X-day is here!
Today we are shipping the SteelSeries Xai to pre-orders, with the rest of the world to follow very shortly. The software that is immediately available for the SteelSeries Xai is a beta version, with one feature missing (advanced macros). We will be issuing the final software in the near future, but as of now, the beta software will have the following known limitations:
- Macros are currently disabled.We are working out the remaining bugs in the macro editor and will be releasing a final version of software that adds the full macro capability. It will be worth the wait. :)
- A long first-time firmware upgrade. When you first start up the SteelSeries Xai software, it will check the version of software (some people prefer the term firmware) on the mouse. The first firmware upgrade needs to load a large amount of data, which means the upgrade time may be a little long (up to approximately 10 minutes). Please be patient and allow the upgrade to complete. Subsequent upgrades when we release new updates will be much faster.
- During the firmware upgrade process, please do not interact with (click on) the application while it is busy downloading the new firmware to your mouse. If you do, an error message may be displayed saying that the SteelSeries Xai has stopped responding. Actually it is still working on the download. You can check to see that it is still downloading by looking at the LCD on the bottom of the mouse. If the numbers are slowly counting up, then the download is proceeding. Please be patient and let the download and upgrade finish.
SteelSeries Xai Laser Software Download
We would LOVE to hear your feedback, input and suggestions for the software - please drop any comments to beta[@]steelseries.com
All the best,Team SteelSeries
October 30th, 2009 16:27
The mouse is really great. I got mine yesterday from esl-shop.net and it works perfect for me so far. There is a nice little feedback on http://www.esl-shop.net/product_reviews_info.php/products_id/981/reviews_id/3110 , but it`s in german.
So hope to see more products like this in the future *tumbs up*
November 2nd, 2009 20:24
I can’t get this mouse working on Debian Linux (or an Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD for that matter). I made a post here: http://forum.novatech.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15532
Any ideas out there?
November 2nd, 2009 21:53
I would appreciate it if you fixed the Kinzu before releasing a new mouse.
November 3rd, 2009 11:20
@Ethan: Both mouses were introduce at the same time and both got released when the production was completed. Why should there be a problem? The Xai has no issues as far as I know and why they should they wait for weeks or months, if they could release it in time, like promised?
The Xai by the way is for me the drawing card, while the Kinzu is just a side product. The Kinzu is far too undersized for most players in my opinion and comes with an older opticalsensor, although SteelSeries got one of the first lasers without the typical tracking issue.
November 3rd, 2009 15:48
kumeni,
sorry thats lame. kinzu a “side product” ? oO believe me, many of the asian gamers prefer the kinzu, because most male asians (koreans for example) have smaller hands than people from the west. so the kinzu fits better for asians, even for female gamers around the world. so this product is very important for the asian market and for people, who play with fingertip/palmgrip style.
i know a lot of asian gamers who has problems to handle with the intelli 1.1, because of its shape. but the xai has exactly the same form and size like the intelli 1.1 (only smaller then the 3.0)
so the kinzu mouse is minimum as much important like the xai mouse
and yes i agree with all the people who are upset with the kinzu performance. for me it`s also the first optical mouse, with tracking issues and i can`t understand that
greetz
November 3rd, 2009 18:06
Hello guys,
Nice to see your new Xai finally released.
I’m curious, what is the weight of Xai (without cord) exactly? I cannot find it in your specifications online.
Also if you can post the weight of Kinzu, that would be wonderful.
Regards,
Raven
November 3rd, 2009 19:06
Xai: 94g
Kinzu: 70g
with no cord atached
November 3rd, 2009 22:24
Aren’t any of you Linux people? Could anyone please just try this with a LiveCD or something? I still can’t get it to work. Been trying for days now. Need update, SteelSeries!
November 4th, 2009 03:31
Hi, I bought my new Xai that day
And the configuration software still don’t have the macros functions yet
I need it so much more than you can imagine
I believed that many gamers thought so too
Can you send an e-mail for me when the software is released ?
Thanks
November 4th, 2009 17:12
when i can use the macro??
i very very need it!
November 4th, 2009 18:35
For me it’s not working either in Linux. I posted this in another forum and emailed somebody at SteelSeries some time ago but haven’t received an answer yet.
Anyway… that’s the important part:
Anyway when I plug in my G9x, the mouse gets recognized by dmesg in Linux as 2 devices - a mouse and a keyboard. Looks like this (simplified):
input,hidraw0: USB HID Mouse
input,hiddev0,hidraw1: USB HID Keyboard
Makes sense after all. ‘hidraw0′ and these things just tells something about which name the device got from the kernel, therefore the numbers at the end just count up on any device you plug in, so not of such importance here… anyway that’s how the Xai is getting recognized:
input,hidraw5: USB HID Mouse
input,hidraw6: USB HID Keyboard
hiddev1,hidraw7: USB HID Device
See the difference? Notice that G9x “Keyboard” is recognized as ‘input’ and counts as 2 devices: a hiddev and a hidraw. On the Xai the keyboard is only recognized as a hidraw device and has no hiddev.
On the other hand there is a simple but strange third “Device” device (ahaa). It’s recognized as both a hiddev and a hidraw but not as input. I really think that there is something messed up.
November 5th, 2009 16:58
And also
Why I can’t use my Xai Laser with the USB Hub
It’s a trouble for me cause that my laptop got only 2 USB Hubs
And then the USB port of the mouse is bigger
It blocked the way that USB hub need to pluck
After the released of the new configuration software can it solve this problem too ?
November 6th, 2009 00:08
@LucentShade
I had no chance to grab this mouse into my hands yet, but I’m guessing it might be a problem when your USB Hub is not supporting USB 2.0 standard (the one required by Xai).
Cheers,
Raven
November 6th, 2009 11:31
@LucentShade
The manual said, if you plugged it into a hub …, performance may be impaired and certain functions may noch work properly.
So plug it in directly or maybe buy a 2.0 Hub.
Greets
November 6th, 2009 14:12
Ya, I knew
But I thought my USB hub was 2.0 ?
==
By the way
Who can tell me when the macros function will be enabled ?
November 6th, 2009 18:52
Has anybody got some more information about the Linux issues? Just got my Xai and was shocked to find out it won’t work in Linux (only saw these comments afterwards…).
November 6th, 2009 21:16
I sent a support ticket to SteelSeries about the Linux issue, and their response was as follows:
—————————————–
I’ve talked to our engineering team and they have added it to
the bug list. However please not that on the Xai compatibility
specifications Linux is not listed however it’s not like it should
not work at all under it.
Please be a bit patient - I hope you don’t play all your games
on your linux rig :)
Best Regards,
JB
—————————————–
I believe their ticket system is capable of causing physical pain, as clunky as it is…
Anyway, I sent a reply with a link to this topic and to http://forum.novatech.co.uk/showpost.php?p=195944&postcount=68 where I believe there’s someone from SteelSeries saying the mouse will indeed support Linux.
Hopefully, they’ll work out the kinks, but I don’t really expect that to happen before the macro system is released. The first update after that had better be my Linux support though.
November 7th, 2009 06:17
Oh…
Sad to hear that
Good luck to us :)
November 7th, 2009 09:15
Honestly, who cares about Linux as an OS for Gaming-PC’s atm? Don’t get me wrong, I use debian by myself on different serversystems her. But atm I would never switch with my Gaming-PC, because of the lack of equipment and software compatibility in many cases.
November 7th, 2009 10:26
It’s not about gaming in Linux. I never do that, though I know more than a few people who do. It’s about having to switch mice to use another operating system on the same machine. It’s a mouse, for crying out loud. It should work! And if it followed the standard specs, it would.
November 7th, 2009 11:03
Personally I’m gamer as well. I play many games that will run on the OS of my choice, which happens to be Linux. Yes you can play many more games on Windows - that’s a simple fact. So when your top priority is to play all those games you would logically be using Windows for that job. My priority is different, still I play what is available to me.
Besides - who said the Xai is for Progamers only? Steelseries surely doesn’t on their product pages. With the hardware stored settings the Xai is a perfect match for any alternate OS - on paper.
Buying a product just to find out it won’t work is a frustrating experience. Still I’m hopeful it can be fixed via firmware upgrades in a timely manner. But the above reply of technical support indicates otherwise.
I just don’t think expecting this mouse to work on Linux (and maybe other OSes) in at least a basic manner is wrong in any way. Maybe Steelseries could put up some warnings about the fact that it does not, so people who can’t use it at all won’t buy it.
The frustration when trying out the Xai and the cost and trouble associated with returning it doesn’t make for a happy customer, so currently the fact it only works with Windows should be displayed on the product page or wherever - customers should just know beforehand.
November 7th, 2009 12:22
Hi
i have a problem with my xai.
Vista has a problem when installing the drivers.
I was able to stick and then falls is unknown.
anyone has ne idea?
November 9th, 2009 09:34
@ray: I’d suggest contacting SteelSeries support for that. Also, you might want to explain what you mean by being able to “stick” and those unknown falls.
November 9th, 2009 09:40
Happy update:
I just received an email from the UK sales manager stating he will contact the development team immediately and that he’s expecting them to be able to fix it quickly. Looking forward to an update. I’ll keep you people posted :D
November 9th, 2009 17:07
I have problem with Xai. I can’t bind “tilt left” and “tilt right” buttons in any game. It’s really annoying. Please fix.
November 9th, 2009 22:27
It’s great to hear that, bolt.
When I heard the initial problem I reconsidered my plans to buy a Xai as soon as I could, but now I will probably go through with it. :)
November 10th, 2009 19:11
Gief macros
November 12th, 2009 11:28
1.3.20 beta is out (with macros)
http://cdn.steelseries.com/mice/Steelseries_Xai_Laser_Mouse_v1.3.20_beta.exe
November 12th, 2009 19:25
Still no Linux support, though I hear they are working on it :D
November 12th, 2009 19:26
By the way, for those just following the above link, the beta drivers require you to uninstall the old drivers before installing the new ones. This is just because they are beta drivers. I got the above link from a friend yesterday and had to find out about the uninstallation myself.
November 13th, 2009 00:25
Just bought the xai and just using gentoo linux. It didn’t work. I’m kinda busy the next couple of days so I’ll get back to you on progress….
November 13th, 2009 00:51
Hello.
Just got this mouse couple of days ago and I just love the way it tracks.. when it tracks.
See, I get these weird tracking issues that appear to be totally random. Very similar to the tracking errors with first generation optical mice. Only these can happen anytime and dont require me moving the mouse fast.
Anyone else have this problem?
I’m using Steelseries Qck mousepad.
Xais firmware/drivers are the latest beta.
Maybe my mouse is just broken? :/
November 13th, 2009 12:00
I’ve never had any tracking issues with the mouse. It works perfectly… on Windows.
@Fr1993r: while you might be able to hack something together to get it to work, I’m sure they’ll fix the Linux support in a future update.
November 13th, 2009 12:52
2 dmt
i have exactly the same issue too :
November 13th, 2009 13:05
I tried the new macro functionality in the beta but can’t get it to work properly
What I want to do is extremely simple:
Hold down a side button, and it acts exactly as holding down a key on the keyboard.
ex:
button7 down = spacebar down
button7 up = spacebar up
In the beta I can only get it to behave like
button7 down = spacebar down, spacebar up.
I hope this is just a beta thing, or me doing something wrong when trying to use the sidebutton-up events.
November 13th, 2009 13:06
Would be nice if we could use custom logo/animation on the display instead of Steelseries animation.
Such kind of function would be great with later software version.
About the Mouse.
It’s a weapon! :D
Using 1.3.6 Drivers without any issues
November 13th, 2009 13:13
I am using the beta drivers with macros function as given above
It works properly and everything is fine
Someone else like me ?
Or you all encountered serious problems ?
:(
November 13th, 2009 13:30
LucentShade:
If you managed to get a macro where holding down a mouse button acted as holding down a keyboard button could you please share how to set it up :)?
November 13th, 2009 14:42
Obviously this tracking issues is getting _very_ annoying after some time.
Is there any way to downgrade the firmware on Xai? Might give it a go.
The tracking issue appears in windows enviroment as random mouse cursor warping.
November 13th, 2009 15:42
@JanS
keyboard emulation isn’t in the software yet but it will come, then it should work like you want it
November 13th, 2009 16:09
you got any instant messaging account ?
I think we maybe can chat by that
Will be easier
November 13th, 2009 16:32
Anyone knows where i can buy XAI in philippines??? or when it will be available in philippines,.. need reply ASAP
November 13th, 2009 23:06
I have the xai two days now and i’m very happy with it. But my profiles went back to default without me doing it ? And when changing profiles the CPI starts out very differently than intended, I have to press the CPI button to get my saved profile CPI. I also get a weird rattling noise from my middle mouse button when I scroll up :?
I use the latest 1.3.6. drivers. Is there a topic anywhere about profiles and settings? Because now I just follow the advice from the software program; 1600/1800 CPI 960 Herz and the rest is default.
November 14th, 2009 07:03
i just bought this yesterday. when i installed modern warfare 2, xai started to give serious problems. i have the QCK and SX. the cpi got crazy with the jittery problem over the Qck. very high lift off distance which is giving incredible pain to avoid mouse pointer movements.
i asked for in the support. now waiting for their reply. i love this mouse at the beginning but now this problem,, aah what can i say :(
November 14th, 2009 07:37
WTF with Steelseries not saying anything at all about the release date. It’s out in Europe since October 30th but we’re now on November 14th, half a f**** month later and still NO AVAILABILITY AT ALL in North America ffs!!!
November 14th, 2009 22:52
I have some real issue with my XAI laser mouse. Really don’t know how to describe it but it freezes, get locked up and lagg from time to time when im playing for ex CS 1.6. Really annoying anyone els with this problem?
I’m using win7 and im playing with a QCK Heavy mouse pad.
November 14th, 2009 23:56
I installed the beta version 1.3.20 for the XAI, and I have issues with the tracking.
I use a QcK heavy and randomly, the XAI completly skip the tracking movement.
Actually it’s worse than the previous version.
November 14th, 2009 23:59
Krilliz
I have this problem too, I’m using the latest firmware (1.4.2), tried on qck heavy and everglide titan =(
November 15th, 2009 03:47
Hmm can it have something to do with cloth surface? if so it’s really sad especially since im using a NEW product from the same company :////
November 15th, 2009 04:01
Hey guys
Steelseries released a new software driver
v1.4.2
Go to the download page to download it
It got the macros function
Yeah !!!
November 15th, 2009 05:02
Hmm wonder if this problem has something to do with the mousepad. I’m trying a steelseries s&s now (a plastic pad) and have been using it for 2hours without any problem. Can it be something to do with cloth surfaces?
fvs you said you both qck heavy and everglide titan and both are cloth pads.
If this is the case, will it be possible for steelseries to update a firmware to fix it? doesn’t feel like that :( and if not what will happen? I mean it suck to have a NEW QCK heavy that isn’t good for anything with the mouse from the same company…
November 15th, 2009 05:53
I am a ex-Razer user
My first gaming mouse is the Razer Lachesis
when I bought it
I went to buy a mousepad too
Then I go for Razer Goliathus
As it is the most budget mousepad I can get
But due to the Lachesis high dpi laser
The goliathus can’t fit with it perfectly
My mouse just keep floating and drifting and so on
Especially when I turn on my speakers
It moves with the bass ‘boom boom boom’
After I changed my mousepad to destructor
The problem solved
Then I realized something ‘maybe’
Maybe high dpi or cpi gaming mouse need to use hard pads to stable it
I wished that my comments are useful to someone :)
November 15th, 2009 06:29
Wierd if that’s the case (might be tho) but then steelseries should announce that.
But then again it’s really wierd beacuse im watching the WCG CS final atm and fnatic is using QCK pads it seems with XAI mouses how is that possible then? :/
November 15th, 2009 12:52
With the new Firmware 1.4.2 my mouse freeze for two times ingame now!
PS: At the end of the firmwareupdate it said, that the update failed. But after some seconds the mouse worked again and after a softwarerestart, the software said SW 1.4.2 and FW 1.4.2. Could this may be the reason for this issue?
November 15th, 2009 13:45
I’m using the razer goliathus, cloth pad, and it works fine with my xai (1600/1800 CPI, 960 herz, the rest default, 1.3.6.
I also tried my old Qck mini, no extensive testing though, and didn’t notice anything odd. But I wanna try a different pad if someone has a better experience with it.
November 15th, 2009 13:55
For me the 1.4.2 firmware seemed to fix the issue _almost_ completely. I still get really rare jitter..
This might be placebo, but it feels like some of the “lightness” or “effortless aiming” that i liked so much with this mouse in the beginning is gone now :/
My mousepad is still SS QcK
November 15th, 2009 14:17
@Kumeni
Please try to use the “Load Defaults” option from the on-mouse menu to wipe all your settings and apply them again through the software. Something might have been screwed a little during updating.
@dmt
There was no change from the tracking algorithm from 1.3.6 to 1.4.2 so it seems to be a placebo :) Also, if you feel something is wrong try to use the “Load Defaults” option once as even though it wipes your settings it makes sure everything is set correctly.
November 15th, 2009 15:27
For the ones who haven’t tried it yet: THE NEW 1.4.2 FIRMWARE FIXES THE LINUX SUPPORT! WOHOOO!
November 15th, 2009 19:53
What rly??
=> booting up Windows to flash :)
@ #51/LucentShade:
Glad that you aren’t one of those ignorants that buy a so-called gaming mouse at an premium price and then aren’t able of recognizing such essentially wrong behaviour.
Anyway what you are experiencing with your Lachesis is not because of high DPI/CPI in combination with a soft mousepad in general. Razer/Philips use a different technology of tracking, which enables it to track height-changes too. They use it for adjusting the lift-off distance (which does basically work really well and remains extremely low on any pad). But somehow the data gathered on this third axis is also processed as normal mouse movement, which is plain and simply wrong. Your screen with all its pixels is able to control only two axis, so it’s natural that it’s not able to handle a third one and it wouldn’t make sense anyway.
Razer though simply simulates the third axis as a function of the original x and y axis. For 1 count the Lachesis tracks on the third (z) axis it translates as a movement of 1 pixel movement on the x axis and another 1 on the y axis.
So if you raise the Lachesis very(!) slowly from the pad, the pointer will move diagonally down and to the right and in the opposite direction when you put it down slowly.
And that’s the source of all evil ^^. It makes the mouse drift around all by itself when you turn on your subwoofer because of the vibration and therefore induced tiny jumps of the mouse.
The pointer jumps for few pixels when you click the buttons because of the mouse slightly sinking into the pad.
The pointer moves simply by applying force on the back of the mouse and probably many more of these funny “features” every gaming mouse should “provide”.
The sad part is that this is now known for so long and Razer even released 2 new mice using the same sensor with the same bugs. They even told me that such a small percentage of users report or experience this, that it’s not really worth fixing it. Sorry but that’s a philosophy I don’t want to support anylonger.
Anyway somehow I start telling this over and over again… so back to the Xai, which is getting it’s latest update now :).
November 15th, 2009 20:02
Oh sweet… it’s truly working in Linux now. Thanks!
November 16th, 2009 00:58
Running latest 1.4.2.
IE Forward and Backward not working.
It works if i press left(4) and right(6) side buttons at the same time.
Also tried to load defaults.
Same problem on my other computer.
anyone?
November 16th, 2009 01:48
Strange. For me forward and backward is working both in IE and FF and in Vista64 and Linux.
November 16th, 2009 03:30
@Kris
please open a support ticket on the SteelSeries homepage
November 16th, 2009 11:03
@jb
Done :)
November 16th, 2009 20:40
Hey guys, any plan for a US release??!
November 16th, 2009 22:37
Yeah I’m also waiting for a Canada release date since over 16 days since it’s out in Europe. I just bought the 9HD pad at BestBuy even though it’s not the cheapest place since I know I can get full money back within 30 days so it’s a good way to test new product which you can’t find anywhere else. It feels really strange to be using a hard mat compare to the “Goliathus Speed” I had been using for years. There’s no way I’ll pay 50$ for the Megasoma so it will prolly be either the 9HD or the one I had before.
July 4th, 2010 17:20
Thanks for putting up this really helpful information; I happened to come to your web log just searching around the web. Please keep up the good work!
July 17th, 2010 23:00
I have ordered the Xai and I am confused. What should I do when I first connect it to my computer? Use the disc from the box or the download link you provided here? Or the download from SteelSeries website downlaods section?