Glorious Model O: Honeycomb Ultralight Mouse Revolution (May 2019)
The Glorious Model O launched May 2019 at $49.99, bringing ultralight gaming mice (67g) to mainstream prices. Its honeycomb shell design, Pixart 3360 sensor, and RGB lighting challenged Finalmouse’s $100+ artificial scarcity model, democratizing competitive peripherals.
The Weight War
The Model O’s honeycomb hexagonal cutouts reduced weight to 67 grams, matching boutique ultralight mice at 1/3 the price. Competitive FPS gamers (Fortnite, Apex Legends, Valorant) obsessed over mouse weight for low-friction flicks. Glorious proved ultralight didn’t require $120+ Finalmouse scalper prices.
Launch & Demand
Pre-orders opened May 7, 2019, selling out in hours. Restock cycles every 2-3 weeks saw instant sellouts for months. Reddit r/MouseReview exploded with Model O reviews, comparisons to Finalmouse Air58, and “finally in stock!” alerts. Glorious PC Gaming Race (small startup) scaled production to meet unprecedented demand.
Build & Performance
The Pixart PMW3360 sensor (considered flawless at the time), Omron 20M click switches, and flexible paracord cable delivered flagship specs. Matte black and glossy white colorways satisfied aesthetic preferences. RGB underglow and side lighting provided customization via software. PTFE skates glided smoothly on cloth and hard pads.
Cultural Impact
The Model O forced Finalmouse, Razer, and Logitech to compete on weight. It spawned variants: Model O- (58g smaller version), Model D (ergonomic), Model O Wireless (69g wireless). The mouse proved boutique features could scale to mass production at fair prices, earning brand loyalty from budget-conscious competitive gamers.
Longevity
The Model O remained relevant through 2023 despite newer ultralight competitors (Razer Viper Mini, Logitech G Pro X Superlight). Its durability, customer service, and constant restocks built trust. Many pros (Fortnite, Valorant) continued using it years after launch.
Sources: Glorious PC Gaming Race press release May 2019, r/MouseReview archives, YouTube reviews (RocketJumpNinja, TechPowerUp)