber mice suffered from shell flex, the Akitsu does not. It feels as solid as magnesium-based mice, showing no signs of flex even under significant pressure.
Weight & Feet/Skates
Weighing only 38 grams, the Akitsu combines its carbon fiber shell, small form factor, and shell cutouts to achieve this ultralight build. The weight is very well balanced, making it highly suitable for use with a fingertip grip. The pre-installed skates are four small dot skates, with an additional set of slightly larger skates included. Testing both options, the larger skates offered smoother and more consistent gliding, making them my preferred choice.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
The main buttons use custom "Dragon Claw Micro-Switches" by HUANO. These are highly tactile with minimal pre- and post-travel, making them excellent for rapid clicking. They are easy to actuate without being prone to accidental presses and exhibit no wobble.
The side buttons are also tactile, with a slight amount of pre- and post-travel but no wobble.
The scroll wheel features a "TTC Golden Dust Proof Encoder" and delivers excellent tactility without requiring excessive force to scroll. While pressing the scroll wheel requires slightly more force, it doesn’t harm usability.
Sensor & Performance
The Akitsu uses the PAW3395 sensor. While the newer PAW3950 would have been a welcome upgrade, the PAW3395 delivers very good performance, stability, and reliability. The mouse supports up to 8000 Hz polling rate and 26,000 DPI. In all supported games, the higher polling rates were stable and performed flawlessly.
Conclusion
At $140, the Akitsu sits at the premium end of the spectrum, significantly pricier than many competitors. However, its unique shape, carbon fiber composite shell, ultralight 38-gram weight, and outstanding build quality make it a good choice if it fits within your budget.
