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Most gaming mice these days are supplied with some form of configuration utility which lets you set the mouse up to perform exactly as you like. And the CM Storm Sentinel Z3RO-G is no exception to this trend. Our sample of the Sentinel Z3RO-G is an early model so the software isn't the final version that will be supplied with retail versions when they hit the shelves.
The software is supplied on a CD which is included in the box but we would recommend downloading it directly from the CM Storm website so that you can ensure you have the most up-to-date version. On opening the software, we are greeted by a screen which lets you optimize the sensor for either FPS or RTS gaming. You can configure five different profiles which can be switched in game. They are saved to the inbuilt memory so you can use them with any computer without having to install the software utility.
On the main page of the software we find a vast number of different configuration options. On the left, there are a series of drop down menus which let us assign different functions to the eight different mouse buttons. There is also an inbuilt macro recorder which you can use in conjunction with these. The right hand side of the page features four sliders to configure the four switchable DPI levels. You can configure X and Y values independently to any discrete value between 100 and 5600 DPI. There are a number of other configuration options which include USB report rate, motion sensitivity, double click speed and button response time.
Moving on to the second page, we are able to set up the two different lighting areas on the mouse. There is a palette of seven colours available to choose from along with a few different lighting effects. You can also upload a small team logo onto the mouse which is displayed on the small OLED screen. Some of the colours are demonstrated in the pictures above.
The third tab, entitled ‘Storm Tactics' is very similar to Roccat's EasyShift[+] system which lets you increase the number of mouse button functions by allowing you to set functions to a combination of two buttons. This gives you 17 programmable buttons altogether.
Under the fourth and fifth tabs we are able to record our own Macros and Scripts which can be assigned to any of the 17 programmable buttons. The sixth tab, entitled ‘Library' lets you import and export scripts so you can back them up or share them with other users.
On the final page there is an automatic update function which will automatically check for software and firmware updates for the mouse. There is also a button which directs you to the CM Storm support page should you ever experience any problems with the mouse.
These days, it's very rare for a high end gaming mouse like the Z3RO-G to exhibit any performance issues. During our tests, the Z3RO-G tracked accurately without any lapses at all. The 5600 DPI laser sensor should provide a high enough resolution for even the most high sensitivity gamers.
We combined the Z3RO-G with a Roccat Sota gaming surface for testing which we use to test most of the mice that pass through our labs. Even though it is slightly heavier than the average gaming mouse, it still glides effortlessly thanks to the sizable teflon pads on the underside of the mouse.
For those who prefer a lighter mouse, though, the Z3RO-G has a little trick up its sleeve. On the underside of the mouse there is a small plastic flap that can be removed to reveal a series of five weights inside the mouse. These weight 4.5g each so can be removed to lessen the weight of the mouse by 22.5g.
