In Use:
The NZXT Avatar gaming mouse puts on a modest light show when in use, as seen in the images below. A sliver between where the left and right buttons meet the main portion of the mouse light up with a subtle blue glow.
 
The LEDs found on the left side of the mouse light up in a slightly different shade of blue to indicate the following resolutions:
» 0 LEDs: 600 dpi
» 1 LED: 1200 dpi
» 2 LEDs: 1800 dpi
» 3 LEDs: 2600 dpi
The software required to take full advantage of the Avatar's capabilities is included on a miniature CD, and can also be found on the NZXT website for direct download. I would recommend getting the version from the website, just to make you have the latest and greatest. While this review was conducted in Windows Vista 32-Bit, I have read of issues with Windows Vista 64-Bit while trying to use the CD included with the mouse.
The images below show the Avatar software. It has a clean, modern look, and all of the functions necessary are presented on a series of tabbed screens. My main complaint is that the whole thing is so small; clicking the thumbnails below will bring up a fullsize capture of the interface. Some may be glad that they have such a precise mouse, as you may feel like you need it just to get the mouse configured.
 
The above left image shows the "Advanced Functions" tab, which is actually the main screen. Here you can do things such as program the buttons, refine the function of the scroll wheel, adjust the resolution, and adjust the polling rate. There is also a switch to make ambidextrous use a snap, as it will mirror the functions for left or right handed use. The above right image shows the options that pop up in order to save your current configuration, or to resort to the default configuration.
The below left image shows the "Sensitivity" tab where you can adjust the X axis and Y axis sensitivity, adjust the pointer speed, and control the mouse's acceleration. The below right image shows the "Advanced Settings" tab where things such as scroll speed and double click speed can be adjusted and tested.
 
Reconfiguring the mouse to suit your needs is easy enough, and on-screen cues remove just about any guess work from the process. In addition to being able to adjust the resolution in the program, you can do it with the buttons located near the scroll wheel. I found this to be trickier than using the software, but for on-the-fly changes it can be much quicker.
After a good deal of desktop and in-game usage I started to get comfortable with the Avatar. The weight seemed like a big issue up front, but after a while it didn't seem as bad. I definitely still prefer a wider, heavier mouse, but I eventually got used to the design of the Avatar.
What wound up being a problem were the side buttons, particularly the left one. These buttons are rather prominent and easy to activate, so I was constantly clicking the left one as I moved the mouse around. In many applications it had no effect, but where it did it got rather annoying.
Other than that, my only comment would be that I still haven't been able to use ultra-high resolutions on any mouse. Maybe I'm just getting old, but 2600 dpi is just too sensitive for me, and 1800 dpi seems like an adequate maximum for most things. But then again, maybe that is why I'm not the master of any modern games.
|
|
