Razer DeathAdder Elite: a cutting-edge version for demanding players

Ergonomics

At first glance, difficult to see the changes brought by the DeathAdder Elite. This new model indeed takes up the design of the Chroma identically and we are therefore facing a mouse of medium size and mass (127 x 70 x 44 mm for 105 g), profiled for right-handers only.

It's hard to blame Razer for the lack of changes in the shape of his mouse, since the DeathAdder has become a benchmark for many players over the years. The American manufacturer also offers different designs so that everyone can find a mouse in their hand. Comfort is essential and the hand finds its place quite naturally on the mouse. The DeathAdder is however not too designed for a palm grip and is rather intended for claw grip, or even with the fingertips for larger hands. Indeed, the shell is strongly inclined towards the right and finally rather short, obliging to fold a little major and annular or to move back its hand so that these two fingers remain on the mouse. Only small hands can possibly put the whole palm. Therefore, the comfort is probably a little lower than that of the Mamba from the same manufacturer - yet very similar in its proportions, but tilted differently. We can consider that it is an intermediary between the Diamondback with its aggressive shape dedicated to the finger tip and the more rounded design of a Mamba or even a Naga.

The quality of manufacture is in any case very satisfactory, with slightly rough and not very dirty black plastics. Elastomer inserts improve grip on the thumb and little finger. These are unfortunately much smaller than on the Mamba; we would have appreciated a larger surface, in particular to support the ring finger which is placed on a too smooth surface which does not facilitate the lifting of the mouse - for the replacements if one plays in low sensitivity, for example.

Apart from these small constraints of handling, there is not much to blame the DeathAdder Elite. Index and middle finger fall perfectly on the main buttons of concave shape, while the thumb has access to two buttons on the edge. The main buttons are also based on new mechanical switches developed in partnership with Omron and are guaranteed for a minimum of 50 million activations - those of the DeathAdder Chroma are limited to 20 million. Enough to take long years of intensive use. The reactivity of these switches is in any case very good and their high sensitivity an asset for the game. They are also relatively silent, more in any case than those of the Mamba.

On the top, the wheel does not evolve and must always do without side switches and therefore horizontal scrolling function, even when the latest Mamba are entitled to it. It is however well notched despite a soft and silent scrolling.

It is finally above the wheel that the only visible new feature of the Elite is located: two switches have indeed been added to change the sensitivity of the sensor on the fly (default function, modifiable). Their manipulation requires a little digital gymnastics, because they are placed high enough on the mouse. Difficult therefore to consider using them in full, in the heat of the action, but they find their use to easily switch from one sensitivity to another when switching to another game or use office, for example.

A bit of novelty on the side also glides, since the PTFE pads of this Elite model are now much wider and ensure impeccable gliding. The two small pads at the front of the DeathAdder Chroma are thus replaced by a single pad covering the entire width of the Elite and a pad now surrounds the orifice of the sensor.

No change in the backlighting, already in multicolored (RGB) mode on the Chroma and therefore still capable of beautiful color variations according to several configurable effects in the mouse software (see box below). Wheel and Razer logo on the top light up for the simple pleasure of the eyes.

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Precision

With such a name, this Elite version could hardly overlook a new sensor at the cutting edge of technology. Razer introduces here a new 5G optical sensor capable of absorbing accelerations of 50G and a capture speed reaching 450 in / s, or 11.43 m / s. According to the manufacturer, the resolution accuracy would reach 99.4%, to ensure that the slightest movement of the mouse is captured without faulty interpretation. In fact, it is difficult to fault anything about this sensor in practice, the DeathAdder Elite responding to the most violent requests. The sensor also works on a large number of surfaces, with the exception of glass or excessively reflective materials.

You can of course adjust the sensitivity to the nearest DPI (DPI), up to the delusional value of 16,000 dpi. Recall that such sensitivity is simply unusable for the vast majority of us, since this amounts to making the pointer run across the width of 3 Ultra HD screens with a lateral movement of the mouse of only 2 cm. That said, who can do the most can do the least and we will be happy to be able to configure 5 sensitivity levels to change them on the fly with the mouse buttons.

It is also possible to adjust the height of the sensor dropout and to calibrate it for the surface on which the mouse is used. Razer of course puts forward its own rugs, but you can use the one of your choice. The brand new Gigantus that we used for our tests is not yet listed, but works flawlessly well with the DeathAdder Elite. This giant carpet of 455 x 455 mm is well suited for playing at low sensitivity, since you can make very large movements with the mouse. On the other hand, it is delicate to use a complete keyboard at its sides, since its thickness of 5 mm makes it difficult to put the keyboard on the carpet; it is therefore better to have a keyboard without a numeric keypad (compact or TKL) or a keypad dedicated to the game.

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Conclusion

With his DeathAdder Elite, Razer ensures change in continuity, as he has done for several generations already with his most popular mice. Difficulty to blame him for this, as the DeathAdder has been able to conquer a large audience. Without evolving in form, with a comfortable grip, but not necessarily suitable for everyone, this Elite version is therefore well and truly at the forefront, with its very efficient optical sensor and its reactive switches. No revolution, however, compared to the DeathAdder Chroma, even if we appreciate the two additional buttons on the top.

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