Review | Panther Quasar Prime Wireless

Panther is a relatively new player in the gaming gear industry – and a local one at that. They started in 2018, initially offering gaming chairs. Now that they’ve decided to enter the gaming mouse scene, the company aims to claim a spot at this fierce market with the launch of the Quasar Prime.

Now the Quasar Prime features a PMW 3335 sensor at its heart with a semi-ambidextrous medium-sized design weighing in at 77 grams. This is also wireless and RGB capable with an introductory price of 2,000 Pesos. Price is good and so is the warranty at 3 years span. To top this off, you may order it directly from Panther’s website with a free nationwide delivery.

Disclosure: Panther sent this unit as a seed sample for the purpose of this review. The company did not ask me to say anything particular about it.

Update: According to Panther Gaming, there will be a white and pink version in the near future.

Technical Specifications

Mouse
Size	Medium
Design	Semi-Ambidextrous
Macro	Yes
Profile	Yes
Software	Yes
Interface	RF 2.4GHz, USB 2.0 Type-C
Polling Rate	125-1000Hz
Lighting	RGB
Switch	Kailh Red GM 4.0 (60M Clicks)
Buttons	7 (6 programmable)
Cable Length	1.8m (Paracord)
Feet	PTFE
Sensor
Model	Pixart PMW 3335
DPI	100-16000 DPI
Speed	400IPS/40G
Dimensions
Length	125mm
Width	63.4mm (Max), 59mm (Grip)
Height	39.3mm
Weight	77g

Packaging and Accessories

For a first timer, Panther made a nice impression about their product.

The following items should be located inside:

• Panther Quasar Prime Wireless Gaming Mouse
• 2.4GHz USB Dongle
• 1.8 meter USB Type-C to Type-A cable
• Extra PTFE skates
• Warranty/Manual pamphlet

Most of the listed items are necessities but we appreciated the additional skates.

Design, Build and Connectivity

If you fancy the style of the G903 and wished that it is a little more subtle then the Quasar Prime should be up your alley. This is a medium sized gaming mouse with a semi-ambidextrous design. Weight is about 77 grams so it is leaning on the lighter side of the spectrum.

There are 7 buttons found within the mouse and 6 of them are fully customizable. Main buttons are snappy which is a courtesy of the Kaihl Reds. Left navigation buttons on the other hand are tactile enough for my liking and are rounded enough to minimize accidental actuation.

The grip area is almost vertically flat yet it is still concave by design. That said, it is pretty grippy in spite of the simple serrations. I like the fact that it also follows the design of the rear end.

Now as for the scroll wheel, it is a detent based one like many budget oriented options. While it also comes with USB Type-C connectivity, the guide is too narrow for some cables to fit so make sure to take care of the original cable.

Skates are 3 piece PTFE. Compared to other proprietary designs these are way easier to replace or replicate. Small gripe: The on and off switch is labelled as is yet the function is reversed.

The Quasar Prime comes with a 1.8 meter data cable – as opposed to the listed length at  1.6 meter. It is braided in paracord style textile and it kinks. Not the worse but certainly acceptable at this price point.

Overall, build is spot on excellent for the price. Griping it hard makes a weird creaking noise but so does some $100 units I’ve tested in the not so distant past. What could be improved here is the coating

Physical Layout, Functionality and Ergonomics

Your grip and aiming style are important things to consider when looking for a mouse. There are three basic types of grips here; the palm, claw and fingertip grip. Fingertip grip is generally preferred when aiming with the wrist, while palm grip is the choice when aiming with the arm. Claw grip is middle ground options for both aiming styles. Of course, you could go with a hybrid of any grip types and aiming styles if the combination suits you best.

Your hand size also influences what mouse you should buy on top of your grip and aiming style. For an instance, my hands measures at 76.2mm (3″) in width. This puts my hands on the medium size category. My preferred style is finger-tip grip, so I would generally look for a mouse with a small to medium foot print.

Now the Quasar Prime feature a length of roughly 125mm and a grip area of about 59mm – 63.4 at its widest. The highest point of the shell is at 39.3mm. This is a high back with a center point bias and a gradual rear-end curve.

Product	Length (mm)	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Weight (g)
Panther Quasar Prime Wireless	125	63.4 (59)	39.3	77
ASUS ROG Pugio II Wireless	126	57	40	102
ASUS ROG Keris Wireless	118	62 (55)	39	79
Fantech HELIOS XD3 PRO Wireless	120	58 (54)	38	83
ASUS ROG Strix Impact II Wireless	120	62	38.6	93
ASUS ROG Strix Carry	101	62	36	72.9
ASUS ROG Chakram	132.7	76.6	42.8	121.6
Galax Xanova Mensa Pro	115	168	39	126
ASUS ROG Gladius II Wireless	126	67	45	130
ASUS ROG Strix Evolve	125	65	41	100
Thermaltake Nemesis Switch	111	88.5	38.9	112
ADATA XPG Infarex M20	132	69	43.5	160
HyperX Pulsefire FPS	127.6	71.1	41.9	95
Logitech G603	124	68	43	88.9

Weight is about 77 grams which is again, leaning towards the lighter range of gaming mice. While its shape and dimensions suggests that it is a medium sized mouse, this mouse is definitely built for medium to larger hands.

Product	Palm	Claw	Finger
Panther Quasar Prime Wireless	ML	ML	ML
ASUS ROG Pugio II Wireless	ML	ML	ML
ASUS ROG Keris Wireless	SML	SML	SML
Fantech HELIOS XD3 PRO Wireless	SML	SML	SML
ASUS ROG Strix Impact II Wireless	SML	SML	SML
ASUS ROG Strix Carry	SM	SM	SM
ASUS ROG Chakram	ML	ML	ML
Galax Xanova Mensa Pro	SML	SML	SML
ASUS ROG Gladius II Wireless	SML	SML	SML
ASUS ROG Strix Evolve	SML	SML	SML
Thermaltake Nemesis Switch	ML	ML	ML
ADATA XPG Infarex M20	ML	ML	ML
HyperX Pulsefire FPS	ML	ML	ML
Logitech G603	SML	SML	SML

The Panther Quasar Prime Wireless is perfectly suitable for the three basic grip styles if you have medium to larger hands. If you have smaller hands, chances are, you could still try palm and claw grip styles (with a bit of discomfort) but finger gripping is almost impossible due to its length. I’d rather try something with a lower z-height for it to be comfortable at the very least.

The mouse is also great for arm aiming and is planted enough for extended arm swipes. The weight is biased around the rear with a low center of gravity.

Test Setup and Methodology

Testing a gaming mouse is not that difficult, but it is mostly subjective; similar to testing head gears in a sense. That said, no mouse is perfect and the verdict usually depends on personal preferences. With that in mind, we overhauled our testing methodology by following key pointers that should matter the most. To keep our test methodology simple and free of extra variables, please note the following software and configurations used for the review.

Test Setup
Pointer Speed	6/11, EPP Disabled
Sensitivity	800 DPI
Polling Rate	1000Hz
Software	MouseTester V1.5.3

DPI Range and Accuracy

DPI accuracy is checked with the MouseTester V1.5.3 while the mouse is rigged on a camera slider with a DPI level of 800 DPI. Anything under 3% is considered accurate or under our margin of error.

Product	Min DPI	Max DPI	DPI Accuracy
Panther Quasar Prime Wireless	100	1600	2%
ASUS ROG Pugio II Wireless	100	1600	2.2%
ASUS ROG Keris Wireless	100	1600	1.3%
Fantech HELIOS XD3 PRO Wireless	100	16000	1.3%
ASUS ROG Strix Impact II Wireless	100	16000	1.1%
ASUS ROG Strix Carry	50	7200	1.2%
ASUS ROG Chakram	100	16000	1.6%
Galax Xanova Mensa Pro	50	16000	1.4%
ASUS ROG Gladius II Wireless	100	16000	1.5%
ASUS ROG Strix Evolve	50	7200	1.5%
Thermaltake Nemesis Switch	400	12000	1.1%
ADATA XPG Infarex M20	400	5000	1.1%
HyperX Pulsefire FPS	200	16000	1.1%
Logitech G603	200	12000	1.6%

DPI level at the 800 DPI setting is measured at 816 which is about 2% deviance from the target. Nothing out of place here.

Polling Rate Range and Performance

Polling Rate of the device is evaluated with the MouseTester V1.5.3 at the 800 DPI level. This is to check the average update rate performance at 1000Hz if possible.

Product	Min Polling (Hz)	Max Polling (Hz)	Performance
Panther Quasar Prime Wireless	125	1000	Average
ASUS ROG Pugio II Wireless	125	1000	Average
ASUS ROG Keris Wireless	125	1000	Good
Fantech HELIOS XD3 PRO Wireless	125	1000	Average
ASUS ROG Strix Impact II Wireless	125	1000	Average
ASUS ROG Strix Carry	125	1000	Average
ASUS ROG Chakram	125	1000	Average
Galax Xanova Mensa Pro	125	1000	Good
ASUS ROG Gladius II Wireless	125	1000	Good
ASUS ROG Strix Evolve	125	1000	Average
Thermaltake Nemesis Switch	125	2000	Average
ADATA XPG Infarex M20	125	1000	Average
HyperX Pulsefire FPS	1000	1000	Great
Logitech G603	125	1000	Great

Polling performance is just average for both the wired and wireless modes. Dips in reporting goes as low as 700Hz. We’d love to see tighter and more consistent result here but this will do.

Sensor Quality and Performance

With a sensitivity of 800 DPI, the sensor is also checked with the MouseTester V1.5.3. Our aim is to check out the sensor’s performance – to look for reporting inconsistencies such as smoothing and unintended acceleration. The sensor quality is also taken into account based on its specifications and the general public opinion.

Product	Sensor	IPS/G	LOD (mm)	Performance
Panther Quasar Prime Wireless	PMW3335	400/40	2	Average
ASUS ROG Pugio II Wireless	PAW3335	400/40	1-2	Good
ASUS ROG Keris Wireless	PAW3335	400/40	1-2	Great
Fantech HELIOS XD3 PRO Wireless	PAW3335	400/20	1.5	Average
ASUS ROG Strix Impact II Wireless	PAW3335	400/40	1-2	Average
ASUS ROG Strix Carry	PMW3330	150/30	1.2	Good
ASUS ROG Chakram	PWM3360	400/40	1.2	Average
Galax Xanova Mensa Pro	PMW3389	400/50	1.2	Good
ASUS ROG Gladius II Wireless	PMW3389	400/50	1.2	Good
ASUS ROG Strix Evolve	PMW3330	150/30	1	Good
Thermaltake Nemesis Switch	PWM3360	250/40	1	Good
ADATA XPG Infarex M20	PMW3325	100/20	1.2	Great
HyperX Pulsefire FPS	PWM3310	130/20	1.2	Great
Logitech G603	HERO	400/40	1.2	Great

Sensor performance is average with wireless mode – maybe even below average with the jitters but we definitely get better performance with the mouse wired to the system. If you play competitive games and you do not want to put blame on your device, make sure this is plugged in.

Software, Lighting and Special Features

Panther offers a simple software for the Quasar Prime with four main menus. Main is where you could swap the functionality or bindings of the buttons with the ability to toggle between the polling rate and to check the battery level as well. I wish there’s an option to toggle the polling rate for eco mode though along with an option to play with different LOD settings.

Advanced is where you could adjust the DPI level of the mouse. You may even toggle the levels on or off to simplify the loop. Colors here are represented by a LED near the button. Built-in mouse options from Windows are also shown here.

The Macro menu is self explanatory. Note that anything you save here could be used with the programmable buttons.

Lighting is also self explanatory. You may select your desired effect here along with the speed and brightness. Depending on the preset, you may even change the color to your liking. You may use the pre-defined color options here or use the built-in RGB color code.

Lighting is pretty subtle, meaning not in your face compared to other offerings. A shame it only has like a single zone but hey, this is even enough for many – that includes me.

Battery life is pretty good for something with a 600mAh lithium inside. I’m currently clocked in at 35 hours with eco mode and battery is still over 50%.

Final Thoughts

To be completely blunt, the Panther Quasar Prime Wireless is more than just a decent gaming mouse. While it comes with a rather jittery wireless mode, it is fine to use sans competitive gaming – where you absolutely do not want your gear to negatively affect your aim. That said, this thing is perfectly fine in wired mode so if something funny happen when it is plugged in, chances are, you’re the thing that needs some fixing.

Features and ergonomics are both good and excellent for such a first try. For an instance, the shell design is well constructed will only the smallest hint of creaking to be found. It is also a safe design and is not in any way hard to get used to. This mouse is made for gamers with medium to larger hands though so if you believe you’ve got small hands, rethink about your choice or try it out if it is available to be demo’ed.

Panther’s first gaming mouse – and a wireless one for kicks, is a well thought-out product with an excellent introductory price point. We could technically call this a rough gem with a few quirks that could be improved upon but as it is right now, it is even better than some optical devices costing twice as much. For that feat, along with the 3 year local warranty, I would gladly recommend this mouse.