Hello, my name is Russell Vint, the founder of Ninox. I'm excited to reveal Ninox's third product, the Astrum - a medium sized modular mouse. This mouse is a little different to the previous ones that Ninox has produced, since it has been designed and prototyped entirely in house, both in software and hardware.

In order to make the best mouse that I possibly could, I needed to take control of all aspects of its design, something which hasn't been possible in the past. I'm hoping that with your help, I can make the Astrum a reality. The Astrum has been fully designed and prototyped, the only thing it needs are the funds to create the molds necessary for production. Please take a moment to read through the features below, or watch the video above to find out more!

Modular

When designing the Astrum, the focus was on gaming performance and comfort, with a grown up, classic design. You can choose from three main shapes - Alpha, Beta and Beta Ergnomic. Then, you can choose where you would like side buttons - on the left side, the right side, both sides, or no side buttons at all, for a total of 4, 6 or 8 mouse buttons. Left handed people are fully catered for. Everything you need is included in the Astrum's box!

The Astrum's shapes each have names, and symbols which represent the options, so that you can quickly identify each variant. The name represents the overall shape, and the symbols after the name represent the configuration. For example, Alpha IX is the Alpha shape, with side buttons on the left, and no side buttons on the right. Another example, Beta IE, is side buttons on the left, and an ergonomic attachment on the right. The diagram below illustrates the different shapes and configurations that the Astrum offers:

Lightweight

When you're playing to win, and for extended periods of time, a lighter mouse can be very helpful. Not only is it less straining over time, it also responds more quickly, is generally easier to use, and requires less of a firm grip to lift. It is therefore less distracting, allowing you to forget about everything else, and focus on the game. Weighing under 80 grams no matter which shape you choose, the Astrum is one of the lightest gaming mice available, despite it being so customisable.

Optical microswitches and scroll wheel

The Astrum uses optical microswitches for its left and right mouse buttons, and an optical scroll wheel encoder. This means that they'll last much longer than traditional mechanical alternatives. The microswitches are rated at over 90 million clicks, and the scroll wheel at 50 million scrolls - over four times the lifespan of most gaming mice currently available. Being optical, they also require less error protection, so they respond much faster than their traditional mechanical counterparts.

Top tier sensor: The Pixart PMW-3360

You can't make a top tier gaming mouse without the top tier sensor. It is the highest performing sensor available, with the fastest tracking speeds, lowest amount of processing for the rawest feel, and plenty of tuning options, which are fully unlocked on the Astrum software.

Lowest latency possible

The firmware for the Astrum has been created with the help of Miodrag, a programmer employed by Ninox, and is based on a very low latency firmware written by an Overclock.net forum member Qsxcv. With full control over how it is coded, we are able to squeeze the very best from every aspect of the mouse. A lot of mice are programmed by companies which are outsourced by the factory who makes the mouse, where there are many different companies involed, very little control, and no chance to see the source code. Being deeply involved in the programming process, along with using low latency components such as optical micro switches, allows the Astrum to be one of the lowest latency mice ever created, with around 200% improvement over most other mice.

Change settings with hardware or software

If you need to change basic settings, such as DPI and LED colour, or lift distance cutoff, you can accomplish that with the Astrum without needing to install software. Simply hold down the profile button (the button behind the scroll wheel), while the profile you wish to change options for is active, and press buttons on the mouse to change settings. For example, pressing the side buttons will switch between different LED colours, and the front buttons will switch between different DPI levels. Please see the video below for an example:

For those who prefer more control, an optional software program will be available, which you can install on your Windows, Linux or Mac computer. In this software, you'll have full access to all of the options that the Pixart 3360 sensor offers, and also full LED control, profiles, and macros. You'll even have access to advanced options, such as setting the button debounce timing, activating or deactivating power saving, and manually fine tuning your lift distance cut-off.

Super flexible cable

There's no point in having a lightweight mouse, if the cable isn't flexible. I started working on a flexible cable with our previous mouse, the Venator, which was one of the most flexible cables available on a gaming mouse. For the Astrum, a lot of progress have been made to improve it even further.

Adjustable Sensor Position

The small details matter. When researching which sensor position people preferred, there was no clear winner. Some people prefer it close towards the front, some prefer it in the middle, some prefer it towards the rear. These were strong preferences! So, rather than picking one position, and disappointing two thirds of customers, I decided to create a way for the sensor position to be adjustable, so you can have it where it best suits you.

Split trigger buttons

Rather than making the buttons part of the shell, split trigger buttons are connected internally, which allows their stiffness to be tuned, by how thick the plastic is where they bend. Making the buttons part of the shell means this isn't possible. Split trigger buttons give a purer representation of the microwitch used, so they don't make them artificially harder or easier to click, resulting in more intuative and satisfying operation.

3D print your own creation

With the Astrum, you are free to design your own parts, and recreate the mouse however you like! Templates will be available on the Ninox website, which you can download, and use them in CAD software to design new parts. Simply have your designs 3D printed, and you have yourself a bespoke mouse! Don't feel like designing parts? Designers are free to share their creations with anyone they like, and they can submit their designs to the Ninox website, so after some time, there could be a lot of different designs to choose from!

Changing the shape of the Astrum

Changing the side parts is easy! Simply remove the screw from the base, so that the top cover can be removed. Once the top cover is removed, the side parts can be detached by pulling them outwards from the mouse's sides. To attach new side parts, align the locating pins with the holes in the side of the mouse, and push on. They will clip into place. The top cover can now be attached, and secured by replacing the screw in the base. To see it in action, please view the below video!

Some people may ask, 'Why not use magnets?'. There are two main reasons why. Firstly, weight - magnets add weight, theres no getting around that! Secondly, strength - using magnets can cause the parts to wobble, and accidentally detach. One of the main goals during the design of the Astrum was a high quality and sturdy feel, something that would have been difficult to achieve with magnets alone. Magnets were a part of the development process (to see if they offered any extra stability), in fact, you can see them in the above video if you look closely, however, they were found to be unnecessary.

Standard Colours and Coatings

The Astrum is available as standard in matte metallic black, or matte white. The paint is UV cured for extra durability.

Indiegogo Exclusive Colours and Coatings

Want something a bit more unique? The following colours and coatings are available exclusively for backers!

Black Knight: Glossy Dark Chrome Mirror Effect

Nebula: Matte Blue Metallic

Dilithium: Glossy Purple Metallic

Redshift: Matte Red Metallic

Plutonium: Matte Green Metallic

Luna: Rubber Grey

The Astrum's shapes were designed by myself, and then sent to a CAD design studio in England, to complete the 3D models. We went through numerous different ways to have the parts of the mouse attach, it wasn't easy, but we eventually found a way which works very well. Throughout the design and development process, we used 3D printing, to test the shapes and functionality of the mouse. We used one of the highest accuracy 3D printers available, to get the best idea of what the mouse would be like once it's been injection molded, so we could be confident in the dimensions.

For the internal circuitry, we used the Teensy 2.0 development board, and a specially made sensor board, along with custom PCBs for the microswitches. The final PCB for the Astrum is pretty much an exact duplicate of these boards, so it allowed us to use this setup for the whole process, which was very useful, since it makes things very easy to change if necessary. The only downside is the amount of wires (but of course, they aren't like that in the final product).

There will be continual updates during the final stages of the Astrum's development and manufacturing progress, in the updates section! Please see below for some photos of the Astrum protoype:

Please note that the below photos are of 3D printed prototypes, with prototype circuit boards. The production version will have smooth surfaces, and a lot less wiring, using neat ribbon cables where needed.

• Sensor: Pixart PMW-3360
• DPI: 100-12,000 in steps of 100
• FPS: Up to 12,000
• Max Tracking Speed: Over 6.5 meters/s (250+ Inches Per Second)
• USB Polling Rate: 1000hz (125/250/500hz optional)
• Lift Distance: Low (~2mm) or Medium (~3mm) height option
• Angle Snapping: Optional, on or off
• Buttons (front L & R): Infrared optical, 90 million click lifespan
• Number of Buttons: 4, 6, or 8
• Scroll Wheel: Infrared optical, 50 million scrolls lifespan
• Weight: Under 80g, no matter what configuration
• Dimensions:
  • Shape 1 (Alpha): 133 (L) x 58 (W) x 39.6 (H) mm
  • Shape 2 (Beta): 133 (L) x 67.5 (W) x 39.6 (H) mm
  • Shape 3 (Beta IE): 133 (L) x 70 (W) x 39.6 (H) mm
• Mouse Feet: Pure PTFE, 0.6mm thick, rounded edges
• Cable: 2.2 Meters length, super flexible
• Coatings: Matte UV, Glossy, or Rubber
• Optional Software: Yes (Windows, Mac, Linux).

About the Founder

I've always had a passion for technology and design, for most of my life after college, I worked with computers, starting out with web design, which was a nice mix of the two things I like most. However, I always wanted to design an actual physical thing, rather than graphical. When I started Ninox, it was because I felt it was something I would enjoy doing. Designing the Astrum has involved a lot of hard work, but it never really felt like it!

Ninox History

Ninox launched its first product in 2014, it was the first time I had ever started a company, made a product, ordered from factories, pretty much everything about it was new to me. It took a long time to develop the first product, the Aurora gaming mouse, and learnt a lot in the process. However, I realised that the Aurora, being my first attempt, had room for improvement. After allowing everything I had learnt to sink in, I wanted to release a new product that gave people more confidence in the brand. So a year and a half ago, I worked with a new factory and developed the second product, the Venator. The development time was just three months, about 15 months faster than the Aurora, and overall the mouse has been very well received, winning many top awards in reviews. I've also improved things like customer support, shipping, returns, and worldwide availabilty.

The problem with the Aurora and the Venator, is that they're "ODM" mice, which are mice already made by a factory, which can be customised. I can instruct the factory which sensor and components I need, and how I would like the firmware to be programmed, but what can be done is quite limited. I have no say in how the shell is designed, aside from improving a couple of small areas.

Now the company is at the point where I wanted it to be a long time ago. It's not ideal to rely on factory mouse shells, and factory outsourced programming. To really make the products I envision, I need to be deeply involved in the entire design process. This is what the Astrum is, a mouse designed by someone with a huge amount of passion and enjoyment in what they do!

I hope I have proven with the Venator, that Ninox can be a serious brand, and that I am more than capable of seeing through many great projects, leading to products that people would be excited and proud to own.

Why crowdfunding?

Making a mouse like the Astrum is expensive. The tooling for the plastic parts alone costs around $40,000. The factory where its made, require a minimum order quantity of 1000. The design costs are more than $10,000. I have funded some of this, but I can't fund the entire amount, so thats why I need your help to bring the Astrum to life!

One man?

So how does one person run Ninox?

Of course, it would be impossible to run if it were a larger company. But at the moment, I have a couple of products, and it's not so difficult. A lot of the heavy lifting, like distribution, industrial design, programming, manufacturing, is outsourced - but outsourced to the right, carefully selected people and companies. I have an active role in all aspects of the company, in that I manage everything, but in many ways, its not so different to having employees. In the past, running a company like this would have been impossible, but these days, its a lot easier. I carefully interview, and continually monitor each and every person and company who I work with, and I will only work with professionals who are clear and honest communicators and capable of seeing a project through to completion.

Meet the hard working Ninox Team!

The graphic below is the projected timeline of the Astrum project, beginning with the crowd funding, and ending in delivery to your door. Please note that the timeline is an estimate, and it could potentially take a slightly longer, or shorter amount of time (for example, hitting the funding goal earlier, allows the tooling stage to begin earlier), however, I have worked closely with the factory and shipping company to create this, and we feel it is a good estimate of how long the project will take. All backers will be notified of any changes that will affect the timeline.

1. How long is the warranty on the Astrum?
   • The Astrum comes with a two year warranty.
2. Will I have to pay import duties and/or taxes?
   • The Astrum will be shipped from within the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. Deliveries within those countries are delivered with all taxes and duties paid. Outside of those countries, you may be charged import duties and/or taxes.
3. Can you be more specific about the weight of the mouse?
   • It's not possible to be more specific about the weight at this stage, since there may yet be slight changes which will affect it. However, once the final weight is known, an update will be posted to inform everyone, with photos.
4. What plastic is the mouse made from?
   • The Astrum is made from ABS plastic, since it offers a good strength to weight ratio.
5. With all of these attachable parts, won't the mouse be unstable, and rattle or creak?
   • Great care has been taken to prevent any issues like this. For example, the internal structure of the Astrum is coated in rubber, for a dampening and gripping effect, completely eliminating any unwanted noises. Once the Astrum's parts are in place, it is very strong, and won't rattle or come apart! Most mice you can buy are clipped together, the Astrum just makes it easier to unclip the different parts and exchange them for different ones.
6. How do the optical microswitches and scroll wheel feel?
   • The microswitches are similar to the Omron D2FC feel, which is a common mouse microswitch, they need the same kind of force to operate, and are just as quiet. The optical scroll wheel has a very smooth yet tactile feel, and is quiet. The scroll wheel button has also had careful attention, to make sure it isn't too difficult, or too easy to press.
7. I don't play any games, but could I use the Astrum as a home or office mouse?
   • Absolutely. A high end gaming mouse generally has excellent quality, comfort and features which are perfect for home or office use. The one thing you may miss, is horizontal scrolling, but that can be assigned to the side buttons on the right side of the mouse. However, other than that, it can easily handle anything you throw at it!

Given the Astrum's modular design, future products can be designed around it, without incurring too much cost or development time. For example, a rear humped version only needs new exterior panels, and a wireless version only needs fairly minor alterations to the internal parts and software. A smaller version of the Astrum would take more time than either of those, but when a new project is ready to begin, people who are interested will be given the opportunity to vote for what they'd like to see.

Whether or not these future projects happen, depends on the original Astrum's crowd funding success. If it is extremely successful, then the future products below would not even need to be crowd funded! Please take a look at the list below to see what the potential future has in store:

• Astrum S
  • A smaller version of the Astrum, lower and shorter, with a more curved front for those who like to wrap their fingers around.
• Astrum R
  • A version of the Astrum which has its highest point (its 'hump') further towards the rear of the mouse, like the Ninox Venator. It may be possible to convert original Astrum mice with the Astrum R parts, which could be sold separately.
• Astrum RS
  • The same as the Astrum R, but designed to work with the smaller Astrum S mouse.
• Astrum Wireless Editions
  • All Astrum mice would have a wireless version available.

Thanks for reading about the Astrum project, if you're unable to support this project by purchasing a perk, please spread the word, it'll really help!