MSRP: $49.95
MyGamer.com’s Hardware Score: 9.6/10
Any serious PC gamer will recognize the name Razer. The name is often used synonymously with other words such as “precision”, “hyper-accurate” and just plain “awesome”. When we heard that Razer was making an upgraded version of their immensely popular Diamondback gaming mouse, we could not wait to review it.
The latest incarnation, the Diamondback 3G , replaces the old version’s somewhat bright (others have called it “garish”) translucent plastic case with a skin of sleek, black rubber. Razer decided to keep their trademark, glowing side-rails and illuminated scroll wheel. This proved to be a good choice, both functionally as well as holding high aesthetic value.
The rubberized skin increases the tactile “stickiness” of the mouse shell, assuring the user’s firm grip even in the heat of a pitched FPS battle, while the opaque coating assures that nobody will be dazzled if the user’s hand is unexpectedly taken away.
Of course, being a Razer, we expected nothing less than pinpoint mouse control, and we were not disappointed. The 3G features an 1800dpi infrared movement sensor (2.25X faster than a standard 800dpi mouse according to Razer), “Hyperesponse” buttons and, of course, the company’s excellent configuration and on-the-fly sensitivity software.
While we could not save button profiles direct to on-board memory contained within the mouse itself (a feature we like in other mice), we do very much like the way the Razer software allows us to dynamically adjust the unit’s sensitivity by holding down one of the mouse’s side buttons while scrolling the wheel – it’s a very simple and intuitive setup and is something that can easily be done in the midst of battle.
The 3G has all of the other little extras that have basically become “must have” items in a gaming mouse of course: Teflon slider feet, a gold-plated USB connector (necessary to ease the passage of the device’s impressive 5.8 mega pixels-per-second data path), extra-long seven-foot cord… trust us, this is a device that you’ll have a hard time switching away from once you use it for a while.
At $49.99 there are cheaper mice out there, but none we can think of that meet let alone surpass the Diamonback 3G for sheer performance and value, and that’s why we’re awarding it this month’s Hardcore Hardware Award – congratulations, Razer!
Pros: Awesome rubberized exterior. Cool blue lighting that doesn’t blind you in a dark room like the original Diamondback. Pinpoint control and on-the-fly sensitivity switching – what could be better?
Cons: Can’t save profile data to on-board memory, but really – would any self-respecting gamer expect to play on a library or public PC? We didn’t think so, either…
