Pros
- Superb, customisable performance
- Ambidextrous yet comfortable
- Programmable without a PC
- 3 individual LED zones in any colour
- Excellent software
Cons
- Not quite as comfy as some right-handed mice
- Can accidentally press side buttons
- No adjustable weights or grips
- Some minor issues with software install
Review Price £60.00
Key Features: Sensor up to 11,400 CPI;
Ambidextrous;
32-bit ARM CPU ;
Fully programmable ;
LCD screen
Manufacturer: SteelSeries
Though
it might not be the name you first think of, SteelSeries is a
well-respected brand in the gaming peripheral market. In fact, the
company’s last mouse to cross our desks, the snappily titled SteelSeries Xai,
received our highest commendation. However, with even peripherals
becoming ever more advanced these days (check out the amazing Logitech G19 gaming keyboard,
which has its own CPU and colour screen, to see what we mean), it was
arguably high time for an update. So does the new Sensei bring the
necessary performance and features to steal gamers’ hearts (again)?
image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94|000021c2d|debb_IMG-2950s.jpg
When
you first see the Sensei, you would be forgiven for thinking that not
really all that much has changed. Sure, there’s a new glossy metallic
coat of paint, but this aside it’s the exact same ambidextrous shape and
has the same eight-button configuration as its predecessor, down to the
triangular dpi switch below its scroll wheel (unlike some gaming mice
the Sensei offers only the option to toggle between two dpi settings out
of the box, something the company found its pro gamer partners wanted).
However, under the hood this is a very different and far more advanced rodent. For it, too, has its own powerful processor! In fact, ladies and gents, we have a mouse with an original Pentium-equivalent CPU inside. This allows you to double the sensitivity from its laser sensor’s native 5,700 DPI/CPI to a whopping 11,400, among other enhancements. The Sensei also maintains the Xai’s LCD screen (at the mouse’s bottom). Even if it’s monochrome and can’t display more than a few lines at a time, that’s still rather impressive. Add in local storage, and this mouse is practically a computer in your palm.
image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94|000021c27|0bae_IMG-2953s.jpg
Not to be outdone by Logitech’s G-Series (the G9
and G9x), which offer a tiny strip of LED lighting in whatever colour
you wish, the Sensei boasts even more LED areas. This includes two rings
to either side of the scroll wheel, a round LED between wheel and CPI
button, and the SteelSeries logo. All three can be set independently to a
selection of 16.8 million colour options. Though the logo part is
obviously covered while gaming, either way it’s a glorious sight to
behold. If you’re into LED bling, this is definitely the mouse for you,
and if you aren’t, you can simply turn it all off. Incidentally, the
inclusion of all this bling is something of a turn around from Steel
Series' previous philosophy of cutting all the extraneous stuff and just
sticking to the hardcore gaming basics as it did on the Xai (which is
still readily available it should be noted).
Combined with features like ‘adjustable lift distance’, ‘advanced macros’, and FreeMove (which eliminates the dreaded path correction) - to name but a few - SteelSeries’ claim that the Sensei is the “world’s most customisable mouse” is probably no great exaggeration. What this gaming mouse does lack is a weights system (it weighs 106g and always will, unless you chop bits off) or adjustable grips, so if you’re after the ability to change your rodent’s shell, the G9x or Cyborg RAT might be more up your street.
image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94|000021c2c|170a_IMG-2948s.jpg
It’s
also worth mentioning that, like its predecessor, the Sensei was
designed with the help of some of the biggest names in competitive
gaming (eSports) across various genres, including the likes of Fnatic,
Evil Geniuses and iNcontrol. Having a whole raft of people giving their
input is a vastly preferable concept to being advised by just a single
famous gamer (Fatal1ity, anyone?), who might have a distinct playing
style and ergonomic tastes that won’t be for everyone.
image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94|000021c2d|debb_IMG-2950s.jpg
When
you first see the Sensei, you would be forgiven for thinking that not
really all that much has changed. Sure, there’s a new glossy metallic
coat of paint, but this aside it’s the exact same ambidextrous shape and
has the same eight-button configuration as its predecessor, down to the
triangular dpi switch below its scroll wheel (unlike some gaming mice
the Sensei offers only the option to toggle between two dpi settings out
of the box, something the company found its pro gamer partners wanted).However, under the hood this is a very different and far more advanced rodent. For it, too, has its own powerful processor! In fact, ladies and gents, we have a mouse with an original Pentium-equivalent CPU inside. This allows you to double the sensitivity from its laser sensor’s native 5,700 DPI/CPI to a whopping 11,400, among other enhancements. The Sensei also maintains the Xai’s LCD screen (at the mouse’s bottom). Even if it’s monochrome and can’t display more than a few lines at a time, that’s still rather impressive. Add in local storage, and this mouse is practically a computer in your palm.
image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94|000021c27|0bae_IMG-2953s.jpg
Not to be outdone by Logitech’s G-Series (the G9
and G9x), which offer a tiny strip of LED lighting in whatever colour
you wish, the Sensei boasts even more LED areas. This includes two rings
to either side of the scroll wheel, a round LED between wheel and CPI
button, and the SteelSeries logo. All three can be set independently to a
selection of 16.8 million colour options. Though the logo part is
obviously covered while gaming, either way it’s a glorious sight to
behold. If you’re into LED bling, this is definitely the mouse for you,
and if you aren’t, you can simply turn it all off. Incidentally, the
inclusion of all this bling is something of a turn around from Steel
Series' previous philosophy of cutting all the extraneous stuff and just
sticking to the hardcore gaming basics as it did on the Xai (which is
still readily available it should be noted).Combined with features like ‘adjustable lift distance’, ‘advanced macros’, and FreeMove (which eliminates the dreaded path correction) - to name but a few - SteelSeries’ claim that the Sensei is the “world’s most customisable mouse” is probably no great exaggeration. What this gaming mouse does lack is a weights system (it weighs 106g and always will, unless you chop bits off) or adjustable grips, so if you’re after the ability to change your rodent’s shell, the G9x or Cyborg RAT might be more up your street.
image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94|000021c2c|170a_IMG-2948s.jpg
It’s
also worth mentioning that, like its predecessor, the Sensei was
designed with the help of some of the biggest names in competitive
gaming (eSports) across various genres, including the likes of Fnatic,
Evil Geniuses and iNcontrol. Having a whole raft of people giving their
input is a vastly preferable concept to being advised by just a single
famous gamer (Fatal1ity, anyone?), who might have a distinct playing
style and ergonomic tastes that won’t be for everyone.Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/steelseries-sensei-review#w1Y10g6ibhkf4dic.99
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