Forward of the most recent Future 2 growth, Lightfall, SteelSeries introduced a set of restricted version Lightfall-themed gaming gear. Though Lightfall fell flat for a lot of longtime followers, SteelSeries’ gear doesn’t (properly, apart from the mousepad, however it’s good that’s flat).

SteelSeries launched a Future 2: Lightfall Version Arctis 7+ headset, Aerox 5 mouse and a QCK Prism XL mousepad. There are additionally Lightfall-themed KontrolFreek “efficiency thumbsticks” for console gamers, although I play on PC and didn’t take a look at these out. I did, nonetheless, take the Arctis 7+, Aerox 5 and QCK Prism for a take a look at drive in Lightfall and was pleasantly shocked by how a lot I appreciated all three.

Oh, and earlier than I get into it, the Lightfall-themed SteelSeries gear comes with codes for an in-game emblem and emote; good little touches, although not value a purchase order on their very own.

One other factor value holding in thoughts is that apart from the Lightfall colourways, every of the merchandise under is functionally the identical because the non-Lightfall variations, however prices barely extra. I’ve included pricing and hyperlinks to the non-Lightfall variants under for many who just like the units however don’t look after the Future particular editions.

QCK Prism lights up my desk

Let’s begin issues off with the QCK Prism XL mousepad. I’ve the least to say in regards to the mousepad as a result of, properly, it’s a mousepad. It’s robust to get improper. That mentioned, I did actually respect the design of the QCK Prism — the Lightfall theme and colors are good as a Future 2 fan, the light-up RGB edge is cool — particularly as soon as I found out sync it with the mouse colors utilizing the SteelSeries software program — and it feels nice underneath my mouse when gaming.

To be honest, the Prism mousepad doesn’t really feel considerably completely different from my outdated mousepad, a gargantuan Stitch Cloth mousepad from Glorious. My solely actual concern with the Prism was that it wasn’t as huge because the Sew Material mousepad (which, admittedly, was far too huge for my desk). Nevertheless, the scale distinction didn’t actually hamper my mouse use in typical day-to-day use. When gaming, I often grazed the highest fringe of the Prism mousepad, however normally, that simply meant I wanted to regulate my place and rarely bought in the way in which of gameplay.

In the end, I want the smaller mousepad dimension because the too-big Sitch Material mousepad hung over the again of my desk. Nevertheless, the smaller dimension may not work for everybody. The QCK Prism XL clocks in at 900 x 300 x 4mm, and sadly, plainly’s the one dimension possibility for the Lightfall Version. These not fascinated by getting the Lightfall-themed mousepad can get pleasure from bigger sizes as much as 1600 x 800 x 4mm.

The QCK Prism XL Future 2: Lightfall Version costs $89.99 in Canada, whereas the common model starts at $79.99 for a similar dimension.

The Aerox 5 offers my Razer mouse a run for its cash

I’ve examined fairly a number of pc mice over the past 12 months or two, most of which have been from Razer. Nevertheless, Razer might not have dominance over my mousepad going ahead — the Aerox 5 affords up all of the options I need, could be very comfy to make use of and affords a light-weight bundle regardless of being wi-fi.

I’ve mainly completely used the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro and DeathAdder V3 Pro mice since August of 2022, the previous with my desktop PC and the latter with my laptop computer whereas I’m working. I beloved the Basilisk for the way it felt in my hand and for the three aspect buttons, which I like to make use of for activating my skills when taking part in video games like Future 2. Nevertheless, the load of the DeathAdder made it my desire to be used when working since my wrist wouldn’t get as drained utilizing it all through the day (plus, through the use of two mice, I didn’t have to maneuver the USB dongle round on a regular basis).

The Aerox 5 comes very near the Basilisk really feel for me, affords a really comparable format for the thumb buttons on the aspect, but additionally weighs lower than the Basilisk (112g), coming in near the DeathAdder (64g) at 74g. I beforehand used some wired mice that have been lighter, however as I mentioned in my DeathAdder review, I don’t thoughts some further weight for the comfort of wi-fi, so long as it isn’t overkill — the Basilisk actually pushed that higher restrict for me.

From left to proper: Razer Basilisk V3 Professional, Aerox 5, DeathAdder V3 Professional

I additionally want the honeycomb design of the Aerox 5, which not solely seems cool but additionally helps maintain my palm from getting too sweaty within the midst of a heated gaming session.

The Aerox 5 boasts ‘AquaBarrier’ expertise and an IP54 ranking to guard it from water splashes, filth and mud. It sports activities a TrueMove Air precision optical sensor with “true 1-to-1 monitoring” and Golden Micro IP54 switches. The Aerox 5 affords 100-18,000 CPI and a 1,000Hz polling charge. I additionally discover the scroll wheel is much extra tactile on the Aerox 5 than both of the Razer mice I used earlier than.

The Aerox 5 battery life is okay however nothing loopy. Per week of heavy gaming, together with taking part in via the Lightfall marketing campaign and operating round Neomuna, drained the battery to about 45 p.c. You could possibly in all probability squeeze extra longevity out of it by disabling the lights, however as is, you ought to be high-quality so long as you retain on high of charging up the battery.

Like different mice I’ve examined, the Aerox 5 comes with a USB-C to USB-A cloth cable and an adapter to attach the USB-C wi-fi dongle to the cable. This lets you maintain the wi-fi dongle tucked out of the way in which in your desk, however you’ll be able to nonetheless simply entry the cable to cost your mouse when wanted.

The SteelSeries Aerox 5 Future 2:Lightfall Version costs $189.99 in Canada, the same price as the regular version.

The sound of Strand

Lastly, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ headset sounds wonderful and may show to be a stable audio possibility not only for PC gamers, however for console gamers too. Not like the gear above, the Arctis 7+ is designed to work wirelessly with PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and cellular units. It’ll work with the Xbox Collection X and S too, however solely over a wired 3.5mm connection.

Apart from the Lightfall-themed colourway, the particular version Arctis 7+ sports activities a particular Future 2 audio preset from Bungie. Nevertheless, coming from the Razer Kaira Pro headset, I actually don’t discover a distinction when it comes to sport sound. For that matter, I’d say the audio high quality is just about on par between the Kaira Professional and Arctis 7+ — each sound wonderful for video games, music and podcasts.

Usually, I discovered I most well-liked the Arctis 7+ to the Kaira Professional headset for a number of minor quality-of-life causes. First, the Arcits 7+ has barely bigger earcups than the Kaira Professional. They really feel extra comfy since there’s extra space for my ears, however I had no points carrying both headset for a marathon gaming session.

One other huge win for the Arctis 7+ over the Kaira Professional is the retractable microphone. The Kaira Professional mic could be eliminated whenever you don’t want it, however I most well-liked the retractable mic on the Arctis 7+ since I might maintain it out of my approach however nonetheless have quick access to it when wanted.

Not every little thing with the Arctis 7+ was higher, nonetheless. I’m not an enormous fan of the ‘ski goggle’ headband and like the Kaira Professional’s adjustable headband that permits a extra exact match. (The Arctis 7+ headband was lots comfy, although). I’m additionally not a giant fan of the Arctis 7+’s unbiased quantity management — on the Kaira Professional, turning the quantity dial modified the Home windows quantity, affecting my complete system, whereas the Arctis 7+ lets me flip up the headphone quantity individually from the Home windows quantity. Whereas I’m certain loads of individuals want that, it was a serious departure from how I’ve managed quantity on my PC for years.

On the battery entrance, the Arctis 7+ boasts 30 hours, and a 15-minute cost offers you three hours of playtime. In my testing, I didn’t have any points with the battery life. For comparability, the Kaira Professional battery lasts as much as 11 hours with HyperSense (which vibrates the earcups based mostly on the audio) and lighting enabled, or as much as 50 with each disabled. I usually used the Kaira Professionals with HyperSense and lighting enabled and rarely needed to cost throughout a gaming session so long as I remembered to plug within the headset as soon as per week. Furthermore, it’s value noting I didn’t miss HyperSense once I swapped over to the Arctis 7+ — frankly, I hardly seen it when utilizing the Kaira Professional.

These are all minor nitpicks, nonetheless, and I anticipate the Arctis 7+ shall be my major headset going ahead.

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Future 2: Lightfall Version costs $229.99 in Canada, whereas the regular Arctis 7+ costs $219.99.


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