Introduction
Razer Inc. is a company specialized in products geared towards the gaming segment. Razer was founded in 1998 by a team of marketers and engineers to develop and market a high end computer gaming mouse, called the Boomslang, geared towards the gaming segment. Razer’s slogan is “FOR GAMERS, BY GAMERS”.
The Razer products are geared towards the gaming segment, the Razer range includes peripherals such as keyboards, mices, audio devices (headphones, headsets], mouse mats & gamepads. Razer has also released a gaming laptop, The Razer Blade and a tablet, The Razer Edge.
Official product link:
Naga Epic Chroma
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-mice/razer-naga-epic-chroma
Razer Mug
http://www.razerzone.com/gb-en/store/razer-mug
Packaging and accessories
Naga Epic Chroma
The Naga Epic Chroma model comes packaged in a black box with green accents. On the front side of the box we have a picture of the product, its name and some features below. In the upper right corner is placed the logo of the manufacturer.
On the sides of the box we find printed the features of the product.
The back of the box list the characteristics of the product in 7 languages and at the top we have a diagram of the product.
Razer Mug
The Razer Mug comes packaged in a simple black & white cardboard box. On the front side of the packaging we find printed the manufacturer’s logo.
The slogan of the manufacturer “For Gamer. by Gamers.”, is printed on the sides of the box.
On the back side of the packaging we find printed both the manufacturer’s website and the model of the product.
Accessories
The products are accompanied by the following accessories:
Naga Epic Chroma
– 1x Manual
– 1x 2.1m braided fiber USB cable
– 1x Charging Dock
– 2x Razer Logo stickers
– 1x Razer Certificate
– Razer Rewards Certificate
Razer Mug
– 1x Razer Coaster
Specifications
Naga Epic Chroma
Name: Razer Naga Epic Chroma
Sensor: 4G laser
Resolution: 8200dpi
Cable length: 2.1m braided fiber USB charging cable
Approximate size: Length: 119mm/ Width: 75mm/ Height: 43mm
Approximate weight: 150g
Battery life: Approximately 20hrs (continuous gaming)
Features:
– 19 MMO optimized programmable buttons
– 12-button mechanical thumb grid
– Tilt-click scroll wheel
– Charging dock
– Chroma lighting with 16.8 million customizable color options
– Razer Synapse enabled
– 1000Hz Ultrapolling
– 200 inches per second/50g acceleration
– Zero-acoustic Ultraslick mouse feet
System Requirements
– PC or Mac with a free USB port
– Windows® 8 / Windows® 7 / Windows Vista® / Windows® XP (32-bit) / Mac OS X (10.7 – 10.9)
– In-game configurator support is compatible with Windows® 8 / Windows® 7 / Windows Vista® only
– Razer Synapse registration (requiring a valid e-mail), software download, license acceptance, and internet connection needed to activate full features of product and for software updates. After activation, full features are available in optional offline mode.
Razer Mug
Features:
Made with heat resistant ceramic
Razer Coaster included
Holds approximate 500ml/17oz of liquid
Matte finish design
Visual inspection
Naga Epic Chroma
The Naga Epic Chroma model maintains the well-known design of the Naga series, offering numerous features and buttons, having as target the MMO games. The Naga Epic Chroma model adds the option of using the mouse either wireless or wired and also adds RGB lightning to the 12 side buttons and the scroll wheel.
The Naga Epic Chroma has a matte finish and rubber pads on the right side for a better grip. The RGB illumination can be personalized using the Razer Synapse 2.0 software.
The Naga Epic Chroma mouse stands out by using 12 Macro buttons on the left side and two DPI switches on the top side behind the scroll wheel.
The Naga Epic Chroma can be used wireless, however if used with a wire this model utilizes a 210cm black braided cable with a gold-plated USB connector.
On the underside of the mouse we find the 4G laser sensor capable of 8200dpi, while the on/off switch for the wireless mode is located on the left side. Also, this model uses three Ultraslick Teflon feet for a better glide.
Razer Mug
Razer sells numerous Razer-themed accessories including: clothing, glasses made in partnership with Gunnar and in our case a mug.
The mug is black having a glossy texture and green accents, the inside is completely green the Razer slogan being printed on the top part. On the front side of the mug we find printed the manufacturer’s logo.
Testing
The mouse has a exceptional build quality and the texture of the plastic is smooth while having a matte finish. The shape of the Naga Epic Chroma model is more suited for “palm grip” than for “craw grip”.
The mouse is comfortable due to the ergonomic shape, however it is also on the heavy side, the Naga Epic Chroma model weighing in at 150g.
The 12 Macro buttons found on the left side of the mouse have different shapes for a better and easier differentiation.
The scroll wheel has a smooth and precise move and pressing the scroll wheel offers the same sound & fast tactile feedback as the left & right clicks. Also, the scroll wheel can be clicked on the sides (tilt click).
The charging dock is solid having a good build quality. The mouse can be used in wireless mode for approximately 20 hours until the battery discharges.
Software
Razer Synapse 2.0 – Version 1.18
The Naga Epic Chroma model can be configured using Razer’s own software, the Synapse 2.0. This software features a intuitive interface thus being easy to use & to understand, the interface maintains the Razer colour scheme, black & green.
Synapse 2.0 Customize
Within the “Customize” window the user can reassign all the buttons on the mouse, use different profiles & link a program to a button, for example, pressing the scroll wheel opens the Internet Browser.
Performance
Within the “Performance” window, the user can change the DPI value from 100 up to 8200. We also can configure the DPI Sensitivity stages, unfortunately the DeathAdder does not feature a dedicated DPI button, so one of the programmable buttons needs to be used if the user wants a DPI button. Other functions within the “Performance” window are Acceleration and Pooling Rate.
Lighting
The “Lighting” window allows the user to modify every aspect of the illumination of the scroll wheel & 12 Macro buttons. Within this tab we can select different illumination modes such as Static and Spectrum Cycling, the illumination can be turned off.
Power
The “Power” window allows the user to customize the sleep mode of the mouse and the low battery warning through the illumination of the scroll wheel (blink).
Also on this window the user can see the charge and status of the battery.
Macro
Within the “Macro” window the user can set a function to each button on the mouse.
The Naga Epic Chroma model was tested both in normal use & gaming.
Normal day to day use consist of Internet browsing & a few photo & video editing software.
When it comes to games, the mouse behaved exemplary, being tested in multiple games.
The games used for testing are the following:
– Grand Theft Auto V
– The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
– Battlefield 3 (multiplayer)
– Tomb Raider 2013
– The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
– Elder Scrolls Online
Final thoughts
The ergonomic shape of the Naga series is maintained on the Epic Chroma model, adding a few improvements such as the option of using the mouse either wired or wireless, the RGB illumination of the Macro buttons and scroll wheel. The shape optimized for MMO-style games does not require any improvements, the mouse being comfortable even after a prolonged use.
In conclusion, the Razer Naga Epic Chroma mouse adds a touch of color and flexibility to the Naga series by making the mouse wireless, the 12 Macro buttons having mechanical switches and the RGB illumination, all this while maintaining the ergonomic shape & features of the Naga series.
