Razer's DeathAdder gaming mouse

While we're slightly uncomfortable with the idea of wrapping our hands around something called a "death adder" on a day-to-day basis, peripheral-maker Razer seems to think there's enough gamers in touch with their dark sides to make its latest corded mouse a hit. Helping the DeathAdder earn its sinister moniker is the so-called 3G infrared sensor at the heart of the mouse, boasting an impressive 1800 dpi resolution, as well as Razer's trademark 1000 Hz "Ultrapolling" technology and a barely there 1ms response time. To keep all that precision under control, Razer's outfitted the mouse with rubber-coated buttons up top and some smooth-sliding Teflon feet on the underside -- lefties, however, are out of luck, as this one's tailor made for right-handed use. Look for the DeathAdder to hit just in time for the holidays at a not-unreasonable price of $59.99.

[Via Randomly Accessed, thanks, Steve]

[disciple83 @ Dec 1st 2006 2:53PM]

I'm a Southpaw gamer, but I, like most everyone else, grew up running a mouse with a right hand, it isn't a big deal. My question is exactly how much more accurate is this IR sensor than say, the Intellimouse laser or MX1000? Can it track on anything like a laser mouse, or will it hop, skip and jump around based on surface pattern? What about productivity? Can I use it to track individual pixel differences in Photoshop?

So it was more than one question, but seriously, to be touting new tech, why would I switch from either my corded Intellimouse 6000 or MX1000?

[2Lame2Aim @ Oct 4th 2007 7:36PM]

Everything depends on ur sensitivity and the mouse DPI combination. The infrared sensor is just as good as the laser one despite what the marketing folks tell you. If you move the mouse (1600dpi) 1 inch it will move 1600 pixels if ur mouse sensitivity in windows is in the middle. So if you're working at 1024x768 it will cover the entire screen in under an inch. If u lower the sensitivity then it will alter the "distance" the mouse must move before a change in the mouse pointer on screen takes place.

On average, nobody needs more than about 800 dpi, despite what people say, its complete bullshit. They only feel the mouse is good because it "feels" good, thats it. People tend to like the shape of mice that they have already used before. There is nothing technically better. Even if you have a 3000 dpi mouse you would need to put the sensitivity to 1 to make it even workable ( which will reduce the dpi through the mouse driver software interpolation to somewhere around 800-1000ish anyway).

The only reason someone would need more than 800 dpi if you have a really large screen resolution. E.g. 1900x1200 or a dual monitor setup and need excellent tracking at high sensitivity for whatever application you want.

Another important thing which only applies to gamers is the maximum speed which the mouse can sustain and still not lose tracking. I believe the laser mice are terrible at this(They are only good if u have high sensitivity). But discussing that would lead to another 10 pages of this comment so I'll stop here :)

Cheers,
-K

[dieqast @ Dec 1st 2006 2:57PM]

Its 3G-sensor looks interesting, though it sounds to me as not very essential for gamers. It looks awesome IMO & probably this will create a new sector of gamingmices in the future. I would say it has its own space next to the Copperhead. Logitech will probably soon to follow.

[Patrick @ Dec 1st 2006 3:07PM]

I'm okay with my Logitch G5 on 800dpi, 1800dpi is a little over kill in my book. I will feel sorry for all those 1337 12-year-old's that won't get this due to the violent title.

It does win in the beauty department though....

[Jake @ Dec 1st 2006 3:07PM]

Razer mice are way overrated. They are nicely made, but they have serious driver issues. Last Razer mouse (I think it was the Copperhead or something) that I got, the drivers in the box and the ones on the web didnt' even work in WinXP. I got online to check it out and come to find like everyone was having the same problems. Logitech G7 all the way for me.

[caleb @ Dec 1st 2006 3:15PM]

I think I've heard you can't even tell the difference after 1400 dpi...or was it 1600? Either way it's like canon selling cameras with 42 megapixels... like we need it.

[Gil @ Dec 1st 2006 3:28PM]

Why does it have the triskelion on it?

[Pedro @ Dec 1st 2006 4:43PM]

Razer's logo.

[Matt B @ Dec 1st 2006 3:32PM]

We had a couple of Razer mice in a LAN center I worked at. The kids hated them cause they were hard to control. I liked the feel but had to turn the acceleration way down have any control.

[Starfyre @ Dec 1st 2006 4:11PM]

@Jake I am running a Razer Copperhead mouse with Windows XP and have had NO problems with it. I think they may be a little overrated, but they definitely look cool and work well.

[nick @ Dec 1st 2006 4:17PM]

I asked a friend of mine about this just a few minutes ago.. she's a gamer, and she says that she hasn't tried it out either... there are still a lot of gamers that have already grown accustomed their style mouse.

I would've given this a try, except..... I'm LEFT-HANDED!!! yet another example of lefty-discrimination

(nicholas)
http://www.tingog.com

[Dustin Backlund @ Dec 1st 2006 4:21PM]

nice Golden Axe reference thar...

[Dave Pevsner @ Dec 1st 2006 4:23PM]

even lefties grew up with right handed mice. i know i did, and i'm a lefty, and i love the way my MX600 fits the shape of my right hand.

but what i don't love is the customizable buttons don't work for crap in linux, and the wireless function is a waste. and the death adder's blue lights match my case fan, thus the death adder looks perfect for me. as long as it does sidescrolling and lets you choose what the extra buttons do (i use them for maximize and minimize.)

[drakonen @ Dec 1st 2006 4:23PM]

wasn't this suppose to be microsoft's habu gaming mouse?

[James @ Dec 1st 2006 7:35PM]

I really hope not.

[Will @ Dec 1st 2006 8:10PM]

the solution is pretty simple... turn down the mouse acceleration in windows.

[MosquitoControl @ Dec 1st 2006 8:44PM]

People install mouse drivers?


All the macros mean nothing to me. I have a Copperhead, love the sensitivity for FPS games, but go back to the MX1000 for everything else. Once tried to sleep with the Copperhead plugged in - impossible. It has enough LEDs to turn a dark room into Times Square.

[pyro @ Dec 1st 2006 11:39PM]

This is just a copperhead with a crappier sensor and for more money, no thanks.

[CJ @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:40AM]

How about making the mouse NOT MAKE THE CLICKING NOISE!!! when pressing its buttons... its not necessary and I find it very much annoying.

[TehVince @ Dec 3rd 2006 12:03AM]

I think one thing many people forget, is that a lot of "hardcore" gamers will go through a mouse in under a year. I know many people in the RL that this applies to, including myself. I've already thrashed two MX518's, one G5, and two Diamondbacks in the last year and a half, but to be fair, The G5's pads just went to hell and I didn't really like the mouse in the first place, and I'm currently using one of the Diamondbacks, but my point still stands. Every time a mouse is put to rest, you have to shop for another. And if there's something new out there, chances are you're willing to give it a shot. I'm glad to see that Razer is on a quest to perfect their mice to make everyone happy. I feel that the Copperhead was a step in the wrong direction with it's almost useless buttons, and the Diamondbacks buttons are a real pain to use, and that looks to be one thing that they've fixed. I also feel that an ergonomic grip is a plus. I've already developed Carpal Tunnel in my left wrist, and I'm starting to get pains in my right. This mouse appears to be a great addition to the family, and they're even keeping the price point low. Good for Razer.

[xeRezanO @ Dec 3rd 2006 11:13PM]

I have to agree with TehVince. A gamer will cycle through a mouse annually, some more than others due to abuse from anger, thankfully I suffer no side effect of banging my mouse. However, the price set for this mouse is very honest and reasonable. The mouse I've used this past year, MX518, has performed superb, but it's time to move on to another mouse. Though I'm a loyal fan on Logitech, I've heard many good things from Razer - apart from the cons which are repeated, such as the sensitivity of the buttons. Furthermore, I'm willing to give this mouse a shot because it integrates those to side buttons which I have found to be very useful with online shooters that provide VoIP - I use one for "in-game" and the other for Ventrilo. Moreover, when I was at the verge of purchasing the G5, I had a buddy that purchased it and found it to be very sensitive, due to its laser technology, even when the DPI was turned to it's lowest setting along with sensitivity. This then concerned me since I was already debating whether it was worth purchasing a mouse with only ONE side button - the G5 that is. So, I put off until now to purchase a mouse, since one that accommodated my needs did not come along, and purchasing the same product twice does not serve the same self satisfaction - it's like getting the same damn woven holiday sweater for Christmas every year, at least in my gamer point of view.

"This is just a copperhead with a crappier sensor and for more money, no thanks." - pyro

Sorry to break the news to you, but this is not true. The Deathadder is $20 cheaper retail price. As for the technology of each, many people complain about the sensitivity of the laser, so having a new mouse with greater DPI and keeping the infrared, is a great plus for gamers that enjoy low sensitivity in games such as CS and CS:S.

[Gerald Tan @ Dec 3rd 2006 11:35PM]

Hi guys,

The razer copperhead like that a fellow poster mentioned, is more expensive than the death adder.
I have been using my copperhead (first edition) for nearly 2 years already and it is still working fine, but I have replaced the glowpipes as they have turned yellowy.

Mice IMO wouldnt wear out that fast unless you get pissed often and slam it against the table.
I NEVER do this on my razer but on much cheaper creative and logitech ones, I love to slam it against... haha.


"MosquitoControl @ Dec 1st 2006 6:08PM
People install mouse drivers?


All the macros mean nothing to me. I have a Copperhead, love the sensitivity for FPS games, but go back to the MX1000 for everything else. Once tried to sleep with the Copperhead plugged in - impossible. It has enough LEDs to turn a dark room into Times Square."

That Is rather impossible unless you sleep with your eyes open OR if your room is really small and you sleep very very close next to the computer table.
The mightly (no fanboyish here) copperhead hardly illuminates my room but I like the led with the razer logo on it...


All in all, I would only be getting the death adder as an addition to my small collection of razer mice and not as a mouse for daily usage unless it proves to be really good.


Gerald

[jason @ Jan 22nd 2007 4:43PM]

I've been wanting to get a new mouse for a while and prefer a corded mouse. I'm STILL pretty happy with my original Razer Boomslang 2000. The buttons aren't as 'clicky' as they once were, but still work ok. I'd thought about the last released Razer (copperhead?) but never got around to buying one. I'll read up a bit more on this one and maybe give it a try.

[SCmSTR @ Feb 18th 2007 5:35PM]

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!
I'm tring to buy a deathadder, this is not quite working... :/ "out of stock" everywhere. LOL!

hyped? yes of course. Deserving? maybe. but one thing I know, is that ever since I bought a diamondback, and went from a 8ms cordless mouse, it was like being part of the game, rather than just trying to move the game. The mouse is ATTATCHED to your screen, rather than just pushing it around on ice with a big stick.

then, it died, because the gay litte bags that you get with the mice are too small, and crimped somthing inside and fucked it up. I tried splicing and everything, no-go. Trust me, I'm in highschool, and don't work, I WAS REALLY SAD.

And because I like keyboards that actually go *click* (yes keyboards), rather than *squish*, This is the mouse for me.

Some of you may be confused by that. You shouldn't be. It's all about clutch shots in css and cs, and with mouse acceleration and delay's that aren't in your own mind, you aren't playing the game, the game plays you.

HA! and as for drivers: If you want to use a gaming mouse and have a macro IN CSS for "navigate back" I just sit here and laugh, because I'm PRETTY sure that without mouse drivers the deathadder still runs at full. I WILL look into it though in the future.

Anybody that slams their mouse down after getting shot, needs to take riddlin(sp?) or somthing, because thats really stupid. No, not stupid; delisional. Well, ok, stupid. (get a softer mousepad and a stressball)

[SCmSTR @ Feb 18th 2007 5:38PM]

oh ya, corded>cordless in gaming PEROID

[tau zero @ Mar 14th 2007 9:36AM]

@CJ

Get a Apple Mightly mouse then =D