Sandio 3D Game O2

For many years now, the keyboard-and-mouse configuration has been the most universal and widely embraced in PC gaming. Fans of the platform use the keyboard and mouse for just about every genre on the PC, from casual games to shooters and strategy games. However, that doesn’t seem to be enough for Sandio, who have released their second mouse made with the intent of rendering the keyboard obsolete for gaming. Outfitted with three hat switch-like thumbsticks and programmable buttons, the Sandio Game O2 Mouse not only handles your standard mouse movements, it allows you to perform the movements and some of the activities usually reserved for the keyboard. While the configuration isn’t exactly intuitive for all gaming genres and the mouse is can be unwieldy for gamers with smaller hands, it works great for strategy fans and functions quite well as a laser gaming mouse.

Out of the box, the O2 is quite a bit bigger than other mice, and with the removable fin for wrist support making it take up a good 1/3 more space than without it. However, if you have enough room on your desk, then the attachment is a nice way to give your wrist some added support.

The mouse supports four different dpi settings (400, 800, 1600, 2000) for your own personal preference in scroll sensitivity. You can tell the current dpi settings by the color of the lighting on the scroll wheel, which is an easy way of distinguishing between the four different settings quickly. The dpi can be changed on the fly by pushing down on the top thumbstick or pushing the two side buttons at the same time.

Of course, the real thing that separates the mouse from the rest of the pack is the three thumbsticks on the top and either side of the mouse. These are meant to give freedom from the keyboard, as each stick is fully programmable to allow you to perform the functions associated with the keyboard directly on the mouse. You’ll be able to move the camera around in RTS games quickly without using the keyboard, control your character’s movement in a FPS, and a variety of other functions in different games. The software that come with the mouse also has custom user interfaces for several different games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Half-Life 2 that you can load up before you start the game.

While the features are well implemented, the question with the O2 comes down to how it feels. Well, the control scheme is very different, and considering how accustomed most gamers are to the keyboard and mouse, it requires a pretty hefty learning curve before it feels comfortable. Also, while it lends itself well to certain genres, like strategy games with controllable cameras and an overhead perspective. However, for FPSs it’s not very intuitive, as moving around while trying to control your vision with the same hand is less than ideal. Also, since many of the functions that you’d do on the keyboard (like reload or call out orders) will have to be left off the mouse to leave room for others, you’ll find that you’ll be using the keyboard often anyways.

The Sandio Game O2 Mouse is a solid laser mouse with some good adjustable dpi settings and responsive performance. While the merits of the mouse’s unique control scheme are limited at best, strategy fans might actually get some good use out of the added control.

Pros:
Adaptable interface and loads of programming options, wrist support fin attachment can be removed, four dpi settings that can be changed on the fly, works well for strategy games.

Cons:
Button placement isn’t very intuitive due to the thumbsticks making it difficult to use for people with small hands, doesn’t work very well for shooters.

Verdict: 8.0
The O2 mouse is an intriguing effort to turn the gaming mouse industry on its head. However, the mouse doesn’t work quite well for all games, leaving the keyboard and mouse config the reigning champ as far as most gamers will go.