Review: CoolerMaster gets creative with its mouse packaging, delivering a game as well as a very solid gaming device.
We rather liked Cooler Master’s last version of the Sentinel, which was simply ‘the Sentinel’. It was comfortable, very responsive, and came with an excellent software suite. So what does this new Sentinel Zero-G bring to the table?
Well, for one thing, it brings the idea of a complete gaming package – not only do you get the mouse, but the Zero-G also comes with a game. It’s only Shattered Horizons, Futuremark’s interesting but flawed FPS set in low orbit, but it’s better than nothing. For years now we’ve come to expect a game thrown in with our graphics cards, and we’d not be averse to seeing bundles like this released more often.
The mouse itself is actually a Sentinel Advance – the Zero-G moniker merely refers to the entire package. Off the bat, it’s more or less identical in design to the previous Sentinel. Its asymmetrical design will make lefties weep, but for the rest of us it’s a perfectly designed match for your mousing hand. Like the Sentinel, it does leave a little to be desired in the accommodating your pinky finger, though, almost as if it were made for three-fingered cartoon characters rather than actual humans. It’s slightly rubberised coating, though, makes gripping firm and confident, while the eight programmable buttons are all well-placed for both easy access and out of the way enough to avoid accidental changes of DPI.
As you’d expect from a gaming mouse, the Sentinel Advanced also lights up like a streetracer’s favourite sedan, but there’s one truly unique lighting feature we kinda dig. On the upper surface is an OLED screen which shows you profile and DPI data, but this can also be programmed to display a clan logo or other personal mark. It’s a shame this then has to sit under your hand, but it’s a lovely touch of personalisation; we can imagine a clan all using this mouse, with their rag proudly displayed.
That’s solidarity.
In terms of performance, aside from the fact that we were having a supremely bad mousing day, it’s pretty much on par with the last version of the Sentinel. It’s smooth, comfortable (pinky rash notwithstanding), and very accurate. Combined with a good package of freshly updated game, spare mouse-feet, and a good mouse itself, this is a great little product from Cooler Master.
Issue: 137 | June, 2012