Your mouse is a pretty underappreciated component of your set up. Many people when starting out with PCs will either stick with the one that came with their system or plump for the cheapest possible option as an add-on.
It’s only after a period of time, either doing a specific task such as video-editing or even playing games, that the realisation suddenly hits you there might be a better option out there.
And that’s where the trouble starts as there are 1000s of mice, a lot of them very expensive mice that choosing the right one can be a massive pain.
One of the biggest problems is that you don’t often get the chance to test-drive a few to see what you like. Everybody has different hand sizes, you might even be left-handed. All these factors and more come into play. How are you ever expected to choose?
What most people end up doing is plumping for a brand they have heard of – Logitech, Corsair and Razer would be among these names.
What then happens over time is when you come to replace your mouse in years to come, you stick with the same brand. Brand loyalty is big in the rodent world.
A few years back Razer released their Basilisk model and it received well-rounded praise from all corners but it was especially popular with the FPS gaming fraternity.
Cleverer people than me will have been running algorithms and equations to best decide when people who loved the original version of the mouse would be most likely be ready for a version 2 updated model and that time my friends is upon us.
Razer Basilisk v2
A spruced-up version of a classic rodent
Weight: 93g
Custom Lighting
Right-handed
Wired
DPI: Up to 20k
- Stylish
- Good price
- Fantastic sensor
- Very lightweight
Did you ever use the original Basilisk mouse? If so the first thing you are going to notice here is that this new iteration is considerably lighter. Around 12 grams as it happens. The Basilisk v2 now weighs just 93g and this takes it into the bracket for the current trend in eSports for lighter weight controllers.
The next drastic change, while not being the shape, which is very similar but rather the texture of the shape. The v2 is now bleed with a micro-textured grip on both sides so if you are the sweaty handed type, this could help your er, mousing quite a fair bit.
There are now 11 mappable buttons rather the seven that featured originally and the scroll wheel has been made to feel grippier (yes, that’s probably a real word) but it’s when you get into the technology inside that things start to get a bit more exciting.
Razer has opted to use their infra-red optical switches - offering a best-in-class response time of just 0.2 milliseconds.
This takes eSports players to the next level and should no longer make smashed mice a victim of frustration. These switches are all rated for over million clicks too, so it will certainly last until v3 comes out.
The Basilisk v2 has the new Focus+ sensor on board which has a crazy level of DPI supported - up to 20,000 - way higher than you will likely ever need unless you are very, very good at games.
It’s a very responsive mouse indeed.
Conclusion
Well, it’s a big mouse so if you are dainty it may not be for you. That said, many other mice won’t be either so it’s not just a problem with the Basilisk.
Where it does shine through, however, is it’s responsiveness and feel. It may be a bit lighter than you are used to but it’s clearly a fantastic peripheral at a price point that makes it very good value if you are in the market for a ‘proper’ mouse finally.