Product Survey: Mice : SteelSeries Ikari Optical Mouse
9. SteelSeries Ikari Optical Mouse
LED: More Precise than Laser?
That's the opinion of many video game specialists, because LED sensors can handle accelerated movements better than lasers.
Have things changed since then? SteelSeries thinks its laser Ikari mouse does better at this thanks to its 20G acceleration, compared to 15G on its optical model.
In 2007, SteelSeries jumped into the gaming mouse market with its Ikari gaming mouse. The laser version of the Ikari has been a big hit, and includes the sort of features we love seeing on a gaming mouse, including a changeable resolution and thumb buttons. SteelSeries recently released an optical version of the Ikari, which according to the manufacturer has better precision at a lower price than the laser version.
- Ikari Optical Gaming...
Unfortunately, we found that these claims weren't true--you just can't get a better product for a lower price, it seems. The materials used have changed, and the grainy surface of the laser Ikari, perfect for keeping your palms dry, has made way for a glossy, smooth body. As well as being less attractive, this finish retains more of the heat from your hand, leading to clammy palms.
This isn't the only difference between the two models:
- The optical Ikari needs a smooth, flat mat, unlike its laser cousin which can work on a variety of surfaces. Put it on a more challenging surface and it won't detect any movement at all.
- Underneath the laser version was a small LCD screen giving the current resolution; this is not included on the optical version.
- Some have suggested that optical mice perform better when you lift them off your desk, but we found that both Ikaris stop working at all when lifted more than 2 mm off a surface.
- The laser Ikari has a maximum resolution of 3200 dpi, while this optical version is capped at 1600 dpi, which is more than enough. 1600 dpi is already very fast--too fast, for many users in fact. Move the mouse just 3 cm across your desk at 1600 dpi and the cursor will travel from one side of a 24'' screen to the other. Even when we have two 24'' monitors side by side, we only use 1200 dpi.
The optical mouse is touted as a model without a driver, and no CD is included. For those of us that find the 1600 dpi resolution too high and the 400 dpi too low, there is a downloadable driver. Unfortunately, this downloadable driver is somewhat limited. The sensitivities offered are not changeable, and you have to choose from just three combinations, including 1600/800 dpi, a configuration which SteelSeries doesn’t recommend because latency is too high at this level. We were disappointed to have to settle for 800/400 dpi, which seems a shame given how sensitive this mouse is.
Despite what aficionados of the optical version may think, the difference in price between the laser and optical models isn’t just because of a different sensor. The laser Ikari wins out on all fronts, and its higher quality materials and more rounded software tools really have an impact on user comfort.
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On paper, the optical Ikari from SteelSeries has a lot going for it, but it doesn't live up to the hype. Certain features which are available on its laser cousin just aren't there, making it an inferior choice.
Tom’s hardware this article seems more focused on budget consumers, however you also included the steelseries MMO mouse which is expensive. So why no Microsoft Sidewinder X8, Logitech G9x(most recent and not be confused with the G9 however very much the same), and Razer Mamba. Would love to see a review on those mice and others like them. I mean you did mention gaming a lot and didn’t include mice geared mainly toward gaming. Why not even throw in there the VisionTek XG6 if it was budget based, and for it just being really odd.
I think the the Logitech G9 should be on this list as well along side with the MX Revolution. But I do like how on the side of each mouse they explain some more into the different tech specs and what they mean.
While not a perfect article, this is a major improvement from some of the crap that I've seen from Digital Versus previous to this article.
I have tried several different brands and styles over the years. I always go back to my old favorite I have had for years. It's a Microsoft IntelliEye.
The article omits a discussion and comparison of a profound aspect of mouses, the sampling rate.
Nothing beats gaming like my optical MX510
Nothing beats gaming like my optical MX510
I just bought a MX620 for 20 bucks (they had a instant 15 off and 25 bucks off ontop of that) I am very happy, so happy that I bought a second one for my mac.
Nothing beats my Logitech Click!
Why?
-Light, comfortable, smooth.
-I have had this mouse for over three years now.
-I have long fingers, and they fit comfortably on the mouse.
-The mouse is decently light. I've used lighter, but too light can cause issues. (not durable enogh for example. I have thrown this mouse many times yet it works like a champ)
-Wired (I do prefer wired. I have two wireless mice, but the batteries die too fast, and the batteries make it too heavy. Plus not having extra batteries around when they die is horrible... Even more important, they're easy to lose. Someone like me is better with a wired product. I lose my wireless products frequently. It's not a big loss)
-Comfort. I never have a proper stance while typing. Both my hands, even when one is on the mouse, are resting on the surface if possible. My mouse pad is about 9 years old. I think one of my brothers got it in a parade. Best mousepad EVER. So soft, so smooth. ~1/8 foam with a soft and smooth matertial on top. Extremely durable. It has held out for 9 years. Has had countless drinks spilled on it and a endless amount of oil. Has been brutalized with knives several times, yet the material holds. I currently have this actually stationary at my desk, with 3 nails and 1 screw. Because my wrist is always dragging on it, my wirst has built extra callious skin, which is actually useful. I have never found a mousepad superior to this (actually I don't even know if this is actually a mouse pad to be honest), all being uncomfortable and undurable plastic or crappy foam. /end rant on mousepad
-Infrared. I understand that newer mopdels are superior to what surfaces they can be used on, but regardless, I have used this on my bed, carpet, wglossy wooden table, couch etc. It works like a charm.
-Sexy. Something must be said to the ones that look simple yet elegant. Some of us want something that will look good foir years to come, not just for a month or so. The Logitech Click! Plus (wireless version) is actually less visually appealing in my opinion.
-800 dpi. Even when running a dual screen setup, with one wrist movement, I can get from end to end easily. The mouse is just right for me.
I paid $60 (well, someone else did with my money...) and I haven't regret it since. Nice to know they're like $15 now.
I don't like those fancy super modern mice.
Firstly, expensive.
Secondly, I don't need 20 damned extra buttons. I rarely even use the extra 1 button I have.
Thirdly, design. I am no fan of super modern mice. To me, they look like a gross attempt to show off. Like adding nothing but a bolt-on body kit, spoiler, cheap window tint, and wannabe spinning rims. Excess in a unproductive way.
It's like excessive "gaming keyboards".
The things are damned large, damned heavy, and damned expensive. My keyboard is as basic as it gets. Durable (I like to play with fire...), thin (but structuraly 100% stable), light (but not too light, so it doesn't constantly fly off my desk if I try to move it around), small (while retaining a full size keyboard, by having bottom and side edges less tham a centimetre), wired (I have a wireless keyboard, I even lose that), only the hotkeys I need (1 key I didn't, so I just removed the key), and can be picked up new for less than $5. Heres what it looks like: http://www.geeks.com/imageshare/5/ [...] 2-unit.gif
I have a $100 wireless gaming keyboard. This is a HP cheapo keyboard that I bought with a $600 debranded HP computer. After only a couple hours of use, I never used my heavy, large, wireless (battery wasting), grotesque looking keyboard. It's extremely simple, and works like a charm. The Apple aluminum keyboard interests me. Extremely basic and light, it just needs to have a magnesium option over aluminum (for strength), and to be a lot cheaper...
I want those exact same features in my mouse.
Who can offer that?
/end all rants
I just bought a MX620 for 20 bucks (they had a instant 15 off and 25 bucks off ontop of that) I am very happy, so happy that I bought a second one for my mac.
Good deal.
A actually sexy mouse.
I don't like the sharp tip to it, or that it looks like it's built for small hands, but it's better than anything in this article.
I still like my G5. My old one died (the trigger button started to lag just enough so I was missing a decent amount of kills when sniping). I'm on my second G5 and probably would get another until they stop selling. Imo, the G5 is one of the best mice(mouse?) ever made. The G9 and others are technologically much better, but I don't like the feel of the G9,etc.
Also, the review should have included at least 1-2 track ball mouse as quite a bit of designers (vid editors,CAD,etc) use them.
Mouses!
(mice are animals)