A while back we test drove the Razer Tarantula
keyboard and DeathAdder mouse. I was pretty happy with the fact that I could go
back and forth from working to playing PC games without having to switch out my
basic equipment every time.
This time around, the folks at Razer let me get my
workaholic paws on their Destructor mousepad and Piranha headset. Before you geek out and say “these have been out for a minute slowpoke!” keep in mind that it doesn’t matter when something comes out – if it’s good, it’s good. So let’s ride…To start, there are a few reasons why these products are awesome for everyday use (we’ll
get to the gaming aspect in a minute).
The headphones are pretty simple looking at first
glance. I wasn’t sure why they’d call them Piranha, but the crisp sound
definitely packs a bite. The headset has that trademark blue glowing symbol, so
you can find them easily when the room is dark or when you’ve buried them under
papers on your desk.
While I’ve had these hooked up to my desk computer, I use a pair of beloved Skullcandy headphones with
a bass-booster/volume switch on the laptop that are pretty comparable. While I
wouldn’t walk out of the house with the Piranha on my head (they’re not exactly eye candy), they do
tend to be a bit clearer than the almighty Skullcandy joints when it comes to
sound quality.
The mic reception is crystal clear, so it’s just
as good for making your vlogs and video conferencing as it is for trash talking
during gameplay.
I don’t know what “Fractal” texture really means,
but that’s just one of the many features that the oversized Destructor has to
make it a keeper. It doesn’t slide around when you move your hand, it’s thin, it doesn’t
get hot or uncomfortable like an ordinary mousepad does when you’ve been
working on it for a while, and the gracious space and shape of it allows you to
move back and forth, up and down as you work, without having to lift your mouse
up to reposition it. Somehow that seems like I shouldn’t say it like that, but
you get the drift. Now gamers, let’s get down to the brass tacks:
Destructor
specifications:
Razer
Fractal™ textured surface for enhanced precision movements
The crux of the Razer Destructor™’s innovation
lies in its proprietary gunmetal coating which yields a highly reactive
surface. The result is superior tactility, improved responsiveness and enhanced
tracking.
Optimized
to improve optical and laser gaming-grade mouse performance
The Razer Destructor™ was made with one primary
mission in mind: to coax the maximum performance from gaming-grade mice. And
the results speak for themselves. Gaming-grade optical mice track up to 25%
better on the Razer Destructor™, and gaming-grade laser mice up to 37% better,
when compared to other gaming-mousing surfaces which are designed specifically
for extremely precise movements.
Ultra-wide
size
Measuring 350mm (length) x 280mm (width) x 2.3mm
(height), the Razer Destructor™ provides an ample mousing area for
lower-sensitivity gamers accustomed to performing sweeping movements.
Razer Fractal™ surface for high-precision gameplay
Optimized for both optical and laser gaming-grade
mice Ultra-wide size ideal for continuous, rapid
swipes: 350mm (length) x 280mm (width) x 2.3mm (height) Non-slip rubber base for firm grip on smooth
surfaces Includes a premium lightweight protective case
Piranha
headset specs:
True-to-life audio quality with superior clarity
and bass Adjustable, noise-filtering microphone for clearer
in-game communication Comfortable, ergonomic and adjustable earphones
suitable for prolonged use In-line remote control with convenient volume and
microphone muting adjustments Single-sided cable for hassle-free usage Durable braided fiber cable protection Internet telephony compatible Compatible with most major operating systems Usable with CD, DVD and digital audio players (via
3.5mm minijack)
Headphones
Freq. response: 18 – 22,000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohms
SPL (@ 1 kHz, 1 Vrms): 114 dB
Cable: 3.0 meters
Microphone
Freq. response: 80 – 15,000 Hz
Sensitivity (@ 1 kHz, 1V/Pa): -38 dB
Impedance: ~2 kOhms