VGN Y2 Review
Specifications
Packaging
Shape & Size
The VGN Y2 is an asymmetrically shaped, medium-sized mouse measuring 119 x 63 x 39 mm. The mouse has a moderate backward-placed hump, making it highly suitable for claw grip due to increased inner-palm contact. The front has a moderate outward flare, and the sides have an inward curvature. The shape and size are highly reminiscent of the VAXEE NP-01 and other mice inspired by the same shape, such as the Incott GHERO and Nyfter ELT 4K.
Coating & Grip-tape
The coating of the VGN Y2 is very good. It feels rubberized and somewhat close to what brands like Zowie, Vaxee, and Endgame Gear use on their mice. It does not quite match up, but it is very close. The coating also does not seem to be affected by changes in temperature or humidity. The only slight issue with this coating, which is also the case for other high-quality coatings, is that it leaves fingerprints somewhat easily, though they are quickly removed with a simple wipe-down.
In addition to the great coating, the mouse comes with grip tapes for the sides, back, and main buttons. If the standard coating by itself is not sufficient, the grip tapes add a lot of additional grip to the mouse's surface, making it even easier to handle.
Build Quality
The build quality of the VGN Y2 is quite good. It has slight flex on the right side of the shell, but nothing that affects regular usage. Other than that, the mouse is very well built. Shaking the mouse aggressively produces a slight rattling noise, but this does not occur during regular usage.
Weight & Feet/Skates
The weight of the VGN Y2 is only 42 grams for the Pro version and 41 grams for the Ultra version. This is impressively low for its size and shape, especially given its great build quality. All other mice with the same shape and size (VAXEE NP-01, Incott GHERO, and Nyfter ELT 4K) are noticeably heavier.
The skates on the VGN Y2 are great. They were quite smooth out of the box and became even smoother after some usage. They are also quite thick, ensuring the bottom surface of the mouse is elevated from the mousepad enough to avoid contact, even on very soft mousepads.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
The VGN Y2 Pro uses the Huano Transparent Green Shell White Dot mechanical switches rated for 100 million clicks, whereas the Y2 Ultra (the one I have) uses the Omron Optical switches rated for 70 million clicks. The clicks are very tactile yet somewhat soft at the same time, which is an unusual combination. Usually, softer clicks tend to give less tactile feedback, but in this case, they are quite tactile. There is no noticeable pre-travel and only a slight amount of post-travel, making the clicks feel high quality. They are also very easy to spam click.
The side buttons on the VGN Y2 are also great. They are tactile, easy to spam, and have no noticeable pre-travel, though they have some post-travel, which does not negatively affect regular usage.
The scroll wheel uses the popular TTC Gold encoder. When scrolling, the steps are very well defined and require a medium amount of force, making it feel tactile and well-balanced.
Sensor & Performance
The VGN Y2 Pro uses the PAW3395 sensor, while the VGN Y2 Ultra, reviewed here, uses the newer PAW3950 sensor. Both support an 8K polling rate. In use, the performance and consistency felt amazing and flawless, like most high-quality mice using the PAW3950 sensor.
Conclusion
The VGN Y2 Pro costs $55.99, and the VGN Y2 Ultra costs $75.99. There are not many options available when looking for a mouse with this shape. Some exist, but none currently beat the VGN Y2 in terms of overall value. The coating is excellent and consistent, the weight is noticeably lower than all competitors, the buttons and scroll wheel make the mouse feel great to play with, and the sensor and performance are top-tier, all at an affordable price.
