Razer DeathAdder

Written by Sean Cahill on 5/21/2013 for PC  

Razer asks the question on their own website:  How do you improve on perfection?  While using the word "perfection" is an adjective I rarely, if ever, use to describe anything in the gaming industry, I will say that the Razer Deathadder is a sleek and sexy choice for any gamer who is looking for response, performance, and reliability out of a PC gaming mouse.

Specifications

As is custom with accessory reviews, we will start out with the official specifications of the Deathadder.

• 6400dpi 4G Optical Sensor
• Ergonomic right-handed design with textured rubber side grips
• Five independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons
• Razer Synapse 2.0 enabled
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling/1ms response
• On-The-Fly Sensitivity adjustment
• Always-On mode
• 200 inches per second and 50g of acceleration
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick mouse feet
• Gold-plated USB connector
• Seven-foot, lightweight, braided fiber cable
• Approximate size: 5.00”/127mm (Length) x 2.76” / 70mm (Width) x 1.73” / 44mm (Height)
• Approximate weight : 0.23lbs / 105g

Overview
The first thing that jumps out is the outstanding control that the Deathadder gives a gamer.  The mouse just feels comfortable and responsive right away.  The mouse itself main feel a little grainy to the touch from the design, but that passes quickly once usage begins.  The 6400dpi 4G Optical Sensor is fully customizable, so gamers can pick and choose the response that they need, based on their setup.  I run a dual monitor setup myself, so having a higher DPI setting is something I'm used to just to be able to jump from one monitor to the next quickly with little movement.  With Synapse 2.0, a Razer proprietary software, customizing the mouse has never been easier and saving your profile is as simple as it gets.

The mouse is plug and play, though it's an absolute must to get the aforementioned Synapse 2.0 to truly have full control over what the mouse has to offer.  What's nice, though, is that even with Synapse 2.0 downloaded, gamers can control the DPI setting on the fly with the quick access buttons to jump between settings.
The sensitivity and durability of the primary buttons on the Deathadder is impressive as well.  Responsiveness has little to no issue with double-clicking, whether you're in game or just doing regular web browsing.  The sensitivity and quickness of the buttons can be changed with Synapse 2.0 of course, but even the default setting is perfectly reasonable for a plug and play device.

If I had just one complaint about the mouse, it would be the location of the side buttons.  I'm used to having gaming mice that have the buttons a little higher and I found myself accidentally clicking these buttons just out of reflex from feeling them on my thumb.  The buttons, of course, are there for a gamer to customize at his leisure, but the default on the buttons will cause browsers to advance and return, leading to some minor headaches when just reading through a forum or article.  This is a minor annoyance, and I'll freely admit that it's knit-picking.

Final Thoughts
Razer's attention to detail is well known throughout the world of PC gaming, and the Deathadder is a testament to that reputation.  While every gamer has their own limit on price point, the Deathadder has a very reasonable MSRP of $69.99 and can be found directly on the official website (www.razerzone.com) or can be found at major retailers such as Best Buy and Fry's Electronics.  If you're in need of a new gaming mouse for upcoming PC titles, this is a solid choice.