Aiming for the High-end Gamer: NZXT Avatar Gaming Mouse Review- Page 3/4
November 19, 2008
By
Drivers and Real World Performance
The NZXT drivers that ship with the Avatar have a simple interface, and are very easy to use. In the first "Advanced Functions" screen, you are able to assign commands to each button, set the left/right-handed orientation, save and load configurations, load profiles 1-5, set the DPI, and assign the polling rate (up to 1000 Hz).
The second tab is labeled "Sensitivity", and here you can assign X-Axis, and Y-Axis Master Sensitivity. This is a nice feature, as you can configure the sensitivity for the X-Axis and Y-Axis separately. There are also settings for the mouse pointer speed and acceleration, as well as the option of turning it off.
The third and final tab is the "Advanced Settings" settings area, which allows you to configure the scroll speed and sensitivity, as well as the double-click speed. These options are similar to the standard Windows Mouse Settings, and there is also a "Test Area", where you can test out your configuration.
In our initial real-world testing, the NZXT Avatar mouse seemed small and a bit awkward, and even extended usage didn't solve all the problems. The top-mounted buttons are very nice and have excellent feedback, but the two side buttons, which by default function as "Forward" and "Backward" keys, seem to be placed in the wrong area and were always getting in the way. The DPI settings can be changed using the DPI Up/Down buttons on the top of the mouse (with drivers loaded), or by holding down the left button and then moving the scroll wheel (without drivers).
The NZXT Avatar Gaming Mouse is well built, and once you get used to the "Forward" and "Backward" buttons, and become comfortable with changing the DPI level, this mouse is fun to use. The lack of a true laser engine is also of concern, and although it tracks well, even a high-grade optical sensor seems to be a small step backwards. There is also no method of changing the overall look, feel and heft of the Avatar, while many competing products supply weighted cartridges and custom outer shells.
Overall, the Avatar mouse is a quality product, but it does feel a bit small and some of the concessions needed to make it ambidextrous do take some getting used to. It runs smooth on every surface, and the top-mounted buttons seem perfect when you press them. The drivers are also well-designed and work nicely with the Avatar, and users will be able to customize the mouse to their liking. The price is still a concern, and at approximately $60 US, NZXT has placed the Avatar in the high-end bracket, where there are some very serious contenders.
Events
IE 7
Firefox 2.0
