Razer has been making gaming peripherals that cater to the serious and professional PC gamer. Serious gamers will tell you that a high-DPI gaming mouse is practically required to seriously compete in today’s virtual sports, as they deliver accurate and precise control, which digitally translates the gamer’s skill (or lack thereof) to the Frag-fest of choice. Or so they say…
Razer has had good success with their previous line of gaming mice and keyboards, and now they’ve developed a new laser sensor (dubbed the 3G), and wrapped a brand-spanking new professional mouse around it – the Razer Lachesis.
Equipped with the revolutionary 4000dpi Razer Precision 3G Laser sensor, the Razer Lachesis gaming mouse takes on the same lethal traits as its namesake that will send shivers down your enemies’ spines. Add 32KB of onboard memory, nine programmable Hyperesponse buttons, as well as an impressive 1000Hz Ultrapolling with 1ms response time, and you’ve got a formidable weapon in your arsenal of destruction. Victory beckons – move in for the kill.
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Technical Specifications
- 4000dpi Razer Precision 3G Laser™ sensor
- 32KB Razer Synapse™ onboard memory
- Nine independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
- 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
- On-The-Fly Sensitivity™ adjustment
Variable true dpi setting adjustments in increments of 125dpi - Always-On™ mode
- Ultra-large non-slip buttons
- 16-bit ultra-wide data path
- 60-100 inches per second
- Ambidextrous design
- Scroll wheel with 24 individual click positions
- Zero-acoustic Ultraslick™ Teflon feet
- Gold-plated USB connector
- Seven-foot, lightweight, non-tangle cord
- Approximate size: 129mm (length) x 71mm (width) x 40mm (height)Windows® 2000 / XP / X64 / MCE 2005 / Vista / Vista64
- Available USB port
- CD-ROM Drive (for drivers)
- At least 35MB of hard disk space (for drivers)
The Razer 3G Laser™ sensor (“3G Laser Sensor”), developed by Razer, is derived from an innovative approach to advancing gaming-grade laser sensors. Through extensive research of gamer needs and observation of their actual mouse movements, the 3G Laser Sensor delivers significantly improved resolution, tracking speed and precision over previous and current generation laser sensors.
The 3G Laser Sensor marks an epoch in the history of computer gaming sensors, and will make its debut in the Razer Lachesis™ gaming mouse.
In 2005, Razer pioneered the move toward laser based gaming sensor solutions with the Razer Copperhead™, the world’s first laser gaming mouse. Two years on, the expectations of gamers inevitably rose and 1G laser solutions proved to be unable to meet market demands – which has led to the introduction of the 2G sensor and other similar tweaks to the 1G laser sensor solution. However, beyond higher DPI figures, the 2G sensor does not offer significant performance improvements.
In light of the foregoing, Razer has gone one step further and has, developed the next generation 3G Laser Sensor. A quantum leap in laser sensor solutions, Razer has worked with technology partners to ensure that the 3G Laser Sensor meets the demanding requirements of hardcore gamers worldwide and has incorporated the cutting edge sensor in the Razer Lachesis gaming mouse.
Comparison of Razer Laser Sensor Generations
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Sensitivity: Dots-Per-Inch (DPI)
With a true native DPI of 4000, the 3G Laser Sensor has surpassed the performance of current generation laser sensors. Taking DPI as the defining metric, the next best sensor available at the time of publication of this whitepaper is rated at 3200DPI.
The most common metric of sensor performance, DPI represents the number of pixels the PC display’s cursor will move when the mouse is moved one inch across the surface. For fast-paced gaming, especially for action First-Person-Shooter (FPS) games like Quake™ or Unreal Tournament™, DPI is an important metric. A higher DPI will allow the player to make a 180-degree turn in a three-dimensional environment with less actual mouse movement.
Razer’s scientists pioneered the breakthrough in DPI improvements in 1999 with the Razer Boomslang™ and has been continually on the forefront of precision technologies in the optical and laser solutions. On the same note, Razer’s scientists and engineers have achieved significant breakthrough with the new laser sensors, allowing it to achieve true 4000dpi precision.
Unfortunately, while Razer has managed to achieve greater heights with higher precision in their mice, in recent years, DPI figures have been exaggerated in certain manufacturers’ mice. Some manufacturers apply software interpolation to artificially inflate the DPI specifications of their mice. However, when software interpolation is applied to the mouse sensor, the image capture, and accordingly the movement in a mouse, becomes exaggerated, but does not improve the accuracy of the sensor. Instead, software interpolation has an adverse effect on the sensor’s accuracy at high movement speeds, which renders the mouse virtually useless by demanding gamers.
In addition, previous-generation sensor drivers typically allow a maximum of five preset DPI values (400, 800, 1600dpi etc). To achieve any DPI that falls in between these fixed preset values, interpolation is used.
The 3G Laser Sensor makes a quantum leap by being able to achieve specific DPI figures (in multiples of 125dpi) falling in between preset values, by means of hardware instead of interpolation.
Tracking Speed: Inches-Per-Second (IPS)
IPS represents the maximum speed at which a sensor can track accurately on a mousing surface without resulting in random cursor movements. For gamers, this is an important metric that represents the maximum speed a gamer can move his mouse without the sensor losing tracking.
The IPS performance of a sensor is dependent on the uniformity of the surface being tracked. As a general rule, laser sensors achieve superior IPS on smooth surfaces while optical sensors achieve superior IPS on less uniform surfaces. Razer’s IPS ratings are typically conservative estimates that cover most common gaming mouse surfaces.
Razer’s scientists employ extensive tests on their sensors, and utilizing high-end robotic arms and machines in their validation and testing is a daily affair. Over thousands of iterations and developments are tested constantly to ensure that the performance of Razer’s sensors is a generation ahead of the competition.
The 3G Laser Sensor offers improved tracking at 60-100IPS on the majority of surfaces, and even higher tracking speeds under optimal conditions. Previously, gamers decided upon the type of sensor based on whether they preferred high DPI (laser) or high-speed tracking (optical). With the 3G Laser Sensor’s tracking speed, it closes the tracking speed performance gap between laser and optical sensors, where laser had been found wanting previously.
This improvement also addresses a common problem faced by FPS gamers. Generally preferring to play with mice configuration set at the lowest sensitivity level for more precise and accurate targeting, FPS gamers have to move the mouse over a large surface area repeatedly when moving in-game, such as making a 180° turn. With previous-generation laser sensors, this swiping action causes the cursor onscreen to move unintentionally away from the targeted area. With the 3G Laser Sensor, this swiping issue is rectified.
Acceleration
Just like there is a maximum speed at which the mouse can move over a surface and still retain accurate tracking, there is a limit to a mouse’s acceleration – the rate of change in velocity. This is measured in “g”, where 1g is equivalent to 9.8 m/s2 (meters per second per second) change in velocity. With the 3G Laser Sensor, maximum acceleration has increased from 20g to 25g.
Razer’s investment in the research and development into next generation gaming sensors has allowed it to maintain its pole position over other mouse manufacturers. With the focus on precision, speed and gaming features, Razer continues to meet the demanding requirements of hardcore gamers.
Offering markedly superior performance in comparison to existing sensors in the market, the 3G Laser Sensor sets a new bar for performance in laser mice for gaming. The inherent advantages in resolution and surface tracking performance make this sensor a choice for gamers who demand consistent control and unparalleled precision.
The Razer Lachesis mouse comes in a matte black box with a flip-open cover to reveal the actual mouse encased in a shiny plastic shell. The lid of the box is held shut by a circular piece of black velcro. The rear and sides of the box list all of the mouse’s specifications in a variety of different languages.
Once the box is opened it can be seen that Razer has taken great care in packaging their flagship device. The cord is tucked neatly behind a cardboard backing, and all the included goodies are enclosed in a paper pouch. The pouch contains two Razer logo stickers, a quick-install guide, a brochure of other Razer products, and software CD.
The mouse itself is comprised of two differnt kinds of black plastic. The top side has an almost rubbery texture (the same as used on their Lycosa keyboard), which gives the mouse a soft comfortable feel. The bottom of the mouse is a shiny black plastic which feels like polycarbonite (the same material used to make CDs and DVDs). The mouse cord is made of black plastic and is six feet long, which terminates in a gold-plated USB plug, embossed with the Razer logo. The laser sensor itself is very unique, looking like a drop of amber.
The mouse is completely symmetrical in its design. The left and right mouse buttons are exactly the same size and shape, and are seperated by a large white scrollwheel. Below the scrollwheel are two shiny buttons, which are used to control the mouse’s DPI on-the-fly. On each side of the mouse are two buttons, for a total of four side buttons. The bottom of the mouse has three teflon mouse feet and a button for switching profiles. In total there are 10 buttons, but realistically only 7 are programmable (you cannot change the profile switching button, and you’ll probably leave the DPI up and DPI down buttons alone).
When the mouse is plugged in, the scroll wheel starts to glow white, and the previously unseen Razer logo near the back of the mouse begins to pulse; fading in to white and out to black.
It is recommended to install the Razer software before plugging in the mouse, as the mouse was almost unusable at first. This may be due to the high poll rate of the mouse, and the computer not being ready for it. Once the software was installed, the mouse operated perfectly.
The mouse comes with a default profile that will work with many gamers right off the bat. You can toggle through 5 different DPI settings, from a low 400DPI to an insane 4000DPI, which is an extremely wide range suitable for precise headshots and then wildly running serpantine to avoid enemy fire. Many gamers will want to start configuring profiles for their new “bringer of death”, as the many programmable buttons are just too tempting to be left alone.
Configuration takes place through the Razer Lachesis applet, which can be found on your Start Menu, as well as the Control Panel. There is a main screen, which has four sub-screens that can be toggled open.
General screen
The main screen is the “general” area where you can customize all of the buttons, set DPI preferences, and other general features. You can turn the scroll wheel light on and off, but unfortunately the Snake Logo can only be switched between “pulse” and “off” (there is no constant “on”, and frankly I don’t care for the pulsing logo). It would be nice if the mouse could “pulse” when inactive, or indicate some setting, though.
There is a graph where you can set the DPI settings that you can toggle through, and you can set 5 points in all. To set a DPI for that profile, just click and drag an arrow on the DPI switcher graph. You can also set the USB polling rate for this mouse, choosing between 125, 500, and 1000 Hz. You can feel a noticable difference between 125 and 500Hz, but I could not tell a difference between 500 and 1000Hz. Some people say that 1000Hz put an unnecessary load on your PC, but with today’s hardware you’re unlikely to notice any extra burden.
Profile area
You can select several profiles, and give each of them a name. You can also choose to “auto-switch” to a profile when a particular game runs. Unfortunately, there is no way to know which profile is selected just by looking at the mouse. There is an option to show the profile on your monitor, however.
Advanced Settings
You can enable X and Y-axis sensitivity, as well as the Win Pointer Speed and Acceleration. With a bit of tweaking, you can achieve the similar “horizontal smoothing” present in the SteelSeries mouse software, which is actually rather helpful in first-person-shooters (it helps you keep your crosshairs on the horizon). You can also choose to disable mouse acceleration right from the Lachesis applet, rather than going into the Mouse applet in the Control Panel.
You can also adjust the scroll speed, select Universal Scroll (click and hold the middle mouse button as you move the pointer up or down), and adjust your double-click speed.
Advanced Function Input
This area is where you can program macros. Unfortunately, there is no option to program macros in-game, so you must carefully think through what you want your macros to be, and what button to assign them to. You can may any single keyboard key to a button, or build a macro combination. Delays can be set between every single macro element (as quick as 1ms), so your macros execute properly. For example, if you want to execute a double-jump in Unreal Tournament, you’ll want a 1/2 second delay betwen virtual space-bar presses, else everything will execute at once, nullifying the macro. In addition to using any keyboard command, Razer also enables common Basic Commands (page forward, page back, etc) and Media Functions (play, pause, etc.).
Once you set all of the options you want, click the “update” button to write this configuration to the mouse’s onboard memory.
You can toggle up and down through multiple DPI points, but I’ve found that this high granularity works best for desktop work. When you’re actually in the middle of a game, clicking a button 3 times to get to the right amount of control wastes precious time, and leaves you vernerable for a few seconds. I much prefer the “high/low” toggle of the SteelSeries Ikari laser mouse (reviewed here) . You can achieve a similar effect with the Razer, but the toggle buttons are much harder to push.
There’s no denying that the Lachesis has a very unusual shape. It is very narrow at the bottom (where your palm rests) and very wide at the top (where your fingers rest). The bottom also has a steep slope, which forces your palm back, making you control this mouse with your fingertips.
If you grip the mouse the way you grip every other mouse, then you’ll find that many of the buttons are difficult to press. Trying to press the secondary side buttons with your ring finger takes a lot of force and feels awkward, which also has the tendancy to move the mouse. The same thing happens when you use the DPI up or down buttons… reaching to use the buttons feels unnatural and moves the mouse in an awkward way.
The way to rectify this awkwardness is to grip the mouse in a “symmetrical” way. Place you middle finger on the scroll wheel and your ring finger on the second mouse button. You are now gripping the sides of the Lachesis with your thumb and pinky finger. Now your pinky rests directly on the alternate side buttons, and your middle finger can easily reach the DPI buttons while still maintining control of mouse movement. This “paradigm shift” of how you hold your mouse takes a little getting used to, but greatly improves the rodent’s usability from awkward to awesome.
The mouse wheel is notched and has a very good feel for gamers. Since most PC games use the mouse wheel for changing weapons, the tactile feel of the notches is just about perfect.
Although this mouse uses a laser sensor, it wouldn’t track on the SteelSeries SP mousepad (reviewed here). It will track on just about anything else, however, including reflective acrylic.
Although the mouse boasts a 1000Hz polling speed, I could not get the computer to recognize anything faster than 500Hz. I used MouseRate and DirectInput Mouse Rate, and none of them showed a difference between 500Hz and 1000Hz. The test application did report 125Hz when that mode was selected, however.
The Razer Lachesis gaming mouse is a very good gaming peripheral, but not everyone will fall in love with it. The mouse has a ton of buttons and has looks that will make you the envy of those without a proper gaming mouse.
The idea of onboard memory is a good one… meaning that you can program the Lachesis with 5 different profiles and use them immediately on any computer without installing any drivers. In practical use, this is rather pointless, because you must still install the software on any new computer for the mouse to act correctly.
The symmetrical design is good news for lefties, as the Lachesis is one of the only gaming mice they can use. Unfortunately, you have to hold the mouse in a “symmetrical” way, else you lose control while reaching for the plethora of buttons. Either way, holding the mouse is going to feel odd, which could be a good thing if you’re fed up with all other mice.
There are some major usability issues with this mouse, however. There is no way to tell your current DPI or profile just by looking at the mouse. It would have been nice if Razer directed their attention to a visual indicator on the mouse rather than putting effort into a pulsing Snake Logo.
The Razer Lachesis doesn’t disappoint in the performance department. The buttons are very responsive, and the high granularity of DPI settings will satisfy any control freak.
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2 Comment
I'd love to see and try this one, though I have seen similar cool gaming gadgets at [link removed].
Nice try, Christopher. If that company wants their products promoted, then they can submit some samples for review. I contacted them at PAX and they blew me off.