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Razer Orochi Black Chrome Edition Gaming Mouse Review

 

It was almost two years ago when Razer released the first Orochi mobile gaming mouse.  A horde of followers later, Razer released the Orochi Black Chrome Edition.  The specs, features and design of the original Orochi have been retained and the only thing new is the Black Chrome finish.

Razer Orochi Black Chrome Edition Mobile Gaming Mouse Specifications

  • Bluetooth 2.0 Connectivity
  • Dual Mode Wired/Wireless Functionality
  • Razer Precision 3G Laser Sensor
  • Black Chrome Finishing
  • Gaming optimized Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
  • Up to 2000DPI sensitivity
  • 125Hz polling/ 8ms response
  • Powered by 2 AA batteries

Wired Mode

  • Detachable three foot, lightweight, braided micro-USB cord
  • Up to 4000DPI sensitivity
  • 1000Hz Ultrapolling/ 1ms response

System Requirements

  • Bluetooth enabled PC / Mac with USB port
  • Windows 7 / Windows Vista / Windows XP or Mac OS X (v10.4 and above)
  • Internet connection (for driver installation)
  • At least 35MB of hard disk space

Hit the break for the full hands-on review of the Razer Orochi Black Chrome Edition mobile gaming mouse.

Design

I understand why Razer chose not to change the original Orochi gaming mouse and decided to just offer one that has a black chrome finish.  If something works, in fact perfectly in my opinion, you are better off not changing anything.

From the first time you see the Razer Orochi Black Chrome Edition, you’ll immediately realize that a lot of thought has been put into the design of the product. It doesn’t look ordinary, and from its contours and curves, you know that the mouse will sit comfortably under your palm when used.

Being primarily a mobile gaming mouse, Razer has created something that is certainly mobile, yet it still managed to make it feature-packed. For most Filipinos in fact, the size of the mouse sits perfectly well between standard and mobile.  I honestly think this could well be a superb desktop mouse even if it is smaller than the standard size.

The Razer Orochi is modern-looking, futuristic even.  But the unusual curves and contours could be more for functional than cosmetic reasons.  The black chrome finish adds flare, giving the Orochi an ultra premium feel.  The Razer logo is subtly printed on the top of the mouse.

The contours on the main buttons of the Orochi are just right, making your fingers feel comfortable on top.  They have ridges on the sides that not only helps your fingers feel comfortable but also help keep them in place during quick motions.  This is after all, a gaming mouse and when you’re immersed in that battle against virtual monsters, every little thing that keeps your fingers in place will help.   The sides of the Orochi are perfectly sculpted with ledges for the fingers to possibly help prevent dragging.

You’ll see the scroll button at the center like most mice nowadays have, but this one lights up in blue color, but only if you select that setting since the light is turned off by default. There are two buttons on both the left side and and two on right, with those on the left in charge of back and forward functions and the right side buttons controlling the mouse’s sensitivity.  There’s a slit in the middle which hosts a light indicator.

Turn over the mouse and you’ll see the Precision 3G Laser Sensor and the power switch.  On the four corners are the Teflon mouse feet that are designed for smooth and quick movements.

Performance 

I won’t beat around the bush.  The Razer Orochi gaming mouse delivers as promised.  I’m so impressed with the performance of this mouse I can’t say I have used a better mouse for gaming and for overall computing.

The buttons of the Orochi are well executed, having just the right mix of resistance and the right amount of responsiveness.  They are also well-placed, giving you a fantastic experience in gaming or computing.  I’d have to say though that I accidentally click on the side buttons a few times when I merely intended to move the mouse.  But this is but normal with anything small that has buttons so I’m not taking it against the Orochi.  In fact, the other times I accidentally hit those buttons, nothing happened, and I owe this to their nice resistance.

The Orochi is designed in such a way that a left-handed user can use the mouse and still get the same experience.  The dimensions and buttons on the left side are therefore the same as those on the right side.  It’s quite impressive that Razer has made the Orochi with a symmetrical, ambidextrous design without sacrificing ergonomics.

The overall shape and design of the Orochi feels natural to the hand, even for a small mouse. If you’re a gamer, you would have already tried a lot of gaming mice in the hope that you will find the perfect tool to win your games.  The Orochi certainly complements your gaming skills and is there to make you forget it exists and make you focus your efforts on winning.  If you’re one who plays a lot on your laptop, the Orochi is a perfect mobile gaming companion.  The small size makes it mobile and the design and features do not leave you wanting for more.

Another thing that makes the Orochi a good choice for a mouse is it can be used wired or wireless.  Wireless use is via Bluetooth connection and pairing is as easy as 1-2-3.  However, as is expected with Bluetooth connected mice, you experience a slightly slower responsiveness, and with the Orochi, that slight difference cannot be noticed sometimes.  As a wireless Bluetooth mouse, the tracking on the Orochi is excellent.  I have used wireless mice before and they all pale in comparison.  The Orochi is smooth with just a minimal lag, but precision is not compromised.  Note however, that all customizable controls and sensitivity are disabled in Bluetooth mode.

It needs to be pointed out the cable of the Orochi mouse is braided.  This is better than the ordinary rubber cables in terms of durability.  The terminals of the cable are of the golden variety, a detail that that users will appreciate.  It connects to the mouse via micro-USB port that’s perfectly positioned under the scroll wheel.  My gripe? The cable is short. While the length could have been intended for mobile gaming or mobile use, it is quite frustrating if you decide to use it on a desktop.

Battery life on the Orochi is very good.  The two batteries provided gave me almost two weeks of wireless use.  That’s quite impressive for a mobile mouse.

Wrap Up

I can not overemphasize the good things about the Razer Orochi.  As a mobile mouse, it certainly impresses with its diminutive size and perfectly thought-out design that’s ergonomical as they are aesthetically nice.  The black chrome finish is superb, giving the Orochi a premium feel.  If you are the type that hates highly reflective objects though, shy away from the Orochi.  Personally, I like the Orochi’s reflective finish.

In terms of performance, you cannot complain how the mouse handles itself under gaming or computing use.  It’s quick, responsive and just feels so nice under my palm.  As a gaming mouse, the Orochi is a delight to use, with the well-placed buttons helping a lot during game play. There is a reason why the Orochi has been the mobile gaming mouse choice by a lot of gamers.

If there’s anything I want different from the Razer Orochi, it’s just the cable length and perhaps the addition of a Bluetooth receiver for devices that do not have Bluetooth capabilities built-in.

What could possibly keep gamers away is the price of Razer Orochi. At $80 (about Php3,500), this gaming mouse is certainly not cheap.  But if you’re a serious gamer or one who has the cash to throw away at a good mobile gaming mouse, get the Orochi.  It’s simply worth the price.

Rating: 9/10

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4 Comments

  1. ProfileTree Reply

    Really great review ….. really loved that
    it can be used wired or wireless

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