When comparing Razer DeathAdder Elite vs Zowie FK1, the Slant community recommends Razer DeathAdder Elite for most people. In the question“What is the best gaming mouse?” Razer DeathAdder Elite is ranked 2nd while Zowie FK1 is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Razer DeathAdder Elite is:
The DeathAdder gaming mouse has a simple design and ergonomics that makes it comfortable for a wide variety of hand sizes and grips.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Comfortable for most sizes of hands and grips
The DeathAdder gaming mouse has a simple design and ergonomics that makes it comfortable for a wide variety of hand sizes and grips.
Pro 16,000 CPI sensor
The new Avago ADNS-S3989 optical sensor used in the Razer DeathAdder Elite gaming mouse allows for a whopping 16,000 CPI.
Pro Comfortable for large hands
With dimensions, 127 mm/5.00” x 70 mm/2.76” x 44 mm/1.73”, DeathAdder is just a bit bigger than an everyday mouse.
Pro Two side buttons in an easily accessible yet unobtrusive position
The two side buttons on this gaming mouse are programmable and have the exact same actuation as the left and right mouse buttons. They are also placed well where they are easy to access but are also unobtrusive.
Pro Reasonably lightweight at 105 grams
At 105 grams, the Razer DeathAdder Elite gaming mouse is reasonably lightweight.
Pro Synapse is well-designed driver software
Synapse can be a useful tool by saving a users setting to the cloud automatically, setting do not need to be remembered upon re-installs or using a friend's PC.
Pro Cable braiding protects it from accidental damage
The DeathAdder Elite gaming mouse has a 2.13m braided cable, that helps prevent kinking, curling and protects the cable prolonging life of mouse.
Pro Left and right-click buttons have a concave that helps fingers stay in place
The concave design of the left and right mouse buttons allows for fingers to stay comfortably in place .
Pro Rubber textured sides that help grip the mouse
Pro 5 Independently programmable buttons
All five buttons on the device are independently programmable with the Synapse software.
Pro 16.8 million customizable color options
The mouse's software allows for a wide selection of solid color options as well as colors that rotate.
Pro Price-quality balance
Not expensive and multi-functional.
Pro High quality
Can survive after been drenched with coffee
Pro A low lift-off-distance of about 1.5-1.8mm
The standard lift off distance on a cloth mouse pad is 1.5-1.8mm though it will be a bit higher when using a plastic pad being 2.2 - 2.4mm. To enable the plastic pad setting a certain button combination has to be pressed on the gaming mouse itself.
Pro Excellent 3200 CPI optical sensor
The Zowie FK1 gaming mouse uses an Avago 3310 optical sensor which is regarded as one of the best in the world. It has no built-in acceleration and no angle snapping. It’s practically jitter-less when set at 125 and 500Hz polling rate, and has barely noticeable jitter at 1000Hz.
The Avago 3310 has no native CPI, it is made to have each step of 50 CPI work as well as the previous one. With CPI steps of 400/800/1600/3200 for the FK1, all CPI choices should work equally well.
Pro Can be used by both righties and lefties
The Zowie FK1 gaming mouse uses an ambidextrous design with a wide base for the palm rest.
Pro Comfortable for most grip types
FK1 has a very universal shape and size, making it a safe choice for most people regardless of grip type and hand size. Except for people with large hands who use the palm grip, who may need a larger model of the mouse.
Pro No unnecessary functionality
Zowie has kept the mouse remarkably simple. There's no RGB lighting, adjustable weights, or superfluous buttons that end up only getting in the way. It's plug-and-play and requires no additional software. You can customize only the essential settings such as lift off distance, polling rate, or switch between left or right-handed modes with just a combination of specific button presses.
Pro Ships with a set of replacement feet
The Zowie gaming mouse has an extra pair of mouse feet in the box so users can replace their old ones when the time comes.
Pro Switches have a bit harder press so you don't accidentally kill your teammates
Cons
Con Rubber textured sides come off.
After prolonged use, the glue used to attach rubber textured sides no longer bind the sides.
Con Requires signing in and connecting to a server before the mouse can be used to its full potential
To get the latest drivers or edit settings, you have to download "synapse", an online cloud device updater and profile storage application. You have to register an account with your email and have it running in the background constantly for changes to take effect.
Con Scroll wheel squeaks
When scrolling using the mouse wheel, an annoying squeaking occurs. Surprisingly, this is a more common complaint than one would think... Google it.
Con Poor build quality, or longevity of product
Often need to get a replacement.
Con Distracting lights
Although the lights on the mouse look nice, they may bother or be distracting to some people. If they are too distracting, they can be turned off but that does require proprietary software that many do not like having installed.
Con Two of the side buttons are unutilized in normal use
While the mouse has four side buttons, only two of them can be used at a time, depending on which hand you are using it with.
Con A bigger model might be needed for large handed people who prefer a palm grip
Due to its short height and the small hump on top of the mouse, it might not be suitable for people with large hands who prefer using a palm grip.
Con Slight lens rattle
There is some lens rattle when you pick up the device and shake it.
Con Only 4 DPI settings
Even though the ADNS-3310 sensor supports DPI settings in increments of 50, the FK1 only lets you choose between 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 DPI.
Con Not quite as comfortable as a non-ambidextrous mouse
Due to its thoroughly ambidextrous design, sometimes the ring and pinky fingers can touch the side buttons. Even though they are deactivated and won’t cause mispresses, they are still not as comfortable as non-ambidextrous designs.
Con DPI switch can't be used on-the-fly
A DPI switch is available, but it's located under the mouse, so it can't be used on-the-fly.
Con Pressing the main buttons may feel tiring after some time
Though it’s usually a matter of preference, the main buttons are a bit harder to press compared to other mice, which some people may find tiring after long periods of use.
Con Cord can break easily
The cheap rubber cord might be prone to breaking easily.