This is my third review of a Razer product, but the first time I get to review what Razer does best ...gaming mice. The DeathAdder is the latest addition to Razer's rapidly expanding weapons locker. Just when you thought Razer was going to run out of poisonous snakes to name their mice after, the DeathAdder hits the spotlight. Sheathed in a warm black rubber hide and pulsing like a thing alive, the DeathAdder certainly looks the part of a lethal killing machine.
The DeathAdder hits the shelves at a price point that is twenty dollars less than Razer's current flagship gaming mouse, the Copperhead; ten dollars less than a Logitech G5 and yet it gives up little, if anything, in performance. This mouse has all the features Razer users have grown to love: DPI switching, fast response, on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment and Razer sharp accuracy; thanks to its healthy DPI rating, fast polling and wide data path. Presumably, the cost savings comes by way of the new 3rd generation infrared sensor used in the DeathAdder; rather than the laser sensors used in mice such as the Razer Copperhead and the Logitech G5/G7.
Specs
The specs are quite impressive when you compare them to a "standard" mouse. But at twice the price, or more, that's exactly what you would expect from any gaming mouse. How does it stack up against the current crop of "state-of-the-art" gaming mice?
- 1800 DPI 3G Infrared Sensor (Copperhead and G5 = 2000 DPI)
- 1000 Hz Ultrapolling™ / 1ms Response (Same as Copperhead and 2x that of G5)
- 5 programmable, Ultra-large Non-slip Buttons with Hyperesponse™ (Copperhead has 7, the G5 has 6)
-16-bit Ultra-Wide Data Channel (Same as Copperhead and G5)
- Zero-Acoustic Ultraslick™ Teflon Feet (Ditto Copperhead, the G5 uses Polytetrafluoroethylene)
- Always-On™ Instant Response (Fancy name for no sleep mode. Ditto Copperhead and G5)
- Award-winning On-The-Fly™ Sensitivity Drivers (The same as Copperhead and all other Razer mice, the G5 supports DPI switching only)
- Right-Handed Form Factor (Screw you Flanders)
Evidently, it compares very favorably to "state-of-the-art" gaming meeces. And once again I'm amazed that Razer managed to trademark something as mundane as "Always-On" and "On-The-Fly".
Package
The DeathAdder was actually a bit of a surprise when it showed up on my doorstep; I'd forgotten I had even requested a review. But I have to admit, when I read the return address a smile of pure satisfaction appeared on my face. The bubble wrap proved more than sufficient for shipping, the retail package itself is quite sturdy. Once again Razer has spared no expense in its retail packaging. The images of the mouse and the logos have been gloss UV coated in stark contrast to the dull finish color of the rest of the box. It's a nice effect and quite pricey to produce. The front of the package swings open to reveal the Adder and short descriptive testament to the prowess of the new rodent. "Vicious. Fearsome. Deadly."
Everything about the packaging screams, "Gamer!" This isn't a web surfers mouse, a productivity mouse or a multimedia mouse, it's a gaming mouse and makes no concessions to any other purpose; which is fine by me. I never much cared for the bloatware associated with most mainstream mousing products.
