SteelSeries Introduces Rival Optical Gaming Mouse

[Elrick]

Damn, just got an email letting me know about this baby.

http://www.legitreviews.com/steelseries-introduces-rival-optical-gaming-mouse_127024

http://steelseries.com/products/mice/steelseries-rival

So, I suppose every SteelSeries fanatic will be after this rodent?  I wouldn't mine trying it out, to see how someone else interprets the optical sensor into their design.

[Pacifist]

Well finally a sensor that isn't imperfect

[Elrick]

Well finally a sensor that isn't imperfect

Yep and also for the FIRST time an ergonomic mouse instead of their usual ambidextrous models (heaps of them).  My right hand will be pleased  .

[vun]

High end optical mouse from SS that doesn't use the same shape as all other SS mice? Yeah, I'm gonna give this one a spin eventually.

[Latin00032]

You can put your own 3d printed plated on it. They don't support it yet, though.

[ComradeSniper]

Just got my Sensei yesterday. Ugh.

This looks good though, probably will get one.

[Hyde]

This look rather large but the scroll wheel is pretty close in also the left and right click button area goes pretty far in too it seems.

So maybe it's designed to cater towards wider hand sizes.  I generally prefer ambidextrous mice but I think this should sell pretty well.

Well finally a sensor that isn't imperfect

Yep and also for the FIRST time an ergonomic mouse instead of their usual ambidextrous models (heaps of them).  My right hand will be pleased  .

Actually they had SteelSeries Ikari before that's right handed.  But I think they stopped making those, so luckily there's the replacement now.

[Emospence]

Waiting to see if the EC eVo CL is what I'm hoping for before I decide whether or not to give this a spin

[JPG]

Looks like direct competition to the DA2013. Dunno how it will perform compared to it. And new switches design by them ... interesting!

[MTManiac]

So this is an ergo right handed version of my old Razer Lachesis?
5600dpi Razer Precision™ 3.5G laser sensor
Adjustable Multi-Color LED(Up to 16 million colors)
Variable true dpi setting adjustments in increments of 125dpi
60KB Razer Synapse™ onboard memory
Nine independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
Tracking up to 200 inches per second

The only difference seems to be the form factor, and the sensor (laser @ 5600dpi vs optical @ 6500 dpi)
I might have to give it a try just for the ergonomic effect even though I just replaced my razer's feet with new pads and it's as slick, smooth, and fast as ever

[deSheol]

How much would they be though?

[tp4tissue]

Ok, so this is Optical led, and "NOT" laser...

[Pacifist]

So this is an ergo right handed version of my old Razer Lachesis?
5600dpi Razer Precision™ 3.5G laser sensor
Adjustable Multi-Color LED(Up to 16 million colors)
Variable true dpi setting adjustments in increments of 125dpi
60KB Razer Synapse™ onboard memory
Nine independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
Tracking up to 200 inches per second

The only difference seems to be the form factor, and the sensor (laser @ 5600dpi vs optical @ 6500 dpi)
I might have to give it a try just for the ergonomic effect even though I just replaced my razer's feet with new pads and it's as slick, smooth, and fast as ever

Show Image

Except there isn't synapse

[HendyZone]

need a 3D printer for Rival

[JPG]

So this is an ergo right handed version of my old Razer Lachesis?
5600dpi Razer Precision™ 3.5G laser sensor
Adjustable Multi-Color LED(Up to 16 million colors)
Variable true dpi setting adjustments in increments of 125dpi
60KB Razer Synapse™ onboard memory
Nine independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
Tracking up to 200 inches per second

The only difference seems to be the form factor, and the sensor (laser @ 5600dpi vs optical @ 6500 dpi)
I might have to give it a try just for the ergonomic effect even though I just replaced my razer's feet with new pads and it's as slick, smooth, and fast as ever

Show Image

Except there isn't synapse

You have a problem with synapse? I never had and I had it for the last 2 years.

[vun]

So this is an ergo right handed version of my old Razer Lachesis?
5600dpi Razer Precision™ 3.5G laser sensor
Adjustable Multi-Color LED(Up to 16 million colors)
Variable true dpi setting adjustments in increments of 125dpi
60KB Razer Synapse™ onboard memory
Nine independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
Tracking up to 200 inches per second

The only difference seems to be the form factor, and the sensor (laser @ 5600dpi vs optical @ 6500 dpi)
I might have to give it a try just for the ergonomic effect even though I just replaced my razer's feet with new pads and it's as slick, smooth, and fast as ever

Show Image

Except there isn't synapse

I figure they called their onboard memory "synapse", since the software is synapse 2.0

But yeah, the Lachesis Refresh is not synapse 2.0 compatible, or wasn't last I checked.

[Noko]

The one thing I really disliked about the DeathAdder (apart from how the buttons started to squeak horribly after a couple of months) was how the tops of the buttons were scooped.  Why would you want your finger to have to travel more distance on every click?  I'd say they've got a good DA killer.

[Elrick]

ctually they had SteelSeries Ikari before that's right handed.  But I think they stopped making those, so luckily there's the replacement now.

Actually you can still buy the Ikari on Ebay which I will do, just to find out whether it's suitable for my paws.

[Elrick]

The one thing I really disliked about the DeathAdder (apart from how the buttons started to squeak horribly after a couple of months) was how the tops of the buttons were scooped.

Same here, I made the unfortunate purchase of the current DA2013 and that creature squeaked horribly when used.  It's now at the bottom of my desk draw along with 2 other failed Razer purchases over the years.  How amazing that one single company failed to notice or instill any quality standards while it remains in business because you figured that over time, they would/could refine and progress along to finally manufacture any products without faults - but they haven't even bothered to lift their standards.

I actually couldn't care less now whether they release an all optical sensor that operates at 200,000dpi because I know they'll shelve it into a cheap, nasty housing that just fails on all counts.  As you can see I no longer buy Razer products at all but I'm glad there are other companies that make better mice that work perfectly, and they deserve our support.

[Oobly]

I've been really happy with my old Cyborg RAT 3. It has a 3200DPI laser sensor, but it's better than most lasers (no acceleration that I've noticed). Now I discover they put a 3500DPI optical sensor in the newer version 

Will be picking one up soon and my old RAT will be used for work 

I don't need more than about 2500DPI max and it's the most comfy mouse I've ever tried. It's light, too. My Logitech G9 is sitting in a drawer.

In case anyone is interested, you can adjust the palm rest on the 3, just have to undo a screw, move the rest to a comfy spot and pop the screw back in.

[Novus]

I'm really tempted to get this.

Although I've had very mixed experiences with the sensei and the steelseries engine (software) in particular.
My main criticisms of the sensei are that:
1) It felt cheap with the "frying pan" coating/finish
2) The Steelseries engine was a pain in the butt to install. The application was not easy to install (how something can be hard to install on a Windows machine is beyond me) and it caused my mouse to soft brick when I accessed the software.  It took me alot of effort uninstall and reinstall the software properly. I also expect a plethora of problems and incompatibility issues for windows 8.1 users.
3) The engine software itself is slow. Dragging/importing profiles is not intuitive at all.
4) The sensor for this mouse was "flawed" as people put it.  That didn't bother me back then as much as it does now though.

That being said.
Finally a longer mouse 
I can't wait to see how this mouse fares.
Hoping to see a slightly less cheap outside finish with a precise sensor, quality internals and switches.

[Elrick]

I'm really tempted to get this.
Finally a longer mouse 
I can't wait to see how this mouse fares.
Hoping to see a slightly less cheap outside finish with a precise sensor, quality internals and switches.

All SteelSeries has to do is go to the same place as ROCCAT and apply their surface finish on their current mouse range.  I have the XTD and Pure Optical and they are both superb quality finishes.  Smooth yet retains no sweat or marks from your fingers even after hours of use.  Has almost a felt-like quality to the casings that make the current range of ROCCAT's quite sublime to hold.

If SteelSeries could accomplish that feat then I suspect they will sell lots of these mice quite easily.

[Forsythe]

I'm really tempted to get this.
Finally a longer mouse 
I can't wait to see how this mouse fares.
Hoping to see a slightly less cheap outside finish with a precise sensor, quality internals and switches.

All SteelSeries has to do is go to the same place as ROCCAT and apply their surface finish on their current mouse range.  I have the XTD and Pure Optical and they are both superb quality finishes.  Smooth yet retains no sweat or marks from your fingers even after hours of use.  Has almost a felt-like quality to the casings that make the current range of ROCCAT's quite sublime to hold.

If SteelSeries could accomplish that feat then I suspect they will sell lots of these mice quite easily.

I'm really tempted to get this.
Finally a longer mouse 
I can't wait to see how this mouse fares.
Hoping to see a slightly less cheap outside finish with a precise sensor, quality internals and switches.

All SteelSeries has to do is go to the same place as ROCCAT and apply their surface finish on their current mouse range.  I have the XTD and Pure Optical and they are both superb quality finishes.  Smooth yet retains no sweat or marks from your fingers even after hours of use.  Has almost a felt-like quality to the casings that make the current range of ROCCAT's quite sublime to hold.

If SteelSeries could accomplish that feat then I suspect they will sell lots of these mice quite easily.

How was the pure in term of sensor though? And it's small right?

[Elrick]

How was the pure in term of sensor though? And it's small right?

If you're asking as a hard core gaming fanatic then I'll have to disappoint you there because I'm no real gamer.  The ROCCAT Pure Optical is smaller than an XTD which is the largest model in their range.

It has an adjustable 4000DPI PRO-OPTIC (R3) A3090 sensor with true 400, 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 3200 or 4000dpi.

With shooters the mouse movements is precise to say the least.  In mouse heavy games the feet are very slippery on a Artizen Pad but it also is quite comfortable on a Func 1030.  The buttons are nicely tactile with the soft-touch plastic coating providing superb control in every situation.  Also the coating hides any nasty finger-oils after hours of use, in fact it's the only mouse that looks new even after you punish it severely in Narco Terror, Half Life and any version of C.O.D's.

I've got too many mice in my possession but the ROCCAT is up there with the best ones thus made, from any current factory in the world.  Well worth the money in getting this one if you despise laser sensors.

[Novus]

So anybody thinking of pre ordering this mouse?
Why do you think steel-series went with an upbraided cable for this mouse?

[vun]

So anybody thinking of pre ordering this mouse?
Why do you think steel-series went with an upbraided cable for this mouse?

Either they've listened to the people who complain about braided cables, since many find them too stiff and annoying, or because it's cheaper.

[Novus]

Oh right.
Some braided cables cause alot of difficulty with mouse bungees as well.

[gameaholic]

I was wondering.  Has anyone here custom sleeved a mouse cable before?  Maybe using para cord or some sleeve that's pretty flexible.   

[Elrick]

Either they've listened to the people who complain about braided cables, since many find them too stiff and annoying, or because it's cheaper.

I've still got some older Microsoft mice that came with the standard grey rubber cable and they have lasted the longest time.  Non have split or deteriorated after many years of use.  Hence it already has a track record of outlasting any cable braided junk.

I say it's time to bring it back where it belongs, so that your mouse would collapse first before any cable would snap or crack.

[Novus]

need a 3D printer for Rival

Indeed.
If steelseries was smart they'd offer free nameplates or whatever to people who pre-order.
Oh well. 
)
Now an excuse not to pre order!

[Elrick]

Indeed.
If steelseries was smart they'd offer free nameplates or whatever to people who pre-order.
Oh well. 
 )
Now an excuse not to pre order!

They will only finally distribute them next year (2014) in the first quarter.  Who knows if they'll even stick to the current shape in the photos that they've posted around?

It's just to see if there's any interest in the up coming mouse and hope to gain any extra incentive to produce the beggar.  If there was no interest then it might get shelved and no new rodent joins their current model range (just being extremely pessimistic about this).

[zemp]

So this is an ergo right handed version of my old Razer Lachesis?
5600dpi Razer Precision™ 3.5G laser sensor
Adjustable Multi-Color LED(Up to 16 million colors)
Variable true dpi setting adjustments in increments of 125dpi
60KB Razer Synapse™ onboard memory
Nine independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
Tracking up to 200 inches per second

The only difference seems to be the form factor, and the sensor (laser @ 5600dpi vs optical @ 6500 dpi)
I might have to give it a try just for the ergonomic effect even though I just replaced my razer's feet with new pads and it's as slick, smooth, and fast as ever

Show Image

Except there isn't synapse

I figure they called their onboard memory "synapse", since the software is synapse 2.0

But yeah, the Lachesis Refresh is not synapse 2.0 compatible, or wasn't last I checked.

razer products break easily.
the spend more money on packaging then the product it self
ive brought a deathadder and a sensei at the same time and used them for the same amount of time
the deathadder strated to shine after 2 million clicks  and it broke after 4 million
the sensei has lasted me 8 million clicks to this day.
(i use to play sc2 competitively)

[Novus]

In terms of sensor precision, accuracy and performance, to you, did your deathaddler seem more precise than your sensei?

[ctbear]

Spec looks good but it is really ugly imo 

[Elrick]

Had to put my money where my mouth is, and paid up for the Pre-order Rival.

Bought it off their International Site which is in Euros and that sucks in the extreme.  Paid close to $145.00AUD. which includes delivery via Fedex/DHL economy.

So in for the SteelSeries and as soon as it arrives here in Convict Town I'll see if it's going to be a righteous buy or an extreme tragedy (razer-like).

[Forsythe]

Had to put my money where my mouth is, and paid up for the Pre-order Rival.

Bought it off their International Site which is in Euros and that sucks in the extreme.  Paid close to $145.00AUD. which includes delivery via Fedex/DHL economy.

So in for the SteelSeries and as soon as it arrives here in Convict Town I'll see if it's going to be a righteous buy or an extreme tragedy (razer-like).

Ugh, DHL shipping.. please post some pictures when it arrives! 

[Melvang]

no thanks only 2 buttons on the side.

[Novus]

Bless your heart brave souls!

[Novus]

Looks like engine 3 still needs some work :/
That thing is still slower than a snail.

[Quardah]

I currently have an Ikari Laser (yes, it exists laser instead of optical) and it's beena pleasure using it so far. Guess i'm going to use it until it dies then i'm getting the SS Rival.

I hope i won't notice stepping down from a 150$ mouse to a 60$ one.

[Elrick]

I currently have an Ikari Laser (yes, it exists laser instead of optical) and it's beena pleasure using it so far.

I always wanted to try an Ikari optical.  Did you also notice you can still buy it here for $49.99USD;

http://shop.steelseries.com/us/mice/steelseries-ikari-optical.html

I remembered someone mentioned they stopped making them years ago, hence Ebay was the only source but it looks like SteelSeries had to keep on making it.

[Quardah]

I currently have an Ikari Laser (yes, it exists laser instead of optical) and it's beena pleasure using it so far.

I always wanted to try an Ikari optical.  Did you also notice you can still buy it here for $49.99USD;

http://shop.steelseries.com/us/mice/steelseries-ikari-optical.html

I remembered someone mentioned they stopped making them years ago, hence Ebay was the only source but it looks like SteelSeries had to keep on making it.

It's a bold move to stop the production cause it's their most iconic mouse imo. also i hardly feel like you can get better shapewise.

[Bullveyr]

I used the Ikari Laser for quite some time, I really liked it.
Never had much time with the Optical because I got it 1 day before the Xai, which was more interesting at that time.

[Elrick]

Yep the RIVAL arrived yesterday delivered via FEDEX (good crew there)  .

Basically it's a very basic mouse.  Has a nice surface finish similar to a ROCCAT XTD.  In fact it almost feels like an XTD in your hand but a little more rounded, much like a small girl's breast  .  The USB cable is a basic black-rubber/plastic finish which is easy to clean compared to cloth covered cables which are the current norm amongst input devices.

Amazed at how quiet the left and right mouse switches are.  So if you like flaming/burning your enemies in the middle of the night it won't wake anyone nearby (always a plus).

The ONLY real whinge here is the scroll wheel - it just feels so cheap and nasty  .  Something SteelSeries didn't worry about correcting.  But like all manufacturers of mice they always fail in one aspect of their product.  But their install of side dimpled rubber housing is perfect for lifting your mouse up and placing it somewhere else on your pad is effortless.  Plus it's so light in weight that it almost floats in the air (joking there).

Also it looks like the feet on this rodent is unique hence you will need to wait for Corepad or PureTraK to produce some for any future replacements when required.

Overall a very nice surprise from SteelSeries.  PLEASE note this was my FIRST purchase of any mouse from this company, hence I didn't have any high or low expectations relating to this.  I had to pay an exorbitant price in shipping, that was what may hurt some people who are concerned about the total overall cost.

[fuzzybaffy]

How is that little part that extrudes out on the right? Any issues with fatigue or discomfort at all? Because the Sensei caused a lot of fatigue for me (though I understand they are completely different shapes; which is why I'm asking).

[Elrick]

How is that little part that extrudes out on the right? Any issues with fatigue or discomfort at all? Because the Sensei caused a lot of fatigue for me (though I understand they are completely different shapes; which is why I'm asking).

The little part being where the pinky resides or the bottom right section of the palm?

The pinky and ring finger are off the top surface of the mouse and rest comfortably next to it (that's how I hold this mouse).  Hence my pinky will touch/rest upon the mouse pad easily yet due to the rubber sides I can easily lift the body of the mouse simply, with no fuss.  Again it's too similar to the ROCCAT XTD shape on top of the RIVAL yet the side (right-hand) structure is a direct rip-off from DA2013 or MIE 3.0.

The RIVAL is generally for palming hence you will be extremely comfortable but if you're a finger-tip (G9x) user then you need to look elsewhere.

Like I said if you've got experience palming your girlfriend late at night, down at your local cinema then this mouse will be perfect for you  .

[fuzzybaffy]

The RIVAL is generally for palming hence you will be extremely comfortable but if you're a finger-tip (G9x) user then you need to look elsewhere.

I see. If that's the case, then yea, I'll probably have to skip the Rival.

Then again, a lot of people say the Deathadder is a palm grip mouse, but I find it perfect for clawing, so... that could be the case with the Rival as well. I might consider it, even as a claw gamer.

[Novus]

How to grip the death adder
You might be on to something in terms of grip.

So I heard the rival's button end up touching slightly towards the middle if you depress both of them at the same time. Is that true?
I was kinda keen on getting the Rival but I think I'll take the new zowie ec evo cl over the rival.

[Elrick]

So I heard the rival's button end up touching slightly towards the middle if you depress both of them at the same time. Is that true?

I have pressed and depressed both top buttons at the same time (which I think you're referring to) and they do not touch/scrape anything at all.  Even when I press the outer edges of the button(s) with my finger(s) it still will not interfere with any part of the housing or casing.

I was kinda keen on getting the Rival but I think I'll take the new zowie ec evo cl over the rival.

I will be getting the Zowie EC1 eVo CL as well  .

[Novus]

I have pressed and depressed both top buttons at the same time (which I think you're referring to) and they do not touch/scrape anything at all.  Even when I press the outer edges of the button(s) with my finger(s) it still will not interfere with any part of the housing or casing.

Right that's what I was referring to. Sorry for the ambiguity was typing on the phone.
I'm guessing the guy who had this problem (http://i.imgur.com/brdIXKj.png) probably just got a bad mouse.