The Sensei comes factory-ready to play with but, of course, you need to install the configuration software to access the more advanced features (there’s no install disc; you have to go to the manufacturer’s website). The interface is stylish, but the button configuration and macro recording are rather complicated and they take time to master through trial and error. It’s possible to create five different user profiles.

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Figure 5: Configuration

By using the software, the user can calibrate the controls powered by a 32-bit ARM processor. It runs the ExactTech, a system of settings for accelerating and decelerating the mouse, plus controlling lift distance and dpi resolution. All things combined, the ExactTech extrapolates when the user is actually decelerating the Sensei and focuses on its own velocity decrease, predicting the pointer/weapon aim trajectory. So, when the user spots a virtual enemy and begins to decrease the mouse movement to better aim at it, the Sensei begins a calculation to help decelerate more precisely (in general terms). For those who think this will hamper their gameplay or even be unfair during an online match, the ExactTech features can be turned off.

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Figure 6: Illumination

The Sensei software also controls the illumination and the personalization of the LCD underneath the peripheral’s body. It can display several options of bitmap images downloadable through the SteelSeries website or even personal art that the user can create on the website and then load on to the mouse.