- Great Mouse, Bad Software - Marco, 26 February 2024
The mouse itself is fantastic, but the Razer "Synapse" software for rebinding keys and macros is downright bad. Let me explain:
This mouse is incredibly lightweight, without feeling cheap. Even with an AA battery installed, it's very light, and prevents wrist-strain after extended periods of use. Each button has a premium feel to it, with a satisfying click, one that's audible, but not as piercing as a typical cheap mouse.
Thanks to it accepting normal AA or AAA batteries, you can use this mouse for days before needing to swap the battery out! I've used many other mice with non-removable batteries, and those I often needed to charge daily. The battery life on this Razer mouse is a massive upgrade in comparison.
My only gripe is that the scroll-wheel has a bit too much friction to it, but that's subjective. I'm likely too used to my Logitech G502's near-frictionless wheel.
My biggest complaint is with the "Synapse" software you need for rebinding keys or macros on the mouse. I've used both Logitech's and Corsair's software respectively, and Razer's program is definitely the worst.
1. You're pestered to create an account with Razer several times during the Synapse installation, presumably for cloud saves. Reminds me of Microsoft's nagging during a Windows 10 or 11 install.
2. The creation of Macros is somehow not included in the software by default. You have to download "Macros" as a separate module for the Synapse software.
3. Macros are NOT saved by default when you create them. You'll figure this out after you create your own set, and then restart your computer or shut down. They'll all be gone once you're booted back in. There's no obvious save button visible.
What you're apparently supposed to do is export each individual Macro as its own XML file. For some reason you can't export them all at once. An outright baffling design decision on Razer's part.
4. There's a function for toggling a keybind or a macro, so that pressing the given mouse button toggles it on or off, but it doesn't work.
The software can toggle it on so that it repeats indefinitely, but it can't toggle off again. According to several old Reddit threads on this topic, this specific bug has been known for a whopping seven years, but is still unresolved.
5. A minor issue, but activating a macro does not prevent the mouse from going into standby. This means that you can't set up your mouse to farm something AFK in your game of choice. You can increase the time before the mouse stands by, but you can't disable the standby outright.
Conclusion: Despite the annoying Synapse software, I highly recommend this mouse!
Razer is one of the few brands that make high-end wireless gaming mice which accept normal AA and AAA batteries. By that virtue alone I'd recommend supporting them.
An anecdote: I bought this mouse to replace a decent Corsair one.
The corsair mouse's non-removable battery died after three years of use, to the month, no longer holding a charge at all.
Predictably, the mouse is very difficult to open without ruining the pads underneath, and a replacement battery is next-to-impossible to source.
When at all possible, I strongly recommend supporting brands that let you easily swap out a battery, like Razer does! I hope to use this mouse for many years to come, thanks to this great feature.
In stock with Wootware
