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| Razer DeathAdder IR Gaming Mouse Review |
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The DeathAdder doesn’t use a Laser or normal optical sensor, instead it uses an Infra-Red sensor, so there is no light shining underneath, and no you can’t use it like a torch in your dark room like a normal optical mouse. The IR engine however is very close to a normal optical mouse in terms of the technology itself, and its limitations. Just like a normal optical, and unlike a Laser mouse, this one still can’t be used on shiny or reflective surfaces. The scanning rate is easily fast enough to cope with any fast movement, so that will never be a problem for the DeathAdder with its 1800dpi sensor engine. A normal optical is around 400-800dpi, and some high-end optical mice, like the old Logitech MX-518 used a 1600dpi sensor, but the DeathAdder is still behind decent Laser mice like the Logitech G5, which scan at 2000dpi.
The software included with the DeathAdder is very feature packed, enabling you to do everything from turn the lights off, to managing the 5 presets that are controlled by a button on the base of the mouse (the base? What were they thinking with that one?). The five presets can be used to quickly change between different polling rates, scanning dpi, and button configurations. All five of the buttons can be configured to do anything from a normal click, or being able to change the scanning resolution on the fly, or bind the buttons to a macro, there’s really no limit to what they can be used for.
When using the mouse in games, it feels good in the hand and responds extremely well to even the slightest movement. Once some tweaking and configuring is done with the included software, the mouse becomes very powerful, especially with the ability to switch between preset configurations for different games and game roles (i.e. going from running around to sniping). The scroll wheel has only a slightly notchy feel to it, but even to know when you’ve moved it one “click” up or down, great for changing weapons or scrolling through build menus etc.
There aren’t many flaws that can be found when using the DeathAdder within a game, the only gripe I have is that the shiny black sides of the mouse are so slick they can get a bit sweaty and uncomfortable after prolonged use. The same rubber feel as the top of the mouse would have been nice on the sides.
Conclusion:
Selling online for around AU$85, it’s line-ball with its main competitor, the Logitech G5, and while in my opinion the DeathAdder looks better than the G5, looks alone won’t make it a winner in the marketplace or on gamers desktops. The lack of a laser scanning engine could really hurt the DeathAdder in the market, but it really shouldn’t, as the DeathAdder performs extremely well, is very comfortable and has more features in the software than you can poke a stick at. You should definitely consider the DeathAdder as your next gaming mouse.
OzHardware Rating – 9/10
This product can be purchased online at www.techbuy.com.au (Direct Link)
