Razer DeathAdder 2013 Gaming Mouse

Manufacturer: Razer USA ltd.
Product Name: DeathAdder 2013
Model Number: RZ01-00840100-R3U1
UPC: 879862005986
Price As Tested: $54.99 (Amazon /NewEgg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Razer USA Ltd.

The original DeathAdder is widely believed to be one of the best gaming mice of all time. Don't believe me? Just try a simple Google search for "top gaming mice". If not number one, the DeathAdder is bound to be in the lists of most pages found. With such high ratings, it would be risky and perhaps unwise to make radical changes to such the product. Razer has made a similar observation and have only attempted to make a good product better with the 2013 version of the DeathAdder.

Maintaining it's famous ergonomic design, Razer has upgraded the optical laser to a more sensitive one as well as added rubber side grips. Many versions of the DeathAdder are available and the budget-conscious consumer will surely contemplate whether or not the refinements are worth the price difference. The featured product is marketed as an essential ergonomic gaming mouse; there are no bells are whistles, no weight adjustment, no changeable lights, just a mouse designed to dominate. Since the 2013 version of the DeathAdder is quite similar to it's predecessors, this review may also serve as an evaluation of the general DeathAdder series. Read on as Benchmark reviews takes a close look at the raved-about Razer DeathAdder 2013 gaming mouse to see what all the hype is about.

Since the original release of the DeathAdder, many manufacturers have released gaming mice in the same price range that have gained the favor of many gamers. Will the refresh of the DeathAdder bring it back into the attention of the gamer population and grab the attention of new gamers? More importantly, how will it fair against modern contenders such as the corsair M60 that offers features such as weight adjustment and numerous macro buttons for about the same price? We attempt to answer these questions in the remainder of the article.

This mouse was used in typical day-to-day computer activities as well as tested in an array of games. It will be compared to likes of the Logitech G700 and the Corsair M60.

Features & Specifications

Technical Specifications:

• 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

Closer Look: DeathAdder 2013

The DeathAdder is famous for it's remarkable ergonomics. The contoured left and right click buttons and rubber side grips on the device strongly indicate this characteristic.

The 2013 version doesn't differ greatly from previous models. Apart from the matte finish and the rubber side grips, only the optical sensor has changed: It's been upgraded to a super sensitive 4G optical sensor that pushes the dpi upperbound to 6400.

The DeathAdder sports a pulsating logo light and a scroll wheel light both of which can be toggled via the Synapse 2.0 console.

The device has an overall premium look and feel. The braided cable, gold plated USB connector, and the full matte finish all contribute to this fact.

Razer Synapse 2.0

Unlike many other input device software, Synapse 2.0 is clean, straight-forward, and has it's options well divided into logical sections. The first tab (shown above) allows you to create and change profiles as well as assign functions and macros to buttons. The performance tab enables the user to make modifications to the DPI, acceleration, and polling rate.

An interesting feature with the DeathAdder is the ability to set separate DPI values for horizontal and vertical movement. The console also allows gamers to set sensitivity stages that can be switched on the fly if the user maps the increase/decrease DPI function to buttons on the device.

The 2013 DeathAdder doesn't have many lighting options unlike some if it's siblings. It sports a pulsing green light behind the logo and a steady scroll wheel light. The software doesn't allow one to change the frequency or color of the lights, it only gives the option to turn them off or on.

Synapse 2.0 also offers a macro creation tool (shown above). It is not unlike the macro console for other gaming mice; it can be used to record macros with or without time delay. If the latter option is chosen, then it gives user the ability to edit the times between key presses. If a single error occurred in what would be an otherwise perfect combo/macro, fixing it will not be a problem as Synapse 2.0 allows every macro entry to be deleted, edited, or moved up or down in the sequence.

Lastly, Synapse 2.0 offers a calibration tab(above) that makes it possible for the mouse to optimized for different surfaces. If you are lucky enough to own a Razer mat, then life is easy, you simply have to select your product from the list and your device will be auto-optimized for that surface. However, if you don't Razer mat or no gaming mat all, you needn't despair, there is an alternate solution:

The utility allows the DeathAdder to calibrated to any compatible surface. When prompted, the user will have to move the mouse in a zig zag pattern, and that's all there is to it. It also allows you to save different calibrations so you won't have to recalibrate for a familiar surface. Synapse 2.0 is an excellent piece of software and without it, the consumer will be missing out on much of the product's value.

Testing & Results

Testing Methodology

The DeathAdder seems most popular among FPS gamers. Razer also provides different products tailored to MMO/MMORPG games. As a result, I felt that this product will be best evaluated in FPS environments. During the testing period, It was my primary mouse and was used in my every day computing tasks such as web browsing, programming and photoshoping. My thoughts and experience will be compared to two mice I had used shortly before: the Logitech G700 and the Corsair M60..

Test Software

• Adobe Photoshop
• Google Chrome
• Open Office Writer
• Battlefield 3
• Crysis 3
• Skyrim

Results

Comfort:
Prior to testing the DeathAdder, I have been using the Logitech G700 and occasionally, the Corsair M60. I consider the G700 to be one the most comfortable mice out there, the M60 on the other hand, I find a lot less pleasing to hold. Especially with those gaps at its rear. Upon receiving the DeathAdder, I was very skeptical; I thought that it was a classic merely because it was the best thing available when it was initially released. My first impressions of the device were quite negative: I thought it was too light, I didn't like the shape of it, and I found the bulge that occupied the position between the base of my index and middle finger to be very annoying. I gave myself some time to dissipate the lingering bias I possessed for previous devices, and quickly I started adapting to the famed Razer mouse. It was shocking how much I started liking it, more and more it started to make sense why the device was designed the way it was. Overtime, my palm naturally started relaxing over the mouse's surface and while I don't agree that the DeathAdder is more comfortable than the G700, I will argue that it is more ergonomic. It's a bit difficult to explain what I feel, but it is for the same reason why I prefer the PS3 controller over an Xbox 360's: the former device is certainly not as comfortable as the latter, but I feel I have better reflexes with it as it is never too hard quickly move your fingers to various buttons without moving your entire hand. Similarly I was able to make all sorts of movements using the DeathAdder whilst maintaining a firm grip on it. Although I had a rather pleasant experience with the mouse, I fear gamers with smaller hands might not. The DeathAdder maybe to large for some peoples' liking and I suggest that anyone buying it should examine the dimensions before making a purchase. The DeathAdder seems to be targeted to palm grippers such as myself but I've read about many who impose a claw grip upon the mouse.

Functionality:
Unlike the G700 and some other popular gaming mice that share a similar price range of the DeathAdder, the Razer device does not have on-board storage for calibration and macro profiles. Also, apart from the standard left, right and middle mouse buttons, there are only two additional programmable buttons. With the inclusion of the new 4G optical sensor, users now have a much wider DPI range. Razer must have expected that a great number of owners will assign DPI increment/decrement functions to these buttons. On another note, most of the DeathAdders functionality and features are unlocked with the Synapse 2.0 software which is not bad at all. It has a clean UI and makes for a quick and easy customization experience. It also has an offline mode to rid the need of a constant internet connection. The cloud based utility will sync your settings across all the machines you have it installed on, great for people who have constant internet access and multiple machines. The DeathAdder can be calibrated to work on different surfaces via the software. Some people may not like this since calibrating the device for one surface may mean that it will not work on another. When I first used the device, it was on a mouse pad and it functioned flawlessly. However when I moved to the plastic surface of a picnic table, it didn't work at all. I tried calibrating the mouse for that surface and to my satisfaction, it performed perfectly, but moving it back on to the mouse pad seemed to result in the mouse operating at a lower DPI than I had set it to. Personally, I don't mind this feature as it allows the mouse to operate optimally on any calibrated surface.

Performance:
This is the field where the DeathAdder excelled far beyond my expectations. Before using it, I had this withstanding notion that the new generation of gaming mice only differ in look and feel and they would perform more or less the same. A few weeks usage of the DeathAdder shattered these ideas with it's breathtaking performance. A week or so before I received the DeathAdder I started playing Crysis 3, a fairly new FPS. After the first couple of days playing, I hit decent form and was getting a decent K/D ratio in my matches. Nevertheless, I was still frustrated at how difficult it seemed to to kill with accuracy. Many times, I would take down the enemy, but only as a result of shots sprayed all over his torsro, when what I wanted was a headshot. After the first day of using the DeathAdder, this changed dramatically. I was getting my desired hitman kills with greater frequency. Not only that but my overall gameplay felt more fluid; movements were smooth, and I navigated about the terrain with a lot more ease. It felt as if the mouse were carrying out my actual thoughts as opposed to my hand movements. At this point, it slowly dawned upon me why so much people praise this device. It was excellent. I also started appreciating the weight of the mouse: it made small movements and aim corrections much better; there was no fear of applying to much force that resulted in missing your target, and there was no struggling to lock on causing you to acquire a target too late. The same held true in BF3. I am a lot better at BF3 than Crysis, but with the DeathAdder, I found myself dominating more often and frequently wondering if the other players were half asleep. Nowadays, when I game, I subconsciously reach for the DeathAdder and use my G700 mostly with my laptop or just to adjust the volume or switch tracks on my desktop. Needless to say the DeathAdder performed well in every other task and game especially in Photoshop where the low DPI setting made for very smooth, precise photo editing.

Gaming Mouse Final Thoughts

While it doesn't have customizable lighting, interchangeable grips or other features that may be found on mice with a similar price tag, it delivers in the area that matters most. It is the mouse for users who are serious about dominating the battlefield, and nothing else. The DeathAdder is certainly one of the best mice that I've used and will definitely go down on my list of favorites.

DeathAdder 2013 Conclusion

The DeathAdder 2013 will not disappoint it's user in terms of performance. It is uncannily precise and will almost certainly improve the experience of even the best gamers. The product performs exceptionally well in FPS environments where accuracy is a mandatory prerequisite of success.

Unlike many new gaming mice from Saitek, Corsair and others, Razer has maintained their overall minimalistic theme with the DeathAdder 2013. The mouse sports a full black, matte finish with the exception of the cool green lights. The device looks good from all angles and avoids smudges and fingerprints.

Although this is one of the most lightweight mice that I've used, The DeathAdder does have a premium, durable look and feel: a long braided cable, a gold plated USB connector, and rubber side grips. It is also very pleasing to the hold and the simple, unibody design adds to its robust feel.

Most of the DeathAdder's functionality is embedded within the Synapse 2.0 console. It offers macro creation, button programming, DPI modification, surface optimization, and lift-off detection options. While the DeathAdder lacks many of the features seen on today's gaming mice, it makes up for it with solid performance.

The DeathAdder is widely considered the best gaming mouse off all time and with good reason. It is definitely worth it's price judging by it's performance alone. As of May 2013 the Razer DeathAdder 2013 gaming mouse was available online for $54.99 (Amazon /Newegg), quite a steal in my opinion.

I would readily recommend the DeathAdder 2013 to any player looking to up his/her game, especially those of the FPS genre. Using, the DeathAdder for a few days will convince anyone of it's prowess and I feel it will be a top contender for years to come.

Pros:

+ Simplistic, good looking device
+ Performs superbly in games, especially shooters
+ Premium, durable look and feel
+ Software is straight-forward and simple to use
+ Very comfortable and ergonomic

Cons:

- Similarly priced devices include many more features than the DA.
- Could've used a couple more programmable buttons
- Lacks on-board storage

Ratings:

• Performance: 10.0
• Appearance: 9.75
• Construction: 9.75
• Functionality: 8.75
• Value: 9.00

Final Score: 9.45 out of 10.

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.

COMMENT QUESTION: What is your favorite gaming mouse?

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