SteelSeries Ikari Laser FAQ:
Q: What makes the Ikari so special?
A: The Ikari Series has been developed in cooperation with professional gamers from all around the world. Teams like SK-Gaming, mousesports, Team3D, compLexity and others were involved in many of the stages of development of the Ikari. It took us a total of 15 months to gather and process the feedback we have received. The result was the Ikari series. We believe both of the Ikari mice are a perfect addition to your arsenal of professional gaming gear and will help you to improve your game.
Q: What is the difference between Ikari Laser and Ikari Optical?
A: The SteelSeries Ikari Optical is a mouse that's perfectly suited for FPS players. The optical sensor is well proven and can track even when moving the mouse at an extremely high speed when playing on a very low sensitivity. It's a very simple mouse where the focus was clearly on performance in games like Counter-Strike. The Ikari Laser is made for all of the MMO/RTS players that need high precision at a rather high sensitivity. It's not made for extremely fast movements of the hand (and by that we really mean EXTREMELY FAST). It offers a LCD , on the fly CPI switching and macro functionalities which can be programmed with the software.
Q: I'm considering buying an Ikari mouse - which mouse pad is recommended for it?
A: The Ikari Optical is perfectly compatible with all our mousepads. The Ikari Laser is not compatible with glass mousepads so you shouldn't use it with the SteelSeries Experience series. We recommend a mousepad of the SteelSeries QcK series or the SteelSeries 5L for use with the SteelSeries Ikari Laser.
Q: When will the Ikari mice be available?
A: Both models will be available in the end of November.
Q: Will the old IntelliMouse 1.1 SS & 3.0 SS still be available?
A: No. You might still be able to get one of the last pieces from an online store. Currently there are no plans on reviving them again.
Q: Which glides do you recommend?
A: None. Both Ikari models are already equipped with huge contact area made of a very slippery material. Padsurfers wouldn't improve it nor would any other tape for application on the Ikari's contact areas. Matching replacement feet might be available at some time in the future though.
Q: Where can I download the drivers for the Ikari?
A: There are no drivers for the Ikari mice. There is only a specific software for configuring the settings. Both mice work perfectly fine with just plug&play.
Q: I'm confused. You use the term CPI (counter per inch) but every other mouse manufacturer uses DPI (dots per inch). Why can't you just use the recognized term?
A: DPI is an expression from the printing world and has nothing to do with mouse movement. DPI is meant to describe that for one inch of distance you move your mouse on any surface, the equivalent number of counts are sent to the PC - resulting in movement on your screen. CPI is the correct term for this as it actually is consistent with what you seek to describe with the abbreviation.
Q: I'm still confused. You use the term SPS (samples per second) but every other mouse manufacturer uses FPS (frames per second). Why can't you just use the recognized term?
A: Other mouse manufacturers use sensors that take “pictures" of the surface and compare them to each other. This is why referring to frames per second is correct here. Our technology only takes samples and is in this way a lot more efficient than always processing a bigger image. We're just using the correct term for our technology for the Ikari Laser.
Q: What is SteelSeries FreeMove?
A: SteelSeries FreeMove offers users the option to choose the degree of when this feature should kick in and correct your movement. Through seven steps in the Ikari Laser software you are able to adjust how much control should be left up to the mouse and how much control should be left up to yourself - in other words how precise should the mouse be reproducing your movement.
Q: How do I find a CPI and FreeMove combination that fits me the best?
A: Through experience. By adjusting your CPI and FreeMove degree over time you will be able to find the perfect combination. Try assigning two nearly identical settings on the Low - High toggle and go in-game to try it out. Keep doing this until you find the perfect combination.
You could also try out the combinations of some of the best professional gamers in the world, check it out.