Introduction:
There are not many people who consider the mouse to be one of the more important parts of their computer. I am sure a lot of those people probably feel as comfortable with their mouse as they do with the orange shag carpet in their living room, neither of which they feel any particular need to replace. Their mouse, like the carpet, has always gotten the job done, and it has always suited them just fine. Well, I was once one of them (spinach green carpet here) and I am here to share my revelation with you, not about the carpet, but the mouse. Aside from the minor upgrade of serial to PS/2, and PS/2 to USB there is now a true upgrade path for those who seek a change from the norm. The mouse can no longer play the roll of scapegoat to missed shots, which may not a good thing for some? in the online world of gaming blaming the mouse is almost as popular of an excuse as lag, each of which merely ways to reclaim your dignity after a thorough online ass kicking. Those gamers with this new mouse will have to face the fact that they are no longer limited by their mouse, but now in fact, their mouse is limited only by them.
The Mouse:
It is called the Razer Boomslang, and it is a quantum leap in mouse technology. It has been hyped as being designed for gamers, people who absolutely need the best. That it is for anyone who has ever felt like his or her mouse was holding them back, or anyone who wanted to be sure that their ranking be based on skill, and skill alone. We?ll see if this is merely hype, or if they have the muscle to back up it up. The Boomslang mouse is available in two different versions: 1000DPI and 2000DPI. For this review I am concentrating on the 2000DPI version, you can see my reasons for leaving out the 1000DPI version at the end of the page.
The theme that runs though this review is simple, and it reminds me of a saying in sports, usually in track, that says, ?You can?t make a slow man fast, but you can make a fast man faster?. Likewise, this mouse won?t make a bad gamer good, but it can make a good gamer great. So from here on in there is no safety net, the gloves are off, and it?s all up to you? So lets dive in and see if you?re ready?
When you first open the box for this mouse you are greeted with an unusual sight; an embossed cookie tin, very nice. All of the packaging is top notch. Neatly packed in foam are all of the usual supplies; PS/2 adapter, instructions, driver CD, game demo CD, and of course, the weapon of choice for all virtual snipers out there? The Boomslang 2000 itself. Also included is a very cool booklet pointing out all of the features and technology incorporated inside this odd looking piece of hardware.
The mouse?s key feature is without a doubt the 2000DPI sensitivity, besting the common mouse by about 400%. The difference is incredible, it is basically the equivalent of moving up from a resolution of 640X480 to 2560X1920, which should give you an idea of the difference between the standard mouse and the Boomslang 2000 at full bore. Some other features, 36 dot-per-rotation scroll wheel, means more clicks per revolution than standard mice. Translated, simply means you can scroll through your guns with less movement, another plus. This mouse also features 5 buttons for your fragging pleasure. The two primary buttons are rubberized for a solid grip, and the feet of the mouse are Teflon coated, ensuring low friction movement. All neatly placed at the end of an extended 7 foot long cord.
Now, the feature to make the common mouse extinct: On The Fly Sensitivity. Whew. Technically this should be included in the software/driver portion of the review, but it is so outstanding, so incredibly useful, that I have to list it as a main feature. You really have no idea how big of a difference this makes until you are in the game. This feature allows you to make 19 levels of adjustment to your mouse?s sensitivity (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, etc. up to 10), all without ever having to pause the action, or leave the game and come back. How hard is it to use? Well, hold your thumb button and move the scroll wheel up or down. That?s it. To make it even easier and useful, this is aided by a little bar that pops up in the lower right corner of your screen that tells your sensitivity is currently set at. With this you are essentially able to adapt to any situation or weapon as it happens, being able to fine-tune the controls at will. You?ll be able to shoot the nose off a newbie at 100 yards?. Not a pastime I am likely to want to give up any time soon. And yes, you can have the button for on the fly sensitivity assigned to another function. On the fly sensitivity only takes effect if the button is held and the scroll wheel is turned. If you do not turn the wheel, it is treated as a normal click. On the Fly Sensitivity is very well implemented and I have had no problems with it whatsoever.
The Drivers:
I have to mention that the drivers themselves are beautiful, easily accessible, and easy to use. The functionality and look of the mouse customization menu is above and beyond any other mouse manufacturer out there. They offer you such features as automatic web update, individual x/y sensitivity, individual button configuration, which includes support for macros, on-the-fly-sensitivity (mentioned above), and a left-handed/right-handed option. The drivers also feature the standards, pointer acceleration, sensitivity settings, double click speed, and scroll wheel speed. The drivers also include Razer?s own PS/2 overclocking utility, called PS/2Flex, which will allow you to turn the PS/2 port refresh rate up to 200hz, at the cost of a few FPS. This is the first time I have seen it as a feature in a manufacturers driver set. A nice addition to the Boomslang is that all driver versions above 2.0 have support for each of the 5 buttons to be active simultaneously. The drivers previous to version 2.0 only had support for 4 buttons, button #5 (The pinky button) was dead. Its revival is without a doubt appreciated by all Boomslang owners. This also proves to me that Razer, like any good company, isn?t afraid to keep innovating its products though the use of great drivers.
Although the drivers are great, they can be a nightmare to get installed, now if you do not experience these problems, consider yourself blessed. I use a dual-boot system, Windows 98se for games and Windows 2000 Pro for everything else. Installing the Boomslang in Windows 98 went flawlessly, I reset into Windows 2000 and things quickly went downhill. The driver installation kept asking me for the razer.inf file, I would quickly point Windows to it, and I was promptly told, ?this file contains no information for your hardware?. Windows refused to install the drivers every single time. Luckily I?ve worked in tech support before, because Razer?s tech support would have been more helpful if they didn?t even exist, as it would have saved me some time. That wasn?t the end of this little problem though; it popped its ugly little head up unexpectedly during some routine system cleanup and maintenance. Not only was my Windows 2000 doing the same thing, now Windows 98 was giving me the same exact problem. The problem, by the way, was finally solved after about an hour of squirming through the registry, removing existing mouse drivers, manually uninstalling each of the Razer driver?s files, plugging in my old mouse to reinstall Microsoft?s default mouse drivers, and reinstalling the Razer drivers. So, be sure to remove any additional or existing mouse drivers you may have installed, it is ok to leave the default Windows mouse drivers, hopefully this will help you to avoid this situation.
One last thing that could affect you Windows 2000 users, during the installation of the latest drivers on the Razer website (Version 2.0.12), I was told that the Boomslang is USB-only in Win2000. Since I don?t see any point to using PS/2, this does not affect me, but it is something to think about if you prefer PS/2 to USB and you are using Windows 2000.
NOTE: The latest drivers on the website are 2.0.12, but if you use the update feature inside the Boomslang Customizer you can upgrade to version 2.1.00. Since there is no information on this driver version on their website yet, there isn?t a way to see what additions there are in these new drivers. Hopefully they?ve included Win2000 PS/2 support.
The Shape:
This topic is one that I feared would take over the bulk of this review, it is by far the most controversial aspect of the Boomslang. After all, it is designed to be held not with your palm resting on top, but hovering slightly above, really only moving the mouse with your fingertips. It was given a low profile to help reduce stress on your wrist and to facilitate its ?fingertip control? design. They have also chosen to give the mouse oversized primary buttons, which helps with the positioning of the hand. There are recessed sides for your thumb and pinky to slide into, and lie comfortably. Last but not least, the ball of the mouse sits near the rear, not the middle like standard mice, which does a good job in giving you more controlled and accurate movements. Believe me, you will feel the difference.
Because of its radical design, this crates a pretty big learning curve. The size of the learning curve is really completely dependant on the individual. Please be aware; the young, female, or gamers with small hands will probably have a particularly hard time; the Boomslang just doesn?t seem to have been designed with them in mind. The thumb button might be out of reach, unless you choose to bend your wrist at awkward angles, to bridge the small gap between your thumb and the button. A huge problem for these gamers will be the scroll wheel. Its positioning is a good distance from the back of the mouse. If distance isn?t big enough of a problem, the scroll wheel is designed to be firm, so you can avoid accidentally firing while scrolling, and scrolling while firing. In actuality, many people will find the button downright difficult to press. Possibly making the scroll wheel completely inoperable for this group of gamers. Funny thing is, all of these problems would be avoided if the back of the mouse didn?t stick out so far. Those of you with average to large hands; I honestly can?t see you running into any comfort problems with the Boomslang.
As for me, this mouse fit my hand almost perfectly, considering that this is an ambidextrous mouse that is saying a lot. It will most likely take some time to get used to the fact that the main buttons are quite easy to press, while I was learning I sent my fair share of rockets and bullets into nearby walls. It took me about 12 hours to get comfortable with the mouse. After a few short days, I was back to my average gaming level. As of now, my old skill level is a distant memory, and I am still learning to keep this speed demon under control. I can track and kill beyond what I could before, but I do occasionally find myself flinging wildly as I try to nail someone as they unexpectedly pop into view. Mostly it happens when I underestimate the sensitivity, and let it get away from me.
1 Month Later:
After spending over a month with this mouse, my opinion hasn?t changed. In fact I am even more favorable towards the Boomslang now than I was in the beginning. I am completely convinced; it is hands down the best mouse on the planet. There is no other mouse on the market that should be used in video gaming, period. There has never been any computer upgrade, or any product that has ever improved my game as much as the Razer Boomslang. I no longer run around a Q3 map with my Railgun tucked away in my inventory with a full load of ammo, never to be used. It was once a weapon that was ?too risky if I miss?, and has now been transformed into the weapon of choice. While playing Unreal Tournament, I can quickly pull out my sniper rifle, adjust the sensitivity, and take off a head or two, put down the rifle and readjust the sensitivity so quickly that I am not in danger of losing my own head. This experience was definitely a first for me.
For the melee maniacs out there, you will be able to spin around an enemy, thrashing wildly with your crowbar, knife, or fists like you never have before. For the in your face close combat folks, you can peek into a room, locate and pick off all enemies, and have the room cleared out faster than you ever could before. I?m sure any Rainbow Six?er out there knows just how important that is, that split second can mean the difference between life and death. Where would we be without all you snipers out there? Well, sniping just happens to be the Boomslang?s specialty. Tracking running enemies now only involves a slow and steady movement of your fingertips. With a standard mouse, it is usually a matter of moving the mouse until you run out of pad, hit the end, pick up the mouse, and reposition it back on the other side. You either keep doing this until you either completely lose the shot, or catch up just long enough to get a shot off, usually missing. Needless to say, very rarely is a quickly moving target appropriately taken down while sniping. Luckily, These shots once impossible are now not only possible, but seem to get easier day-by-day.
A very unexpected and extremely welcome benefit of the Boomslang 2000 is that it doesn?t just help your gaming. Any work that you need quick and/or precise mouse movement for, the Boomslang is as good as it gets. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw, 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, you name it? I am now able to make masks and selections in Photoshop that I could never have made before, even with a graphics tablet, let alone any standard mouse. When you add on the fly sensitivity, you?ll notice you can quickly and easily cover very large areas with high sensitivity, and very small, intricate areas with lower settings. This proves to me that even if you aren?t even interested in video games, the Boomslang is still able to impress.
The Future:
If you do find yourself cursing at this mouse for its shape, fear not, the Mamba is coming. Mamba is Razer?s answer to anyone who didn?t like the Boomslang. The Mamba and Boomslang will live ?in harmony? as Razer puts it. I do find this believable, as the Mamba offers no new technology; there is no threat to your new Boomslang being outdated in a couple of months. The Mamba will simply be a more conventional shape; it will no longer be ambidextrous, but designed for righties. In my opinion of the design drawings, it looks a little like a more rounded version of the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer. The Mamba is going to be offered in the same 1000DPI and 2000DPI as the Boomslang. I personally can?t wait for Razer to put a Mamba in my hand so I can give you the inside scoop.
The Boomslang 1000:
This all brings me to the point I brought up in the beginning of the review regarding the Boomslang 1000, the 2000?s younger brother. I normally play games with my Boomslang set to a sensitivity of around 8.5, depending on the situation I might go as low as 6 or as high as 10. The Boomslang 1000 operates at half of the sensitivity of the Boomslang 2000. As you can almost certainly tell, that isn?t nearly enough. On the fly sensitivity is something that can only fully be exploited with a sensitivity of over 1000, so that feature is rendered almost totally useless. Because of its ?low? speed at 1000 DPI, in comparison to the 2000 DPI, this mouse does very little to distinguish itself from all the other mice available today, let alone justify its $50-60 price tag.
The Conclusion:
The Boomslang 2000 is where the power truly is, and its really intended for anyone who doesn?t mind dropping a good chunk of change to improve his or her game. It can offer up something no other mouse can, no matter what style of play you prefer. Its price point shows this, although it retails for $99, it can be found online in the mid $70 range. I do find this pricing high, in some reviews I even heard that included in the box were the full version of Battlezone II and a 3M Precise Mousing Surface. These guys were either wrong, or Razer changed their minds, either way they are not included. If Razer had included these it would have certainly softened the blow. Instead you are left with a demo version of Soldier of Fortune. For a mouse that made my wallet $78 lighter, and still having to buy a good mousepad on top of that, it definitely left a short, but bitter taste in my mouth. Less extravagant packaging would be a nice way to save a couple bucks, what good does the cookie tin do you after the initial ?Wow!? it takes up space in your closet. That?s about it. If you really do take a good look at the pricing you realize it is not that bad? it is actually in the same ballpark as a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer. The heavy duty (and it is heavy) Boomslang with its 7? cord, rubberized mouse buttons, Teflon coated feet, and all the other features eat the Explorer for lunch. But in order to fully realize what this mouse can do for you, and to unleash its full potential, and yours, you do have to get a good mousepad; it?s a requirement. Luckily I?ve been testing different varieties and I will have a review of great mousepads for your new Boomslang coming very shortly, so stay tuned.
To sum it all up; The Razer Boomslang is not merely a mouse for high-end gamers, but for anyone who is looking for a way to actually help improve their game. Now, even after all this, you are still thinking its too much for a mouse, let me put it in perspective. How much did you spend on your video card? Most serious gamers spend anywhere from $250 up to $450 for a GeForce 2 Ultra. I don?t see how someone can justify that, and yet not justify the $70-80 price tag of the Boomslang 2000. The $400 video card may let you play the game faster, but by passing up this mouse, that just means you will suck at 60FPS instead of 30FPS.
?Just in case you are still wondering, yes, we replaced the green carpet.
Ratings:
[ 25/25 ] Innovation
[ 25/25 ] Performance
[ 20/25 ] Software
[ 20/25 ] Value
Rating
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90%
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