NZXT Avatar Gaming Mouse Review

Posted by: Vinh Thai (SirMango) on: 05/23/2009 01:53 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Installation and Software
The Avatar can be used without the included drivers, and it is recognized by Windows Vista as a “USB Human Interface Device”. DPI switching, custom macro key assignment and custom profiles require the driver and software provided by NZXT.

Installation of the drivers is straight-forward as the CD has an autoplay feature. The installation process has nine steps and does not offer customizations besides the installation directory. Also, under Windows Vista, a Windows Security notice will inquire whether or not to install a “NZXT Human Interface Devices” driver software.

It must be noted that the included drivers from the CD do not support Windows Vista Ultimate x64; the software installs successfully, but the mouse is rendered functionless. Yet, the latest drivers, which can be obtained from NZXT’s website (see Driver Download page), do support this operating system.

The software itself has a pleasant GUI that resembles the mouse’s design. It has three main tabs: advanced functions, sensitivity and advance settings. The software provides more than enough customizations and control for any enthusiast, including polling rate changing that successfully worked under Windows Vista.

The software comes with pre-configured button macros, but it allows for custom macro keys mapping via “Advanced”. Also, the software includes an X-Y master sensitivity setting, which I have no use for but may interest others.