Performance

Mionix's first go at an ambidextrous mouse is incredibly comfortable to use; it is definitely on par with the NAOS, yet the way in which you grip the AVIOR is different to that of the NAOS. The AVIOR can be held in a slightly more secure fashion for fast lift off during gaming because it doesn't support your pinky finger. Its grip is quite similar to that of the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 1.1 and the SteelSeries Sensei. The top shell is a little less bulbous than the Sensei's, but it still offers good support, which allows you to use both a palm- or finger-tip grip without it feeling awkward. Button placement on the Sensei and AVIOR is more similar than different. However, the AVIOR does have the upper hand in terms of numbers and feel since button mechanisms on the AVIOR aren't as loose as on the Sensei.


Gaming with the AVIOR is a pleasure: It is insanely comfortable and the sensor tracks very well. There is still the small positive acceleration issue due to the ADNS-9000 series sensor, but tracking is close to perfect at high DPI. Going below 4000 DPI definitely makes the mouse perform worse than the CM Storm Recon or Ozone Xenon featuring the ADNS-3090 sensor. The AVIOR is, on the other hand, great for high DPI gaming, and the design of its shell allows you to grip the mouse in many different ways, which makes getting used to and finding your grip a breeze. You will definitely notice the change in ergonomics between the Sensei RAW and AVIOR but will, other than that, be hard pressed to find any benefit in going from 5600 DPI to 8200 DPI, even on a display with an incredibly high resolution.

Ergonomics and grip play a huge part in how well a mouse performs, and if you like the grip of the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 1.1 but would like something a little bigger, the AVIOR is a definite option. It is a bit longer and flatter as well, which works really well, and comfort is on par with the Sensei and NAOS. If you want a mouse you can envelope with your entire hand, the NAOS is still at the pinnacle of comfort, but the AVIOR and Sensei are good options for left-handed people. Deciding between the latter two really boils down to how the mice feel since their sensory performance is close to equal. The AVIOR's surface coating gives it a big advantage over the Sensei there—the soft-touch finish is simply better than the Sensei's smooth surface at controlling perspiration.

Like its laser-powered Mionix predecessors, this mouse works on pretty much all surfaces you can find. We tested it on our three reference mats—the Func 1030XL, CM Storm RX-SPEED, and SteelSeries 9HD. It worked perfectly on all of them.