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Even though the Xai supports driverless operation and on-mouse configuration, SteelSeries also provide user with the option of a software package which simplifies the configuration process. This is a welcome addition as configuring everything through the on-mouse interface could be very time consuming.
Rather than supply this in the box on a CD, SteelSeries make users download the software from their website to make sure they have the most up-to-date version. On installation of the software, we are prompted to update the Xai's firmware to the latest version.
The configuration options are organized into four tabs; Button assignments, Hardware settings, Windows settings and Options. On opening the software, you're are greeted by the ‘Button assignments' tab which lets you configure all ten mouse buttons to a function of your choice.
There is also an inbuilt macro editor which allows you to record custom macros and assign them to any button. Below the button assignment section there is a feature which reverses all the controls for left-handed users at the touch of a button. The settings can be configured separately for five different mouse profiles which are switchable in-game using the on-mouse configuration interface.
Pressing the ‘Hardware settings' tab gives us access to most of the performance-related mouse settings. SteelSeries let the user configure two sensitivity options for each profile, switchable using the small button behind the mouse wheel. These can be set to any discrete value between 100 and 5001 CPI. You can also configure the polling rate to any value between 125 and 1000Hz. This tab also lets you enable and configure hardware cursor acceleration and the LCD brightness and contrast.
SteelSeries have included some other configuration options which they have named ‘ExactAim' and ‘FreeMove'. ExactAim gives the user control over the amount of jitter correction and prediction calculations that are applied to the raw movement data. FreeMove allows the user to adjust the degree of path correction and angle snapping. These settings allow you to set the Xai up to suit specific gaming needs to achieve the best possible performance.
Moving on to the ‘Windows settings' tab, there are three sliders to configure scroll wheel speed, double click speed and pointer speed. The ‘Options' tab displays the software and firmware versions with links to update them.
Most of the configuration options detailed above are also configurable on the mouse itself through the on-mouse interface. This takes the form of a small LCD screen on the underside of the mouse which can be controlled using the mouse wheel. It also lets you switch configuration profiles on the fly.
