Razer makes all sorts of computer-related hardware and products such as keyboards, mice, etc. and has collaborated with a bunch of well-known games such as Gears of War, etc. Over the years, Razer has made some of the most loved products in the gaming world. One such product was the DeathAdder gaming mouse. The original Razer DeathAdder wise widely acclaimed and adored by the gaming community as a whole. It had very few weaknesses and shortcomings and the positives far outweighed the negatives. However, over time as other companies started releasing better products, there came a need for a more up to date gaming mouse by the well-known gaming conglomerate. The DeathAdder Elite was released some time ago and now we see that DeathAdder V2. As we delve deeper into this gaming mouse, we will see in which areas Razer has improved and where the shortcomings are. Let’s get right to it!
Unboxing
On the front of the box, you can see the Razer DeathAdder V2 proudly on display. Some of the main features of the V2 are written on the bottom and on the top left of the mouse. There is a Razer logo on the top right. The front and back of the box as well as the left side are black. The different features and qualities of the mouse are written on these sides. While the right side along with the top and bottom are green in color and do not have any specifications written on them. The box itself is quite easy to open and is free of any painstaking unpacking process. Once you have opened the box and pull out the inner package, you see that it is all black in color. Some of Razer’s previous mice had a green color inner packaging accents. Along with the mouse, you get a user manual to help weave your way through the workings of the mouse. There is also a card by Razer which boasts of them being the first manufacturer of a gaming mouse and still being the foremost to this day. Then there is a card with a Razer logo sticker. That just about sums up the contents of the box. All in all, the box of the DeathAdder V2 contains the following things:
The DeathAdder V2User manualA card by RazerRazer logo sticker
This mouse is a bit on the pricey side. There are many solid competitors of this mouse in this price range that offer more than the V2. As such, customers may want something more out of the box than just the standard stuff. As you can see Razer does give a sticker to be put where you like, but overall, it is pretty standard.
Design and Build
With the original DeathAdder being loved by all for both its precision and quality and its design and shape, Razer has stayed faithful with the old design. There are obviously, a few changes here and there to improve on it but as a whole, it is much the same looking mouse. In many mice, we see there are definite lines or portions made for the left and right clicks that separate them from the palm rest of the mouse. There is no such line for the V2. The left and right-click area gradually begins from the palm rest. The left and right buttons themselves have slight inward indentations to provide a natural resting area for the fingers. As such, the ends of the clicks can be seen to have curves from the front. The sides of the mouse have an inward curve. On the underside of the mouse, it is worthwhile to state the difference in the feet of the V2 as compared to some other mice. Razer has opted for using PFTE mouse feet. This is a non-stick material that is often used for pans and such. On the left and the right side of the mouse, there is rubber-like padding. This makes for a solid grip on the mouse to ensure it does not slip out of your hand. The scroll wheel has a little pattern on it that allows for easy grip and rolling more accurately rather than the wheel spinning out of control. There is RGB in the scroll wheel and the Razer logo on the palm rest. The palm rest has a rise and then the mouse makes a slope where the left and right buttons are. The DeathAdder V2 has two buttons on the left side of the mouse. There is a button beneath the scroll and two DPI setting buttons beneath the scroll. In the DeathAdder Elite, they were thin buttons that were joined with one another. In the V2 these are square-shaped buttons and have a clear gap between them. The last button is underneath the mouse beside the optical sensor. This button is used for switching between the onboard memory profiles. This mouse is connected via a wire. There is no option for wireless connectivity. For wired mice, the material and quality of the wire play a big role in the freedom of movement that the mouse has. For example, if the wire of the mouse is of a flimsy quality, it will start to tear making your mouse less responsive. Braided cables usually take care of this problem as they do not tear easily. Razer has gone one step further and implemented the Razer Speedflex cable for the V2. This cable is a very low friction cable. The low friction it generates causes your mouse to be completely free in its movement. The cable is also really flexible and resistant to cuts and tears.
Features
The original DeathAdder was very highly rated for comfort. The same can be said for the DeathAdder V2. This is a very comfortable mouse. Its shape is such that it enables you to rest your hand on it quite easily. The palm rest rises up and then there is a slope towards the button area. This shape naturally conforms to the shape of a person’s hand. The inward curves on the sides are also useful in this matter as they support the natural grip of a hand. The shape of this mouse is overall, very ergonomic, and comfortable for use. The V2 is also lighter than the previous models, which makes it even easier to maneuver. The low friction cable and PFTE feet obviously make it a point to allow for easy movement across all sorts of surfaces as well. Razer has used Focus optical sensor and optical switches for the V2. Traditionally mice have been using mechanical switches that work on physical contact. There is a delay between the clicks of these mouse registers due to the debounce mechanism of the switches. The debounce is basically the amount of time required for the switch to come back into position after making the necessary contact for the click to register. This small delay can cause you to end up losing around or dying in your game as even the smallest delay manages to either give you an advantage or disadvantage. In the Razer Optical switches, there is no such need for physical contact. As a result, the clicks are registered without any delay. Razer boasts of a 0.2 millisecond response time of the optical sensor. This is about 3 times faster than the standard response time. Razer also boasts of a 70 million click lifespan of their switches. This is also significantly higher than the average click lifespan which is around 50 million clicks. The Razer mouse key switches have a clicky noise and are a little stiff than some of the other mice we have seen. If you enjoy the clicking sound of a mouse then you will definitely be a fan of the V2. Razer has also stated that its optical sensor has 99.6 % accuracy with 650 IPS tracking to match. IPS tracking is basically how quick or fast a mouse can be tracked across the screen. With such a high tracking quality, very high accuracy is needed to make sure the mouse is following as you intend it to. It does not get much more accurate than 99.6 % accurate. The DeathAdder V2 is compatible with the Razer Synapse 3 software. You can use this software to change RGB colors and modes. You can also use this app to program the buttons the V2 to different macro functions as you want to. The V2 has 5 onboard memory profiles. You can set up different RGB combinations and different key bindings for each different profile. This gaming mouse has a maximum of 20,000 DPI which is a big improvement over its predecessors. You can switch between DPI settings via the two DPI buttons beneath the scroll wheel. There are five different DPI levels that you can access thanks to these buttons. Thanks to the Synapse software, you can also set up different DPI levels for the five levels to personalize the V2 to your preference. You can set up different DPI’s for different profiles. Switching between the multiple profiles is easily done by pressing the button on the underside of the mouse. An issue that is possible with the DeathAdder V2 is its size. If you are a palm grip user than you are unlikely to face any issues even if you are a small-handed person. Although, for claw grip and finger grip users, it can be comfortable if you have a smaller hand size. This is the reason this mouse is often deemed unsuitable for people with small hands. This is a relatively pricey gaming mouse. At the same price and even at a lower price you can find some great competitors to the V2. We feel it should be priced somewhat lower than it is at the moment. The DeathAdder V2 has a 2-year warranty period.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the most obvious thing to be noted for a gaming-oriented mouse is its responsiveness to clicks and accuracy of movement. It is safe to say that Razer has outdone themselves this time in this category. The DeathAdder V2 is one of the most accurate and fast responding mice in the market. Razer boasts of a response time which is three times faster than the standard response time of mice. This mouse is indeed very fast and has a very low response time. The accuracy of movement all across the screen coupled with an extremely low delay response makes this an ideal mouse for gamers. The increase in DPI from previous versions coupled with its accuracy and 0.2-millisecond response rate makes the V2 a top tier pick for all sorts of gamers.
The Razer Synapse is well-known software in the gaming world for gaming peripherals. It is also one of the most acclaimed and reliable software. You can use this software to customize and personalize the DeathAdder V2 in the ways you need it. Doing so is also quite simple and straightforward. Synapse is a very comprehensive app. You are able to set macro functions to your buttons, set RGB light modes, set different profiles for different games all through the Synapse 3 app. The mouse has Razer optical switches which are clicky and maybe a little stiff as compared to other mouse switches. If you are a fan of having a feel for your mouse rather than a quiet machine you will enjoy the V2. The scroll wheel is an upgrade as well. There were some issues with other mice in which the scroll button got pressed randomly when you were rolling the scroll wheel. There are thankful, no such issues with this model. Also, another plus point with the scroll wheel is for people who use the scroll wheel to change between the weapons in the game. The scroll functions in a way that it does not roll too fast over any weapon and you are able to see all the weapon options you have quite easily. The mouse feels comfortable through long hours of usage. Its ergonomic design and shape allow for a high level of comfort. The PFTE feet that Razer has used in this mouse allow for easy movement across any surface thanks to their non-stick quality. The Speedflex cable along with the low weight of the mouse makes it easy to move.
Where does the usefulness of Razer Deathadder V2 lie?
The DeathAdder V2 is a mouse for primarily the gaming community. It is clear to see that it is gaming-oriented. The features it has been such that gamers will make use of them the most. The 20,000 DPI and the programmable buttons are specifically made so you can have that slight advantage over your foe in a competition. FPS gamers will particularly enjoy the high DPI capability to get that edge. The programmable buttons are very useful for MOBA games which require you to have a lot of commands at your disposal at a moment’s notice. RGB is also a strictly gamer related or enthusiast feature. You will rarely see any office hardware having a colorful design. That being said, due to the RGB not being too flashy or bold in design, it is a product that can be used in an office or professional setting. The shape is indeed very comfortable which is a big plus for any person looking for an office mouse. It is lightweight and you do not need to put much effort into moving it around. This adds to the comfort it gives.
Conclusion
The Razer DeathAdder V2 is an upgrade over its previous models; the DeathAdder and the DeathAdder Elite. It has a higher DPI than the previous models and there are improvements in the scroll wheel as well. The DPI buttons are an upgrade over the original DeathAdder. It is consistently comfortable and reliable. For DeathAdder users and enthusiasts will be a huge fan of the upgrades with the same model and design as the original. One of the downsides is that it is true that this is on the expensive side of the gaming mouse category. There are other mice in the same price range which offer more features such as programmable buttons and RGB. The DeathAdder V2 does have the Razer optical sensor, however, which is a bonus for any gaming mice with the extreme accuracy and responsiveness it gives.
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