The “mouse” manipulator is, if not the main, then an indispensable tool for controlling a computer, and for a gamer it is also a way to achieve the desired results in cyber disciplines. The main indicators by which one 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 can sometimes give a significant advantage over an opponent.
The computer market is now a huge assortment of gaming mouse-type manipulators, and the number of brands under which they are released, just rolls over. Most of the gadgets differ from each other in build quality, some specific technical characteristics and additional controls.
The hero of today's review is the SteelSeries computer mouse, and below we will consider the most striking Sensei gaming line.
Specifications
The gadget stands out against the background of similar models due to attractive and well-balanced technical specifications. The mouse is equipped with a solid 32-bit ARM processor, the power of which is comparable to the Pentium computer with a frequency of 75 MHz, which automatically ranks the Sensei lineup as one of the company's top models.
One of the important factors in the development of the SteelSeries mouse was the company's cooperation with professional gamers, who have repeatedly shown exceptional manipulator control skills in games. The list of sponsored e-sports teams of the brand is very impressive and has 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 due to these wishes (along with recommendations) that the SteelSeries Sensei gaming mouse was created.
Execution
In addition to the original line, the company introduced various publications on the computer market:
- MLG EDITION - the design was taken up after the MLG winter championship in Columbus, resulting in a brand and specific product that differs from the original solely in design;
- FNATIC EDITION - the mice of this series are made in the style of the e-sports team of the same name and, like the previous version, differ from the basic version only in design;
- RAW Glossy Black - differs from the original mouse in its glossy styling and corresponding body design;
- RAW Rubberized Black - the model is identical to the previous version with the only difference: matte spraying was used instead of gloss.
Compaction
The SteelSeries Sensei wired mouse comes in a nice cardboard box where the main color is black.
You can look at the mouse before buying by opening the convenient “door” on the front side of the package. The mouse is protected along the perimeter with a transparent insert. Thanks to this marketing step, the buyer can immediately appreciate how convenient the mouse is in the hand, without damaging the package.
At the spread you can see a brief description of the device in several languages. Comments of professional e-sportsmen are printed at the bottom of the spread: Patrick Sattermon (cArn) from Fnatic and Dutch player Manuel Schenkhuyzena (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 main SteelSeries mouse controls. The package overview could please only the presence of information booklets:
- device operating instructions;
- brand product catalog;
- company sticker company.
There was no media with drivers in the package, but this practice is starting to be applied almost everywhere, so all the necessary software can be downloaded from the official website of the device manufacturer.
Design
In appearance, the Sensei model resembles the legendary SteelSeries generation - the Xai Laser mouse, which has won the love of many gamers thanks to its well-designed ergonomics. The body of the new manipulator has a symmetrical shape, so the mouse is perfect for both right-handed and picky left-handed people.
Streamlined lines, coupled with a mirror surface, give the manipulator a quite presentable look that will appeal to almost any esthete.
The gadget's body is made of high-quality plastic with a metal coating. The work surface looks like perfectly polished stone, giving the mouse a special charm. It should be noted separately that the surface of the device eliminates the appearance of fingerprints, which sinned the models of previous generations of SteelSeries. The mouse on the sides is bordered with rubberized black material, which gives it a certain positive contrast with a smoothly polished work surface.
The original backlight consists of three zones: a company logo, CPI indicator and a zoom wheel. Each of these areas is highlighted in one of many colors (16.5 million). One of the interesting details of the backlight is the selection of your favorite gamut. That is, by setting a color for a particular profile, the user can easily switch between them, and the visual component clearly makes it clear which profile is currently on. Many owners speak very well about this feature, considering it extremely useful. It is unfortunate that it is extremely rare in such devices.
The scaling wheel is made of transparent plastic. On the rim of rubberized material, segmented sections are clearly visible for more precise scrolling. The entire process of scaling or flipping occurs smoothly, with obvious and well-balanced transitions.
SteelSeries LCD
Customizing your mouse using 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 indicator, where the range of sensitivity ranges from 1 to 11400 CPI, and with a single step interval.
- Move - the channel is responsible for adjusting the mouse path.
- Aim is a useful feature if you need to slow down your 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 - setting the distance between the manipulator and the surface at which the device stops responding.
Personalization SteelSeries
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.
You can create and then register your own art on the same site. If there isn’t enough imagination for anything, there are always ready-made logos and brand names of e-sports teams like the aforementioned Fnatic, NaVi, etc.
In order to activate the equipment and the display in particular, you must press the CPI controller button and control the menu with the zoom wheel.
Proprietary software
When you connect the manipulator for the first time, the system will define it as a HID-compatible device, and the Sensei model will not differ much in functionality from a regular gadget. All possibilities and further settings are opened only after you install the proprietary software from SteelSeries.
If necessary, the mouse can be flashed with the latest version of the software through the same software in the Engine section. After completing all the preparatory procedures, a finer adjustment of the device will become available, in which you can adjust almost any parameter to your taste, while maintaining it in the desired profile.
The interface of the proprietary software is intuitive and pleases with its simplicity, straightforwardness and the number of various settings.
Verdict
For its price (and this is almost $ 100), the mouse more than meets all expectations, as it feels the manufacturer’s love for the consumer, especially since the price / quality balance is fully observed. In consumer reviews, the manipulator is called the most successful new product of last season.