Image: Endgame Gear
After a total of three iterations of the XM1, the XM2w is expected to follow in May 2022, the long-awaited wireless version of the shooter mouse for fingertip grip and especially claw grip players. Apart from the radio technology, there are further improvements, but the special shape remains the same.
A long-awaited wireless adaptation
In late summer 2019, the German start-up Endgame Gear surprised with an extremely successful debut: The XM1 (test) fitted almost seamlessly into the existing structure of current shooter mouse recommendations. A few months later, a second edition with a more flexible cable dispelled any remaining doubts. Mouse enthusiasts called for a wireless adaptation early on, but in the genre of wireless lightweights, at the end of 2019 there were only Logitech's G Pro Wireless (test) and Razer's Viper Ultimate (test) to choose from at high cost. But Endgame Gear has so far only followed two other wired XM1 variants: The again improved and illuminated XM1 RGB (test) and at the end of 2020 the more functional XM1r with a newer sensor.
Endgame Gear often indicated that a wireless adaptation was being worked on. And always with the comment that good things take time. It's not quite there yet, but at least official specifications and an approximate date are provided by the manufacturer. And the recommended retail price is also available: the XM2w should cost around 110 euros and can be pre-ordered now.
Originally it was planned to ship the first units in March [or] April, but we currently expect to ship in May, as we had to do another round of tooling revisions, […].
Endgame gear
Innovations in the sensor and the additional keys
Aside from the integration of the 2.4 GHz radio, there are a few other adjustments to the inner workings. The PMW-3370 working in the XM1r is replaced by a derivative of PixArt's most modern gaming mouse sensor, the PAW-3395. Previously, the optical sensor developed in cooperation with Razer as the PMW-3399 was found exclusively in Razer mice, before it also appeared in Corsair's Saber Wireless (test). Apart from increased marketing key figures, the new sensor is accompanied by some improvements in the latency of the signal processing – Endgame Gear also speaks of "MotionSync" in this context – as well as an increased internal frame rate, which has at least brought measurable advantages in previous tests. The PAW-3395 is consequently paired with a more powerful microcontroller; Endgame Gear relies on the dual-core STM32. According to Endgame Gear, one core takes care of sensors and the second takes care of wireless data transmission.
Endgame Gear XM2w
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The selected Kailh GM 8.0, already known from the XM1r, are used as mechanical primary buttons, which are somewhat smoother compared to the Kailh GM 4.0 found in the XM1 RGB. Once again, Endgame Gear's latency-reducing analog polling is included; According to the manufacturer, unwanted double clicks should also be avoided in this way. The mouse wheel encoder is from TTC, while the mouse wheel click and modifier keys are Kailh's GM 2.0. Compared to the conventional side buttons of well-known mice, this was accompanied by “a crisp[er] click feel and significantly improved durability,” according to Endgame Gear.
The same shape is lighter despite the battery
If there is no information, there is an associated software. Corresponding configuration programs exist for the previous Endgame Gear mice, but the software for the XM1r is still not available for download on the manufacturer's website more than a year after the market launch. Instead, there are only beta versions via detours. To what extent this problem will also be an issue with the XM2w cannot be assessed at this time.
