The Verdict
It should be no surprise that the mouse as presented today is a very good. Decent, sturdy and extremely configurable. The icing on top of the cake is the extremely well developed software application that allows all kinds of configuration options in several levels. The Storm Inferno mouse has to be the most versatile and programmable product I have ever seen.
While that might sound good, it is also something that a lot of people seriously do not want. A lot of people want a mouse that runs straight out of the box without a plethora and gazillion of options fired off at them. I dunno, Cooler Master might actually have overshot it's target. Don't get me wrong, personally I like configurable presets very much ... but I have experience in programming and have a refined understanding of technology, specs and features. For the average to novice gamer, this mouse simply might be a little too overwhelming when we look at the software implementation.
Now ton the physical side of things the reality is also that mouse isn't perfect either, you'll need to get used to the weight of it. If you pick it up with two fingers precisely in the middle then you'll notice that all the weight is located in the back of the mouse, and that feels unbalanced. Next to that, though I have big hands, you'll probably constantly reposition your fingers on the mouse. Yeah, I guess I am saying it wasn't a perfect fit for me alright. You know what, somehow it seems a step back from the CM Sentinel Advance mouse.
Scanning speed and accuracy are really good. You know you can reinvent a mouse over and over again, 200, 400, 1600 and these days even 5000 DPI are mostly marketing and niche options. This 4000 DPI rated mouse is by far precise enough.
If you like to go more advanced then activate the profile software. If you want options you can configure the mouse in-depth all based on your personal preferences. The software allows everything to be configured that you can desire, profiles, macros, scan speeds, DPI sensitivity per profile per axis and on and on.
Maybe let me throw in a tip for Cooler Master, if you have such advanced software -- why not offer pre-defined game profiles for selected games which users can download and activate ?
Overall we feel the CM Storm Inferno is a pretty good gaming mouse. It feels good, has nice options, very decent tracking speed. As such it's recommended.
But do understand that this mouse is not for everybody, if you dislike application complexity .. stay away from it, and if you have large hands this might not be the right mouse for you either. Other then that it is a great gaming mouse with an complicated yet excellent software suite.
Given the sheer design, good looks and versatility we would definitely like to recommend the CM Storm Inferno. Under SKU SGM-4000-KLLN1-GP it will be released in mid-August 2010, at a price of roughly 50 EUR / 60 USD, and you don't even HAVE to play MMO's to use it ;)
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