Having a wireless gaming mouse is always great fun. However, this type of mouse is often quite expensive.
After presenting the first version of the Orochi in 2013, Razer returns in 2021 with a new reference. The sensor has been improved, and so has the performance. However, the Razer Orochi keeps the principle of battery operation, which is far from being a handicap for this model. What is this Razer Orochi V2 really worth?
Not everyone can afford to put $ 100 in a mouse of this type, or even more. This is why the Nacon GM-180 offers an exciting quality/price ratio while being wireless. What is a wireless gaming mouse really worth under $ 20? This is what we will see in this test.
Pros and Cons
| Razer Orochi V2 | Nacon GM-180 |
| Bluetooth 2.4GHz wireless support | Possibility to disable RGB |
| Customizable buttons | Value for money |
| Good battery life | Good battery life |
| Lack of micro-USB | The clicks a little hard |
Specification
| Razer Orochi V2 | Nacon GM-180 | |
| Connectivity | Dual-mode wireless | Mini dongle |
| Sensor | Optical | Optical |
| DPI range | 18,000 DPI | 2200 DPI |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Lighting | No | RGB |
| Software | Razer’s Synapse | No |
| Weight | 60 grams | 100 grams |
| Supported OS | Windows, Mac OS | Windows |
Design
If you’re used to mid-sized mice like the Razer Viper 8K, this is a much smaller model that we find here. The Razer Orochi V2 is designed for versatility. She knows how to mix size with autonomy but also performance. The mouse is, therefore, almost 2 centimeters shorter than the Viper 8K.
Still, with a concern for reduced size, it is also a little lower to maximize its transportability. It still allows a pleasant grip. On the surface, the main shell that makes up the entire upper part of the Orochi V2 is made of PBT. This is to prevent fingerprints, unlike ABS mice. Indeed, this material is ideal not to take too many fingerprints and other dirt. We also appreciate the touch of the mouse, thanks to this material.
Behind the wheel is a button to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse. Changing this sensitivity makes it possible to increase the DPI, and the Orochi V2 has some in the belly on this point. We can also note that the wheel is covered with a non-slip grip, which allows it to better grip your finger when you scroll on a window.
To the left of the mouse, there are two buttons with predefined functions assigned. However, it is possible to change these functions to suit your needs.
However, we do not have grips on the sides. However, the PBT surface is pleasant and allows the fingers to be properly held on the mouse.
Below the mouse, there are three PTFE pads, which are also quite thick. The first is located on the front, another on the back, and the last around the sensor of the Orochi V2. Under the mouse, a three-position button also allows you to turn it on and choose your connection mode. It is possible to connect it with Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz if you want more performance.
Compared to the previous one, Razer has made its mouse lighter to bring it up to the new standards of ultralight mice. However, the buttons have also been lowered when the shell is now more domed at the back.
The Nacon GM-180 arrives in its box, well packed, and it is not alone. Indeed, this mouse is accompanied by an LR06 or AAA battery, a USB dongle allowing connection to the PC, and a micro-USB to USB cable of 70 centimeters, allowing the mouse to recharge it. You read that right; we do indeed have a mouse with a battery. However, this is the cheapest way for the manufacturer to offer a qualitative product while maintaining a very affordable price.
The mouse offers us a soft-touch surface that is very pleasant to the touch but in ABS, which easily takes fingerprints, scratches, and other small dirt. It’s a shame, but once again, it’s done at the cheapest, and we don’t complain about it. A cleaning shot from time to time will suffice. On the surface, we see the Nacon logo as well as some graphic elements.
At the level of the two preconfigured buttons behind the dial, on one side is affixed the name of the brand; on the other, symbols of a language unknown in the team and the mention “Wireless” (wireless). The wheel is backlit, which gives the mouse a little extra style when in use. We appreciate the unibody shape of the surface of this Nacon GM-180; the clicks are not separated from the rest of the shell, everything is pleasant to handle and visually well finished.
On the left side, we can notice two other preconfigured buttons and a grip to hold the thumb and prevent it from slipping. We find the same thing on the right but without additional buttons, however.
On the front of the mouse, the one farthest from you when you use it is the micro-USB port that allows you to connect the cable to the mouse for recharging.
Below this Nacon GM-180, we first find the four pads, all protected by a fragile protective film, to be removed, of course. But we also have the sensor, logically, and the compartment to house an AAA battery. Finally, there is the 3-position button allowing you to select what you want for the mouse, either turn it on with the RGB or without or turn it off.
Comfort
First of all, you should know that the Razer Orochi V2 weighs 60 grams. However, this weight is empty. The total weight of the mouse will obviously change when you put in a battery. Because indeed, this Orochi V2 works with batteries, like the Nacon GM-180. This is not very serious; it avoids the additional costs of a battery.
The Orochi V2 is suitable for use in Claw Grip as well as in Palm Grip,… It is suitable for all types of uses but certainly not for large hands in all uses. Indeed, given the size of hands, gamers with lumberjack hands will certainly have a little trouble. However, it is not unpleasant to use so far.
The clicking sound sounds a bit like those when no battery is inserted inside, but the latter is more pleasant when a battery is present. You can then use the mouse without unpleasant noises. It is, however, a bit louder in clicks than the Viper 8K. We also like to find the button to adjust the sensor’s sensitivity on the mouse’s surface, which is not the case lately.
Finally, we can note that Razer has not succumbed to the fashion for mice with holes. This, for our greatest happiness, both in terms of handling and the durability of the mouse. Indeed, the latter are more prone to dust because of holes.
The Nacon GM-180 is also suitable for people with medium hands or large hands, it can be noted. In use, the materials are pleasant to the touch and do not get too dirty, contrary to our expectations. However, you must always pay attention to any scratches. Who says wireless mouse can say transport and transport say possible friction and not only on very soft fabrics.
However, the clicks are a bit hard; it would have been interesting to offer switches with less activation pressure. This will make you lose a little responsiveness during sessions on FPS like CS: GO, but it is not dramatic either. It must recognize that the buttons on the sides, like those on the top of the mouse, clearly sound cheap. Despite this, they are convenient to use, and at the risk of repeating myself, the Nacon GM-180 is an entry-level model.
On the other hand, an element to which you will have to get used to, the glide, is not optimal, even once the plastic protections are removed on the skates. Indeed, the mouse has a little trouble sliding smoothly, and you will have to consider this element if you are playing competitively. We also regret that the skates get scratched a bit quickly.
Performance
The Razer Orochi V2 has a 5G sensor (not like phones), allowing up to 18,000 DPI sensitivity. Certainly, you won’t play with this sensitivity or at least, very, very rarely, if at all it is usable. However, a sensor with a higher sensitivity also provides better accuracy when used with low sensitivity. You can play at 800 DPI and thus enjoy better gaming quality than with a 2200 DPI mouse set at 800.
By default, the sensor is set to the following sensitivities:
400 DPI
800 DPI
1600 DPI
3200 DPI
6400 DPI
The Orochi V2 also supports acceleration up to 40G, which is absolutely fine. We did not manage to get it off despite our quick movements. It is also important to know that it always offers more by displaying up to 450 images per second! Of course, you need the screen to go with it, and for now, it’s going to be hard to find. However, it is capable of it and will have no trouble on a 360 Hz screen. The switches are signed by Razer and can support up to 60 million clicks.
The dongle, stored under the shell of the Orochi V2 with the batteries, allows it to be connected at 2.4 GHz. However, if you have other compatible Razer products like a BlackWidow Chroma V3 Pro, it’s entirely possible to use a single dongle to connect everything. This frees up USB ports behind your PC.
In terms of performance, the Nacon GM-180 offers a sensor of up to 2200 DPI. Admittedly, it is not the 16,000 DPI of some mice or the 20,000 of some others, despite all that is enough to play or use your PC daily. Indeed, few players really push their sensor to 16,000 DPI so fast it goes, and it is so impractical to play. However, here it is mainly to tell us that the mouse is capable of it.
Four levels of sensor sensitivity are configured, namely:
800 DPI
1200 DPI
1600 DPI
2200 DPI
These 400 DPI steps allow you to select the sensor’s sensitivity that best suits your type of use or game. In terms of performance, therefore, it is good for a wireless gaming mouse and not expensive. However, that will not be enough for pro gamers to play in a competitive match, as we can imagine.
Battery Life
Razer Orochi V2- The battery of the Razer Orochi V2 is high. It promises up to 950 hours of autonomy with an AA battery in Bluetooth. In 2.4 GHz, however, the autonomy is reduced to “only” 425 hours. However, it is largely respectable, and it allows to hold several weeks or even several months without worries. Be careful. However, there is another location to put an AAA battery.
However, you must not insert 2 batteries at the same time in the Orochi V2! We have not tempted the devil, but we do not advise you to try it either, at the risk of damaging it. This is precisely its specificity. If you want to adjust the weight of your mouse, this is totally possible by changing the battery. An AAA battery, however, offers less autonomy than a double-A battery (LR06).
As you will have noticed, the Orochi V2 does not have RGB lighting. This is to preserve its autonomy, the backlight consuming a lot of battery when using a mouse. However, we can regret the absence of a micro-USB port for recharging the mouse if you have rechargeable batteries. To charge the Orochi V2, if you are using rechargeable batteries, you need an external charger.
Nacon GM-180- However, a backlit mouse consumes battery life. This is why the manufacturer offers to turn off the backlight, which is interesting if you want to reach the 30 hours announced by the brand.
In fact, with the backlight off, the Nacon GM-180 lasts a little over 30 hours. However, beyond that, it is compulsory to go through the recharging box. In addition, we note that the use of a battery is not a bad idea. Indeed, thanks to the latter, it is possible to replace it when the original battery becomes too weak and has lost its power. In itself, it does not happen any time soon but knows all the same that it is doable.
However, with the RGB brightness turned on all the time, we can only enjoy 19-20 hours of battery life. Indeed, this last drop quite a bit! But the backlight consumes energy that is no longer offered to power the operation of the mouse, which inevitably gives it less autonomy. This is how it is on all RGB wireless mice. Despite everything, we can be satisfied with having 4 to 5 days of classic use with this mouse without having to recharge it (by playing 4 to 5 hours per day on average).
Conclusion!
The Razer Orochi V2 is a perfect all-around wireless mouse. It can use in Bluetooth as well as in 2.4 GHz. We appreciate its shape and design in PBT, making it easily transportable. If you want a good mouse with great battery life, at a moderate price and versatile, the Razer Orochi is for you.
Nacon offers us a good inexpensive wireless gaming mouse here, which clearly has something to please us. It is intended for beginner players with a tight budget for their first PC and/or paying for an occasional gaming setup. We find quite honest performance for a very affordable price.
