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A mouse is probably the most important piece of hardware in any PC gamer’s arsenal. I take the little device pretty seriously myself, and tend to splurge on a really nice one every couple of years. Needless to say, I’m currently very attached to my current input device, and replacing it with anything else, even temporarily, feels incredibly alien.

This proved to be true with the Razer Diamondback – a rebirth of the original mouse that came out way back in 2004. It felt incredibly strange in my hand when I first held it, as does any new mouse. After some time with it however, I really grew to like it, though I’m still not entirely sure if I would rush out and by one myself.

natural enviro

The Diamondback is a ridiculously light mouse. Weighing in at just 89g. It’s a little too featherlike for my liking. Truth be told, I’d much prefer something with a little more mass.

With that in mind, I double checked the box for some weights to do some adjusting. Sadly, there were none. I’d just have to make do with a lightweight mouse. Thankfully, that definition only applies literally, because the Diamondback is anything but lightweight.

For starters, it comes packed with 16,000 DPI 5G laser sensor. I can’t for the life of me fathom why anybody in their right mind would want to set it to maximum values. If that’s the sort of requirement you have though, that box is ticked at least. Personally, I had it set to 900, and that was more than sufficient for my needs, but we’ll talk a little more about performance a bit later.

Front

Lefties rejoice, you haven’t been left out to dry in favour of right-handed gamers! The Diamondback is perfectly ambidextrous, meaning everybody can enjoy it.

To ensure that nobody is discriminated against and left out, Razor have thrown in a bunch of buttons onto the device on each side. This means that, regardless of whether you’re right or left-handed, you will always have access to two buttons with your thumb, and another two with your ring finger. These of course (the buttons), can be customised to your heart’s content.

Comfort wise, I found that the grip on the Diamondback was a little too small for my large thumb. I could not nestle it there comfortably, no matter how hard I tried. If the mouse were just the tiniest bit taller, this problem would’ve been completely absolved. Then again, if my thumb were smaller, everything would’ve been just dandy. I do have rather big hands, so if you’re the same, keep in mind that the Diamondback may be just a little too small for comfort – unless you’re somebody who makes use of a claw grip, in which case, the size of the grip won’t be too big a deal.

SO PRETTY

When it comes to performance, the Diamondback does not disappoint. After setting it up to my taste via the Razer Snyapse software, I was ready to put it through its paces. My poison of choice lately is Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. In my eyes, there is no better way to test the precision of a mouse than with this title, where every shot needs to be aimed to perfection to count (unless you’re that gamer who sprays and prays).

My first few competitive games weren’t that great. It’s a result I expected though, because I was still adjusting to the Diamondback, and I still wasn’t too happy with the weight of the device. After a while however, it felt like everything was starting to fall into place. I was getting the kills I needed, all the while growing used to the ambidextrous form of the mouse, and to my surprise, its lightness.

I do still feel that razer could’ve thrown in some weights into the package so as to allow some proper fine-tuning though. It’s a gaming device for crying out loud, and we, gamers, tend to be ridiculously fussy over the tiniest difference in grams.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Dimensions and Specifications

  • Ambidextrous form factor
  • 16,000 DPI 5G laser sensor
  • Up to 210 inches per second / 50 g acceleration
  • 1,000 Hz Ultrapolling
  • On-The-Fly Sensitivity adjustment
  • Chroma customizable lighting
  • Inter-device color synchronization
  • 7 programmable Hyperesponse buttons
  • Razer Synapse enabled
  • 2.1 m / 7 ft braided fiber cable
  • Approximate size: 125 mm / 4.92 in (Length) x 60 mm / 2.64 in (Width) x 30 mm / 1.18 in (Height)
  • Approximate weight: 89 g / 0.09 lbs (without cable)
  • RRP: R1300-R1500

A real sore point for me on the Diamondback is that RRP. If I spend anything over a grand, I expect a mouse to come packed with extra goodies, and one that feels solid in my hand. Holding it now, I just can’t fathom how this device can cost that much.

I am being perhaps a little too harsh though. Don’t get me wrong, it really is a great device. Performance wise, the Diamondback is fantastic. I’ve grown so used having it, for both gaming and work.

It’s actually really nice to look at too. Those shiny lights are not going unnoticed and unappreciated, trust me. I’m just not sure whether that beautiful lightshow, and precision and performance, is worth the asking price, that’s all.

Last Updated: December 17, 2015

Razer Diamondback 2015
A great albeit flawed gaming mouse, at least for those who prefer something a little heavier and larger. The performance is unquestionable, whereas the price certainly is.
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72 Comments

  1. Minor correction Matty: Lefties aren’t discriminated against by right-handed mouse, they give right-handed people are a chance to compete against our natural handed superiority.

    Reply

    • The Grand Admiral Chief

      December 17, 2015 at 14:46

      My daughter is a lefty. So I’ll let your comment slide

      Reply

    • RinceThis

      December 17, 2015 at 14:55

      ‘are a chance’ typed by a rightie I would bet.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        December 17, 2015 at 14:58

        Obviously I was typing in a way that they’d understand, because right handedness is a pernicious affliction. I’m considerate!

        Reply

    • Ottokie

      December 17, 2015 at 14:55

      #mandatorywarframederailmentcomment

      Did you guys see the new app lets you deploy and claim Extractors?

      Reply

      • The Grand Admiral Chief

        December 17, 2015 at 15:00

        WAT?

        Reply

        • Ottokie

          December 17, 2015 at 15:01

          They released a new app, now I can farm resources at work on my phone xD

          Reply

          • The Grand Admiral Chief

            December 17, 2015 at 15:01

            YOU
            LIE!!!

            [goes to check]

          • Ottokie

            December 17, 2015 at 15:02

            You are going to have to build Titan Extractors first 🙂

          • The Grand Admiral Chief

            December 17, 2015 at 15:19

            But where, I’ve got like 3 planets fully unlocked

          • Ottokie

            December 17, 2015 at 15:20

            In the market you buy the BP with credits, but the BP does not get consumed when building.

          • The Grand Admiral Chief

            December 17, 2015 at 15:21

            Interesting
            [goes to check funds]

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        December 17, 2015 at 15:05

        I saw it. I’m addicted, but not that badly haha.

        Reply

  2. The Grand Admiral Chief

    December 17, 2015 at 14:46

    Lemme tell you, I’ve had my Diamondback 11 years now

    11

    years

    AND IT IS STILL PERFECT!!!!

    Let that sink in

    It did?

    Good

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      December 17, 2015 at 14:53

      Are you planning on using it soon?

      Reply

      • The Grand Admiral Chief

        December 17, 2015 at 14:59

        I’ve been using it extensively over the last 11 year, PCGAMING4LYF

        Reply

      • Captain JJ 4x

        December 17, 2015 at 15:15

        XD

        Reply

    • Captain JJ 4x

      December 17, 2015 at 15:15

      Wow. So that’s like since you were 50.

      Reply

      • The Grand Admiral Chief

        December 17, 2015 at 15:20

        Go clean your room

        Reply

    • HvR

      December 17, 2015 at 17:57

      New ones not so good, bought one earlier this year from the refund I got on the TteSport that broke twice. It lasted 3 weeks the it was kapput. Mine gets average use of about 60 hours week as it is for work and play.

      Toe las ek daai kak en kry die Zalman. Cheapest gaming mouse with nice rubber coating and it is still going strong.

      Reply

  3. oVg

    December 17, 2015 at 14:48

    This is like DOA Extreme to the master race.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      December 17, 2015 at 14:49

      Nah, we’ll happily show one of these off to our friends.

      Reply

      • oVg

        December 17, 2015 at 14:51

        Polyamory does not work for the peasants. Word is too big.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          December 17, 2015 at 14:53

          Rather call it couch co-op?

          Reply

          • oVg

            December 17, 2015 at 15:06

            or split scream

      • RinceThis

        December 17, 2015 at 14:56

        lol

        Reply

  4. Ottokie

    December 17, 2015 at 14:54

    Razer mice/meeses are still the best for me, can’t say the same for Razer keyboards though.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      December 17, 2015 at 14:55

      Been using the same Razer keyboard for 6 years now.

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        December 17, 2015 at 14:56

        Wait until you try the cherry mx keys from Corsair 😛

        Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      December 17, 2015 at 15:02

      I’ve been using the Lycosa for a while, not really that impressed by it tbh. The backlighting is useful & pretty, but otherwise it’s nothing special. Will look elsewhere when the time comes to replace it.

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        December 17, 2015 at 15:03

        I will never be able to use anything else except a Razer Naga ever again.

        Reply

      • The Grand Admiral Chief

        December 17, 2015 at 15:20

        I’ve got one of those, the A, S and W are totally worn through, apparently I don’t dodge right as often

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          December 17, 2015 at 15:40

          Yeah, a few of my keys have also worn though. What really irritates me is every so often a key will just… stop responding. Or else it just sticks. Have to unplug it to fix the problem. And it’s not like I’m pressing a ton of keys at the same time to cause key lock.

          Reply

          • Ottokie

            December 17, 2015 at 15:42

            Mine did that, but I do not blame Razer. Rest in peace beer in front of my keyboard 2009 to 2013 (now placed on the left…FAR LEFT!)

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            December 17, 2015 at 15:48

            I make sure there’s always a big open space on my desk to put my drink.

          • The Grand Admiral Chief

            December 17, 2015 at 15:50

            Strange, I’ve never had issues. Apart from the worn keys (they still work 100%)

  5. RinceThis

    December 17, 2015 at 14:56

    ‘prefer something with a little more mass’ that what she said Matty?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      December 17, 2015 at 14:57

      I don’t think he’s gotten as far as that’s what she said with a women yet.
      *Runs

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        December 17, 2015 at 14:59

        ohhhh

        Reply

      • hairyknees

        December 18, 2015 at 10:21

        xD what a dick

        Reply

    • Captain JJ 4x

      December 17, 2015 at 15:16

      She wasn’t talking about his hair, that’s for sure.

      Reply

  6. Enigma

    December 17, 2015 at 14:57

    It’s essentially a gimmick. Why? 1) It’s incredibly light, feels like you’re using one of those cheapie mice 2) It’s just got lights everywhere 3) The DPI is ridiculous, no-one is going to use that. 4) Price – R1200 for what?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      December 17, 2015 at 14:57

      R1200 for points 1,2 and 3?

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        December 17, 2015 at 14:59

        heheh

        Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        December 17, 2015 at 15:03

        Priced is doubled because it’s “for gamers”, doubled again because of the brand name.

        Reply

      • Enigma

        December 17, 2015 at 15:09

        lol, maybe to the loyal Razer fans.

        Reply

  7. Captain JJ 4x

    December 17, 2015 at 15:11

    This is a bit expensive, considering what you’re getting.
    You’re not even given the ability to change the weight of the mouse. For a gaming mouse that just doesn’t go.

    Reply

    • Enigma

      December 17, 2015 at 15:12

      But but, it’s Razer!

      Reply

      • Captain JJ 4x

        December 17, 2015 at 15:14

        Well, it’ll last forever, that’s for sure.
        My current mouse has that “any colour of the rainbow” light adjustment thing. It was really cool for the first three times I changed the colour. Now I just matched it with the blue of my keyboard. Very gimmicky.
        But weight is a serious thing though with a mouse. A light mouse can be really uncomfortable (for some).

        Reply

        • HvR

          December 17, 2015 at 17:58

          Nope 3 weeks for me.

          Reply

    • The Grand Admiral Chief

      December 17, 2015 at 15:21

      Whatever Mr Logitech

      Reply

      • Captain JJ 4x

        December 17, 2015 at 15:44

        Logitech?
        I don’t use Logitech. Though it’s not exactly a bad brand….just not for gaming.

        Reply

        • The Grand Admiral Chief

          December 17, 2015 at 15:49

          What did you have that broke recently?

          I hardly pay attention to what you say anyway, at least I have a folder full of things for when you misbehave

          Reply

          • Captain JJ 4x

            December 17, 2015 at 15:50

            And here I thought you cared 😛

          • The Grand Admiral Chief

            December 17, 2015 at 15:50

            But I do care about your trollfactor

          • Captain JJ 4x

            December 17, 2015 at 15:52

            A little too much, methinks 😀

    • Ottokie

      December 17, 2015 at 15:30

      Does the weight really make a difference?

      Reply

      • The Grand Admiral Chief

        December 17, 2015 at 15:37

        Ask his eyebrows…

        Reply

        • Ottokie

          December 17, 2015 at 15:38

          I was gonna ask, if you miss a shot can you tell the guy you had 500 grams to much on the pullback?

          Reply

      • Captain JJ 4x

        December 17, 2015 at 15:44

        It makes a huge difference to me. A light mouse feels very iffy and unresponsive to me. My mouse was around R600 and I took the weights out the other day and it was just so uncomfortable.

        Reply

  8. Corrie

    December 17, 2015 at 15:52

    Love my Deathadder chroma, people always look at me with a wtf face when I say I’m using all 10000dpi , but now…….I want 16000dpi

    Price isn’t so bad either

    Reply

  9. cc

    December 18, 2015 at 08:03

    Where in SA (pta if possible) is the best place to buy Razer merch from (online is fine)?

    Reply

    • hairyknees

      December 18, 2015 at 10:22

      Evetech have stock of this mouse, and other Razer products 🙂

      Reply

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