Razer Copperhead Gaming Mouse Review

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by Blake Bonfiglio

Introduction

Razer is a pretty well known, and rapidly growing company, dedicated to creating peripherals designed for the most hardcore of gamers, and the people who just like their products to stand out in the crowd. The Razer Copperhead is the successor to their legendary mouse, the Diamondback. The Copperhead is the only mouse in the Razer lineup powered by a Laser tracking engine, and performs very well because of it.

Razer Copperhead on the right, Razer Diamondback on the left (view large image)

Technical Specs

The Razer Copperhead is one of the highest DPI mice available, and one of the only gaming mice to feature a Laser engine. Following are the full specs for this mouse:

• 2000 DPI Laser Engine Powered by Razer Precision
• 1000 Hz Ultrapolling with 1 ms response time as compared with 125Hz/8 ms response time used by other conventional gaming mice
• 32KB Onboard Memory Powered by Razer Synapse
• 7 independently programmable buttons optimized with Razer’s Hyperesponse technology for ultra tactile button feedback and maximum actions-per-minute (APM) gameplay
• Zero-Acoustic Ultraslick Teflon feet
• 16 bit data path, as compared to 8 bit and 12 bit data paths used by other conventional mice
• High speed motion detection, up to 45ips and 20g / Over 7080 frames per second
• Always-On mode pioneered by Razer - the laser engine sensor never powers down to provide instantaneous response at all times during gameplay
• Award winning Razer drivers featuring On-the-Fly Sensitivity DPI adjustment pioneered by Razer
• Size: 5.04&quot; length x 2.5&quot; width x 1.54&quot; height
• GlowPipe non-slip side rails
• Ergonomic ambidextrous design
• Ultra large non-slip rubber coated mouse buttons
• Gold plated USB connector for maximum conductivity
• 7 foot, lightweight, non-tangle cord

Razer Copperhead on the right, Razer Diamondback on the left (view large image)

Reasons for Buying

My brother recently got a very nice gaming computer, and I was looking for a mouse that could keep up with his rig. I have had quite a bit of experience with Razer, owning a Diamondback myself, so that was the first place I looked. After taking him to the store to view various mice such as the Logitech MX518 and Logitech G5, he finally chose the Copperhead. It competed with or beat out every other mouse in terms of performance, and happened to be the one that was most comfortable to him.

Where and How Purchased

Razer Copperhead packaging (view large image)

I attempted to purchase the mouse on NewEgg.com, but for some reason my order didn''t go through. I happened to be at Best Buy the next day, and saw the mouse on sale there for slightly cheaper than the price I saw at newegg. I snagged the last one at a very nice price of $49.99.

Design

(view large image)

One of the biggest things Razer is known for, is their visually appealing mice with glowing LEDs and their ergonomic, symmetrical design. The mouse that I purchased was the Plasma Blue edition, but Razer also offers Anarchy Red, and Chaos Green. The shell of the mouse as well as the main buttons, is coated with rubber, offering an amazing amount of grip during even the most intense of firefights. The side rails and scroll wheel glow with whatever color you buy, and stand out well. There is also the Razer logo on the bottom of the palm rest that is illuminated the same color as the side rails and scroll wheel. This mouse looks phenomenal in the dark. The Copperhead also comes with a large number of buttons. There are 7 in all, 2 on each side of the mouse, 2 main buttons, and the clickable scroll wheel.

Performance and Extra Features

The Razer Copperhead is ahead of the game with its 2000 DPI laser tracking engine, programmable buttons, and On the Fly Sensitivity adjustment. Each buttons is programmable to whatever you desire, and can even be assigned macros, an extremely useful feature for gaming and even office work. By default the right side buttons are set to sensitivity control. Clicking the up button will raise the sensitivity, and clicking the down will lower it, so no matter what kind of weapon you are using, or whatever document you are working on, it can be fine tuned to your personal likings. Another thing that stands out over other mice is the length of the cord. Razer was kind enough to give us 7 feet of cord to work with, so no matter how your desk it setup, you will always be able to have your mouse where you want. One thing that is rarely seen with any peripheral but is offered with the Razer products, is the gold plated USB connector. I don''t know how this affects performance, but I do know that no matter how many quick twitches and 360 degree turns I pull in-game, the mouse never lets me down, and seems to just beg for more.

Conclusion

Razer did a great job and actually designed a mouse that beat out their legendary Diamondback. The Copperhead improves on almost every aspect and has a laser engine to boot.

Pros

• High DPI Laser tracking engine, with Always On mode
• Symmetrical Design
• Choice of LED colors
• Very Affordable
• 7 programmable buttons
• Ability to fine tune every aspect to your play style

Cons

• Design takes some getting used to
• Wired
• Right side buttons are hard to use

 

Well written, concise review Blake, thanks for that. I own an Anarchy Red Copperhead and it is by far the best mouse I have ever used. I doubt I will be buying anything but Razer mice in the near future.

The Copperhead simply fits my hand very well - the soft, sculpted buttons, rubber side grips, and the lightness of it. And, it's extremely easy to move on a mouse pad - Teflon feet. Pure ownage.

One other nice feature about the Copperhead is that it is symmetrical, so it can be used for both right handers and left handers.

 

Great review, I like to see reviews other than laptops all the time

It is great to see a Razer mouse review, I've personally only seen a few of them in the stores but haven't seen one working in real life, nice pictures by the way.

When it comes to mice for me, I am very picky, same with my keyboard too.

When i got my V1JP i needed a gaming mouse to go along with it, I had a whole variety of choices. I already own a MX518 and MX500.

Luckily it was boxing day shopping so I picked up a G5, mind you I did no online checking of mice, I bought on impulse. So here I was thinking the G5 is almighty, brought it home, and played with it, realized the biggest upset, its a 4 button mouse!!!!! I loved the design of the G5, the DPI indicator, the weight change ability, and priced at 50$ CAD.

But the fact that it was a 4 button mouse is a deal breaker! Returned it and found myself with another MX518. I love the contours of the mouse, and I guess it would be kool if it had some lights too but not something I care about.

Then my friend suggest the G3 and G7, had a quick look at those, the G7 is a 4 button mouse, so out that goes, and the G3 is a 5 button mouse but the 5th button is on the right, making it useless.

By having both mouse button 4 and 5 on the left side of the mouse, my thumb presses either one, for gaming or for browsing, forward and back for websites.

I have also got used to using my different contours of other mice too. That Razer Copperhead looks very similar to most of LG initial designs, meaning I wouldn't mind using them.

For those who are wondering what can you use those 4 and 5 mouse buttons for in terms of gaming, I set them for dedicated weapon changing. For example, if I have an AK47 out, and I want to switch to the shotgun without using the mouse wheel, I would press button 5, or button 4 for the AK, or if I had a grenade out but wanted to switch immediately to an AK or Shotgun, it is simple by pressing either mouse button 4 or 5.

Also to note the G5's grip has a textured feel that will absorb sweat, it is very kool, while the MX518 has a glossy touch which collects dirt. That's ok in my opinion.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

I'm glad you liked it guys, my first mouse review, so I'm glad it was worth something.
Most people just talk about Logitech mice, and I wanted to show everyone there are many other choices besides them. I love every Razer product I own, and will look to them first for any future purchases.

 

I'm using a Diamondback mouse with blue light (special plasma edition) and from your pics your green Diamondback mouse seems to be much brighter than my blue mouse in the dark. Is there anyway to adjust the brightness of the mouse?

 

The Razers are good mouse, although I was trying one out from a friend and found that I got heavy fingers and the buttons on the Diamondback easily pressed with very little pressure. I would guess the buttons on the Copperhead would be too. Also, my hand is so used to mouse with ergonomically designed palm areas that the rather flat Razers were uncomfortable. Still good gaming mouse, no doubt, just maybe not for everyone.

 

I just picked up a CopperHead at my local bestbuy for 40USD (Check the Sunday Circulators...) Ive previously owned a plasma red Diamondback, until some punk on the CTA stole my mouse while going home one evening. This mouse does not disappoint. This thing blows away my Logitech MX3200 desktop set. Thanks for the review!

I believe BestBuy would price match you mouse.

 

The Copperhead is definitely an excellent option as far as gaming mice are concerned. Thanks for the review!

 

Are there any keyboards that work well with the Copperhead.. green lights and such.. I could only find one (Deck) for $150, and am still looking for something cheaper

 

Well you could purchase the Tempest Blue or the Anarchy Red. Those two would go with the Saitek Eclipse II keyboard(You can change the back light on the keyboard from Purple to Blue to Red with the press of a hot key). Personally, I use the Tempest Blue and the keyboard set to Red... It looks fantastic imo. I think the Eclipse II is a great keyboard... quiet, awesome looking, with perfect key layout and sizing.

 

The makeshift american flag desktop isnt my style.. good call tho, the Eclipse keyboard seems to be pretty solid