Steelseries Sensei...worth it?

[Lmnr]

So although it's like 90$ I need some feedback from people that have them since I know it's supposedly just like a xai with allot of lights.

[flaming_june]

Depends on what you're looking for in a mouse.  But in all scenarios that price is never worth it.  If you have the money/budget for it, and you really have your heart set on it, then it's "worth it".

You'd want to find out about your hand style, swipe style, what you want in a sensor, your pad preference, button locations, and also dpi requirements, then you can narrow it down.  If you want a sensei like mouse but less money, there are tones of avg 9500 based mouse out there.

[Lmnr]

Mostly due to gaming I have this on my wrist.

I also use a modified claw grip and with 500-800 dpi.

[RenoFox]

If you're unsure of what mouse you want I'd recommend the Razer Deathadder, It's got like one of the best rep's and it's only 2/3 the price of the sensei.

[Lmnr]

Imho I always thought of razer products as the Alienware of computers.

[RenoFox]

Look around for reviews on the Deathadder, sure you might not think the most of their company but that 1 mice in particular is awesome.

[flaming_june]

Mostly due to gaming I have this on my wrist.

Show Image

I also use a modified claw grip and with 500-800 dpi.

Yup.  I have that too, on hard pad.  Thus Sensei and other 9500 based mouse aren't for you.

[Lmnr]

Im using a sidewinder x3
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/microsoft_sidewinder_x3_gaming_mouse/img/1.JPG
But mostly I got it from using no mat but now I do and its wearing out a little bit.

[zareliman]

Sensei is a highly overpriced mouse with useless utilities. It also has tracking problems on white surface, aside from the well known avago 9500 negative acceleration on cloth pads.

If you like that sensor (or high dpi) I'd suggest the G500, by far one of the best mice I've ever tried.

[Lmnr]

What about the xai cause the g500 is pretty much the same price.

[flaming_june]

Sensei is the xai, 1.5 with lights.

[TheProfosist]

If your going to use the extra features that the xai offers get it. If your not going to use the features its just a pretty Xai. I switched to track balls for a long time after my Ikari Laser died but The G700 has brought me back to mice as it is everything that I ever wanted in a mouse.

[Greenbean]

I suggest a Razer Deathadder or the new Zowie AM that is about to be released. Both of these mice run very similar sensors. The Razer runs a modified version of the Avago 3090 and the AM uses the 3090 if I am correct.

The Razer has had proven results as one of the best sensors in the market, but suffers from a high LOD (Lift-Off Distance) and some complain about the build quality.

The Zowie has yet to be released, but theoretically, it should turn out to be one of the best, if not the best mouse on the market.

The Sensei is a gimmick. I once thought that the shell, lights, features, etc would justify the cost, but it also had sensor issues like acceleration. Then I thought to myself, "Why makes compromises with the mouse if I have to pay more?"

In my opinion grab yourself a Razer Deathadder Black Edition with an Artisan Hayate, and you'll be set.

[zareliman]

I suggest a Razer Deathadder or the new Zowie AM that is about to be released. Both of these mice run very similar sensors. The Razer runs a modified version of the Avago 3090 and the AM uses the 3090 if I am correct.

The Razer has had proven results as one of the best sensors in the market, but suffers from a high LOD (Lift-Off Distance) and some complain about the build quality.

The Zowie has yet to be released, but theoretically, it should turn out to be one of the best, if not the best mouse on the market.

The Sensei is a gimmick. I once thought that the shell, lights, features, etc would justify the cost, but it also had sensor issues like acceleration. Then I thought to myself, "Why makes compromises with the mouse if I have to pay more?"

In my opinion grab yourself a Razer Deathadder Black Edition with an Artisan Hayate, and you'll be set.

Simply not true.
Razer doesn't produce any mice with the Avago 3090, their led sensors are modifications of the 3050. The 3090 seems to be newer than their latest led based mice (I say led instead of what most people call "optical" since both laser and led are optical). All the available mice using that sensor have serious issues:
- Puretrak Valor: Poor construction, multiple firmware issues, etc...
- CMstorm Spawn: Firmware issues (jittering at some CPI settings, etc)
The Avago 3090 was promising on theory, but on the practice is a pain in the arse, mainly because it has incredibly high Lift-off-distance and to correct that you have to mess with lenses and firmware. Lets see how does the Zowie AM or the TTesports Saphire behave.

Besides that, both the Abyssus and DeathAdder have 0 accel. sensors, no prediction and pretty flawless tracking (better than laser mice on cloth). Shame that LED based sensors cap at 3500 CPI.

[iindigo]

Having used a Razer Deathadder in the past, I appreciate its quality of tracking but their its quality really does suck. It feels cheap, light, and poorly built - even a cheap $15 Logitech mouse provides a better feel. It's really underwhelming considering how much the Deathadder costs and for the same price range, I greatly prefer the solid, hefty feel of Logitech's G500.

[Lmnr]

So does anyone know if the steelseries laser mouses still have acceleration? if so then I was thinking of the razer imperator, the g500 right now is a little too much.

[sinis]

From what I read the upcoming Zowie AM is very promising. The sensai was discussed as not worth it but people should buy a Zowie EC1 or EC2. I am not a mouse scientist though.

[Lmnr]

Hmm but I just don't want to waste money on a mouse that has unturnable acceleration that makes gaming a pain. I've had the Ikari and it sucked due to the fact that when I twiched certain ways it would accelerate way too much but ill look into it. I've never heard of Zowie due to it being a mostly european company. It looks very simple....(thats a good thing :])

This is what I mean:
[video=youtube;P9O4h2OP1DI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9O4h2OP1DI[/video]

[Greenbean]

Simply not true.
Razer doesn't produce any mice with the Avago 3090, their led sensors are modifications of the 3050.

I apologize for my mistake, as I don't quite remember the model numbers of mouse sensors. It was something amongst those lines...

[Lmnr]

So are they gonna create the Zowie Am with the ADNS-3090 sensor or even better?

[DoctorSnoopy]

Weight of the mouse should also be considered and to the OP, Steelseries occasionally/often has 30-40% discounts on all products which drops the Sensei's price down a lot; mice and keyboards usually go OOS when this happens.

[Lmnr]

I saw the recent blizz2k11 code and I was close to getting a 7g but I backed out idk why and when i saw that only the crappy mouses were left over I let it go.

[Lethal Squirrel]

I have a Steelseries Ikari laser, and I freakin love it. Is the perfect mouse for me. I say get the Sensei! you could even consider the Ikari Laser.
I agree with what you said about razer too btw.

[Bullveyr]

Simply not true.
Razer doesn't produce any mice with the Avago 3090, their led sensors are modifications of the 3050. The 3090 seems to be newer than their latest led based mice (I say led instead of what most people call "optical" since both laser and led are optical).

Simply not not true.

The S3888 in the DA 3500DPI and Abyssus is based on the A3090 (you could also say it's the other way around because the S3888 was used first), the A3090 is basically the publicaly available version.
The A3050 is a totally different sensor.

So does anyone know if the steelseries laser mouses still have acceleration? if so then I was thinking of the razer imperator, the g500 right now is a little too much.

The accel. problem is a general issue of the A9500, the Sensei isn't different in that way, same goes for the G500.
Maybe it will be at least lowered in the upcoming ADNS-9800.

I got a Sensei yesterday, haven't had time to compare it to the Xai yet (as a Xai User I wouldn't have spent money on the Sensei).

Personally the small pos. accel. of the Xai never bothered me.

[shogrran]

Hi, I just got mine today. And I agree with one other poster in this thread. If you really want it, the looks, features, lights then it is worth it.


I have a few comments on it and I hope I get to write a full review. Coming from a relatively simple mouse - the Razer Salmosa with relatively simple customization options and half the price I was kinda surprised.

1. The looks are definitely better. The smooth chrome finish is comfortable and easy to grip. The lights are fantastic the best looking bling lights I have ever seen on any computer peripheral to date. Its simplicity is a plus factor actually. But one thing they could have improved on is the chrome finish itself. Black or white is still the best colors imho. Its quite rare if you can find a build that fits well aesthetically with a sudden touch of chrome finish. My build is all black and though it doesn't look out of place, its the only chrome colored device I have connected to the pc. It looks good on its own that I can say.

2. Sidebuttons suck bigtime for me though. Maybe its because the mouse I previously used for almost four years doesn't have side buttons.  (im referring to the first version of the salmosa, not the new release which is a cheapo and smaller re-release) I'd say it was better if they had placed the side buttons a little offcentered from where you relax your thumb and ring finger because you can't help but accidentally press them! And they are so responsive that a minor movement of my thumb just accidentally presses them. Specially when you're using the on board menu, accidental press here and there.

3. I beg to disagree with their slogan saying its the most customizable mouse. I thought of a few things in my old razer that I can't seem to find yet in the s.s. engine. Like dynamically changing DPIwithout having to lift your mouse. You can only set it to two preset DPI per profile which you can switch with a button and if you wanted to adjust you have to lift the mouse up or use the engine. Considering the Sensei goes by its slogan - the world's most customizable mouse, you would expect that if it doesn't have close enough if not the same kind of feature, it has a substitute feature that works in the same way. The Razer has the on the fly sensitivity with on screen display even which I really like.

4. I wonder if its just because my mouse is new that the buttons are harder to press. Its crisp and tactile but I would definitely say it needs a bit more force to press than my salmosa or any other mouse I've used. Also in relation to this... the "pressing area" is quite small. I was expecting due to the shape of the mouse that it is going to be suited to my finger tip grip but I was wrong. Personally it would be best for palm grips. Because the area where you can actually press the two main buttons are just near the tip and gets harder as you move towards the middle of the mouse. Razer mice seem to have solved that and made a bigger responsive area.

5. Lastly, I have always wondered if looking at the underside of the mouse to use the onboard menu can ruin your eyes since the invisible laser might be shining straight into your eyes. I would have preferred on screen on the fly displays - the mouse has a processor and memory right? I hope a brilliant programmer can put this in a future update.

I have mentioned several comparisons with a Razer mouse but I am not saying that the Razer Salmosa is better overall. I am just pointing out a few good features of my old mouse that I really like and haven't found (or have not yet found the substitute) on the sensei.

[flaming_june]

Newer mouse don't mean they're better.  Many people are still had a hard time finding the right mouse to replace their 518 and DA before the 400 came out.

Simply not not true.

The S3888 in the DA 3500DPI and Abyssus is based on the A3090 (you could also say it's the other way around because the S3888 was used first), the A3090 is basically the publicaly available version.
The A3050 is a totally different sensor.


The accel. problem is a general issue of the A9500, the Sensei isn't different in that way, same goes for the G500.
Maybe it will be at least lowered in the upcoming ADNS-9800.

I got a Sensei yesterday, haven't had time to compare it to the Xai yet (as a Xai User I wouldn't have spent money on the Sensei).

Personally the small pos. accel. of the Xai never bothered me.

Yup.

Also, I've previous had the xai.  I've only recently bought the sensei.

If you want to get rid of that rug burn on your wrist, do not get a lazer mouse based on the 9500.  You'd be much more comfortable with a talent and a g400.  Better performance at low dpi as well.

[Lmnr]

Newer mouse don't mean they're better.  Many people are still had a hard time finding the right mouse to replace their 518 and DA before the 400 came out.



Yup.

Also, I've previous had the xai.  I've only recently bought the sensei.

If you want to get rid of that rug burn on your wrist, do not get a lazer mouse based on the 9500.  You'd be much more comfortable with a talent and a g400.  Better performance at low dpi as well.

I never said it was a bad thing :]
But from what ive heard I recently tried a optical mouse and the accuracy on them is terrible for fast accurate moves. I know for a fact that the kinzu and the xai have acceleration but ive never seen it on a sensei.

[Brodie337]

Not all optical mice are created equal...

[iindigo]

Newer mouse don't mean they're better.  Many people are still had a hard time finding the right mouse to replace their 518 and DA before the 400 came out.

...

If you want to get rid of that rug burn on your wrist, do not get a lazer mouse based on the 9500.  You'd be much more comfortable with a talent and a g400.  Better performance at low dpi as well.

Would just like to warn that while the G400 might still be an alright buy, don't expect it to have the longevity of the MX518. MX518s already had problems with their cords breaking/cracking/shorting after a year or two of use, and that is likely to be worse with the G400 - Logitech cheaped out when building the entire device, and its cord is no exception, being thinner than that of its predecessors. I've also read that the G400 has lost a significant amount of weight compared to the MX518, so if weight matters to you, that's also worth taking into consideration before purchasing this mouse.

[Lmnr]

So mx400 vs mx 518.. I mainly use my mouse on a Saitek Cyborg mousepad it's a hard surface yet my sidewinder x3 glides on it. Well im looking for smoothness of the mouse while use since I got a combo of 30$ for a sidewinder x6 and a sidewinder x8. Liked the keyboard but the mouse was terrible. I ended up going to a nearby microcenter and started to look for mouses.. ended up getting a steelseries ikari for a week then returned it due to its size and its acceleration. Then when I went back I got the x3 and its proved itself quite well since it's a basic mouse with decent gliding.