SteelSeries release the Sensei, Grand Master of gaming mice

Anyone who has been reading KitGuru for a while will know that we love SteelSeries' range of gaming peripherals as every model we've had through our labs has won an award of some description.  Until now, the top of the range gaming mouse in their range was the Xai which was rather understated in design but boasted great performance.

SteelSeries have just announced a new model, the Sensei, which boasts a specification that makes the Xai look very ordinary.  It continues the Japanese style naming scheme with ‘Sensei' which means grand master.  While the shape of the mouse looks very similar to the Xai, the Sensei boasts a lot of changes internally.  The most notable addition is a 32-bit ARM processor which lets the mouse make complex calculations in hardware, rather than relying on software drivers.

The other interesting feature that really jumps off the page is an option to double the sensitivity of the mouse using the ARM processor.  This boosts the maximum sensitivity level to 11 400 CPI when using the double CPI with a maximum of  5700 CPI in single CPI mode.

The Master of Customization

The Sensei features a state of the art 32 bit ARM processor which allows for both ninja-esque speed and precision; true hardware based sensitivity settings from 1 to 5,700 CPI, and an “overclocked” Double CPI feature that allows the user to go all the way up to 11,400 DCPI – a setting that is ideal for multiple monitor use. SteelSeries’ industry leading ExactTech settings, such as ExactSens, ExactAccel, and ExactAim, can be calculated directly on the hardware, which leaves the user with a mouse that is completely free of any interpolation or extrapolation, delay, filtering and without using up memory or resources on the user’s computer. The laser sensor boasts 10.8 megapixel image correlation at up to 12,000 frames per second and the ability to handle tracking movements of up to 150 inches per second.

As the first in SteelSeries competitive line of mice to include illumination options, the Sensei hosts three areas of illumination – at the wheel, CPI indicator and at the SteelSeries logo, in 16.8 million color options including an OFF setting. The illumination can help provide specific functions like different colors for specific profiles.

Optimized Design and Grip

A new, non-slip grip, metal coating encases the Sensei, while its ambidextrous shape makes all 8 ergonomically placed buttons comfortably reachable for all three grip styles – palm, claw and swipe. Connecting to the computer through a gold-plated USB, its double-braided nylon cord is meant to withstand serious punishment, from aggressive tournament pulls to tangles and even animal chews.

To ensure maximum performance in all gaming scenarios SteelSeries enlisted help from world-class StarCraft® II, Counter-Strike®, QUAKE® Live, DotA™, League of Legends™, Heroes of Newerth™, WarCraft® III and Doom® players who helped with the testing and refinement of the Sensei. They provided input on everything from grip styles to the needs for customizable technology; the Sensei evolved from hours of game-play.

The Power of SteelSeries Engine Software

While the Sensei is able to be configured without the need for software drivers it is also SteelSeries’ first mouse that can be powered by the new SteelSeries Engine software. It’s up to the user to decide how much customization they want or need; SteelSeries is purely supplying the possibilities.  The SteelSeries Engine can allow users to:

1. Manage multiple devices. Beginning with the SteelSeries Sensei, users can configure all of their peripherals to work together in one managed location – for cohesive peripheral use.
2. Easily configure their settings. The effortless drag-and-drop, easy to navigate features and directions make the software well-suited for all levels.
3. Create profiles. Users can quickly activate multiple profiles for peripherals from different characters in one game to multiple profiles in all of the games and programs they’re using.
4. Improve set-up through statistics. Users will be able to record sessions and identify how to improve their button layout and macro settings through a visual heat map of the users peripheral.
5. Have the freedom to play. The SteelSeries Engine makes the Sensei as customizable as technologically possible. The software will even recognize what game a user is playing and will open the appropriate, saved profile. It allows the user to have complete control on how their mouse can function.

KitGuru says: We look forward to testing this mouse thoroughly sometime in the near future!

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