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Razer Transformers 3 DeathAdder Optimus Prime and Vespula review
Jason Tsay
Transformers. Robots in Disguise. — With the release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon this summer, Razer unveiled a couple of new products - four specially themed DeathAdder’s, a Vespula, and laptop case. Our good friends at Razer sent us a DeathAdder and Vespula to check out.
Features (DeathAdder)
- Collector’s Edition
- 3500dpi Razer Precision 3.5G infrared sensor
- Ergonomic right-handed design
- 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response
- On-The-Fly Sensitivity adjustment
- Zero-acoustic Ultraslick mouse feet
- Seven-Foot, lightweight, braided fiber cable
Features (Vespula)
- Non-slip, anti-reflective, abrasion-resistant hard coat
- SPEED surface for faster mouse movements
- CONTROL surface for precise mouse movements
- Size: 300mm (length) x 240mm (width) x 4 mm (height)
- Comes with a gel-filled wrist rest
Our Impressions (DeathAdder)
The Transformers DeathAdder actually comes in four varieties - Optimus Prime (red), Bumblebee (yellow), Megatron (silver), and Shockwave (purple). Obviously we chose the mighty leader of the Autobots.
The Razer DeathAdder comes in a box covered with all sorts of diagrams, product shots, and Transformers markings. Inside, you get the mouse, a quick start guide, master guide, certificate of authenticity, product catalog, and two stickers.
The Razer Transformers 3 DeathAdder Optimus Prime is just like any other DeathAdder aside from the fact that it is bright red and has an Autobot logo in place of the standard Razer one. In true Razer fashion, the logo pulsates when the mouse is idle. Instead of a matte black coating, this collector’s edition of the mouse is finished in a nice metallic gloss (the sides and bottom of the mouse are still glossy black). It doesn’t feel as nice as the signature Razer matte finish but it’s perfectly manageable in terms of fingerprints, offering more grip for that matter. Below the Autobot logo is the Transformers text logo in a two row format and in fine print at the bottom “© 2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.” We think the Autobot logo is pretty cool but we really could do without the extra lettering beneath it. One other complaint we have is with the lighting. On the box and online, the red and blue color scheme looks magnificent but in person the lighting isn’t very vibrant at all. On other Razer mice we’ve tested, the blue hue is very bright but the lights in this mouse look pretty pale unless you’re in a really dark room. On the bottom side of the mouse there are 3 Teflon feet - two L shaped ones at the top and a larger one at the bottom. The laser is circled by a sticker (not a Teflon ring) reading 3.5G infrared sensor • precision 3500 dpi. A large sticker with the barcode, serial number, model number, product number adheres to the underside. A button situated to the right of the laser allows you to switch sensitivity on the fly.
Aside from the minor cosmetic alterations, the mouse performs just as well as the standard DeathAdder does (this is the newer 3500 dpi second generation DeathAdder). The large side buttons and ultra wide left/right click buttons seem easier to click than normal but they weren’t as big of an issue as expected. The left and right click buttons are curved in a way so that your fingers slide right in and click comfortably. The scroll wheel feels nice with its width and ridged design but it seems to have a different mechanism than some of the company’s newer mice - you don’t feel the individual clicks as distinctly. The gigantic side buttons are always in reach and click audibly when you apply the slightest pressure. The contour of the mouse is awesome for palm style gamers and the 3500 dpi laser leaves little to be desired during intense deathmatches. A 7 foot braided and gold plated USB cable is more than adequate.
The software that you can get off of Razer’s website isn’t the prettiest but it let’s you toy around with some pretty advanced settings. Basic options include button assignment, scrollwheel options, lighting on/off, polling, and dpi but you also get to tweak advanced sensitivity with x and y axes as well as double click speed, scrolling speed, and acceleration.
Our Impressions (Vespula)
The Razer Vespula comes in a large cardboard box with a window on one side. The package comes with the mousepad, a certificate of authenticity, and stickers.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Vespula is that it comes in two pieces - a lightweight but durable plastic surface and a gel wristrest/antislip rubber base. To assemble the mousepad, simply plop the plastic down on the rubber and slide it to meet the wristrest like a puzzle, The Vespula comes in two parts so that you can easily swap to either side of the mousepad. Why would you want to do that? The Vespula is actually a double sided (speed/control) mousepad. More than meets the eye indeed!
The plastic bit of the mousepad is not a perfect rectangle like most mousepads. It’s shaped somewhat like an M with the edges of an H (see pictures). The mousing areas appear to be tightly applied onto a larger sheet of glossy black plastic, as a border is clearly visible. Rubber feet are located on each of the four corners just in case you decide not to use the wristrest part of the pad. Measuring 300mm by 240mm by 4 mm, it’s not the largest of mousepads and is actually smaller than the medium sized Goliathus but during our testing, we didn’t feel that the size was restricting in any way (if you have a big mouse and tend to move it vertically, you might run out of space). The red speed side has a picture of Optimus Prime in an epic pose while the purple control side depicts Megatron. The speed side is nice and smooth while the control side is grainy like sandpaper. In usage, both sides are pretty loud (much louder than a cloth mat) but the rougher control side is the more audible of the two. Both sides were great for different types of gaming. When we needed precision, we tweaked the mouse settings and flipped to the control side. When agility was required, the silky smooth speed surface came into function. Most gamers will probably experiment with both sides for a while and pick one to live with though. The rubber base works quite well in gripping on to the table. It isn’t all that different from the layer on the bottom of the Razer Goliathus cloth mousepad. The gel filled wrist rest, on the other hand, is not that great. Why? It’s too hard and it’s raised too high. Rather than relieving wrist stress, it puts your hand at a slightly awkward angle and reduces mousing area by forcing your hand forward. After a while, we adjusted to this new mouse grip style but it certainly didn’t feel as natural.
Overall
The Transformers 3 DeathAdder and Vespula are great versions of their original, non themed counterparts. Fans of the Transformers finally have the option to use licensed peripherals without sacrificing great gaming quality. Our only complaint about the Collector’s Edition DeathAdder is that we think Razer went a little overboard with the Transformers branding. Otherwise, both the DeathAdder and Vespula are highly recommended!
Pro’s (DeathAdder Mouse)
- same great DeathAdder
- looks pretty cool
- comfortable
Con’s (DeathAdder)
- too many logos
Pro’s (Vespula)
- two mousepads in one!
- high quality hard surfaces
- unique design
Con’s (Vespula)
- loud
- wristrest too hard
Where to buy
Razer / Amazon — MSRP: $59.99 (DeathAdder)
Razer / Amazon — MSRP: $34.99 (Vespula)
This review was done by Jason Tsay, who was provided the Transformers Edition DeathAdder and Vespula by Razer.
