Cooler Master Storm Havoc Gaming Mouse Review – An 8200 DPI Refresh

Cooler Master has quietly been chipping away on their new line of products, most notably those multifaceted devices ready for PC and console systems. Computer hardware and accessories are still the main priority, and Cooler Master are always building, always improving on their designs.

The new Cooler Master Storm Havoc gaming mouse is the prime example. The best way to describe it is a meld between the Cooler Master Storm Sentinel Advance II and the Cooler Master Storm Recon. Sporting the same 8200 DPI laser sensor as the Advance II and a modified frame of the Recon, we will see if the Amazon priced $54.99 Havoc brings new features and additions to the table.

PACKAGING AND SPECIFICATIONS

For a $55 mouse, the specs are outstanding, especially the solid two-year warranty. The Avago ADNS-9800 LaserStream VCSEL gaming sensor is what propels the CM Storm Havoc to the ridiculous sensitivity level of 8200. The Havoc is not the first mouse to use the sensor, but compared to its ADNS-9500 predecessor, the 9800 brings some big improvements:

• 16-bits motion data registers
• High speed motion detection up to 150 ips and acceleration up to 30 g
• Advanced technology 832 – 865 nm wavelength VCSEL
• Single mode lasing
• No laser power calibration needed
• Self-adjusting frame rate for optimum performance
• Motion detect pin output
• Internal oscillator – no external clock input needed
  • Enhanced Programmability
  • Frame rate up to 12, 000 fps
  • 1 to 5 mm lift detection
  • Resolution up to 8200 dpi with 200 dpi step
  • X and Y axes independent resolution setting

The key points to take note of are the resolution, which is up from the 5040 DPI/90 DPI step of the 9500; the 12,000 FPS is also up from the 9500’s 11,700 FPS; and finally, the 1 to 5 mm LoD. A 5mm LoD is a tad high, but we will assume the number is there either for extremely high DPI settings, customizable/auto length lift off, or both as there is no need to lift off at DPI higher than 3200. Ideally we want to stop tracking as soon as the Havoc leaves the surface.

At lower resolutions the 9800 is a solid performer; at higher levels it maintains low acceleration and performs better due to automatically filtering cursor movement by steading the curve at high DPI. The sensor – found in the Sentinel Advance II as well – is said to suffer from some acceleration (~5%) at the higher DPI threshold. It is a minor flaw for an otherwise near-perfect laser sensor; hopefullbll be of no surprise if you own or have seen a Cooler Master Storm product. The Havoc follows the same red and black scheme we see from Cooler Master. On the front we have a logo of the mouse, and specifications on the back:

A standard to Cooler Master mice is the teaser window which is present. The side-panel dissection of the mouse is also visible adjacent to the window:

Opening it up we have the Havoc of course, as well as warranty information and a quick-install guide. Note that updated software and drivers are available from Cooler Master’s Havoc product page and do not come bundled.