SteelSeries - computer mouse: setting, overview

The "mouse" manipulator is if not the main, then an indispensable tool for computer management, and for the gamer it is also a way to achieve the desired results in cyberdisciplines. The main indicators by which you can evaluate the attractiveness of a particular model are ergonomics, functionality and stability of the device. All these factors are extremely important in games, and a really good mouse sometimes can give a weighty advantage over the opponent.

In the computer market is now a huge range of gaming mouse manipulators, and the number of brands under which they are manufactured, just off scale. Most of the gadgets differ from each other in the quality of assembly, some specific technical characteristics and additional controls.

The hero of today's review is the SteelSeries computer mouse, and below is the brightest gamer's Sensei line.

Specifications

The gadget stands out favorably against the background of similar models due to attractive and perfectly balanced technical characteristics. The mouse is equipped with a solid ARM-processor of 32 bits, the power of which is comparable to the Pentium computer with a frequency of 75 MHz, which automatically lists the line of "Sensei" to a number of top models of the company.

One of the important factors in the development of the SteelSeries mouse is the company's cooperation with professional gamers who have repeatedly shown exceptional skills of manipulator manipulation in games. The list of sponsored e-sports teams of the brand is very impressive and earned respect in certain circles: Fnatic, SK, EG, Na'Vi, EHOME and other equally famous communities.

The players of each team made their own opinion, which was taken into account when creating the perfect gaming mouse. For the most part, it was at the expense of these wishes (along with recommendations) that the SteelSeries gaming mouse "Sensei" was created.

Execution

In addition to the original line, the company introduced the following variants in the computer market:

• MLG EDITION - design development was done after the MLG winter championship in Columbus, resulting in a branded and specific product that differs from the original exclusively in design;
• FNATIC EDITION - the mice of this series are made in the style of the self-same e-sports team and, like the previous version, differ from the basic version only in design;
• RAW Glossy Black - differs from the original mouse glossy stylistics and appropriate design of the case;
• RAW Rubberized Black - the model is identical to the previous version with the only difference: matte spraying was used instead of gloss.

Complementation

Mouse wired SteelSeries "Sensei" comes in a nice cardboard box, where the main is black.

You can look at the mouse before opening it by opening a convenient "door" on the front side of the package. The mouse is protected on the perimeter by a transparent insert. Thanks to this marketing step, the buyer can immediately assess how convenient the mouse is in the hand, without damaging the packaging.

On the page, you can see a brief description of the device in several languages. At the bottom of the spread are comments of professional cyber sportsmen: Patrick Sattermon (cArn) from Fnatic and Dutch player Manuel Schenkheisen (Grubby), playing on the territory of "Strakraft 2" and "Warcraft 3".

On the back of the package is a technical specification with a detailed description of the basic controls of the SteelSeries mouse. Overview of the delivery set could please only by the availability of information booklets:

• Operating instructions for the device;
• Product catalog of the brand;
• Company sticker.

Any media with drivers in the package was not, but this practice is beginning to be used almost everywhere, so all the necessary software can be downloaded from the official website of the device manufacturer.

Design

In its appearance, the Sensei model resembles the legendary SteelSeries generation - the Xai Laser mouse, which has won the love of many gamers thanks to well-designed ergonomics. The body of the new manipulator has a symmetrical shape, so the mouse is perfect for both right-handed and fastidious left-handers.

The streamlined lines, coupled with the mirror surface, give the manipulator quite a presentable look, which almost any an esthete will like.

The body of the gadget is made of high-quality plastic with metal spraying. The working surface looks like an ideally polished stone, giving the mouse a special charm. It is worth mentioning separately that the surface of the device excludes the appearance of fingerprints, than they have sinned the models of past generations of SteelSeries. The mouse is flanked by rubberized black material on the sides, which gives it a positive contrast with the smoothly polished working surface.

The original backlight consists of three zones: a corporate logo, a CPI indicator and a scroll wheel for zooming. Each of these sites is highlighted by one of many colors (16.5 million). One of the interesting details of the highlight is the choice of the gamut you like. That is, by assigning a color to a particular profile, the user can easily switch between them, and the visual component makes it clear which profile is currently on. Many owners speak highly of this function, considering it extremely useful. It is a pity that it is extremely rare in such devices.

The scroll wheel is made of transparent plastic. On the rim of the rubberized material clearly segmented areas for a more accurate scroll. The entire process of scaling or flipping occurs smoothly, with explicit and well-balanced transitions.

LCD-display SteelSeries

Customizing the mouse with the LCD-display allows you to fully work with the functionality of ExactTech. The manipulator can be calibrated for almost all applications and for every taste:

• Sens - control over the CPI, where the range of sensitivity ranges from 1 to 11400 CPI, with a single step interval.
• Move - the channel is responsible for adjusting the trajectory of the mouse.
• Aim is a useful feature if you need to slow down the device while aiming. An irreplaceable thing for any gamer.
• Accel - the parameter is responsible for the current and subsequent acceleration of the mouse cursor.
• Lift - adjust the distance between the manipulator and the surface at which the device stops responding.

SteelSeries Personalization

The mouse can be personalized on the official website of the manufacturer. To do this, just upload a small picture in BMP format to the device. The solution is non-standard, but very original.

Create, and then register your own art can be on the same site. If fantasy is not enough for anything, there are always ready logos and brand names of cybersport teams like the above mentioned Fnatic, NaVi, etc.

In order to activate the equipment and display in particular, you must press the CPI controller button and operate the menu with the scroll wheel.

Firmware

When you connect the manipulator for the first time, the system will define it as a HID-compliant device, and in its functionality the "Sensei" model will not differ much from the usual gadget. All the features and further customization are only opened after you install the proprietary software from SteelSeries.

Mouse, if necessary, can be flashed with the latest version of the software via the same software in the Engine section. After completing all the preparatory procedures, a more fine-tuning of the device becomes available, in which to your taste you can adjust almost any parameter, while keeping in the desired profile.

The interface of proprietary software is intuitively understandable and pleases with its simplicity, uncomplicatedness and the number of various settings.

Verdict

For its price (which is almost $ 100), the mouse justifies all expectations, as it feels the producer's love for the consumer, especially since the price / quality balance is fully observed. In consumer feedback, the manipulator is called the most successful novelty of last season.