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SilverStone Raven
A Closer Look
I see a lot of reviews of mice in which the features are first listed, and then gushed over. It sure makes them look impressive to the rank amateur, but as someone who has a drawer full of gaming mice I've tried and abandoned, I'd like a more critical overview of these that provides a bit more analysis. First, let's see what's on offer:
3200 DPI twin-eye laser sensor |
Resolution is comprable to the Logitech G9, and acceleration is more than doubled: this is a top-of-the-line laser sensor. |
Ten buttons, including wheel and profile switcher |
The SilverStone webpage reports 11 buttons... maybe they're counting the thumb wheel and button separately? Still a pretty good number. |
Carbon fiber palm rest |
Looks wicked cool, probably keeps the weight from climbing even higher. Probably won't collect hand salsa, probably will be easy to clean. |
Centered laser sensor is dead-center in the mouse |
Surprisingly nice feature; movement in off-center mice can be annoyingly uneven when attempting fine movements. Fairly standard among gaming mice, though. |
Mass balance is also dead-center over laser sensor |
Again, fairly standard but nice; seems to be much ado about nothing. |
Five programmable profiles |
Too many. |
Flip3D wheel for Vista |
Didn't work right in either XP or OSX; gets in the way of the thumb buttons |
OLED display panel displays operating mode and sensitivity |
Cute, but a little too far back to see between your fingers; marginally useful. Also allows driver-less, on the fly, and independent adjustment of X and Y sensitivity in game mode, but is too complicated and slow to use while under fire |
Teflon Feet |
The same polytetraflouroethane that's been used by every other gaming mouse on the market. The size of the feet indicates they were more concerned with minimizing friction than maximizing useful life, but the difference in either regard is minimal. Positioning is competent; there's no practical way to hold the mouse so as to drag an un-clad mouse bottom across the desk or mouse pad. |
REALTIME PRICING