Key Takeaways
1. Vaidemi, a Russian YouTuber, is developing the Nimbus mouse, focusing on creating a lightweight gaming mouse with a durable shell, rather than just minimizing weight.
2. The Nimbus mouse weighs only 29 grams and features a symmetrical design, with components sourced from the Xyder Amalight 4K gaming mouse.
3. The design process is documented in a YouTube video, showcasing stages from brainstorming to prototyping, including a skeletal internal framework called XSHELL.
4. The mouse shell is made using a 3D printer and high-strength resin, allowing it to withstand over 30 kg of weight without breaking.
5. Vaidemi hopes for a production version of the Nimbus mouse in the future, as he has previously collaborated with other brands on similar projects.
With the rise of ultra-light mice gaining popularity — even Logitech is getting in on the action — various independent projects have emerged to transform regular mice into ultra-light gaming powerhouses. The newest project, however, is not focused on achieving the lightest weight. Instead, Vaidemi, a Russian YouTuber recognized for his gaming mouse reviews, is striving to develop the lightest gaming mouse with a sturdy shell. This approach helps to prevent issues related to durability and dust that often arise from mouse designs that sacrifice weight by adding holes.
The Nimbus Mouse
The outcome of Vaidemi’s project, which he meticulously showcases in a recent YouTube video, is the Nimbus, a gaming mouse weighing just 29 g. It features a distinctive symmetrical design and internal components that seem to be sourced from the Xyder Amalight 4K gaming mouse. The design of the shell took inspiration from the Maya Lamzu X (currently priced at $121.99 on Amazon) and the Endgame Gear OP1 (currently priced at $64.99 on Amazon).
Design Process
Vaidemi’s video captures the entire design journey, from brainstorming to CAD, prototyping, and numerous design revisions — it’s definitely worth a watch, even if you have to turn on closed captions, since the narration is in Russian. Ultimately, the design included a skeletal internal framework, which the creator named the XSHELL, serving as the mounting points for components like the PCB, buttons, and outer shell. He also addressed several concerns, such as the placement and easy activation of side buttons and ensuring consistent pre- and post-travel for the main clicks without sacrificing weight.
Production Details
The shell was 3D printed using an Anycubic Photon Mono 4 SLA printer (currently priced at $239.99 on Amazon), which provided a uniform finish and allowed for intricate details without significantly increasing weight, particularly in complex shapes. For the final iteration of the mouse, a high-strength “industrial” resin was utilized, which seems to have been effective, as the YouTuber demonstrates that he can place over 30 kg of weight on the mouse without it breaking. The final product, which Vaidemi claims to use as his go-to mouse for both work and gaming, has a metallic blue paint with a slight matte finish and weighs in at 29 g, including the skates and paint.
While Vaidemi expresses a desire to see a production version of the mouse released soon, he has yet to disclose any official plans for it. Previously, he collaborated with Xyder on a superlight mouse, so there’s hope for future developments.
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