We plugged the Boomslang into the PS/2 port instead of the USB port, and we encountered no problems in clocking the mouse up to 200 polls/sec. The drivers had to be installed before the mouse was, and the machine shut down before we plugged in the Boomslang. Then another reboot was required after the mouse's control panel automatically updated the drivers from the online tech support page. We then proceeded to configure the mouse in its custom control panel. The control panel is all business. Each of the 4 buttons and wheel are fully programmable, and they will all accept multiple key macros. The left side button on the Boomslang is replicated on the right side of the mouse, and this feature makes the mouse configurable for those who wish to use it as a left-handed device.

Fig. 4 Boomslang 2000 Control Panel

One feature that is unique to the Boomslang, other than it's boosted internal performance, is the ability to change the mouse's sensitivity on the fly during game play. By holding down the side button and scrolling with the wheel, the sensitivity bar will appear and the user can set the mouse to the desired sensitivity. We were a little unsure about the value of this option until we began testing the Boomslang with various games. The ability to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse instantly for each different game and even for each different weapon in a game proved to be one of the things we liked most about the Boomslang. We tested this on the fly capability with 5 different games, and it worked flawlessly without incurring a performance hit. The internal structure of the mouse is lined with a plastic membrane, which protects the Boomslang from the dust and dirt that a mouse inevitably picks up. This mouse picked up a lot less dirt than my regular gaming mouse did, and cleaning the Boomslang's rollers is far easier then my normal mouse. Again, this is another feature intended to make the gamers life a little easier.

Fig. 5 Example of the Boomslang's Sensitivity Adjustment Bar In Action

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The smoothness and tracking accuracy of the Boomslang is in one word, amazing. Again, the shape of a new mouse takes getting used to, and this one is no exception. The hand sits on the back portion of the mouse body, which houses the mouse ball, and the standard thumb/outside two fingers grip is used with the index and middle fingers resting on buttons 1 and 2. This grip results in more of the heel of the hand being on the desk, and once we here at the COMBATSIM.COM offices got used to this position, we found it to be the most stable and accurate platform of the three mice tested. I won't say anything ridiculous like "my kills went up by 50%", but the Boomslang is definitely the easiest mouse to point accurately with, and the results showed it after I became familiar with the way it tracked and how it felt.

We did encounter a problem with the Boomslang regarding the programming of the side buttons. When we configured the side button as "mouse button 3" or assigned it a macro, it would only execute the action required once the button was released. Think of it in terms of having a firearm that fired when you let go of the trigger, instead of pulling it. I phoned up the Boomslang tech support department to inquire about this issue on a Sunday afternoon, and to my surprise the phone was answered on the first ring. It turns out this is a problem with a confliction between the side button's dual purpose of on the fly sensitivity activation and the pressing of the normally assigned button. The Kärna tech support people are very open to suggestions and input at this time, and the person I spoke with assured me that new drivers will be out soon, and that the side button issue is one of the things being considered at the moment.

The Boomslang 2000 is not a retail store product, and it is only available online from www.razerzone.com, and at $99.99, it isn't for the light of wallet. If you don't play many games other than simulations, this mouse may not be the best option considering its high price. However, even if you don't fall into the hardcore gamer category, and you only play tactical first person games occasionally, the Razer Boomslang 2000 is still a must have item due to its incredible performance and configuration options. For these reasons we are awarding it the Razer Boomslang 2000 our COMBATSIM.COM Top Pick Award!

Razer Boomslang 2000

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