SPECS
Sensor: Avago 9800 laser Sensor (8200DPI)
Dimensions: 60.4 x 40.2 x 124.8mm
Weight: 121g (0.27lbs)
Buttons: 7
GAMING GEAR
AWARD
CMStorm Mizar Gaming Mouse
RRP: $48.99 | Website: http://gaming.coolermaster.com
W
hat can you get these days
for 50 bucks in gaming
peripherals? It used to
be that you couldn’t get much, but
with the CMStorm Mizar, 50 bucks
gets you a high end gaming mouse.
If “professional grade” or rather
competition grade gaming is a real
term, then the Mizar would fit the bill.
A simple and minimalistic design
sets the tone for the Mizar and it
is one that I do appreciate. It’s not
over designed and only has what
is necessary for most games. Just
seven buttons in total, obviously all
of them customizable with profiles
will take care of your gaming needs.
The software I find though in contrast
to the mouse and is somewhat
convoluted, but once you figure
out how to navigate and configure
everything you’ll be on your way to
what could possibly be the best value
for money mouse I’ve ever come
across.
This is a purist mouse that despite
being suitable for several game types,
it probably best when used for FPS
games. It’s very precise with good
weight distribution. You can’t change
it but I found that I didn’t need to as it’s
a very light mouse. Some of you may
prefer it a little heavier and personally
I tend to want one that is bottom heavy
but the Mizar worked very well in all
the FPS games I tried it with.
The one thing that is slightly
annoying about it is the Omron
switches which are a little too clicky
sometimes needing that little extra
force to register. The travel isn’t long,
but the resistance is higher than I
am used to, thus double tapping the
buttons was a little bit of an issue.
After a while you will get used to it
and it shouldn’t be a problem, but if
you prefer a lighter touch for your
buttons then you’ll perhaps consider
another model.
Besides this there’s not much to
complain about. The scroll wheel
is responsive and it is great for
switching out inventory or weapons
in game. It’s notched but not to
the point where it can become
distracting. If anything it’s very
smooth and some care will have to
be taken not to cycle through your
selection by mistake. I’m impressed
by the Mizar in a way I thought I never
would be. Above everything I have
mentioned though, what I do like
are the rubberized sides. All of it
feels good to the touch, but the antislip grips make it that much more
comfortable during long gaming
sessions. Not once did the mouse slip
or did I have to adjust my grip. This is
something I wish would be on many
other gaming mice and executed
in this manner with small circular
indents on the material. It’s a trivial
thing but one that tends to make a
huge difference when you’ve been
gaming for hours on end.
Overall, I’m impressed with this
mouse. It ticks all the right boxes and
the component list is sound. The Mizar
features an Avago 8200DPI sensor,
1000Hz polling rate, light weight
but durable plastic design, 128Kb
of memory and a fully customizable
button layout allows it to compete with
the best in the business. With some
better software this could be a very
threatening mouse to the tried and
tested mice that retail for far more
money but don’t offer anything better
where it counts.
CMStorm has executed well with the
Mizar and it rightfully deserves the
Gaming gear award.
[ The OverClocker ]
Issue 29 | 2014 The OverClocker 47