SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] Frost Blue (Hardware) Review

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We recently got our hands on a nice collection of SteelSeries PC mice to compare. The first up on the list is the Frost Blue edition of their Sensei Raw gaming mouse, complete with all the features of the original. With a clean white casing and gorgeous blue illumination, this is likely to match their other Frost Blue accessories such as the headset. Let’s get right into what makes the Sensei model one of the best gaming mice currently available on the market.

So we start off by checking out what comes packaged with this edition. Like most of the SteelSeries mice, there is not much outside of the mouse itself here. There is a manual that explains all the stats and features, as well as a sticker, but once you get past that, this is a simple package. The software used to program your profiles and button macros is actually handled by a universal program called SteelSeries Engine. This powerful tool allows you to manage multiple devices, and can be downloaded from their website.

SteelSeries Engine is quite an amazing piece of software. In addition to being able to program standard macros and button configuration profiles, it also houses unique analyzing tools. It will show which buttons are pressed more often in which profiles, allowing gamers to better map their controls. Speaking of profiles, the SteelSeries Engine will also recognize which game is currently loaded, and automatically load the settings for it. It’s very handy that you don’t have to memorize which profile to load, or take the time to manually load it.

This is an eight button mouse which houses side buttons on both the right and left side. This makes it easy to use either right or left handed. There is also a toggle switch under the scroll wheel that allows switching between sensitivity settings. Much like its less blue cousin, this mouse also allows illumination of the back logo and toggle button, but only in pulse speed and brightness. There are no options for color changes. This is a small gripe, and honestly any other color outside of the frost blue would probably not look as good.

One of the hardest things to overcome with a new mouse is how it feels. The frost blue edition is coated with a glossy finish that makes it slide around really easily. I actually had to get used to this over time after using a more solid finish. This mouse is also extremely light in comparison to others I have tested. This is a personal preference for the user obviously, but if you have a slick mouse pad, plan on getting accustomed to the feel early on.

The buttons feel great. Their click presses are defined and the scroll wheel feels great. Using it for switching weapons feels natural, and the click of it is perfect. The location of the side buttons are great for having extra button presses, and could be clicked without contorting my hands like some other models.

Digging deeper into the more hardcore specs of the mouse, there is a lot to be impressed by here. The Sensei allows users to adjust the CPI (Counts Per Inch) from 90 all the way up to 5670 in increments of 90. This is a nice range, and gives the mouse the proper speed on larger displays. This is what the triangle-shaped button below the scroll wheel can adjust on-the-fly. Being able to adjust for headshots and scope views with the tap of a button is greatly appreciated.

The Sensei also boasts a state of the art laser sensor that features a 10.8 megapixel HD image correlation at up to 12,000 frames per second. This gives it the ability to handle tracking movements of up to 150 inches per second. This is incredible precision and speed for those that desire it, making this one of the best mice for games such as StarCraft II and of course Call of Duty.

The SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] Frost Blue Edition may be a carbon copy of the original, but the features still speak for themselves. This is probably one of the most customizable, and precise mice on the market. Professional gamers are likely to prefer this over cheaper offerings, simply for the insane precision that casual players likely won’t even notice. For those looking for one of the highest caliber mice on the market, the Sensei [RAW] series delivers. Just know you will pay the price for the quality.

This device was provided to us by SteelSeries for review purposes.
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