Can you really access all the functionality and customizations without signing in first? Because last time I checked, you couldn't. If online functionality has become a mere option (as it should be), then maybe it's time I gave Razer another look.
I have a Black Widow Stealth keyboard and I can't use the macro keys without logging into their cloud service. Not a huge deal to me as my primary point of interest was the feel of the keys and I can use the keyboard fine without the software, but the loss of functionality without logging into their cloud service is a negative. For a mouse that more heavily relies on the software, I'd have to pass.
With the mice I've got, you need their software running to turn off the flashing/pulsing default lighting options. No setting storage on the mice themselves, so you need to have it running all the time.
It won't last a month under my usage, though a few hours does seem suspect. I get the better part of a week out of it. Now the Anywhere Mouse MX, that'll last me a month at least. I don't use it for gaming, but I do use it quite heavily.
I think the casual Logitech mouses last a year or two on batteries. The bluetooth one is much shorter, but I've never seen one with only a month battery life before .
The worst part about Orochi, is that you can't use it without batteries, unless you plug it into a USB hub.
For some really stupid reason, Orochi will refuse to work without batteries while plugged into the computer directly. That kind of defeats the purpose of having a plugin option, when the batteries are drained. And to top it off, the batteries drain out at the same rate, even when the mouse is plugged into a USB port.
This isn't true, you do not need the bottom power switch of the mouse turned if your using a usb cable.
I have not tried the mouse via usb with no batteries in it but I have used it with flat batteries via usb
I was also experiencing poor battery life since I have ownibg the orochi but recently pulled it out of my draw to use again on my laptop. As long as you turn the mouse off at the end of each day you should see about 2-3 weeks of usage out of a set of batteries.
No where near as good as the Microsoft touch mouse I used, but respectable.
As a Lefty, I'd recommend going with the Left handed Death Adder or Left Handed Naga mice. For as much as Razer mice cost, get something that's ergonomic as well. A potential bonus is that the Death Adder works with the older non-cloud version of their software.
Here is the difference though. With other brands, take logitech for example, their overly expensive products retain some shred of quality and longevity, while their cheaper products tend to be shit. Razer peripherals, on the other hand, are shit from top to bottom and are priced insanely high for the quality and longevity they offer.
here you go. i had like 5 diamondbacks, all fell apart after like 1 year of kinda heavy use. i was part of the razer lycosa fiasco too, so i should have learned by now you might think. well, i should...
i will buy that db anyway. it perfectly fits my hand/playstyle and probably has a nice sensor. there are just no better alternatives. the competition is either atrocious build quality as well or cant get the ergonomics right.
Crazy. I bought my first and only Diamondback in 2004... and I'm still using it right this second. Some of the plastic is a bit discolored and grimy, but it's trucking along.
Any idea if the new Bluetooth 4.0 support in the Orochi is mandatory without backwards compatibility as it is in the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 and MX Master which don't support Bluetooth 3.0 and lower?
And does the Orochi have a side-scrolling mouse wheel?
I'm looking for a Bluetooth 2.1 compatible mouse with side scrolling and 2 functional buttons by the thumb, but that seems to be rather unique combination request.
Currently using an Orochi on my laptop and it is much better than the dell travel mouse I had before that (free with the laptop purchase). It's been rather durable as I have dropped it several times and my family even more, even a couple times onto a tile floor. But reinstall the batteries and it keeps ticking. The battery life is a bit of a pain, I get about a week out of it before having to change. But I bought some Duracell 2400mAh rechargeables and have probably saved hundreds, if not more, on disposables. I rarely ever connect it using USB. My only real complaint would be the Synapse software. Since installing it, I have random restarts due to Flash. If I am watching a stream, there seems to be a conflict and it reboots my computer. This never happened before installing the software and has been happening less and less since the last couple updates. I paid ~$48 for it and is the best mobile mouse I've used. If it ever breaks, I'd buy another.
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25 Comments
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bug77 - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Razer makes some good mice, but I've crossed them off my list once their Synapse software began requiring an online account and such.franz899 - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Synapse is not that bad actually, it requires an account just to save your preferences to clue cloud, not to work after you've don't that.But everything works even without installing anything.
bug77 - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Can you really access all the functionality and customizations without signing in first? Because last time I checked, you couldn't.If online functionality has become a mere option (as it should be), then maybe it's time I gave Razer another look.
BurntMyBacon - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
I have a Black Widow Stealth keyboard and I can't use the macro keys without logging into their cloud service. Not a huge deal to me as my primary point of interest was the feel of the keys and I can use the keyboard fine without the software, but the loss of functionality without logging into their cloud service is a negative. For a mouse that more heavily relies on the software, I'd have to pass.DanNeely - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
With the mice I've got, you need their software running to turn off the flashing/pulsing default lighting options. No setting storage on the mice themselves, so you need to have it running all the time.meacupla - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
It's the worst when you have synapse installed on two computers using the same account.It constantly asks if you want to sync your settings, even if you aren't using the same device between the two computers.
WinterCharm - Saturday, September 5, 2015 - link
They make the only good bluetooth game-worthy mouse :Pmeacupla - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Razer orochi lasts about 1week before it depletes its batteries.and they doubled this? WOW
Meanwhile, my microsoft sculpt comfort lasted 2 months with the same amount of usage.
nightbringer57 - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
A few hours and the single rechargeable battery in my G700s is dead. 1 week looks absolutely great.Shadow7037932 - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
That's not normal. Get some new batteries.Valantar - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Yep, that battery needs to be replaced. The G700s should last you at least a month.BurntMyBacon - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
It won't last a month under my usage, though a few hours does seem suspect. I get the better part of a week out of it. Now the Anywhere Mouse MX, that'll last me a month at least. I don't use it for gaming, but I do use it quite heavily.mr_tawan - Sunday, September 6, 2015 - link
I think the casual Logitech mouses last a year or two on batteries. The bluetooth one is much shorter, but I've never seen one with only a month battery life before .meacupla - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
The worst part about Orochi, is that you can't use it without batteries, unless you plug it into a USB hub.For some really stupid reason, Orochi will refuse to work without batteries while plugged into the computer directly. That kind of defeats the purpose of having a plugin option, when the batteries are drained. And to top it off, the batteries drain out at the same rate, even when the mouse is plugged into a USB port.
Mannypace - Saturday, September 5, 2015 - link
This isn't true, you do not need the bottom power switch of the mouse turned if your using a usb cable.I have not tried the mouse via usb with no batteries in it but I have used it with flat batteries via usb
I was also experiencing poor battery life since I have ownibg the orochi but recently pulled it out of my draw to use again on my laptop. As long as you turn the mouse off at the end of each day you should see about 2-3 weeks of usage out of a set of batteries.
No where near as good as the Microsoft touch mouse I used, but respectable.
meacupla - Sunday, September 6, 2015 - link
Nope, I had one, it worked without the power switch in the 'on' position for the first week.Then it got an update that disabled that.
My Microsoft sculpt mouse doesn't care about being on or off, it lasts 2 months on cheap disposable batteries.
DanNeely - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
As a Lefty, I'd recommend going with the Left handed Death Adder or Left Handed Naga mice. For as much as Razer mice cost, get something that's ergonomic as well. A potential bonus is that the Death Adder works with the older non-cloud version of their software.BMNify - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Yup, Death Adder is a nice mouse and is affordable and ergonomic as well( Both left and right hand versions)Gunbuster - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Did the competitions bank account dry up? I was expecting a sock-puppet account proclaiming how shitty Razer quality is to have posted by now...meacupla - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
They are shit, IDK why you would think otherwise?Here is the difference though. With other brands, take logitech for example, their overly expensive products retain some shred of quality and longevity, while their cheaper products tend to be shit.
Razer peripherals, on the other hand, are shit from top to bottom and are priced insanely high for the quality and longevity they offer.
paulemannsen - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
here you go.i had like 5 diamondbacks, all fell apart after like 1 year of kinda heavy use. i was part of the razer lycosa fiasco too, so i should have learned by now you might think. well, i should...
i will buy that db anyway. it perfectly fits my hand/playstyle and probably has a nice sensor. there are just no better alternatives. the competition is either atrocious build quality as well or cant get the ergonomics right.
sean_themighty - Thursday, September 17, 2015 - link
Crazy. I bought my first and only Diamondback in 2004... and I'm still using it right this second. Some of the plastic is a bit discolored and grimy, but it's trucking along.ltcommanderdata - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Any idea if the new Bluetooth 4.0 support in the Orochi is mandatory without backwards compatibility as it is in the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 and MX Master which don't support Bluetooth 3.0 and lower?And does the Orochi have a side-scrolling mouse wheel?
I'm looking for a Bluetooth 2.1 compatible mouse with side scrolling and 2 functional buttons by the thumb, but that seems to be rather unique combination request.
Gazzy - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
Can't wait for RGB trend to die off.....Morg72 - Sunday, September 6, 2015 - link
Currently using an Orochi on my laptop and it is much better than the dell travel mouse I had before that (free with the laptop purchase). It's been rather durable as I have dropped it several times and my family even more, even a couple times onto a tile floor. But reinstall the batteries and it keeps ticking.The battery life is a bit of a pain, I get about a week out of it before having to change. But I bought some Duracell 2400mAh rechargeables and have probably saved hundreds, if not more, on disposables. I rarely ever connect it using USB.
My only real complaint would be the Synapse software. Since installing it, I have random restarts due to Flash. If I am watching a stream, there seems to be a conflict and it reboots my computer. This never happened before installing the software and has been happening less and less since the last couple updates.
I paid ~$48 for it and is the best mobile mouse I've used. If it ever breaks, I'd buy another.