Technical characteristics

RAZER TAIPAN FEATURES
Dimensions	124 mm / 4.88 ”(Length) x 64 mm / 2.48” (Width) x 37 mm / 1.42 ”(Height) 88 grams.
DPI and Inches per second	3200 dpi system. / 130 p / s
Number of buttons	6 programmable buttons.
Response time.	1ms response time.
Acceleration.	30 g acceleration.
Compatibility	PC or Mac with a free USB port Windows® 8 / Windows® 7 / Windows Vista® / Windows® XP (32-bit) / Mac OS X (v10.6-10.8) Internet connection 100MB free hard drive space Razer registration Synapse 2.0 (requires a valid email address), software download, license acceptance, and Internet connection are required to activate full product features and software updates. After activation, the full features are available in the optional offline mode.
Available in Spain	Yes.
Software and macros.	Yes.
Warranty	2 years.

Steelseries KANA in pictures

The packaging that SteelSeries have used for the Kana is very similar to what we have seen from other of its products.The mouse itself is enclosed in a plastic blister pack that is part of an internal tray. The outer box is made of thick cardboard to provide a good level of protection. The front of the box has a simple design, which features a great mouse image. The front of the box also acts as a door that can be opened to reveal the mouse inside.

Rotating the pack reveals much more information about the Kana. SteelSeries has illustrated some of the key features using two small mouse images that are annotated with certain numbers that correspond to the feature list.

There is also a list of the main specifications of the mouse. All the information about it is repeated in different languages.

Inside we can find:

Manual and quick guide Mouse.

As we have come to expect with SteelSeries products, the package is very small. In fact, the only item included with the mouse is a quick start guide that details the system requirements and guides us to the SteelSeries website to download the mouse software.

It is clear that the SteelSeries are trying to be a little more adventurous with the Kana's aesthetic design than they were with their previous models like the Xai. The mouse is almost exclusively finished in white with the exception of the mouse wheel and DPI switch which are both black. These areas light up white during use. This combination of colors is unlikely to attract the attention of all players, so there is a version in black and orange for the most daring….:).

One of the only obvious features that sets the Kana apart from the rest of the SteelSeries range is the button layout. The forward navigator and rear buttons on both sides of the Xai have been replaced by two XL side buttons for ease of use. These can be enabled or reassigned in the SteelSeries Engine software if necessary.

We were very pleased with the mouse wheel on the SteelSeries Kana as they have found the perfect balance between strength and precision. The mouse wheel provides enough resistance that it is easy to flick just a "click" on the precision wheel, but the wheel can be flicked through a number of clicks if necessary.

SteelSeries has followed the path of most high-end gaming peripheral manufacturers and has been given the USB cable of a sturdy fabric braid that should enhance mouse longevity. Instead of using a black braid drill, SteelSeries has used a black and white braid that looks much more interesting. The cable is 2m long.

And finally, we see a detail on the back with a maximum resolution of 3200 dpi. It also has three Teflon slides that will allow a smooth and precise movement. And engraved with the brand's logo

Instead of including a CD with the Kana software, SteelSeries direct us to their website to download the software. While this may seem like a cost reduction measure, they also make sure that you have the latest version of the mouse software installed when you receive the mouse. SteelSeries now use one piece of software for all of their products, which is called the 'SteelSeries Engine'. It is available for both PC and Mac users.

The first page of the software deals with button functions. This allows us to assign any of the mouse buttons to a number of different functions, including custom macros. On the second page it can be accessed through the menu at the top and allows us to adjust the speed of the mouse sensitivity. You can adjust the sensitivity of two levels that are switchable with the button behind the mouse wheel.

On the third page of the configuration utility we can configure the software to automatically activate specific configuration profiles when certain games or applications are launched. The fourth and last page gives us access to the statistics that show us the frequency with which you press each mouse button.

Final words and conclusion:

SteelSeries hasn't exactly pushed the boundaries of aesthetic design with the Kana, it looks almost identical to that of all the other mice in its range. The illuminated white color on the mouse wheel and the DPI button add some excitement to the design, but we can imagine that it will not appeal to everyone. A black and orange version is also available.

The build quality is impressive, however the rubber finish feels great in the hand. We do SteelSeries selection use a large button on each side instead of traditional front and back navigator, as it can be difficult to activate one on the right side with your little finger.

Cost is also a big factor for most gamers and at a price of around € 40 we feel the Kana is a bit expensive for an optical gaming mouse. It offers a number of cool features not available on some models, including the SteelSeries engine configuration utility.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ RUBBER FINISH	- THE SLIDER COULD BE SMOOTHER
+ VERY GOOD CONSTRUCTION QUALITY	- EXPENSIVE TO BE OPTICAL
+ 3200 DPI.
+ 6 PROGRAMMABLE BUTTONS.
+ MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE.
+ GOOD PERFORMANCE