One of the many cool perks of using a computer is the ability to use a wide range of input devices, including a keyboard, scanner, digital camera, microphone, joystick, game controller and a mouse, which is an essential tool for any computer. If you game a lot, as well as do work on a computer, it make sense getting a single mouse that you can use for both gaming and desktop work.
The Redragon M686 Vampire Elite ticks all the boxes for the ideal mouse because you can use it both wirelessly via a 2.4GHz dongle and wired to a computer via a long (1.8 meters) nylon braided USB cord, which is included with the mouse.
The M686 Vampire Elite mouse integrates a 1000 mAh rechargeable battery that supports fast charging. The battery takes just 5.5 hours to recharge and can give up to 45 hours of play time when the mouse is set to eco-mode, which is enabled via the power switch located on the base of the mouse.
Eco mode enables power saving mode automatically so, the mouse goes to sleep after 8 minutes of inactivity. To wake the mouse, you have to click or press a button (except the DPI buttons). When selecting the ON mode, the M686 Vampire Elite mouse battery can last up to 9 hours (with leds turned off) and 2 hours with leds turned on. The internal lithium ion battery has a 300 cycle/ 2 year lifespan.
Setting the mouse to 1000Hz polling rate also helps battery life a little bit. Higher polling rate wireless mice typically have a better power consumption, although they can have some drawbacks like malfunctioning when swiping fast. That said, this depends on the mouse sensor. The Pixart PMW3335 sensor in the M686 Vampire Elite is able to handle 1000Hz without any notable jitter.
A few other advantages of setting a high polling rate, especially for 1000Hz gaming, include more responsive control, less aliasing effects between display Hz and mouse Hz, less input lag, and less screen tearing (graphic distortions) so, you can do gaming with VSync-OFF.
VSync-ON does reduce screen tearing too but, it can also drop frame rate below the refresh rate, which creates lag especially in graphic-intense games. For non-gaming, 1000Hz polling rate doesn't offer any real benefits so, it's best lowering the polling rate down to 125Hz for desktop use. The M686 Vampire Elite polling rate can be adjusted from 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz and 1000 Hz.
The Redragon M686 Vampire Elite DPI can be adjusted two ways, via the on-board button and via the Redragon software.
Having a DPI button on-board the mouse is very convenient, although you can only adjust the DPI from 1000 DPI, 2000 DPI, 4000 DPI, 8000 DPI and 16000 DPI. Via the software though, you can adjust the DPI all the way down to 100 DPI and all the way up to 16,000 DPI in 100 DPI increments.
 A mouse with programmable buttons is very convenient and the Redragon M686 Vampire Elite mouse comes with 8 programmable buttons, which means you can assign up to 8 mouse actions to help increase efficiency.

For example, you can program (remap) the buttons to carry out actions such as a "browser back" button or "close window" button. Remapping buttons is done via Redragon's driver software. The Redragon M686 Vampire Elite mouse software can be downloaded here from the Redragon Zone download page.
Aside from being able to remap the buttons, you can also edit the buttons to set a keybind sequence pattern, which is very useful for games like Star Trek Online to fire the whole ability/skill tray in the HUD during space combat. You can also record and assign macros but only with the three side buttons. Mouse macros are a great way to eliminate repetitive patterns by speeding up sequences of keystrokes and mouse actions.
In terms of comfort, the Redragon M686 Vampire Elite mouse is comfortable to grip in the hand, thanks to its wide body design and rounded rest for the pinky and thumb, which help keep the hand completely off of the mousepad, eliminating unnecessary friction. The mouse measures 13cm long, 9cm wide and 4.3 cm tall and, it weighs 124 grams. A similar mouse to the Vampire is the Redragon TRIDENT M693 mouse. The left and right side of the mouse (below the side buttons) also integrate a textured rubber grip for the pinky and thumb fingers. The scroll button has a textured rubber grip, while the middle side button is textured with tiny bumps, which helps differentiate the side buttons. All buttons, including the left/right click buttons are responsive and make an audible clicky sound.
Regarding build and design, the Redragon M686 Vampire Elite mouse is made of hard plastic with a matte finish on top and shiny/reflective accents on the front, top and bottom rim of the mouse. On the base of the M686 Vampire Elite there are four anti-slip gliding feet, a power switch and a push button (mode switch) for toggling between 125Hz and 1000Hz polling rate.
The Redragon M686 Vampire Elite switches are rated at 20 million clicks, which is the keypress lifespan estimation before the key switches start malfunctioning.
If you are a moderate user you can expect the M686 Vampire Elite mouse switches to last several years (up to 5 years), although this largely depends on whether you're a heavy user and things like dirt accumulation and accidental water spillages. How forcefully you click the mouse will also shorten the lifespan. In all, you should expect this mouse to last at least 3 years.
The Redragon M686 Vampire Elite mouse acceleration is rated at 40G, which is the maximum rate you can increase the speed of the M686 Vampire Elite mouse while maintaining perfect tracking.
The Redragon M686 Vampire Elite mouse is compatible with Windows PCs but only certain versions, including Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 10. You can buy the M686 Vampire Elite on Amazon. Check out more Redragon reviews: M612 Predator mouse, M913 Impact Elite MMO mouse and GS520 Anvil desktop speakers, M991 RGB Enlightment gaming mouse and Aatrox M811 MMO mouse