Home : Hardware : Reviews : SteelSeries Ikari Laser
The SteelSeries entry that redefines excellence in gaming mice
Almost everyone has a different take on how a mouse should be made. The shape based on the ergonomics of hands, different dpi settings, the number of buttons, structure and placement. There is an enormous list of things that make up gaming mice, and while we've found ourselves more (and less) than impressed, SteelSeries has shown their hand and it's very, very good.
The Ikari Laser, SteelSeries' best-in-class gaming mouse, is nothing short of spectacular. It seems to hit that sweet spot, sporting everything necessary and tossing out the excess baggage, while simultaneously allowing plenty of room for customization where it counts most.
There are a few things about the Ikari that are different from most gaming mice that set it apart. First is the single button for on-the-fly dpi changes. This one button switches between two preset dpi settings, which is shown by a small light on the front left of the Ikari, which lights up on either "high" or "low".
The other major difference is the small LCD on the back of the Ikari, which displays which saved configuration you are using. Anything can be set for this LCD, such as the dpi setting, your name, or perhaps a witticism for anyone looking without permission.
In reality, the LCD is for something even more awesome and unforeseen: changing sensitivity settings directly on the mouse. No software required. The Ikari doesn't even need drivers...if you decide that your current on-board settings aren't good enough, just change them in a matter of seconds by holding down the dpi settings button, then using the scroll wheel and LCD to determine what dpi setting you want.
These unique aspects put the Ikari far above other gaming mice, though physically it remains similar: four buttons and a scroll wheel, 6.5' long cable with a gold-plated USB plug, and a right-handed design. But that's exactly where the similarities end.
The first thing anyone using the Ikari will notice is that it's made for your hand. Most mice are made for only part of your hand, specifically your index and middle fingers, and the thumb. The Ikari sports crevices on the right side to ensure the utmost comfort for the entire hand. You'll never have to worry about your pinky falling over the edge and being bothersome while gaming again.
Not only does this design feel more comfortable than any other mouse we've tested, it also gives more support for faster movement and button presses. On some mice, such as the Razer Lachesis, the design left us wishing for more stability, whereas the Logitech G9 is very stable, but leaves the pinky finger leaning on the mousepad. The Ikari wouldn't be more stable if it was tied to a boat anchor.
