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As insane as it might sound, there are actually quite a number of gamers out there who rely heavily on their gaming-capable laptops for one good reason: they can game wherever or whenever they want. With the rising number of gaming-friendly laptops available on the market, mobile gaming (as we like to call it) is actually more possible than ever.

However, when it comes to mouse, these so-called mobile warriors would still have to depend on full sized gaming mouse as there were no such thing as “mobile gaming mouse” until recently; when Razer took the matter into their own hands and unleashes the Razer Orochi Bluetooth Laser Gaming Mouse.

Yes, you’ve read that right: a gaming Bluetooth mouse. We are quite aware that Bluetooth mouse has always been touted as unreliable but since this one come from Razer (http://www.razerzone.com), you just got to check it out.

Review continues after the jump.

THE SUBJECT

If you didn’t look at the actual mouse, you might have the impression that the Razer Orochi is bulky equipment. After all, it was named after the legendary Eight-Forked Serpent from the Japanese mythology. However, the mouse is actually smaller in reality in order for it to actually work as a mobile mouse.

It has a wide body though, in which made the mouse slightly larger compared to a common mobile or traveller’s mouse. The wider body is not for show as it is actually what made the mouse easier to grip – depending on one’s hand size and gripping method – and very comfortable even after long hours of gaming. The mouse is also ambidextrous which means that it is designed to cater for both right and left handed users. Not to forget, the mouse is also equipped with Teflon feet to ensure smooth movement during usage.

Being a mouse that is built for mobility, Razer is also kind enough to include a travel case together with Orochi. The case is very well designed with a splitter right in the middle of it. This ensures that there is fair amount of empty space for the mouse and its cable, together with a pair of batteries.

FEATURES

The Orochi has seven programmable buttons that can be configured through Razer Configurator can be downloaded from Razer’s official website. The software is also used to configure Orochi’s other features such as sensitivity levels, custom profiles, macros, lighting setting and drivers updates, which are then saved into the mouse’s on-board mouse. The Synapse, as Razer calls it, would enable users to use their own custom settings on other computers without the need to install the Configurator.

One of the much touted features of Orochi is its dual wired/wireless mode. When in wired mode, the cord connets so well in its port – located underneath its scroll wheel – that it would take a rather strong force to detach it, which shows how firm and secure the connection is. But then, we are a little bit disappointed with its length of 91.44 cm (3 ft.) which we feel is quite short. Of course, given the Orochi’s target market, laptop users who don’t really need long cable; it is understandable.

To switch to wireless mode, one just has to plug out the cord from its port, flick the power switch on the mouse underside, pair it to a Bluetooth-equipped computer and off it go. During wireless operation, the mouse is powered by two AA batteries that are located inside its body. The batteries surely add a lot of weight to the mouse.

We didn’t get to test the mouse’s actual power consumption but Razer claims that batteries can last from one to three months under typical usage which is quite short compared to many other wireless mobile mouse out there. We would also like to point that the Orochi is not able to charge rechargeable batteries which we thought would be a very nice addition to its feature.

To access Orochi’s battery cavity, one just have to flick its body cover without the need of much force. That being said, the cover’s magnetized latches are actually quite strong since they are able to coup with our rough movement even though we tried to shake it as hard as possible. This means that users wouldn’t need to worry about it flying off unexpectedly.

In terms of tracking capability, the mouse boasts a wide range of precisions rates through its Razer Precision 3G Laser Sensor - from 125 to 4000 Dots per Inch (DPI) – and can be changed on the fly; given that it is already configured into the Orochi’s Synapse. Paired with its speedy response time of up to 1000Hz, Orochi’s technical performances is pretty much unquestionable.

However, in wireless mode, its tracking performances are limited to 2000DPI and 125Hz response time at most. It also increases the mouse’s minimum macro delay to 100ms, compared to 50ms in wired mode. Although 2000DPI is still considered quite high for many, it might be a concern for users that loves high sensitivity settings.

CONCLUSION

The Razer Orochi performs just like any other Razer’s high quality gaming mouse; despite being built for mobile gaming. This are made possible by all the gaming specific features that Razer puts into it and to be honest, it is quite amazing that the company able to pack so many of them into one tiny mouse.

However, it takes a lot more power compared to common wireless mobile mouse and is limited to certain performances when is used wirelessly together with the biggest deterrent of them all; its high asking price of RM 319. Still, there are no other mobile mouse out there that are able to match the power and precision of Orochi.

Pro: ambidextrous, comfortable to hold and compact at the same time; dual wired/wireless mode, well-designed travel case, software support both Windows and Mac.

Cons: steep price, cable might be too short for some, pretty heavy when the batteries are in, shorter battery life compared to mouse in its category and it doesn't charge batteries as well, wireless mode limitations.