Razer Pro | Solutions

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This is a review of both the Razer "Pro Pad" and "Pro v1.6" mouse.

A little "history" first

Ever since getting an Apple "Mighty Mouse" when they were released, I've been wanting a new mouse. After spending ?35 on it, I didn't really want to buy another one straight away, and put up with it. I actually sold an MX1000 to pay for the damn thing, which I very much regretted.

Why did I sell an MX1000 for it in the first place? Well, I loved the shape of the Apple bluetooth mouse I had previously, and I was intrigued by the new features. I thought the idea of a scroll ball was fantastic, and it worked just as well as I had hoped. I've had two mice with tilt-wheels (MS and Logitech) and they just don't work well at all. The ball on the other hand worked exactly as it should, and is something I'd love to see on other mice.

The downside to having this was that, along with the added right click functionality, it changed the position of your hand, ruining the good ergonomics of its overall shape. The side button on it was great, although it wasn't without its own drawbacks. For a start, I prefer to have two buttons at the side. Having the button also removed the feature of the bluetooth mouse where you could lift it mouse to reposition while still having the button depressed.

The tracking was the worst thing though, which surprised me after having no real problems with the bluetooth mouse. (this was on another desk though) I wasn't expecting a top performer, but expected at least as good as the bluetooth mouse I had before it. It constantly jumped all over the place and needed sensitivity turned up to the max to be usable, which is ultimately what killed it for me.

The cord being stupidly short also put me off the mouse, as it was designed to only be used with an Apple USB keyboard it seems. The cord itself was a major annoyance, as it always tried to curl up whenever there was any slack, causing me to always have to pull on it, or uncurl it.

[pixated]

Nice review. I am thinking of getting one for my iBook simply because it's white and a Razer. :D Btw my Copperhead works with OS X, although not very good. But it does work. ;)

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Nice review. I am thinking of getting one for my iBook simply because it's white and a Razer. :D Btw my Copperhead works with OS X, although not very good. But it does work. ;)

Well, the thing is, it's not officially supported, and I imagine that means not being able to change DPI / Sensitivity of the mouse properly.

Strange that the website specifically states it won't work.

[pixated]

Yeah you can't set that. You can only use the Apple built in options. And the mouse movement is not smooth, jumps all around. There are no drivers for it. Well there are but they are not free so it's not worth it.

The Logitech MX510 doesn't work good either though. I tried it with the Logitech drivers as well and that only made it worse.

[Blaxje]

Nice review, I own both the Mouse and the pad and they are awesome.

[John S. Veteran]

Great review. I, too was dissapointed with Mighty Mouse after leaping to purchase one when they first came out. After switching to a Diamondback Plasma LE I've been more than satisfied with it's performance. Looking at the specs, the Razer Pro appears to be the same mouse in white clothing. I'm seriously tempted, it would match my iMac so well. :D

[chconline Veteran]

No built in memory and its non-flashable? Not laser? :p

Well I got a Razer Copperhead as a review sample, and that thing is damn accurate and really 1337 in FPS titles like CS:S, except Fedex broke the right mouse button lol (Sending me a new one)

Nice review btw (Y)

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No built in memory and its non-flashable? Not laser? :p

:laugh: As I said, the Copperhead isn't supported under OSX (it may "work" but jumps all over the place)

Not only that, but the issues I had with my MX1000 Laser mouse seem to be an issue with the technology itself, and not that specific mouse. I have read numerous reports of tracking issues with the Copperhead, G5, G7 and MX1000.

Razer themselves have stated that it (and all other laser mice) doesn't track well on surfaces like the eXactMat, or other gaming pads, and are bringing out a new pad specifically designed for laser mice.

Well I got a Razer Copperhead as a review sample, and that thing is damn accurate and really 1337 in FPS titles like CS:S, except Fedex broke the right mouse button lol (Sending me a new one)

Nice review btw (Y)

Thanks. :)

[Jelly2003]

Nice review, pitty about the drivers, perhaps they'll release some better ones for you in the near future.

[IK47]

so basically you can't use a laser mouse with Macs?!

that's weird.

anyways, Im hoping Apple makes their own hi-performance mouse

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so basically you can't use a laser mouse with Macs?!

that's weird.

anyways, Im hoping Apple makes their own hi-performance mouse

You can use an MX1000 fine, but it's not a great mouse. You can probably use most other laser mice out there too, it just seems that there's no official support for mice with the latest 2000dpi Agilent sensor in them. (G5, G7, Copperhead)

[vf-]

You can use an MX1000 fine, but it's not a great mouse. You can probably use most other laser mice out there too, it just seems that there's no official support for mice with the latest 2000dpi Agilent sensor in them. (G5, G7, Copperhead)

Why is the MX1000 not a good mouse? and why is it I always seem to hear the MX1000 has lag problems and such...

This only happened when the MX1000 was first released then 6 months or so after there was a new batch with no lag or sensitivity issues.

I use a MX1000 on a Icemat 2nd Edition and the other on a Q-Pad with a Razer Copperhead that shares it and never had problems like some describe. However I did put Q-Pad feet on the mice which just makes it slide along!

One thing though I really do love the shape of the Copperhead which is exactly the same shape as that Pro, feels so flat and comfy. In a way the MX1000 is like a dome or like those those new shaped beetle cars.

Also the best part to me with the MX1000 and OS X, no tinkering with drivers which like yourself has encountered. Plug and play and tie the buttons to Expose.

I will admit though with OS X seems these companies its low priority for them as Logitech don't rush with driver updates and appears Razer too.

I remember it was no fun when I first got the MX1000 which was a faulty Unit that got replaced and 10.4.2 came out and Logitech told me their drivers weren't compatible with it.

Edited January 23, 2006 by vf

[Noxel]

You can use an MX1000 fine, but it's not a great mouse. You can probably use most other laser mice out there too, it just seems that there's no official support for mice with the latest 2000dpi Agilent sensor in them. (G5, G7, Copperhead)

How is the MX1000 not great? i've had it for a long time now, and i have no complaints. Much better then any other mouse i've used, and great for gaming aswell. It's a sturdy, and reliable mouse. I haven't really seen any bad reviews on it either.. So please explain as to why it's not great? :blink:

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There's lag, it's succeptible to interference, and laser has trouble tracking on many surfaces. The G5/7/Copperhead have flashable firmware, which has been updated to help correct this, but it's still a problem inherent with laser tech. (which is why they are working on special pads for laser mice)

There's also a delay if the mouse is lifted and set down again, with the MX1000 at least - I don't know if this is typical for all laser products. The tilt-wheel was beyond useless, in my opinion. Worse than Microsoft's attempts.

Don't get me wrong - it's a not a bad mouse, but it's not a great one either, in my opinion. It is certainly a lot better than many cheap optical mice though, and the tracking can be fairly smooth.

And personally, I just don't like the ergonomics much. I prefer a flatter mouse than one designed to be "gripped" than used in a relaxed position.

[JR007]

I have not had any problems with my MX1000 mouse either. Its the best mouse I ever owned. Its designed very well and it fits well in my hand during use.

[chconline Veteran]

Razer themselves have stated that it (and all other laser mice) doesn't track well on surfaces like the eXactMat, or other gaming pads, and are bringing out a new pad specifically designed for laser mice.

Thanks. :)

I use my on the Func sUrface 1030 Archetype (<-- review sample) and its just fine... after a firmware upgrade anyway.

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I use my on the Func sUrface 1030 Archetype (<-- review sample) and its just fine... after a firmware upgrade anyway.

Cool. :) As I said though, no official support for any of those 2000 dpi mice on OSX yet, and I needed a mouse. Still waiting to hear back from Razer about my problems though. :(

As for the MX1000 - it's a good mouse, if you don't encounter / notice the issue it has. I'm not a fan of Logitech ergonomics, but that's personal preference. If I was buying a new mouse though, that wouldn't be under consideration anymore. I'd be going for a Razer (most likely) or one of the newer Logitech mice that (apparently) have many of the issues fixed.

How do the new laser mice do if you lift them off the desk? (not that you should have to at 2000 dpi) Does it still have some lag when it's put down? Again, it shouldn't be an issue anymore at 2000 dpi, but was with my MX1000 at 800.

[chconline Veteran]

The only reason I can see that the MX1000 will lag after lifting them off the desk and putting it down is that because it was switched off to save power. This happens to my MX600 after its not been used in a while (The mouse that comes with the MX3000 set, which is another review sample :p ) Anyway gaming mice does not go in standby mode, so no it doesnt lag at all. I dont have it on 2000 dpi.. a little to sensitive for my likings but I mapped some buttons to on the fly DPI switch.

[pixated]

How do the new laser mice do if you lift them off the desk? (not that you should have to at 2000 dpi) Does it still have some lag when it's put down? Again, it shouldn't be an issue anymore at 2000 dpi, but was with my MX1000 at 800.

There is no lag in any situation with my Copperhead. At least i haven't noticed one. And you can lift it up and put it down as much as you want. It will not block up for a few seconds like the MX1000 did (from what i saw at a friends place).

[Rudiparis]

I am thinking about getting the Razer Pro v1.6 mouse but I could not find a clear answer if it works with USB 1.0 (I dont have USB 2.0).

-> Can anyone confirm if it works on USB 1.0 port?

Thank you for your reply in advance...

[chconline Veteran]

It does work, I plugged my Copperhead into a USB 1.1 port, I dont see how this wouldnt work.

[Rudiparis]

It does work, I plugged my Copperhead into a USB 1.1 port, I dont see how this wouldnt work.

thank you for your quick reply - I ordered it today (counting on you...)

greetings rudiparis

[chconline Veteran]

Here read this review... by me :) http://aphnetworks.com/node/1038

[Detroit]

pffft, needing a aser mouse to potentially own in cs.... I am perfectly fine destroying everyone with my trusty mx510 hehe (red )

[chconline Veteran]

You just never tried it. Anyway I got my hands on a G5 now.