Introduction

SteelSeries have a established themselves a fine reputation as a solid producer of quality PC gaming peripherals, so as I review this mouse I have high hopes for a product which does exactly as it says it will at a high level. The Steelseries Kinzu optical mouse, described as being ‘in a league of its own’ with regards to reliability and stability, can be picked up for the relatively low price of £21 (or $33 US Dollars).

About Steelseries

“SteelSeries Kinzu was developed in close cooperation with professional gamers to set new standards for performance in optical mice. The Gaming Grade image correlation sensor has been optimized to improve stability and eliminate jitter.”

So What Does This Mean?

Expect a very high quality product! Steel series are very proud of the fact that they work with the consumers rather than just staying in the labs and doing what they think is going to be effective and work well (see their about pages on their website for more.) Some readers may be concerned/put off by the fact that this is an optical mouse rather than a laser mouse (the DPI count on mice made with the latter is significantly higher) but there are still many gamers who opt for the optical mouse. This too means that the price of this mouse can be kept much lower than any of the new laser mice – possibly a selling point for those on a budget – and with a good mat many argue that the difference is negligible at any rate.

Specifications

• Frames per second: 9.375
• Inches per second: 50
• Megapixels per second: 3.75
• Counts Per Inch (CPI): 400 – 3200
• Acceleration: 20 G
• Buttons: 3
• Cord: 2 m / 7,9 ft (braided to improve durability)
• Polling: up to 1000 Hz
• Lift distance: ~2.0mm
• Large pressure points that reduce friction for optimized glide
• Driverless, plug-and-play feature for LAN gamers
• Built-in memory for 3 profiles
• Measurements: 117 x 64 x 36 mm / 4,6 x 2,5 x 1,43 in
• Operating systems: Win XP / Vista / Win 2000 / Mac OS

*Configuration software only available for Windows operating systems

Features

• Ambidextrous lightweight ergonomic finger-tip / palm design
• Slip-resistant coating for superior mouse grip and control
• Gaming Grade optimizations for pro gaming CPI values
• CPI toggle for on-the-fly high & low sensitivity adjustments
• Customizable report rate between 125hz-1000hz / 1 ms response time.
• 3200 Counts Per Inch
• 9375 Frames Per Second
• Acceleration on/off toggle via software
• 50 Inches Per Second and 20G of acceleration
• Low-friction high-performance polyethylene feet

]]> http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/steelseries-kinzu-gaming-mouse/feed/ 0 http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/ferrari-f430-pro-force-feedback-racing-wheel/ http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/ferrari-f430-pro-force-feedback-racing-wheel/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:44:59 +0000 Rhys http://tech-reviews.co.uk/?p=1335

Introduction

In recent times, gaming peripherals such as steering wheels have advanced dramatically. With advancements such as force feedback, driving cars on racing games can be exactly the same as the real thing. This has led to a gigantic group of online racing drivers and forums. There have even been accounts of professional online drivers stepping up to rallying in real world contests.

Today for review we have a PC steering wheel with all the latest technology advancements from a company called ‘Thrustmaster’. The Pro Force Feedback wheel is an exact replica of the Ferrari F430 wheel. With features such as a sequential gearbox, manettino dial and a magnetic resistance brake pedal, the Thrustmaster F430 racing wheel certainly looks to be a good product. Let’s find out if it is…

Features

• Official Ferrari licensed product: The brand with 99% consumer-awareness worldwide!
  Ferrari is synonymous with victory and competition, values that players appreciate
  – Ferrari and Thrustmaster share the same values: passion, performance, innovation, quality
• 5-position “Manettino” dial: Exclusive!
  – 5 backlit positions: Lets you configure your car directly in the race
  – Choice of Manual or Automatic configuration
• High-quality materials
  – Extra-large steering wheel: 28cm in diameter!
  – Rubber-textured coating
  – Metal axle and ball-bearing mechanism (maximum precision, smoothness and sturdiness)
  – Mixed belt-pulley and gears system(Flexible and ultra-quiet Force Feedback mechanism)
• Ferrari style wheel-mounted aluminum sequential gearbox
  – 2 digital, aluminum UP and DOWN levers
• Wide, weighted pedal set made of metal
  – 2 pedals made of unbreakable metal
  – Weighted base for maximum stability
  – Magnetic resistance brake pedal
• 10 easy access action buttons + 8 direction D-Pad
• Pro clamping system with metal structure
• Powerful Force Feedback with Touchsense® technology (under license from Immersion Corporation)

Introduction

With the growing amount of people purchasing iPods, iPhones and other audio equipment, it’s sometimes hard to find the perfect speakers. Here today at Tech-Reviews we have a company who are relatively new in the audio department and have produced what looks like a pretty decent product. Let’s see how it performs.

About Eagle Tech

Eagle Tech Computers, Inc. is a trusted OEM supplier of power supply, rackmount chassis, network attached storage NAS (RAID, Gigabit LAN, Wireless 802.11a/b/g), external hard drive enclosures and other storage related products. Our extensive experience in designing, manufacturing and marketing high quality PC components that meet and exceed customer application requirements has enabled us to grow beyond manufacturing. Our core competence is in innovative external storage solutions.

Recognizing the needs of modern computer users to store and share digital files across multiple platforms, Eagle Tech constantly monitors consumer needs to ensure timely development and introduction of innovative external storage products into the consumer market. We remain a high quality technology solutions provider dedicated to satisfying the demands of modern computer users – mainstream, enthusiasts and SOHO professionals.

Eagle Tech understands the importance of your data and strives to provide customers with reliable and easy to use products that are backed with responsive technical support staff. If there is a more innovative way to store and access your important data, you can count on us to make it happen for you – at affordable prices, rugged constructions and stylish designs.

Features

• Stiff and light cone materials for precise vibrations
• Exceptional tonal fidelity and low harmonic distortion
• Solid wood enclosures accurately amplifies overall sound level
• Dedicated subwoofer and midrange for high decibel output
• Compatible with wide range of iPod/iPhone
• Great for MP3 player, CD, PC, video gaming system, home audio system or just about any other audio sources
• USB 2.0 port connects to iTunes (PC/Mac)
• RCA audio input
• Adjustable volume, treble, bass
• Control, play and charge your iPod/iPhone from the top loading dock
• Remote control and browse your iPod/iPhone from anywhere in the room

Specifications

• Total RMS Power: 20 Watts
  -Satellites: 5 Watts RMS x 2 (into 4 ohms, @<=1% THD)
  -Subwoofer: 10 Watts RMS x 2 (into 4 ohms, @<=1% THD)
• Total Peak Power: 40 Watts
• Frequency Response: 30Hz to 20kHz
• Drivers:
  -Satellites: Dual 3-inch full spectrum drivers with solid wood enclosure
  -Subwoofer: 4-inch driver with solid wood enclosure
• Speaker Dimension: 4.72” x 11.02” x 7.67”

More Info

Visit Eagle Tech’s Website for more information.

Introduction

There are many known disadvantages with wireless gaming mice such as slower response times, batteries dying and wireless interference. It’s these common stereotypes which has left the wired mouse to rule the gaming scene.

Razer, a company not known for doing things by half, has attempted to turn this stereotype around with the Razer Mamba. It’s been years in the making and its features are out of this world. Let’s see how it performs…

About Razer

“Razer collaborates with gamers to develop, manufacture and market cutting-edge gaming peripherals utilizing proprietary technologies that give gamers the competitive edge. We reinvented the computer gaming industry by bringing this competitive edge to gamers when professional computer gaming was in its infancy. In the mid 90s, with the advent of networked gaming and competitive first-person-shooter (FPS) games, gamers found that their legacy peripherals were inhibiting rather than enhancing their gameplay.”

Features

Specifications

• Gaming Grade Wireless Technology
• Dual Mode Wired/Wireless Functionality
• Razer Synapse™ On-board Memory
• Seven independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
• 5600DPI Razer Precision™ 3.5G Laser sensor
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling™ / 1ms response rate
• Up to 200 inches per second*/ 50g acceleration
• Approximate size: 128mm x 70mm x 42.5mm
• Battery Life: 14hrs (continuous gaming); 72 hours (normal gaming usage) *Depends on surface used
• Windows® 2000 / XP / X64 / MCE 2005 / Vista / Vista64
  Available USB port
  CD-ROM Drive (for drivers)
  At least 35MB of hard disk space (for drivers)

Introduction

Nowadays, to enjoy a film to its full potential, a full sense of verisimilitude has to be added to the ‘experience’. With technologies such as Blu-Ray and HD Audio, this can be made possible. However, without the correct set of speakers, there’s a clear bottleneck on the ‘experience’. Today we’ll be reviewing the Teufel E 100’s, let’s see if these are the speakers consumers today are demanding.

Features

• Entry to the Teufel 5.1 multimedia sound
• Subwoofer with 200 watts maximum performance
• 200 mm bass speaker in bass reflex casing
• Five identical satellites with high-performance drivers
• Recommended for rooms up to 15 m²

Specifications

More Info

Go to Teufel’s website for more information.

Introduction

Quite recently OCZ, who are manufacturers praised for their power supplies and memory, have decided to expand their product line into the peripheral market. Being such a large market, to truly succeed a product has to stand out from the crowd and be unique. One attempt at this by OCZ technology is the Behemoth Laser Gaming Mouse. Boasting a double laser capable of DPI’s ranging from 100 to 3200, onboard memory and an ergonomic design, this mouse certainly sounds good on paper. Is it though?

About OCZ

Entering the memory market in August 2000, OCZ Technology was built around the determination to manufacture the best high speed DDR and RDRAM. OCZ was founded by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, and our commitment to the end-user has not digressed. OCZ Technology has been an innovator in many areas. We were the first manufacturer to make Dual Channel optimized memory available to the public, which originally took advantage of nVidia’s Twinbank or Dual DDR architecture, found in their nForce chipset. We have now taken that technology and tailored it for the Canterwood, and Granite Bay chipset’s. OCZ developed and was the first to implement ULN technology, which has been a critical element in our manufacturing process for some time. We at OCZ diligently work to improve communication with CPU and motherboard chipset manufacturers prior to the release of their products. Only in this manner can we fine-tune our memory’s SPD settings, ensuring a synergistic relationship between the memory module, memory controller, and microprocessor. In today’s rapidly evolving semiconductor industry, such communication is not simply research, but a necessary component of our manufacturing process.

Features

• Gaming-Grade Double Laser Engine
• Onboard Memory
• USB full speed
• Switch and Go Multi-Profiles
• True Hardware dpi selection
• Ergonomic Style
• Adjustable Weight
• Powerful Software

Specifications

• 2-Way Scroll wheel
• Buttons: Std. 5 + 1 dpi Toggle Switch
• Hot Key: 1 Mode Switch
• Dimensions: (L)118mm x (W)71mm x (H)44mm
• Weight: up to 159g (adjustable)
• DPI: 800-1600-2400-3200
• 4-way changing LED display
• Tracking speed: 60IPS
• Acceleration: 50G
• MCU: On board Memory
• Programmable Functions for Keyboard Command saving
• 18g Customizable weights
• Interface: USB 2.0 / Full speed
• Includes Customization Software
• 2-year warranty*

Special Features

• Programmable buttons
• LED display for dpi change
• Unique large ergonomic form factor for ultimate comfort
• Adjustable cable positioning for ultimate gaming flexibility
• 5 Customizable weights (23g)
• Mode change button to maximize macro configurations
• Black rubberized surface for a no-slip grip

Introduction

In recent years the demand for comfortable, affordable mice has sky rocketed as people spend more time at their computers. Speed link was established in 1998 and now claims to be one of the leading manufacturers of computer and gaming peripherals. One of their latest products is the Styx gaming mouse. With 7 buttons, 5 of which are programmable with the drivers provided, and some innovative features at a low cost this mouse looks set to be a good product for the average gamer.

Specifications

• Gaming mouse with 7 buttons
• Laser sensor with up to 2200 dpi scanning resolution
• Adjustable dpi setting indicated with coloured lights at 800, 1600 or 2200 dpi
• Multiple fire configurable at up to 4x per button press
• Ergonomic right handed design
• 1.6 m USB cable

Packaging

The mouse comes in a cardboard box with a large cut out on the front so you can clearly see the product. The colours of red and white on the box contrast nicely and give a conservative yet stylish look to the product. I imagine this is to appeal to a wider target market so it doesn’t only get bought by gamers.

The back of the packaging shows the features of the mouse in 12 different languages – speed link has a large European market – these are clear and useful for telling what your mouse will do. In the bottom left hand corner of the rear of the box is written a hotline number and speed link’s web address.

When taken out of the box the mouse is packed in vacuum formed plastic with another piece on top as a sort of lid. This is perfectly adequate as the mouse came to me with no damage or defects of any kind. The 1.6m wire was cable tied in the normal fashion and stowed away in a small compartment at the bottom of the plastic packaging. Also included in the packaging are an 8cm driver disc and an instruction manual – with the same languages as there are on the back of the box.

Styx Gaming Mouse

First impressions as the mouse came out of the packaging were good. The top of the mouse has a shiny red lustre which is very stylish and looks very good. The sides have a smooth, matt black finish which contrasts nicely with the red on the top. The main buttons are of the same red plastic as the rest of the top and all the other buttons are silver which again contrasts nicely with everything. Between the red top and the black sides there is a nice glossy band of black plastic which contains the lights for the dpi setting and looks stealthy.

The whole thing is very aesthetically pleasing. But Speed link has also worked very hard on the ergonomics of the product. The main thing you notice is the very large thumb groove which is incredibly comfortable and is big enough so that your thumb can fit snugly in and not interfere with the 2 side buttons located there.

There are also grooves on the buttons which make the mouse much more comfortable than most mice to hold. The general curved rear of the mouse is also very ergonomically sound and makes for easy use and controlled movements.

Testing

When I first plugged in the mouse via a USB port on the back of my computer it worked immediately. The product was initially set to 800 dpi, and the 2 side buttons were set to back and forward on any browser software. After a quick look at the manual I saw that the buttons behind the scroll wheel were for the special fire button and the dpi setting. Being used to 1600 dpi with my normal mouse I quickly pressed the dpi setting button (the one with the “s” on it) and the setting changed – this was stress free and literally done at the press of a button. The blue LED on the dpi meter lit up and that was that.

Next I installed the driver software. This was like any other installation and mainly involved clicking next. The driver software was easy to use. This screen is fairly intuitive using drop down menus to allow the user to choose the function of the buttons. When I finished testing this product and went back to using my old three button mouse I found that the setting for the Styx had remained. This meant that whenever I clicked the scroll wheel down iTunes opened as I’d programmed Speed Links product to do. Whether you would find this an advantage or not I found that it was of great use to me. I’ve kept the drivers installed just so I can program my old mouse as well.

I was slightly confused as to why speed link would make the right and left mouse buttons programmable, after a little bit of thought the only conclusion I could come to, was that it makes the Styx look better; they can say that they have 5 programmable buttons which could be put to a lot of use. However having the left and right mouse buttons programmable isn’t very useful because in almost all instances you need them. Also I can understand why the special fire button is there but I would have liked it to be programmable even if it was only “out-of-game” when it was – I find no real use for this function when just browsing the internet for example. Having said that these are just nit-picks and don’t have much impact on the actual function of the mouse so can be forgiven.

In-game

I tested the Styx with Half Life 2 – the wide open areas and lots of enemies make it perfect for testing the accuracy of the mouse and the speed of response. The level I chose to play was ‘Sandtraps’. One area in particular sprung to mind in this level wherein you’ve had to abandon your car and are now fighting around 5 dropships worth of enemies in a fairly large area.

These screen shots just about say it all, the giant flying crabs in the top shot release hordes of combine and I’m left to kill them all within the area shown on the bottom shot.

Speed Link’s new product performed very well here. The nature of the level means that enemies are coming from every direction, a quick turn can be the difference between a shotgun to their head or yours. The ability to quickly change dpi was very useful as I could quickly turn and then line up a perfect shot using a slightly lower dpi. The ability to quickly change dpi takes a bit of getting used to but after about an hour of using the mouse I was able to press the change dpi button with a small movement of the base of my fingers. This was a bit awkward and sounds a bit odd but is very useful when lining up a shot.

The other main ability of the product is the special fire mode which allows you to fire a burst of 2, 3 or 4 rounds. When you press a button located just behind the scroll wheel the scroll wheel will change colour to show how big a burst you will be getting.  While this may prove useful for some people, I found no use for it in game or out. If I want to fire a controlled burst I will simply release the button when I need to – this is opposed to pressing a button three times to get a four round burst (equivalent of clicking four times) then checking the colour of the scroll wheel to make sure I’m on the right setting and then finally being able to press the fire button to release a controlled burst. All a bit much if you’re in a hurry or if you find it simpler to press a button a number of times to fire a burst or hold the button down for a short while.

The only time I can see this button being useful is if you’re a massive fan of the battle rifle in Halo and have a dying need for it in Halo: Combat Evolved. This function would allow you to fire 3 shots of the assault rifle in a short burst but there still doesn’t seem like much point behind this idea.

Conclusion

Despite a few flaws in-game the mouse was comfortable the whole time I was using it and remained precise and fast throughout. Performance improved dramatically when I started using the nova winner 3 with it so if you are considering buying this product you might consider getting a mouse mat designed for high dpi mice.

Retailing at around £20 this is a fantastic product for your money and is well worth considering.

Pros

• Adjustable dpi
• Very comfortable
• Looks great
• Programmable buttons

Cons

• Unnecessary functions

Introduction

With most serious gamers beginning to buy high DPI mice and super tracking mouse mats its no wonder that there are so many companies trying to be the best and sell their gaming product to the mass market, but with the market leaders like Razer and Logitech there is fierce and well established competition for relative newcomers such as Cyber Snipa to compete with.

This is why Cyber Snipa has sent me over the Stinger – a high DPI gaming mouse. So lets see if this baby lives up to its name.

About Cyber Snipa

Established in 1998 the founding members of Cyber Snipa have over 18 years of experience in producing exclusively manufactured products. Cyber Snipa is a subsidiary of Flexiglow, a global supplier of PC modding and gaming accessories.

Specifications

• 7,080 frames per second
• Up to 3200 DPI laser engine
• Tracking speed of 45 inches per second
• 9 buttons including 6 macro programmable
• Up to 1000Hz adjustable report rate
• 8kb of onboard memory
• 16 bit ultra wide data path
• 7 removable weights
• 4 super size easy glide feet

Features

• The Cyber Snipa Stinger takes the final step in the evolution of gaming mice.
• The Stinger is the master of macro; possessing onboard memory, macros can be recorded and set to any of the 6 customisable buttons of a macro profile. With 3 separate profiles, the Stinger gives the possibility of a staggering 18 onboard macros at any one time!
• The Stinger also features fully adjustable dpi. The software allows the user to select 4 different dpi levels, ranging anywhere from 400 to 3200 dpi, which can be cycled through by pressing the mouse’s dpi button.
• The gaming grade laser engine operates at over 7000 frames per second, offers a maximum of 3200 dpi and features a super fast USB report rate of 1000Hz, meaning the response time drops from the standard 8ms to 1ms!
• The top of the line laser engine and the armoury of features means this is a mouse like no other.

Packaging

The stinger is packaged in a vacuum formed plastic package that has been heat sealed around the edges. This makes the packaging quite sharp edged and means that once opened it cannot be properly sealed. The packaging graphics are well designed as they look very impressive but also contain all the details about the mouse which a buyer would need to know.

The fact that you can see the mouse through the plastic is a great addition as it means you can get a glimpse of what you’re buying.

The rear of the packaging is similar to the front except it shows you the underside of the mouse and has four thumbnail images of the mouse, which highlight some of its many features. It also includes a performance chart showing just how different the Stinger is to a generic mouse. The packaging is multi-lingual so it is clear enough for anyone to understand.

Inside of the packaging there is of course: the mouse, the weight puck, a CD-ROM, instructions and some spare mouse feet.

The Stinger

Once out of the packaging it was time for the first impressions, I was amazed at just how smooth the surfaces on it were especially the rubberised top surface that offers grip to your hand during use.

I was also stunned by the small puck of weights that are also supplied with the mouse which enable gamers to customise the mouse to suit their gameplay. The weights themselves are each 20g and are made of a shiny silvery metal with two grooves in them so they can be removed easily from the foamy holding in the pack of weights and on the bottom of the mouse. The weights are inserted to the bottom of the mouse underneath a twist open door.

On top of all this you also get some Teflon mouse feet that have a super sticky adhesive already applied. There is a spare foot for each one on the bottom of the mouse.

The driver disk is a micro size CD-ROM with the mouse drivers and the macro-manager software installation files on it.

The Stinger itself features a highly ergonomic design. The two sides are designed so that your thumb and fingers can relax during use. On each of the two sides there is a smooth grippy rubber lining. Unfortunately this design means that the Stinger is only useable by right-handed people.

On the left hand side of the mouse there are two sleek silver buttons that are pre-programmed to internet forward and backwards functions. These buttons are programmable to any function thanks to the onboard memory and the macro manager software supplied.

On the top of the mouse there is a 4-way scroll wheel, an on-the-fly DPI switching button and a macro-button. The scroll button is covered in a soft grippy rubber with lots of indentations in it, these add to the grippiness and comfort of the mouse. The wheel makes a quiet clicking noise when scrolling and makes a much louder noise when you use the horizontal axis, this may be something that may distract some people but personally I like to know if I’m scrolling, it’s like the ipod click wheel click noise – you either love it or hate it. If your not sure which way to push the scroll wheel for whichever direction you require there ore 2 small arrows indicating the direction in which the wheel should be pushed.

Before the drivers are installed the on-the-fly DPI button allows for the transition between 400 DPI up to 1600 DPI. When on any of the 4 modes 400 DPI, 800 DPI, 1200 DPI and 1600 DPI a different colour light will come on, respectively: no light, red, green, blue. These lights don’t really fit the rest of the styling as blue and green clash horribly with the red and black of the mouse. On the top and the back of the mouse there is an illuminating crosshair and the manufacturer’s name: Cyber Snipa. The crosshair looks awesome in the dark and shines very brightly.

The macro mode button has 3 modes to which macros for all the programmable buttons can be programmed; this button is backlit with lights that pulse on and off. The 3 modes each have their own colour: mode 1 – red, mode 2 – green and mode 3 – blue.

When flipped upside down you can see the 4 low friction feet upon which the mouse glides, you can also see the huge door which can be opened to allow for the addition or removal of the weights. There is also a small hole through which the class 1 laser shines.

The software supplied with the Stinger is a driver and a macro manager suite. The macro manager suite looks pretty sleek and features a very easy to use user interface and fast processing of commands.

The USB cable is coated in a thick strong red rubbery plastic that feels very hardwearing, unlike most other mice it isn’t connected with some flimsy soldering; it’s secured by a red thing that protrudes from the mouse.

The USB connector is not standard – its gold plated so it’s not going to rust or wear out any time soon.

Testing

As usual, the testing for any gaming peripheral has to be the in game test, this means breaking out the FPS games and getting our game on. Here at Tech-Reviews we like to use our favourite games; Battlefield 2, Serious Sam and Call of Duty 4.

Battlefield 2

Battlefield 2 features a fast pace of gameplay and the need to switch tactics at different points in the game whether it is flying or sniping.

During the “testing” in Battlefield 2 I found the mouse to be extremely responsive and the on-the-fly DPI button to be incredibly useful in situations like trying to evade enemy pilots in the usually more manoeuvrable J-10 with an F-34B and performing aerial stunts with a blackhawk.

When lining up headshots and using weapons for accuracy I used the mouse in a low dpi setting as recommended by cyber snipa in the instruction manual. When doing this the mouse performed better than any other mouse I have ever used and I found that my gameplay within Battlefield 2 improved greatly.

COD4

Call of duty 4 boast some of the most realistic gameplay ever seen in an FPS game with the need for accuracy and the ability to evade enemies.

During COD4 testing I used the mouse in a higher DPI setting than I had for BF2 to get an idea over the accuracy of the laser sensor at higher DPI’s. I found that even at the highest preset DPI – 1600 the mouse was still incredibly accurate and allowed for a better standard of gameplay.

Although the need for a headshot on COD4 isn’t a necessity as the realism of the game (a shot in the stomach kills) allows for straight out body shots, but still, with gameplay like mine (Rhys: cough) and a mouse like the Stinger the headshots just keep on coming.

Serious Sam

Serious Sam features some of the most frantic gameplay ever in any game with waves of enemies in vast numbers constantly bombarding you with projectiles and their body parts.

In this game the Stinger had the most profound effect on my gameplay as I usually suck at it on online multiplayer because I’m never quick enough to decide which enemy poses the greatest threat and end up getting killed before I act. However once I had the Stinger I was able to take out the enemies before they had chance to attack me.

High DPI Testing

I also tested the mouse at 3200 DPI, when at this staggering figure I found the accuracy to be a bit off and to be a little too much for almost any use; gaming or otherwise.

Cost

The stinger can be found retailing for as little as £25. This is a very good price for a high DPI gaming mouse with programmable macro buttons.

Conclusion

I found the mouse to be superb in all aspects of use when at any DPI up to 1600 but anything above this and it became a little unstable and inaccuracies started to appear.

This mouse would be great for gamers or anyone that likes the feel of an ergonomic quality mouse.

When used in combination with a good quality mouse pad like the Pro the performance is awesome and makes for a killer combination of accuracy and speed.

The mouse – a word of two meanings: one is a small rodent commonly eaten by cats; the other is on of the most important pieces of hardware that without your computer could not be controlled effectively. So naturally the second of the two meanings needs great consideration whether a hardcore gamer or a basic user. Steel Series is a fairly new company to us at Tech-Reviews who specialise in gaming peripherals. One of their latest products is the SteelSeries Ikari coming in both laser and optical formats. Can it live up to the importance of its job?

About SteelSeries

“SteelSeries is all about gaming. Our mission is to create performance enhancing gaming gear, created for and by leading professional gamers. We continuously strive to better ourselves, and work with leading professional gamers from 3 different continents to create our products.”

Features

• Programmable macro buttons with driverless plug-and-play feature
• 40.000 samples per second (SPS) for unbeatable tracking
• 3.200 CPI (changeable in increments of one)
• Built in LCD display to help set CPI values on-the-fly
• Chassis material and shape based on input from professional gamers

Specifications

• Samples per second: 40.000
• Inches per second: 50
• Counts per inch: 1 – 3.200  (1 CPI Steps)
• Acceleration: 20 G
• Sensor data path: True 16 bit
• Lift distance: 0,07 inch
• Buttons: 5
• Cord: 6.5 ft (braided to improve durability)
• Polling: 1000 Hz
• Gold-plated USB connector
• Measurements: 5,1 x 3,3in - height 1,4in
• CPI high/low indicator
• SteelSeries FreeMove Technology
• Large pressure points that reduce friction
• Driverless, plug-and-play feature
• Operating systems: Win XP/Vista/Win 2000/Win 98/Win ME/Mac OS

*These specifications are for the Laser version which we’ll be reviewing today.

The Package

The product arrived in its standard shelf packaging. The mouse is on display for all to see in a nice vacuum formed plastic covering and gives a very good first impression of the Ikari Laser. Having seen pictures on Steel Series’ website I didn’t actually like the look of the mouse at first, however when I first saw the product in its plastic dome I was very impressed. The photos don’t do this mouse justice.

The bottom left of the packaging shows some key features of Steel Series’ latest mouse creation and gives them in four different languages for its European market.

The back of the packaging contains a blurb on the mouse down the left hand side again in four different languages. Although informative, this is a little wordy and slightly unnecessary. There are also two photos – one of the top of the mouse one of the underside – these are nicely labeled where each feature is entailed. This is a nice touch which helps to sum up the Ikari’s good points.

When you open up the packaging you see that it’s very well made where every accessory has a designated place – this ensures the parts don’t get lost or damaged. The mouse is housed securely in is plastic cover which protects it from damage with its cable routing into a different compartment. The instruction manual, sticker, software CD and steel series product guide are placed in between 2 flaps of card which protects them from being bent or torn.

The packaging worked well in keeping the mouse from damage. Also, as it’s quite an eye-catching box, it should catch some serious attention in shops, hence sales. The fact that the packaging is of good quality gives you confidence about the product even before you’ve even used it.

SteelSeries Ikari Laser Mouse

The first most noticeable feature when I took the product out to be plugged in was the comfortable feel of the mouse, the big curves and sleek design not only looks good, but also feels very good in your hand – good ergonomically. Whilst feeling how the mouse fitted into my hand I noticed the LCD display on the bottom of the mouse which looked to be a great feature.

As you can see in the photo below the Ikari has a very long fabric covered cord so you can easily route the cabling around your desk without having the problem where you need more slack – total freedom of movement around your desk.

The Ikari entails quite a low profile design with two side buttons and a CPI indicator.

The plug and play feature is useful as it meant I could use this mouse with its software and see the difference immediately. The software is very good in its looks and basic functionality. However when I tried to record a macro for opening iTunes from a quick launch bar shortcut it just didn’t recognize what I had done and remained blank. The profile settings are useful though as it allows customization of the mouse. I made my own profile very easily but I would have liked to have seen an on the fly profile changer so I could change the settings of the mouse based on the task I’m doing without having to load up the software (e.g. windows profile to gaming profile).

Having said that the on the fly CPI changer is very useful for gaming and is well placed so that you don’t need to look at the mouse in that vital second where precise accuracy is paramount. The high – low dpi indicator is also very useful showing you clearly which setting you’re on.

One of the advanced features of the software is the ‘Freemove’ function. It looks fairly simple to use but actually doesn’t seem to work. With the slider moved to the maximum straightness setting there is no difference than with the slider at the opposite end.

Although the software may be flawed slightly it is not actually needed to use most of the mouse’s functions as its plug ‘n play.

Testing

Having a fantastic looking mouse means nothing without good functionality so to test the mouse I am going to use it in windows, in-game (Team Fortress 2 to be exact) and am going to see how I like the feel of it after hours of usage.

First of all in windows the mouse works fine, it responds well, has good accuracy for clicking on links and performs like any decent mouse should. The side buttons are very useful for quick back and forward functions on a web browser and the scroll wheel has a fairly bog standard feel to it, not great but not an essential part of a gamers arsenal of weaponry.

In-game the SteelSeries performed flawlessly, in TF2 you need to be able to dish out wild sprays of death but also need to get the accuracy to kill your opponent before they kill you. The mouse helped to do this and assisted in capturing one point in particular where I was on my own as a heavy gunner trying to fend off most of the opposing team. The careful and quick use of the CPI changer meant that I was able to spray enemies but also get critical hits and defend the entire area, in the end after about 2 minutes of defending (an almost unprecedented amount of time to stay alive as a heavy in TF2) my team came along to find no enemies and another captured point.

The ergonomics of the Ikari are fairly good but another 5 mm in every direction would mean that my wrist and fingers wouldn’t drag on the mouse pad and would make gaming much more comfortable. Another worry is the very smooth surface of the mouse which doesn’t allow for very good grip, if you’re a fairly relaxed gamer like me you’ll end up pushing your hand a lot more than the mouse.

Cost

Usually costing around £60 this mouse is fairly expensive.

Conclusion

The SteelSeries is a fantastically looking mouse with a sleep low-profile and metallic finish. With an easy-access CPI changer it’s great for gaming enabling you to change from fast paced support gunning too much slower sniping. Aside from this, it’s also incredibly accurate with its very responsive laser so is good in any application whether it be a game or just general usage.

Small things in the software make it feel as if they were an after thought with a lot to be desired. Also with the high price, its difficult to justify whether the Ikari is a good buy.

But to conclude, if you’ve got deep pockets which vastly need emptying and want a really accurate gaming mouse, then the Ikari is the perfect bit of weaponry. But for most people who describe themselves as the ‘average gamer’ with not-so-deep pockets, then a cheaper alternative such as the G5 is a much better buy.

Pros

• Aesthetics
• CPI changer
• Responsive and accurate
• Comfortable

Cons

• Software
• Expensive

Keyboards are probably one of the most understated peripherals available on the computing market. Does a keyboard really make any difference to your performance on a PC? Well here at Tech-Reviews I’ve been given the Saitek Eclipse 2 to review. Let’s see if it can.

About Saitek

Founded in 1979, Saitek was the first to use microcontrollers to create chess playing games – a market it has dominated ever since. In 1993 Saitek entered the PC games controllers market and since then has grown to become the 2nd largest brand worldwide. All these products are designed by gamers for gamers, to help them get the best out of their favourite PC games.

Features

• Key characters and keypad illuminate through laser-etched keys
• Media keys for volume control, play/pause and skip tracks
• Variable backlighting adjusts through dimmer mechanism
• Angle adjustment and extendable wrist rest for maximum comfort to suit the way you type
• Weighted base with large area rubber feet to keep keyboard securely planted to the desk
• Quiet, cushioned keys for hours of stress-free use
• Familiar 104 key layout

System Requirements:

• Connectivity: USB 2.0
• Operating System: Windows XP, Windows Vista

The Package

The eclipse arrived in a very colourful cardboard box emblazoned with many photos of the keyboards many features. The front of the packaging shows the keyboard in its entirety. It has 3 smaller photos showing the different backlighting colours. Already the product looks professional and quality just by looking at the packaging.

The rear of the packaging carries another photo of the entire keyboard and 8 other smaller photos. Also there is an extensive list of product specifications in 5 different languages.

Once inside the box it is possible to see that a cardboard wrap and a thin plastic bag which protects the keyboard. This does look to be adequate packaging as the box is quite thick and the keyboard is quite securely fixed in place.

Once out of the box it is possible to see that the keyboard comes only with an owners manual, this is a bit of a let down as I’m quite used to reviewing products which come with at least a sticker or a novelty key-ring.

The keyboard comes separated from the wrist rest so some minor installation is needed.

The Saitek Eclipse 2

The keyboard at first glance looks pretty ugly with the random black bits protruding from the corners but the aesthetics do grow on you after a while.

Turning the keyboard upside down it is possible to see that it boasts some huge rubber feet and a couple of adjustable stands. These allow you to choose the angle at which you want the keyboard to face you. With these up the keyboard is resting on less of a surface area so it does slide a lot easier which can be very frustrating.

The wrist rest is also adjustable allowing you to choose how far away from the keyboard you would like it to lie. I quite like this idea and I think it makes the keyboard one hell of a lot more comfortable to use when installed, than without it.

The lights for the scroll, num, and caps lock buttons are at the top of the keyboard in the middle, they look to have been put here to facilitate the installation of the backlight and media controls.

The backlighting and media control is located at the top right hand corner of the keyboard. The controls consist of: a central dial (which acts as the backlights dimmer switch), play/pause button, stop button, ffw button, rw button, volume controls, mute button and backlight colour change button. When pressed, these buttons give a nice clicky noise so that you know you’ve actually pressed the button.

The backlight has 4 different colour modes: blue, red, purple and off. The lights – when on full – are very bright and shine through the keys very well. Unfortunately the backlights can only be selected to light up the entire keyboard, alike the Lycosa we reviewed a while back. It would be nice to be able to select specific keys to light up. The backlight also shines out of the sides of the keyboard, this is pretty cool as it lights up the surrounding desk.

The keyboard uses a pretty cool bluey-grey USB cable with the inner cabling braided by some kind of flexible metal. The USB connector isn’t anything fancy though and isn’t gold plated.

There are also many other features of the keyboard that aren’t immediately apparent. These included the weighted base, which helps with grip and how the space bar isn’t as long as it is on standard keyboard but is about twice as wide.

Just above the arrow keys there is the keyboards name ‘Eclipse II’ painted on in a silver paint. Unfortunately the glossy finish surround of the keys means that dust shows up very well; which even just after just being taken out of the box and photographed builds up very quickly.

Installation and Testing

The installation for the Saitek is pretty straightforward, simply plug in the USB cable and boot up your PC. Windows will then automatically find the correct driver for the keyboard, so no driver disk is needed.

The Eclipse II isn’t a gaming specific keyboard but does carry many of the typical stylistic features of one; therefore I’m going to testing for both general windows usage and for in-game use.

During windows usage I found that the keyboard is very responsive and even when you think you may have missed a key, you haven’t as it has responds to the slightest compression. This is great as many keyboards aren’t responsive enough, hence slowing down your typing.

When using the keyboard in-game the responsiveness was not lost and the backlighting showed up the keys well and enabled me to be able to go prone quicker in Battlefield 2 than ever before to pop those deadly headshots.

Conclusion

The Saitek Eclipse II is both aesthetically pleasing as well as responsive and accurate, however when you consider the rather steep price tag of £35 you begin to wonder if it is all worth this price. But as the keyboard is feature packed and performs exceptionally well, I think that for the price tag, it’s still a well recommended buy.

Pros

• Great Performance
• Pleasing Aesthetics
• Good Backlighting
• Feature Packed
• Reasonable and justifiable price

Cons

• None