SteelSeries is back with a new Kinzu professional gaming mouse using an optical sensor – it’s still small and precise, but can it live up to it’s predecessor?
Product on Review: SteelSeries Kinzu V2 Pro Edition
Manufacturer and Sponsor: SteelSeries
Street Price: £32.99 inc. VAT (at time of review)
Steelseries have moved on considerably from their humble roots, but their ethos has always remained highly customer-centric. Now with a wide range of peripherals to support all skill levels of gamer, their name is almost as ubiquitous as the most established brands in the industry. Their key products often employ a no frills approach, sacrificing cutting edge features for quality instead.
The product we have on review today is a continuation of this trend and ethos – the Kinzu V2 Pro Edition. Seasoned Vortez readers may recall back to the Steelseries Kinzu review posted way back in Jan 10, and that it was deemed worthy of the coveted Vortez Gold Award thanks to its simple, quality design and attractive price. A lot could have changed in 2 years, but the Kinzu V2 is aptly named as it sticks true to its roots. Read on to see why.
About SteelSeries
What originally began with two people who recognized the need for superior, high-quality/performance gaming gear that would give gamers a competitive edge, has grown into a global leader in gaming and entertainment gear sought after for their high performance capabilities.
Fast-forward to today, and we’ve come a long way since our first glass mousepad. We have global offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, providing an integrated portfolio of products designed specifically for gaming. Fueling our growth is you, the gamer!
Features & Specifications
SIZE AND WEIGHT
• Weight: 77 grams (0.17 lbs)
• Height: 36 mm (1.4 in)
• Width: 64 mm (2.5 in)
• Length: 117 mm (4.6 in)
PERFORMANCE
• Frames per second: 3600
• Inches per second: 65
• Mega pixels per second: 3.7
• Counts per inch: 400 – 3200
• Maximum acceleration: 30 G
• Sensor data path: True 16 bit
• Lift distance: ~2 mm
• Maximum polling: 1000 Hz
EASY TO ADJUST CPI
The centrally located toggle button allows you to quickly switch between two sensitivity settings. The pre-defined CPI settings in the Kinzu v2 Pro Edition are used and recommended by professional gamers all over the world. These CPI settings are also easily adjustable if you want to personalize your Kinzu v2 Pro Edition via the SteelSeries Engine software.
THE STEELSERIES ENGINE
The SteelSeries Engine allows you to customize your mouse settings like never before. With the SteelSeries Engine installed you are able to:
• Set custom CPI settings
• Program your mouse buttons
• Set polling rate
• Record macros
• Track button usage statistics
• Set game triggers for profiles
• Setup unlimited profiles for the settings above…
SHAPED FOR COMFORT
The SteelSeries Kinzu v2 Pro Edition is ergonomically shaped to comfortably fit all three grip styles – claw, palm and swipe – for easy reach to all 4 buttons whether the user is playing a fast-paced FPS game or even a long session MMO game.
MOUSE GLIDES
Material: High performance UPE material covers 16 % of mouse bottom to ensure maximum glide. We recommend changing glides regularly as they will eventually be worn down.
STABILITY
The SteelSeries Kinzu v2 Pro Edition is made to be stable on every kind of surface with the help of its Tournament Grade optical sensor. This sensor is also designed to eliminate jitter and provide optimized stability for the user.
DEVELOPED WITH THE BEST
We are proud to be associated with some of the best players in the world of eSports. We maintain strong relationships and have continuous dialogue with teams like Natus Vincere, SK Gaming, Fnatic, Evil Geniuses and others who help in the development and improvement of our products.
To ensure maximum performance in all gaming scenarios we enlisted help from world-class StarCraft® II, Counter-Strike, DotA, League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, WarCraft® III and Doom players.
DOUBLE BRAIDED CORD
• USB 2.0 connector
• Anti-tangle braided cord for enhanced durability
• Cord length: 2 meters (6.5 feet)
Packaging & First look
The box is of very similar design to other SteelSeries mice that we have reviewed, and is informative, but not over the top. There is a clear window that allows you to see the mouse before you buy if you’re buying in the non-virtual world. This is especially useful due to the colour choices that Steelseries now offer in many of their mice and it also allows you to gauge the size and shape, something very personal. Here we have the special edition black version, which sports a piano black finish on the topmost part of the mouse. We’ll certainly be looking into the consequences of that later. On the rear side of the box (not pictured), there is basic information about the mouse in a variety of languages.
The Kinzu V2 is shipped with the bare essentials. No stickers, travel bags, adapters, spare feet etc. You get the mouse and a quick start guide, which, although meagre, is actually more than enough (who reads quick start guides for a mouse anyway?). The mouse is touted as plug and play, so no specific drivers are required to get going. Steelseries have concentrated on what’s important here and more than likely have kept the price on the reasonable side of £35 by not bundling any accessories. This is a smart move that continues their credibility as a provider of peripherals to top-class gamers. As per the Steelseries website – ‘No Frills, just kills.’
You can also see that the mouse comes with a braided cable as standard. I have to say, originally braided cables seemed like a nifty idea and they certainly look the part, but on a mouse it can create problems. Using an optical sensor, many will partner the Kinzu V2 with a cloth mouse pad. In this situation, you will find that the cable offers more resistance against movement across the pad than a traditional plastic shielded cable. I’m very aware that this is a feature that most who look at gaming mice want as it makes them a little more special, but I think the impact on performance is negative and the inclusion with the Kinzu V2 is a move by Steelseries that seems to go against their design ethos. Perhaps this was a sacrifice that was made to improve appearance and sales but I can only assume that it must have been something demanded by the gaming community without perhaps thinking of the consequences. The one advantage is that it doesn’t tangle easily, but that is never a problem I’ve had with mice cables before. The total length is a fairly generous 2 meters.
Closer Look
The most notable part of the appearance is perhaps the glossy piano black finish of the mouse, and on the rear the Steelseries logo is prominently displayed. The top feels just as smooth as it looks. Note also that this is an ambidextrous design, so lefties are welcomed with open arms once again to the Kinzu shape.
From the side, the Kinzu V2 is very similar to the original Kinzu. Points of note include the partially rubberised section that allows from some grip on the sides of the mouse, and the fact that the whole mouse is quite small and low compared to a lot of other gaming mice (Razers DeathAdder, Logitech G400 etc.). There are also no side buttons, which may be sorely missed by those who use them in games for that extra competitive advantage.
Unfortunately, where the textured area meets the glossy on the rear of the side, there is an unwanted sharp edge on the example I am reviewing.
As you can see, the top part of the mouse forms a complete shell that flexes for the right and left clicks. There is a third button above the mouse wheel that can be configured, but by default controls the CPI setting between 3 presets.
On the base of the mouse, revealed is the gaming-grade optical sensor and substantial UPE glides that make up 16% of the surface, allowing for smooth movement across the mouse pad. SteelSeries suggests that they are replaced regularly but does not bundle a spare set with the mouse. Otherwise, the Kinzu remains simple here with no adjustable weight or extra gimmicks.
Performance
As the Kinzu is pretty light on extended features, I’ll try to cut to the chase – performance. Install is indeed plug and play, but I recommend you download the SteelSeries Engine software from the Steelseries website , which will allow you to fully customise the CPI settings and button assignments of the Kinzu per application. Besides that, because the Kinzu is quite basic, there’s not much else other than a potential firmware update to gain. With a range of CPI settings from 400 to 3200 adjustable on the fly, there should be adequate customisation for most users.
General Performance
In everyday tasks, the Kinzu V2 will serve you as well as an Intellimouse or any other high-quality optical mouse. 3200 CPI may be too high for most users, but a good balance at 1600 can be found. The left and right click have a firm but regular feel, with no unwanted lateral movement from the shell, and dragging, selecting etc. are executed as well as any other mouse one could imagine.
There is no prediction available with the Kinzu, so your input is faithfully replicated onscreen and whilst this sounds like a good thing, and it generally is, in some circumstances prediction is useful. Image manipulation is a prime example of this. Sometimes when you wish to map out or select in a straight line, it can be quite difficult, even at low CPI settings. Prediction would help here, but let’s not pretend that the Kinzu is remotely aimed at image editors or even your average user; it’s not. It has been designed as a tool for gamers.
Gaming Performance
As one may expect from a gaming mouse, this is indeed the area where the Kinzu V2 really shines. As long as it’s paired with a suitable surface (try to avoid shiny surfaces!), the Kinzu V2 delivers the rock solid performance that is associated with gaming-grade optical sensors.
When set to 1600 CPI, you have potentially a fantastic tool to exploit when playing games requiring precise and fast movement, namely FPS. In the course of playing various FPS in single (Far Cry 2) and multiplayer (Counter Strike: Source), there was absolutely no detectable skipping, and shots were promptly delivered exactly where I aimed, although unfortunately the Kinzu V2 was unable to improve my tactics…! In short, when initially playing FPS games, the Kinzu V2 was a very solid experience. The very light weight of the mouse means that you were able to move quickly, though this does present a lift-off issue if you’re not careful, and the lift-off range of the mouse was very limited so that’s something to be aware of. Some players will prefer weightier mice, me included, and some will at least prefer the customisation though optional weights. Previous users of Razer mice may feel more at home with the Kinzu V2 as they are also typically quite light, but those used to Logitech gaming mice or ANY wireless mouse will find the transition more difficult. More about this on the next page.
The only other gripe that I found whilst gaming, was that with the fastest paced games, the braided cable, which isn’t the lightest either, did generate some friction against my BoogieBug Aimpad XL gaming surface. This was disconcerting and coupled with the light weight of the mouse made some re-adjustments necessary from time to time, which detracts from the gaming experience. As previously mentioned, braided cables are good in some aspects but here I think it’s more of a hindrance. I can’t really hold this against the Kinzu V2 specifically, as it seems to be gradually becoming a standard, one example being the original Razer Deathadder with its lightweight plastic cable being replaced by the Respawn edition several years later that is complete with a heavier braided alternative. It seems to be the way of the segment and I think it’s purely style over substance.
Comfort & Quality
Although the Kinzu V2 is a great gaming mouse on both paper, and in practise, over extended sessions I did have some comfort issues. Firstly, the grip. I would describe my grip as closer to palm style than claw style, which means I like to have a little more than my fingertips on the mouse to move it around. With the Kinzu V2, this was more difficult as the mouse is quite low, which is something that is not unique to just the Kinzu in Steelseries’ range. More than likely a result of working with professional gamers to shape your products, as they are probably assessed only in a competitive environment. I want a mouse that can also be comfortable over time in all environments and a great performer – I certainly don’t want 2 on my desk.
My second point is also related to grip but in a more traditional sense. The glossy black finish is next to hopeless once you’ve worked up a little hand moisture, as delightful as that sounds. It also is a magnet for any marks or grime and seems to get dirty fairly quickly, even if you’re quite careful. The side areas of grippy material may suit claw grip gamers but even then the left and right clicks can get slippery, especially in the heat of battle. It seems a shame to add the great additions in the Pro Edition (better quality switches, more slippery feet) and then negate them completely by removing any texture on the core shell of the mouse.
The quality is generally very good, and although there appears to be some QC issue with sharp edges on the sides, this is really minor. The scroll wheel could be a bit firmer from lateral movement also. With this in mind though, I’ve used mice that cost twice this price and haven’t demonstrated the same build quality. Steelseries have concentrated on the important things here and done them well. As long as the components prove to be reliable over time, this will be a very solid choice as a gaming workhorse.
Conclusion
This isn’t the first Steelseries product we’ve reviewed here at Vortez, and I certainly hope not the last, as if I can say one thing that’s common to all, it’s that the design ethos remains true throughout their product range and Steelseries stay focussed on delivering the best peripherals for gamers that they can. As for the Kinzu V2, I was very much hoping that it would build on the Kinzu and stay true to its roots, as that was indeed a great product. The final result is not so clear however.
There’s a lot to like here if you play FPS games – a lightweight mouse with a top-quality optical sensor that provides pinpoint accuracy to gamers of all calibres. The ambidextrous design is all-inclusive and quality is way up there with some of the best offerings in the whole market. High quality switches add to this experience.
However, I did have some issues with the braided cable in general (not just the Kinzu) as it creates friction and the slight sharp edge on one side of this particular mouse. In addition to that, not everyone will enjoy the very light weight and I don’t think many at all will be able to game in long sessions with such a shiny top surface to the mouse, which lacks the grip really required despite the side sections. Also, after the original Kinzu delivering much of the same in an almost identical fashion, I’m finding it difficult to justify what is around a 50% increase in purchase price. This elevates the Kinzu V2 into a slighter higher band of gaming mouse occupied by more feature-rich alternatives, not to mention leaving the (also) optical and ever-solid £25 Logitech G400 far behind in price.
In summary, the Kinzu V2 is a solid gaming mouse that has kills in its very DNA. Quality and presentation are near perfect. However, in extended sessions and as an everyday tool, it’s not as versatile as one would hope for the price tag and it doesn’t deliver enough advantages over its predecessor for the new additions to be worthwhile. If you’re planning to compete and use your PC primarily for online FPS, then I can think of few better mice at this price point. If you want an all-rounder, your money may be better elsewhere.
+Reliable and precise optical sensor
+Good overall build quality
+Ambidextrous design
+Ideal for FPS
Cons
-Short on features and accessories
-May be too small and light for some
-Sharp edge
-A little too expensive
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net. Thanks to SteelSeries for providing today’s review sample.
