Razer is actively pushing portable systems with the launch of the Razer Blade series in Europe, as well as the world unveiling of the seriously impressive Blade Pro. The company also needs a portable mouse that can be used with these notebooks, as well as other laptops and general computing use. This is where the Orochi comes in.
As well as being lugged around with a laptop, this mobile mouse is designed to be transported between LAN events, thanks to the included bag and sleeved cable for both wired and wireless connectivity. The unit we're looking at today is the 2015 model, which is the successor to the older 2014 Orochi mouse.
It looks the part
The Orochi is a Razer mouse and so you can expect to see the similar looks shared by sibling products. It sports an aggressive, almost alien look from the front and is comfortable to hold using all grip styles aside full palm, unless you happen to have smaller hands. And because this is Razer, there's also Chroma lighting with full support for its Synapse software.
Despite the form factor and who this mouse is targeted at, Razer has managed to pack in a total of seven programmable buttons. The main two buttons and scroll wheel clicker are joined by two more on either side of the unit. They all feel solid, as one would expect from the brand.
It's fairly light to wield, but with two AA batteries thrown inside, the Orochi sticks to the mousepad well. It's ambidextrous too, so you the southpaws out there won't have to worry about getting a mouse designed around a right-hand-dominated world.
Lock 'n load
By default, two of the four optional side buttons are programmed for switching between the available DPI modes, which can be configured up to a maximum of 8200. The sensor deployed by Razer is the company's 4G laser solution. It's by no means the latest and greatest, but for light gaming and productivity, you'll be absolutely fine with the accuracy and response.
Using the mouse, I immediately grew accustomed to Razer's technology in a smaller form factor. I found the mouse to be responsive, even with sudden movements, and experienced very little in terms of jittery pointer or mouse acceleration. This is all as one would expect from a mouse at this price point. The wireless connection is also more than reliable enough, though polling rates and response times take a hit.
- Wired and wireless modes
- Chroma lighting (16.8 million colors)
- 8,200 DPI G4 laser sensor
- Up to 7 months of battery life
- 210 inches per second / 50G acceleration
Unfortunately, the mouse only makes use of Bluetooth 4.0, so if your desktop or laptop doesn't have built-in support then you'll need to rely on a wired connection with the supplied one meter cable.
Synapse
Razer, like other manufacturers, offers a software solution that connects all available peripherals, be it mice, keyboards or even headsets. The Orochi is no different in that you'll be able to utilize Synapse to configure and personalize the mouse to suite your exact requirements. Better yet, if you hook up multiple Synapse-enabled accessories, then you'll be able to match lighting effects and more.
As well as lighting, you can set up the Orochi's programmable buttons in Synapse. These can be set differently depending on which profile is currently loaded. Configuring profiles with sensitivity, macros, and more make for quite the powerful on-the-fly switch system. A bonus of using a Razer account means everything is backed up in the cloud.
Should you buy the Razer Orochi?
Pros:
- Solid ergonomics
- Excellent accuracy
- Portable with included bag
- Detachable sleeved cable
Cons:
- Pricey
- Chroma only on the wheel
The Orochi is targeted at portable PC owners and LAN event attendees. Should you use your laptop for some light gaming (or simply enjoy using a quality mouse) while on the move, the Orochi is worth picking up. Likewise if you're looking to head to a LAN event sometime soon. The addition of a wired mode with detachable cable, as well as a carry bag makes it an ideal companion.
It's not worth purchasing for full use on a desktop PC, especially if you're into FPS, MOBA and MMO titles. Other Razer mice are specifically designed for these sorts of games and should be considered instead. That said, it's a solid, portable mouse and one that is a joy to use. It is a little pricey, but that's to be expected with Razer.
