Review: Razer Mamba (2015)

by Tarinder Sandhu on 15 October 2015, 09:53

Tags: Razer, razer-mice, razer-other

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Software, usage and conclusion

There are no surprises with the Synapse software shipping with Razer products. It is split into three logical tabs - mouse, macros and stats. The mouse tab includes the majority of the tweaking options such as acceleration, button assignments, DPI adjustments, lighting effects and surface calibration, and this is where gamers can fine-tune the mouse to their liking.

Configurability is a strong point of the software, as is the simple, intuitive way it is laid out, but we still don't like fact that the configured options are stored in the cloud, not on any memory resident on the mouse itself. Razer will argue that a cloud-based approach enables the user to download their preferred settings to any machine in one fell swoop, yet we question the number of times a single product will be moved between devices. Being fair, the cloud approach does have some merit if you own multiple Razer devices, where settings are automatically downloaded and applied.

Back to the software, the lighting tab usefully splits off adjustments into two separate layouts. The primary window allows users to pick between preset effects as well as choose the direction of flow and the brightness level. A second, more advanced layout can be entered by clicking through to the Chroma Configurator which allows for individual customisation of each of the 16 LEDs depending on the mode in question.

In use we found no perceivable difference between using the Mamba in the preferred wireless or corded modes. Tracking was precise and lag-free in both instances. The Philips' sensor has a lift-off distance of just 0.1mm after which it stops tracking, meaning that repositioning movements across the mousepad don't interfere with tracking that headshot if you happen to be a 'lifter'.

The 16,000 DPI figure is more useful for bombastic marketing than real-world gaming. Having a play at that setting on a 4K monitor reveals that mouse movements are too fast for the regular gamer, while most pro gamers won't play at such a graphically intense setting anyway. If nothing else, the Mamba's sensor is primed for gamers who don't want to worry about smoothly sailing across super-high-resolution screens for years to come.

The Mamba's 125g weight makes it feel quite light in our opinion. The lack of mass, compared to other gaming mice, is certainly noticeable with quick movements and constant repositioning in fast-paced games. Some like this, others don't, and we'd recommend a weighting system often in evidence elsewhere.

Very minor niggles don't take away from the notion that this is a well-thought-out mouse. Excellent design, solid build quality, and lag- and wire-free gaming are augmented with a comprehensive roster of options available from the Synapse software.

Excellence in almost all facets that matter to the gamer, the Razer Mamba 2015 mouse is a high-quality product. Such praise is tempered by the £135 retail price that puts it out the reach of many gamers. If you can justify it, there are few peripherals that are better. For everyone else, the corded Mamba Tournament Edition, costing £55 less, is certainly the more viable option.

The Good
 
The Bad

Stylish RGB lighting
Good build quality
Excellent sensor
Lag-free wireless gaming
Very configurable software

 

Premium pricing
No weight adjustment

 

HEXUS awards


Razer Mamba (2015)

 

HEXUS where2buy

The Razer Mamba (2015) mouse is available from Scan Computers*.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

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HEXUS Forums :: 19 Comments

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Go on, I'll be that guy.

£135 is too much money for a mouse, in my opinion.

I currently use a logitech G600, which is £60 and what I would class as a mid to to end mouse. (I only paid £30 as there was a voucher at the time but I was happy to pay £60)

I appreciate this is wireless and that there is always a premium on Razer products (…for some reason?) and it is clearly the top mouse offered, but more than double my mouse? I struggle to see the justification personally.

Also, regarding the sensor increasing in single DPI, if anyone says they can notice a single DPI different at 8,000 in a game or in anything less than purely synthetic, I have a geordie phrase for them:

“Haddaway”

- There is lengthened version which includes a word I'm not allowed to use and is much more appropriate but as this is a family friendly forum and I abide by the rules I have not included it :thumbsup:

What utter rubbish, it's most certainly a gimmick feature.
I would love one of these but spending £135 or £80 for a mouse is probably considered grounds for a divorce.
just binned my old one a week or so ago (5ys old).. battery bubbled and button went …
picked up a kone xtd .. well plzed
do people really use dpi that high ??
Maybe that DPI is useful @4k but that's about it :/
I really used to like Razer and appreciate that they're aiming at the high end market. But, their pricing has gone beyond a joke now even when you take into account this is their flagship mouse. I was looking for a mouse relatively recently to replace an ageing Razer Lachesis so naturally had a look at their offerings. Everyone single one was overpriced compared to the competition which offered either more functionality or costed less. I went with a Corsair in the end and saved about 40 quid. So yeah - I'll stand with you Jowsey as ‘that guy’ :)