Gravastar X Series Gaming Mouse Review: 49g Magnesium Skeleton

Gravastar dropped the X series gaming mouse on December 19, 2024 in two flavors using the same shell: the base 破茧X (around $63–73 USD) and the 破茧X PRO (roughly $94 USD at launch). Both tip the scales at a feathery 49g thanks to a hollowed magnesium upper shell, and both pack PixArt's flagship PAW3950 sensor. The real question though — does that striking skeleton design actually perform when it counts? Spoiler: mostly yes, except for one annoying thing hiding inside the buttons.

Design: Honestly, It's Probably the Best-Looking Skeleton Shell Out There

The X keeps that battle-worn, open-bone vibe from the original Pobo, but totally rebuilt. You've got a magnesium alloy upper shell carved to look organic and skeletal, with a translucent inner cover underneath — the PCB isn't just exposed and ugly. When the RGB lights kick in, it looks like fireflies trapped in the frame. Two colors shipped at launch: silver and matte black, both of which look solid.

The second generation actually fixed the biggest ergonomic gripe from the first version. Instead of those tiny dense pinholes, they went with angled grid slots on the sides. Your fingers won't sink into the shell no matter what grip style you use, and if you want zero openings, the included grip tape seals everything right up. Oh, and the weight dropped from 90g-plus down to 49g, with the balance feeling pretty even from front to back.

Shape-wise it follows the G Pro Wireless template, and people with medium hands (around 18cm) using a claw grip say it feels great — while being noticeably lighter than the GPW II. That hollow design isn't flawless though. The rear holes can press a tiny bit against your palm during the first couple hours, and dust loves working its way into the skeleton, which is a real pain to clean out. One more thing to know: RGB shuts off the moment the mouse moves by default — it's a battery thing, but you'll want to flip it in the web driver.

Performance: Where the X and X PRO Actually Differ

Both models share basically the same guts, so your choice really comes down to one thing: polling rate.

The PAW3950 is PixArt's top-shelf chip and it doesn't really have performance issues; people say tracking feels as smooth as 47g carbon-fiber competitors at 4K polling in competitive shooters. The base model's CX52850 radio chip just doesn't have enough computing power to push past 1000Hz. If 8K with 0.125ms latency is what you're after, only the PRO gets you there.

Here's the biggest problem though — and it comes from people who tore the thing apart: the left and right button posts use two layers of tape to make up for tolerance gaps, and that tape was already visibly misaligned out of the box. If that tape shifts or peels during actual use, the button click feel tanks completely. This tells you the mold precision probably isn't tight enough for this GPW-style button design. The click rebound also feels softer than the GPW II, and the scroll wheel could use some work too.

So Which One Should You Actually Get?

Into design and desk aesthetics? — Just grab the base X. At this price, there's nothing else like it — a magnesium skeleton shell with this finish is hard to find. Even sitting there doing nothing, it works as a display piece.

Hardcore FPS grinder? — Only the X PRO makes sense if you're serious. You're paying for the 8K receiver and 0.125ms latency. But real talk: at the same price point, brands like ATK, VXE, and Maycn have more solid button consistency and durability.

Trying to pick between the two? — You're looking at roughly a $13 difference, and what you're paying for is the 8K receiver and controller upgrade. For everyday work and casual gaming, the base model's 1000Hz is totally enough.

Hands that sweat a lot or hate dust? — The skeleton design might frustrate you. Either use the grip tape to seal those holes from day one, or look elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

The X series is this weird mix of collector's toy and genuine gaming hardware. The magnesium skeleton and 49g weight are legit, and the shape — borrowed from the GPW — is ergonomically solid. Problem is, those taped tolerance shims inside the buttons show where the manufacturing falls short. It's perfect if you want something that looks amazing on your desk and can still handle gaming. But if pure performance is your priority, you'll find better value elsewhere in this price range.