We have one of the latest mouse from Cooler Master the CM Storm Mizar . The Mizar is a right-handed Gaming mouse with a 8200 DPI Avago laser sensor and seven fully programmable buttons featuring long life Japanese Omron switches. In addition to this the mouse supports on the fly DPI adjustments and personalized illumination via a muli-colour LED CM Storm logo.
The packaging of CM STORM MIZAR was more than adequate for Mouse in its price range. The mouse came in a Black Box with MIZAR image infront and CM STORM logo above it.
The back of the box highlights the following features of the Mizar:
•Super long life Japanese Omron switches
•7 fully programmable function/macro buttons
•On the fly DPI adjustments – 4 levels (up to 8200DPI)
•High precision Avago 9800 laser sensor
•High impact encoder wheel for precise scrolling
•Personalization via multi-color LED illuminated CM Storm logo
•Right-handed ergonomic design provides contoured comfort for the perfect grip
The box has a lift up flap allowing you to not only read a little more about the mouse, but also allowing you to see the mouse within.
In the box there’s not much other than the mouse and a simple user guide. The mouse features a 2 year warranty.
The mouse looks small and fits well in my hands, my hands are bigger than average size( Mouse Dimensions 60.4 x 40.2 x 124.8 mm). I normally would prefer something bigger and heavier (the Mizar weighs just 121g), but due to the ergonomics I am already comfortable with the MIZAR. I like the styling, a little simple maybe. The illumination also helps to add that extra touch to an otherwise basic looking mouse.
Looking at the top of the mouse and working front to back we find an illuminated mouse wheel which lights up when On, with a rubberized central section. The wheel is great for use with smooth rotation and noticeable clicks. Next we have the up/down DPI buttons, although they’re a little difficult to press as they’re not raised above the surface of the mouse. At least this stops from unknowingly pressing them.
CM Storm Mizar has 2m captive braided USB cable for connection. At the back we find the CM Storm logo which lights up when on, this logo’s illumination can be controlled via the Mizar’s software and the following colours are supported: red, white, yellow, green, blue, cyan and purple. White, Red, Green and Blue are also used to indicate what DPI setting you’ve selected, returning to your chosen Profile colour after a few seconds.
The left side of the Mizar features two relatively well placed thumb buttons. Below the thumb buttons Cooler Master have added a rubberized grip that actually works really well and even looks good too.The right side of the the Mizar features the same rubberized grip, but has no added buttons.
The underside of the Mizar features four (one in each corner) very small glides, too small in my mind, although in use it does feel fine. In the centre of the mouse we find the Avago 9800 laser sensor with its 8200 DPI (maximum). There’s also a strange sticker with CM Storm logo covering the back half of the mouse.
The CM Storm Mizar mouse was simply connected by way of its single USB connection. This was connected directly to the back-plate of the MSI ECLIPSE SLI motherboard. Software is required for full functionality of the Mizar
Something that seems to be common with Cooler Master mice, is that there’s no mention of software anywhere in the quick start guide or on the box. In fact to be honest the quick start guide is not even a guide at all, as it tells you nothing of note. But there is software available for the Mizar. Version 1.0.5 of the Mizar software was used throughout testing.
Mouse are really important when it comes to PC Gaming, without a decent mouse you’re sure to find yourself nearer the bottom than the top of the leader-board.
From a performance point of view the CM Storm Mizar mouse performed really well and I enjoyed Gaming with it. Tracking is excellent and the overall feel of the mouse is good. The Avago 9800 Laser sensor performed well in all gaming sessions ranging from Counter Strike Global offensive to Battlefield 3
The mouse clicks have a very positive feel too thanks to those Japanese Omron switches. Overall comfort was also very good, despite the mouse being both small and light. The Mizar is likely to suit most right handed players due to its simple ergonomic shape. I like the implementation of the lighting of the CM Storm logo (found at the back of the mouse) to help indicate what DPI setting you’re on.
The Mizar software is simple to use and gives you control over the most common functions and features that you would expect. The software comprises of six main tabs, outlined below:
1)The MAIN tab gives you a general overview of the current mouse settings and also its current Profile. Here you can assign keyboard commands, mouse clicks and Macros etc or the selected button can even be disabled if you so wish. The ADVANCED tab allows you to assign up to four DPI levels from 100 – 8200 DPI in 100 increments. Both X and Y can also be adjusted independently. The USB polling rate can be adjusted from 100 to 1000 in 100 Hz increments. The lower half of the tab allows you to have some fun, as it’s here that you can play with the Mizar’s lighting. Note that you can only change the colour of the CM Storm logo at the back of the mouse. The Mouse wheel illumination is always white, unless switched off. There’s also various other illumination controls that you can play with. And last but not the least, options for OS Sensitivity, OS Double Click Speed, Button Response Time and Angle Snapping.
2)The third tab (MACRO) allows you to record your macros, with the ability to edit (insert/delete) and adjust time cycles. These macros can then be saved to disk and assigned when needed. The PROFILES tab allows you to manage the four Profiles supported by the Mizar and also store various others on disk. Again these Profiles can be loaded as and when required.
3)The LIBRARY tab allows you to see all of your recorded macros in your library and also take a look at the state of the on-board memory and its associated Profiles and button assignments. Macros can also be Imported and Exported from your library. Finally the SUPPORT tab provides links for online support and version information.
