Razer offers up Mamba wireless gaming mouse, Carcharias headset

It's been a few months now since we've heard anything from Razer, but the outfit's hitting us up with two new pieces here at CES that are definitely worth a look. Starting things off is yet another gaming mouse, this one coined the Mamba. It features 2.4GHz "gaming grade" wireless technology, an optional, detachable cord, first-in-class polling rates of 1-millisecond, a "world's fastest" 5,600DPI Precision 3.5G Laser sensor and a battery life / DPI stage indicator. Moving on, we've got the Carcharias circumaural audio headset, which rocks a fully adjustable headband, inline remote and a 3-meter braided cable. The devices are set to start shipping in February and January, respectively, at $129.99 / $79.99. The release is hosted up in full after the break.

Gallery: Razer offers up Mamba wireless gaming mouse, Carcharias headset

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RAZER™ UNVEILS NEW PRODUCT SUITE FOR GAMERS

New products reveal renewed focus on product design and proprietary technologies


Las Vegas, NV – January 8, 2009 – Today, at the Consumer Electronics Show, Razer™

unveiled a cutting edge of gaming peripherals including the Razer Mamba™, a high precision

wireless laser gaming mouse, and the Razer Carcharias™, a circumaural audio headset. Product

demonstrations will be held at the South Hall, meeting room 35166.



This new suite of Razer products will give gamers the competitive edge and allow for enhanced

game play for longer periods of time. With an emphasis on product design and a focus on

proprietary Razer technologies, these latest products will help gamers amplify performance levels

with faster response times, increased precision and offer unique design features.



"The best entertainment experiences happen when you are fully immersed in your game, and

hardware shouldn't get in the way of that," said Razer president Robert "Razerguy" Krakoff.

"We've put every bit of advantage available in the hands of our gamers with the new Razer

Mamba, and the Razer Carcharias. These products are for gamers who understand how minimal

wireless lag time, high quality audio communications and increased precision can mean the

difference between winning and losing."



PRODUCT OVERVIEW:



The Razer Mamba™

Razer has unleashed the full potential of gaming mice by designing an ergonomic, lag free

gaming mouse with 2.4GHz gaming grade wireless technology, making it the fastest mouse both

on and off the cord. With dual mode wired/wireless functionality, the Razer Mamba lets users

immediately and seamlessly switch from wired to wireless play. With first in class polling rates at

1ms as compared to traditional wireless mice that poll at 8ms, players will have virtually lag free

game play.



The Razer Mamba also includes a host of features like Razer Synapse™ on-board memory that

lets gamers store and bring their mouse settings wherever they go. And the world's fastest

5600DPI Razer Precision™ 3.5G Laser sensor, the Razer Mamba wireless gaming mouse lets

gamers move with lightning speed and precision to easily escape from becoming prey.



Cost: US- $129.99; Europe- €129.99

Available: Razerzone.com Feb, 2009, Worldwide Q1 2009

Features:

• Detachable seven-foot, lightweight, braided cord

• Battery life & DPI stage indicator

• Ultra-large non-slip Hyperesponse™ buttons

• Ergonomic design

• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick™ Teflon feet

Specifications:

• Gaming Grade Wireless Technology

• Dual Mode Wired/Wireless Functionality

• Razer Synapse™ On-board Memory

• 5600DPI Razer Precision™ 3.5G Laser sensor

• 1000Hz Ultrapolling™ / 1ms response rate

• Up to 200 inches per second*/ 50g acceleration

• Approximate size: 128mm x 70mm x 42.5mm

• Battery Life: 14hrs (continuous gaming); 72hrs (normal gaming usage)

*Depends on surface used


The Razer Carcharias™

The Razer Carcharias is the essence of uncompromised comfort and audio clarity. The Razer

Carcharias contain certain key features focused on comfort, like a circumaural shape to allow full

over-ear coverage, interchangeable ear pads for a custom fit and a fully adjustable headband.

The Razer Carcharias headset boasts superior audio clarity, deep, thumping bass and a noise

filtering microphone. An inline remote lets users quickly and easily adjust volume and mute the

microphone.


Cost: US- $79.99; Europe- €79.99

Available: Razerzone.com Jan, 2009, Worldwide Q1 2009

Headphone:

• Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz

• Impedance: 32 _ at 1kHz

• Sensitivity (@1kHz, 1V/Pa): 102 ± 4dB at 1 kHzMax.

• Input Power: 200 mW

• Drivers: 40 mm, with neodymium Magnets

Microphone:

• Frequency Response: 50 – 16,000 Hz

• Sensitivity( @1kHz, 1V/Pa): -37 ± 4dB

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 50 dB

• Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional

• Cable: 3 meters, Braided Fiber Sheath

• Connector: 3.5 mm jack (headphone and mic)

[Shinigami @ Jan 8th 2009 11:03AM]

Isn't it first razer wireless mouse? Sounds interesting.
$130? Just lost any interest.

[Buis @ Jan 8th 2009 12:52PM]

only $130? forget that, we're supposed to be stupid enough to pay €130, which is $178 today...

[OneLove @ Jan 8th 2009 1:14PM]

$130 to get owned by wired gamers. lol.

[Samboini @ Jan 8th 2009 1:55PM]

But you can tell girls you have a black mamba.

[STINK @ Jan 8th 2009 11:06AM]

To me, Cyberpighoof!

[Kalen @ Jan 8th 2009 11:09AM]

Although I really want that mouse, it will be hard to give up my MX Revolution for its free-spin wheel.

[Angus Hedger @ Jan 8th 2009 11:14AM]

I had the MX, and loved the wheel, but i found it had horrid interference, and random pointer jumping =[

I had two that did the same, so got myself a G9 and never looked back! Love it!

The on board memory rocks, I don't need to bother with useless mouse driver bloat ware, and having to worry about losing my settings!

Wires>wireless, once you get the cord in the right place ;]

Maybe a G10 with the MX's wheel, and maybe more buttons, and the G9's laser, ect!

[Lee_Nover @ Jan 8th 2009 11:49AM]

Angus: exactly the same experience :)

[decapitor @ Jan 8th 2009 11:34AM]

@Angus,
Just to be sure, you know that when you flip the G9 over you can click a button to make the scroll wheel smooth right? I'm not saying you don't know that but if that's the feature that you are talking about from the MX then maybe I just made your day?

[paul34 @ Jan 8th 2009 12:20PM]

I love Logitech peripherals as well (I still use my MX 510 - hey, it was awesome back in the day! Still is awesome though), but Logitech doesn't feel its necessary to update drivers - ever. Of course, its just to force you to buy a newer mouse or keyboard that does the same thing, just to get updated drivers that give full functionality (with the extra buttons and adjustable mouse settings) with things newer than XP.

I'm sure that when the Vista successor comes out, you'll never have an update for your peripherals. That's my big beef with Logitech. Not sure how much better Razer is, but I'm guessing they might be a bit better.

Creative is also just as douchey as Logitech. And yet, I have an X-Fi sound card now. Difference is, I went with a third party, a company called Auzentech who actually updates and supports their product and creates one hell of a sound card.

[Eh @ Jan 8th 2009 12:43PM]

If you are getting interference with an RF mouse then you probably have the receiver plugged into the back of the computer. Thats bad. Plug it into the monitor or keyboard or something that isnt a huge block of metal and wires.

[xValentine @ Jan 8th 2009 1:23PM]

@Eh
Precisely.

At first I've been using my MX Revolution plugged on my laptop, got no problems with it. And then I switched to a desktop pc and plugged it in on the back. And guess what, the cursor movement is not smooth, cursor jumping, etc.. At first I thought it was a software bug, but it isn't, then I plugged it in on a USB Hub, then it works perfectly now.

MX Revolution is the best mouse that I have used, I have bought a SteelSeries Ikari Laser (Which is like the best corded gaming mouse that I have used), but I still long for my old MX Revolution because of it's functionalities(Wireless, Volume Controle(Thumb 2-way scroll), and some setpoint custom actions).

Oh well, I hope Logitech will introduce a new MX. :D

[mb @ Jan 8th 2009 11:18AM]

Glanced at it and thought about how sceptical FPS gamers are about new wireless mice, and asked myself "why don't they make one with a detachable cord," as I grew excited about how much money I was about to make on this glorious idea, I read the rest of the article and sadfaced.

[Verythrax @ Jan 8th 2009 11:30AM]

Don't mention i!

Just YESTERDAY I was wondering about if Razer wnet up with a wireless gaming mouse to face Logitech - and just wondered in something around the BT-510 Bluetake mouse :(

http://the-gadgeteer.com//asset_cache/b/bl/bluetake-bt510-5.jpg

[Verythrax @ Jan 8th 2009 11:24AM]

Just about time! I was almost making my mind about getting a wireless Logitech G7!

[Kamokazi @ Jan 8th 2009 12:14PM]

I have the G7 and absolutely love it, but it's over 3 years old now, and getting a little worn. I'll probably try this thing out....I've never had a Razer mouse but they have a good reputation, and Logitech's relucance to release another wireless gaming mouse has left me with limited options (all other wireless mice seem to have power-saving or other nuisances that make them less than ideal for gaming.)

[Clyzm @ Mar 20th 2009 4:12PM]

Same here, I'm on the G7 and I love it. Although my middle click is broken (not the scroll, only the actual button), but that was my fault.

Been looking around for a replacement, but $129 is just too much...

[Greyone @ Jan 8th 2009 11:29AM]

Is it just me? Or does that batter life suck.

[matt @ Jan 8th 2009 11:31AM]

WTF $129 = 129EURO = £129.

what school of economics did these dickheads go to. since u now get $1.5 to the £

Welldone = Fail.

dont bother importing any,

thank you.

we love logitech here.

[matt @ Jan 8th 2009 11:34AM]

P.S YOU RAZOR KEYBOARD SUCKS!

MIRROR KEYS FOR MAJOR REFLECTION OF SCREEN LIGHT MINUS PATHETIC BLUE LED LIGHT = FAIL

GLAD I CAN TOUCH TYPE!

[Mike @ Jan 8th 2009 11:49AM]

You obviously still don't know where the caps lock key is otherwise you'd have turned it off.

[Kamokazi @ Jan 8th 2009 12:18PM]

Actually it's $1.36 at the moment. Still an ugly price hike but I see it all the time, and they even do it with GBP, which is even uglier.

Proabably mostly to make more money, but distribution channels in Europe probably are a bit more complicated and may raise the cost some. Maybe it includes VAT?

[Mike @ Jan 8th 2009 12:38PM]

@Kamokazi

Those prices mostly include import fees, duties, and taxes. They aren't cheap!

[SP420 @ Jan 8th 2009 7:12PM]

It's about time they go wireless. I too was intrigued until I saw the price. I don't really see how they can compete with just that model. Hopefully there's more to come.

[rock99rock @ Jan 8th 2009 11:33AM]

I kept trying to make it say Coocoo Racha instead of Carcharias. I like Coocoo Racha better.

[g3n3tix @ Jan 8th 2009 11:35AM]

I wonder what they'll do when they run out of snake names...

[Rocky @ Jan 8th 2009 12:01PM]

I'd say they have a ways to go... and only the mice use Snake names. The headsets are sharks and the keyboards are spiders IIRC.

[Everblack @ Jan 8th 2009 12:01PM]

I wonder how this Samba will handle my sofa surface with its 3.5 G laser sensor. I tried my Lachesis, that dominates on Steelseries SX, and it sucked on that ... complicated surface. Even MX Revolution makes it better. However old optical MX500 makes it much better than both laser mice. Haven`t touched blue track yet.

Figuratively speaking its better to have offroad 4x4 jeep than supercar in some cases. So i hope that Samba won`t skid much outside mouse pads.

[Patriks7 @ Jan 8th 2009 12:05PM]

"Cost: US- $129.99; Europe- €129.99"
Fuck me sideways. Why do we always get ripped off on electronics? :|

[mb @ Jan 8th 2009 12:23PM]

because america, fuck yeah?

[Richard @ Jan 8th 2009 12:48PM]

We pay our dues as well in the U.S. Afterall, freedom costs a buck o' five.

[Mobius_1 @ Jan 8th 2009 1:36PM]

They read "america, f*** yeah" backwards in Europe.

[Patriks7 @ Jan 8th 2009 3:24PM]

"They read "america, f*** yeah" backwards in Europe."

Haha! Nice one! I really LOLed :P

[Dave Chappelle @ Jan 8th 2009 8:13PM]

@Richard

What freedom? gosh i hate American patriotism its bullshit.

[Richard @ Jan 8th 2009 12:08PM]

I love Razer but come on... last time I checked they still hadn't released the LAST headset they announced. WTF. I want my 7.1 surround sound. My Barracuda's are too awkward to use with my laptop.

[jay.viz @ Jan 8th 2009 12:26PM]

Right-handed? Et tu Razer?

[Nihil @ Jan 8th 2009 1:46PM]

It's only the buttons; the body shape is symmetrical, which is more that can be said for almost every other serious mouse out there.

Personally, though, I'm right-handed and I absolutely loathe symmetrical mice - I want a proper rest for my ring and pinky finger! The approach I prefer is Logitech's: asymmetrical mice, but make the odd model for left-handed people (M6xx, IIRC). Of course, this screws those few thousands of left-handed hardcore FPS gamers in the world.

[Rocky @ Jan 8th 2009 1:55PM]

If it really is the same body as the Death Adder it's made for right handed people. The Death Adder is certainly NOT symmetrical (I'm using one right now).

[superhobo @ Jan 8th 2009 1:05PM]

A wireless version of my Death Adder...DO WANT!

[superhobo @ Jan 8th 2009 1:07PM]

More than just wireless, this has all the dpi buttons and indicators without looking like a led cluster!

[xValentine @ Jan 8th 2009 1:25PM]

Razer should have created a new design instead of copying the chasis of the Death Adder.

That's the 2nd big let down of this mouse.

[Nihil @ Jan 8th 2009 1:48PM]

Uhm, human hands still have the same shape as last year. Changing aesthetics (colours, wheel, etc.) is one thing, but you don't change a mouse's shape unless you have found an improvement.

[FILA @ Jan 8th 2009 2:43PM]

Camel Toe

[Rafter @ Jan 8th 2009 8:42PM]

Rather buy this headset then the upcoming Megalodon. 7.1 surround sound , sure there are enough speakers in the headphones for that but the quality and the precision will be much more harder then the circaumural. Plus the price breaks the bank too.

[Covarr @ Jan 8th 2009 4:53PM]

I call BS on their claim of no lag. It just can't be done on a wireless mouse.

[Jammrock @ Jan 8th 2009 8:51PM]

The big question in my mind though...where is the Megalodon? That's the Razer headset I want hear about!

[magneticman @ Jan 11th 2009 3:26PM]

Absolutely ridiculous price.