Fantech Aria II Review
Specifications
Packaging
- Fantech Aria II gaming mouse
- 1k dongle (standard version)
- 8k dongle (Pro version)
- USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable
- Set of large PTFE skates (pre-installed)
- Additional set of large PTFE skates
- Additional set of small PTFE dot skates
- Grip-tape (for main buttons and sides)
- User manual
- Warranty card
Shape & Size
The Fantech Aria II has a unique egg-like shape with moderate inward front- and back-flare. The left side of the mouse has a curved side that contours to your thumb placement, making it feel something between a thumb rest and normal sides. This guides your thumb into a specific placement but does not feel like I am being forced into it.
The mouse measures in at 113.5 x 65 x 38 mm. The shape and size of the Aria II are the same as Fantech’s previous model, the Aria XD7. It is a small mouse mostly targeted toward a fingertip grip for most hand-sizes. Users with larger hands like myself might also be able to claw-grip this mouse, but will require a more aggressive grip. Medium and small-handed users should be able to claw-grip the Aria II quite comfortably. Smaller-handed users might also be able to palm-grip the mouse.
Comparing its shape to other mice, the closest alternative is the Razer Orochi V2 in terms of shape but with the Aria II being noticeably larger. The G305, while similar in size, differs in having an overall flatter top and a more aggressive back-hump.
Coating & Grip-tape
The Fantech Aria II uses a very good coating that feels similar to the ones used by Endgame Gear and Zowie. It has a rubbery feel to it, giving it a lot more grip compared to other mice that use standard coatings. It does seem to be affected by humidity but even so, remains better than other mice. The only downside of this coating is that fingerprints and dirt are more visible. The same problem seems to occur on all mice with similar coatings. Luckily, it is very easy to wipe off and does not affect its performance.
The mouse also comes with a grip tape for the main buttons and sides. These provide additional grip for those who do not find the standard coating sufficient. I did not use these grips for more than testing as I found the coating highly suitable by itself and I think most people will come to the same conclusion.
Build Quality
The Fantech Aria II has exceptional build quality. Neither the top, sides, or bottom experienced any sort of flexing or squeaking when applying pressure to the mouse, even when the amount of pressure far exceeded normal usage.
Weight & Feet/Skates
Compared to the original Aria XD7, the weight has been reduced by 6 grams, resulting in a total weight of 53 grams for the Aria II. Because of the small size, I would have preferred the weight to be slightly lower. At the same time, however, the Aria II has a completely solid shell and exceptional build quality, which likely contributes to the weight. This is not to say that the Aria II feels heavy, it still feels quite lightweight, especially compared to other egg-shaped mice like the Razer Orochi V2 at 68 grams and the Logitech G305 at 99 grams. On top of this, the weight balance is also really good.
The mouse comes with one large set of pre-installed PTFE skates, along with another large set and a set of dot skates. The skates feel perfectly smooth, right out of the box. This is very uncommon as it might require a couple of days of usage before most skates achieve optimal smoothness.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
The main buttons of the Aria II use the Huano Transparent Blue Shell Pink Dot mechanical switches. These are both tactile and easy to actuate, making them very suitable for FPS games. Since they are mechanical, they do not offer the same performance upgrades that come with optical switches but instead give a more tactile feel. There is no side wobble or noticeable pre-travel and only a very slight amount of post-travel.
The side buttons also have no noticeable wobble and very little pre-travel, but with slightly more post-travel, though this was not something that ever bothered me during usage.
The scroll wheel is very balanced in that it provides a good amount of tactility while still requiring very little force to scroll. It also uses a rubber that provides a good grip, making it even easier and more consistent to use.
Sensor & Performance
The Fantech Aria II uses the PAW3395 sensor. The standard version has a max polling rate of 1KHz, while the Pro version (which I am using) supports up to 8KHz. Like most mice nowadays, the performance was flawless, also when using the 8K polling rate. With many newer mice switching to the upgraded PAW3950 sensor, it would be nice to see the same on the Aria II. That being said, the performance upgrades would be negligible for most users.
Conclusion
The Fantech Aria II has just been released. The standard version cost $48.80, with the Pro version costing $88.80. This price makes the Aria II possible the best valued mouse on the market. Especially for those who are looking for an egg-shaped mouse, this is the best alternative available right now. On top of the unique shape, the build quality and coating are top-notch, making the overall experience very satisfying. It also has very tactile and easy-to-spam buttons and a scroll wheel, combined with a low weight of only 53 grams.
