CM Storm Sentinel Advance II Mouse review (w/ Speed RX Padz)

1. Introduction2. CM Storm Sentinel Advance II Mouse3. Speed RX Padz4. Software and Operation5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

If, like me, you spend most of your life on a computer then you will already be aware of the importance of buying the best quality mouse and keyboard. Thankfully, there are certainly no shortage of options in either category today. The Razer Black Widow Ultimate keyboard and the DAS keyboard get all my attention. Only because I am a sucker for the Cherry MX Blue switches.

Until today, my favourite mouse was the Steelseries Sensei which fit my hand perfectly and was used daily since it was released some time ago. I was actually beginning to doubt I could find a suitable replacement until CoolerMaster sent me the CM Storm Sentinel Advance II for review today.

I am ambidextrous, so while I write with my left hand, I can use the mouse with my right hand. Sadly purist lefties need not apply as the body shape is designed from the ground up for right handed use. The chassis shape is certainly suited to those people with larger hands, like myself. If you have dainty little hands then some of the Razer mice may be better suited.

Technically, The CM Storm Sentinel Advance II is stunning. No one will need more than 8,200 dpi, and in fact I would expect only a handful of people will be able to use this resolution when gaming, with any great success. If I was breathing heavily when using the mouse at this resolution, it could move slightly – this is sensitivity to the extreme. Additionally, I found that the choice of surface can emphasize this slightly too.

This mouse is extremely configurable, settings between 200 dpi and 8,200 dpi can be set via software with individually selectable X and Y axis DPI settings. There are also media and macro functions which can be easily configured via the dedicated software.

Between 1,600 dpi and 3,200 dpi is the most usable range in my own personal experience. I found 2,000 dpi to be a perfect fit for Windows use, and 3,200 dpi more useful when playing some first person shooters. Drawing smooth bezier curves in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop proved more successful between 1,600 dpi to 2,000 dpi.

The CM Storm software is fantastic even though I felt initially it looked too cluttered. The options are there for setting up macros, scripts and multiple profiles. I spent most of my time tuning the dpi settings and then saving them into the mouse for a variety of tasks. If more frivilous settings prove interesting, then there are no shortage of colour, LED logo and lighting tricks to be configured.

The mouse is due for release in the next couple of weeks, but we have been informed that the price will be around £50 inc vat when it hits the UK. At this price we have absolutely no hesitation recommending the CM Storm Sentinel Advance II. It is one the finest mice on the market.

We can also recommend the Speed RX Padz, as they partner well with the new Avago ADNS-9800 laser sensor.

Pros:

• beautiful, hitch free tracking.
• built well.
• weighted system.
• full lighting system.
• lighting system can be disabled.
• fantastic software.
• settings between 200 dpi and 8,200 dpi available.
• spare set of glides supplied.
• driverless.
• Speed VX pads are a good partner.

Cons:

• None.

Kitguru says: One of the best tracking mice on the market. bar none.

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