The Razer Orochi has been given a new lease on life with the brand new and improved V2. Coming in at $69.99 and featuring the latest in the company’s wireless technology, it’s a mouse focused on eSports players and gamers on the go. Here is our review of the Orochi V2 mobile gaming mouse.
Specifications
- MSRP: $69.99 (Razer Store)
- Dual-mode wireless (2.4GHz and BLE)
- Battery life: Up to 425 hours (2.4Ghz), 950hours (BLE) with included Lithium AA battery
- AA/AAA battery slot (only one type at a time)
- Polling Rate: 1000Hz
- True 18,000 DPI 5G optical sensor
- Up to 450 inches per second (IPS) / 40 G acceleration / industry best 99.4% resolution accuracy
- 2nd-gen Razer™ Mechanical Mouse Switches rated for 60 million clicks
- 100% PTFE mouse feet
- On-The-Fly Sensitivity Adjustment (Default stages: 400/800/1600/3200/6400)
- Single onboard memory
- Six independently programmable buttons
- Razer Synapse 3 enabled
- Symmetrical right-handed design
- Gaming-grade tactile scroll wheel
- Approximate size: 108mm (Length) x 60mm (Width) x 38mm (Height)
- Approximate weight: <60g / <2.2oz (mass centralized)
Universal Grip Tape Specifications
- Material: Polyurethane
- Thickness: 0.5mm
- Sizes & Qty
- Regular hexagon – 8 mm edge – 18 pcs
- Regular hexagon – 5mm edge – 18 pcs
- Hexagon – 15 mm x 6mm – 6 pcs
- Rectangle – 40 mm x 15 mm – 4 pcs
Sphex V3 Specifications
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Dimensions (W x H):
- Small – 270 mm x 215 mm
- Large – 450 mm x 400 mm
- Thickness: 0.4 mm
- Surface: Hard
- Base: Adhesive
- Mat Type: Hard
Design & Features
The Orochi V2 carries over the name and reputation of the original but receives a complete overhaul of its design. The OG release in mid-2009, so some changes were certainly warranted. The newly refreshed Orochi V2 features a new symmetrical right-handed design with a taller hump to benefit multiple grip styles. Unlike its predecessor, the V2 has ditched the wire altogether. Instead, it features Razer’s latest HyperSpeed wireless 2.4 GHz technology in addition to Bluetooth connectivity, as well as the company’s latest mechanical switches and optional grip tape add-ons.
One of the biggest features that sets this mouse apart from the competition is its battery life. Players using Bluetooth will get up to an incredible 950 hours of battery life. While on HyperSpeed wireless that drops to a still-incredible 425 hours. This means you could, in theory, go months without needing to replace the battery.
Razer also improved the battery compartment itself. It now features dual slots for either a AA or AAA battery. This gives users more options when replacing the battery to further dial in the weight of the mouse. Razer has also corrected an issue that you may have not even realized: the position of the battery inside the mouse. In the past, batteries were often inserted into the chassis in a way that left the mouse unbalanced resulting in uneven weight distribution that can lead to inaccurate movements and flicks. It’s important to note here that though there are two slots, only one should be used at a time.
The small, compact form factor is aimed at mobile gaming; however, this does not suppress the fact this mouse makes an excellent mouse for just about any setup. With Razer’s wireless technology and minimalist design, it makes a perfect fit for desktop setups as well, especially those that may also include a compact keyboard. With the addition of its long-lasting battery, it really is a “set it and forget it” mouse that performs just as well if not better than many wired gaming mice.
It’s not uncommon for ultralight mice to ship with specialized grips to help them stay secure in the hand, but the Orochi V2 ships these separately to ensure the bare minimum weight Razer’s Universal Grip pack is an optional accessory that allows you to apply custom-sized grips to the Orochi V2 or even other gaming mice. I first tried to use it without just as I would normally have. I decided to try the grips and now I cannot imagine using my mice without them. Applying them to the mouse buttons and side grip definitely makes the mouse feel more stable in the hand. They’re also pre-cut with adhesive backs for easy application.
When it comes to design, the Orochi V2 is a relatively simple, yet tiny, six-button mouse. Each of these is programmable using Razer Synapse and is compatible with Hypershift to nearly double the amount of inputs, though it will certainly be more limited than something like the Basilisk V2. Under the hood, it features Razer’s 2nd-gen mechanical mouse switches that are rated for 60 million clicks each and feature gold-plated contact points that will provide more resistance to degrading over-vigorous use. The mouse also uses Razer’s 5G optical sensor which has some impressive specs: true 18K DPI, 40G acceleration, and a top speed of 450 IPS. Razer claims an “industry best” 99.4% accuracy with this sensor and, true to its claims, I found it delivered pixel-perfect accuracy even in high-intensity first-person shooters.
Razer also included the new Sphex V3 hard mouse mat in the testing package shipped to me. It’s Razer’s thinnest mouse mat at 0.4mm thick and is made from polycarbonate. With such a thin, lightweight design, I was glad to see it incorporate an adhesive back to avoid slippage but does mean you can’t easily move it in the heat of the moment. The Sphex V3 offers an ultra-smooth surface and is extremely fast: a perfect match for a twitch mouse like the Orochi V2. Razer claims that it is easy to remove and won’t leave any marks. In such short-term testing, it’s difficult to really test the veracity of this claim, but I will update the review if anything changes.
Returning to the Orochi, one neat feature arriving with this mouse is compatibility with the Razer Customs program. This platform allows gamers to buy made-to-order products with custom and officially licensed designs. Using this program, you can choose from backgrounds, patterns, stickers, and their gamer tag to create a shell that is uniquely their own.
Final Thoughts
I found my experience with Razer’s Orochi V2 a pleasant one. The small ultralight form factor is great for traveling and games where you want the mouse to disappear into your hand. The battery life is simply outstanding and could literally be a year or more between replacements depending on your use. If you are looking for a new gaming mouse that can keep up with some mobile eSports then look no further. With an MSRP of $69.99, it may feel a bit on the expensive side, but remains an excellent choice for the features and reliability it offers.
