Introduction:

Here is something I wasn’t expecting to show up on my steps. Razers latest gaming mouse, and it’s a *gasp* optical mouse! (well technically infrared) Weren’t we on to the latest and greatest new systems with laser goodness?

Well, I don’t care what anything uses, as long as it works. So I’ve spent my time testing out the DeathAdder against all the other mice I’ve got. I’ve made it no secret that the Razer Copperhead has been my favourite mouse ever since I reviewed it well over a year ago. On one hand you can say the DeathAdder has a lot to live up to, but it is also starting out from a good position.

Front

Back side

Side Panel

The retail box for the Adder is a compact box, just wide enough for the driver CD and manual, with enough flash to show off the mouse when you open the front cover.

Special sensor

The mouse

eek?

Inside there is a certificate of authenticity, manual with drivers CD inside and a quick start guide. The mouse looks sort of understated when it is powered off sitting in the case, without the glowing light you really have to look to see the Razer logo. There also was what looks like a bit of a 'kink' in the skin of the mouse right where the button bends. It hasn't gotten any worse with use, but you can see it with the naked eye.

Specs:

• 1800 dpi 3G Infrared Sensor

• 1000 Hz Ultrapolling™ / 1ms Response

• 5 Programmable, Ultra-large Non-slip Buttons with Hyperesponse™

• 16-bit Ultra-Wide Data Channel

• Zero-Acoustic Ultraslick™ Teflon Feet

• Always-On™ Instant Response

• Award-Winning On-The-Fly™ Sensitivity Drivers

• Right-Handed Form Factor

I like the Copperhead, the shape is a very nice fit for my hands, and great for extra control gamers need. Even still, it doesn’t hold a candle up to the DeathAdder. The shape is so relaxing everything just falls into place. The two buttons on the side are much larger than the Copperhead’s and in a far better location as well.

Quickstart

Large buttons

Great shape

Razer markets the DeathAdder for gamers who do a lot of large movements at low sensitivity. According to their whitepapers, an optical sensor is better suited to that type of gaming. Frankly I really don’t fall into the category of gamer that they are marketing the Adder to in the least. It’s rare if I ever have to move the mouse more than an inch or two for any reason, even in normal day to day surfing.

Front view

Sensor / Profile button

The Manual

This doesn’t stop me from really liking the Adder though, as it can still do high sensitivity gaming, though not on the same level as the Copperhead. Where I actually love the Adder, is with my laptop sitting in a nice cozy Lazy-boy doing some relaxed gaming and surfing. I don’t use a mouse pad, just the fabric armrests. The optical sensor is far smoother on fabric than a laser mouse, as the ridges in the fabric are picked up in all their unfortunate roughness with the extra precision.

Main driver screen

Button options

Scroll wheel options

Both the Copperhead and DeathAdder share quite a few features even if they use different sensors. Profiles using the onboard memory that also allow macro’s to be bound to any button. The problem I find is that even though the Copperhead’s right side buttons were hard to use, they were good to use for the extra macros or functions, as they aren’t normally bound to anything else. If you want to use features like the Onboard sensitivity, then you have to give up a button used for something else.

Driver CD

All lights on

Scroll light only

Scroll wheel

Just logo light

Copperhead/DeathAdder

Want to know why I really like Razer? They have a great history of listening to customers and really working to improve everything they make. I can think of no better example of this, than this one little feature in the DeathAdder’s drivers. A year ago when I was talking with the Owner of Razer, (Robert Krakoff) I discussed how I would love the ability to turn off the lighting on the Copperhead while the mouse was still active. While they weren’t able to add that feature to the Copperhead, they have given the DeathAdder that glorious ability (I HATE blue LED’s when I’m trying to sleep, and it’s nice to turn off when watching a movie). You can also switch off the light in the scroll wheel and Razer Logo independently.

OMG LOOK!!

Axis controls

On the fly

So what more is there to say? I chock this up as another excellent product, in an ever growing line of them. The DeathAdder is in a good price range for the average gamer, with good drivers, excellent build quality and enough features to please almost anyone. The one downside of not having an extra button that you can use for Macro’s and ‘On the Fly’ sensitivity is disappointing and does keep it from reaching its true potential. For use with my laptop, surfing, writing up reviews and keeping my Eve-online addiction going, I don’t even need to install the drivers, and the default profile fits in right where I need it.

Quick shooting

Relaxing asteroid blasting

As a last word, I once again have to say “Thanks!” to Razer for helping me in my fight against Blue LED light pollution!