Dark Project is a newcomer to worldwide distribution, but has been producing peripherals for quite some time. As far as I know, the company has always been using OEM/ODM mouse shells, and I hope this will change over time. Don't get me wrong, I am not against using these, but designing their own models would certainly raise a level of reputation. Thankfully, the shell of the ME3 is quite popular as it's pretty much the same as that of the renowned Zowie EC2, although there are some differences, of course. The ME3 features modular side panels, two-two for each side, for maximum comfort. The mouse is probably best suited for right-handed palm grippers with medium-sized hands, but of course, this is entirely up to personal preference.

I have found the surface coating to be pleasantly grippy on the top and just a tiny bit slippery on the sides, but just as with the shape and grip styles, this is a highly intuitive factor and depends on your skin and sweat types. To quickly summarize the ME3's build quality: it needs improvement. There are a few quirks here and there, and they add up, which makes the whole image rather dissatisfying. Better and more thorough quality control, less factory tolerances, and more accuracy are required for it to be topnotch.

There is no compromise when it comes to the sensor as the ME3 uses the PixArt PMW3360, which is one of the best mouse sensors currently available. Very high PCS and absolutely raw and responsive, the firmware is well written, too. It is best to use it below 2100 CPI to eliminate the +2 ms input lag on or above that step, however.

As for the buttons, Dark Project almost nailed them entirely. The main ones are very good—nice and tactile and without much unnecessary travel. The side and CPI buttons are pretty much in the same category. My only issue is with the scroll wheel and the button beneath it—the axle of the wheel isn't perfectly straight, making the scrolling and middle-clicking uneven. I'm pretty sure this issue only affects a small percentage of these mice; QC on my copy wasn't thorough enough. The encoder and middle mouse switch both feel nice.

The mouse feet on the Dark Project ME3 aren't anything special, but they aren't bad either, and thankfully, a replacement set is included in the box. Make sure to peel off the protective film before using the mouse! As for the cable, it's quite special as it's one of the stiffest ones I've ever encountered, which of course isn't a compliment. Using a bungee or keeping it in place somehow else is highly recommended, or it will generate a ridiculous amount of drag.

Though overall perfectly usable, there are some things here and there that could and should be tweaked in the software; some minor bugs need fixing. It's very lightweight, though, only consuming about 11 MB of memory and 5 MB of disk space. Moving on to the RGB lighting, the options are many and look decent, but I've seen better. If you really care about the eye candy, this might be a letdown, but if you want something simpler, the ME3 can still be a perfect choice if you're okay with everything else.

I was looking forward to reviewing one of these OEM EC2 clones for while, and I am pretty sure Dark Project created the best iteration so far in terms of specifications. There is always room for improvement, though, and there's a lot to improve with the ME3 in particular. However, most of these improvements could be achieved with more thorough quality control and a reduction of tolerances. The cable could also be thinner and more flexible (this can be done with a bit of DIY as well, although at the cost of losing the warranty), and the software should be tweaked a bit to remove the bugs. With those changes implemented, I would happily call this mouse an Editor's Choice, but with its current price tag of €58.99, I can't get past its current faults too easily. Stay tuned as reviews of the other two Dark Project mice are coming soon!