The technical areas that determine the performance of a mouse are:

1. DPI of the encoder technology in the mouse
2. Speed/baud of communication between mouse and computer
3. Driver features, equations and algorithms
4. Better response and tactile feedback

1) Encoder DPI

The encoder DPI/CPI (dots/counts per inch) is the most important factor in determining the smoothness and speed of a mouse. This is described by how many discrete signals are sent to the controller chip when the mouse moves one inch. As the number of signals sent to the chip increases, mouse resolution becomes finer and the resulting motion smoother. The Razer Pro V1.6 use a sensor technology that allows up to twice the precision of current mice. Most mechanical mice perform at 400-800 DPI, while the Razer line of mice offers resolutions from 1140 to 1600 DPI.

2) Connection speed/baud

The next critical link to performance is the connection between the mouse and the computer. USB 1.0 has a polling rate fixed at 125 polls/sec and allows for communication to and from the peripheral. See below (HID Drivers) for advanced 16-bit data-rate technology for the Razer PRO|SOLUTION V1.6.

3) Driver Features, equations & algorithms

The driver software converts the signals or pulses that the mouse sends into actual on-screen movement. This conversion is basically an equation that correlates the number of pulses the mouse sends to the number of pixels on the screen. When the user adjusts the speed/sensitivity of their mouse, they are changing the numbers in the equation. For instance from 1 pulse = 1 pixel to 1 pulse = 2 pixels. This would make the mouse twice as fast.

The Razer line of mice offer smooth and controllable movement at ALL speeds, with speed/sensitivity adjustable "on the fly" by a special key combination. The user can adjust sensitivity settings from application to application, or within game environments, such as land to water or air. No other mouse offers this timesaving function.

4) Better Response and tactile feedback

The buttons in the Razer mice have been tweaked to provide for extreme tactile feedback without compromising on accuracy. Each Razer mouse has an enlarged “sweet spot” for clicking and this enhances the user’s ability to click, double-click and drag. Every button and button switch has been engineered for maximum tactile response to allow users to take advantage of cutting edge button response technology.

The Result

The Razer Pro V1.6 have been designed from the ground up as the ultimate optical control devices for today’s need for high precision work.. Featuring ergonomic designs, innovative features and breakthrough technology, Razer mice gives professional users the competitive edge they demand in their daily need for faster and precise work. With an incredible feel and amazing performance, the Razer line of mice is truly a cut above the rest.

PRO|SOLUTION V1.6 HID Drivers

First, a couple of facts ...

Windows XP and the USB low speed HID protocol supports an 8 BYTE data packet = 64 bits maximum size.

Windows XP restricts the USB low speed HID protocol to a 8ms-polling rate contrary to USB spec. Windows 2000 and ME comply with the USB spec. This is why we had to find another way around instead of increasing polling rate; it won’t work in WinXP (but it will work, in OSX and Linux, for instance).

The “8 bit” data packet is just a convention that most mice use to report X/Y information. There is in fact no such restriction in Windows, as long as the total information sent, including things like button presses etc, does not exceed 64 bits. How much data is apportioned to X/Y is determined by the FIRMWARE of the mouse, the default drivers on the OS will take their cue from the firmware and receive data accordingly (the beauty of USB plug and play).

The problem with 8 bits for X/Y info is well known. -127/+127 (left/right) is the maximum info that can be sent, resulting in a very low maximum top speed of around 11” per second at 800dpi and 6400 frames per second.

On top of this problem, the old computer mice did not have buffer overflow protection, so if it exceeded +127 instead of staying at +127, it would either error and reset to zero, or worse, reset to -127, resulting in the mouse going in the OPPOSITE direction as fast as possible! With 12 bits, the maximum is -2048/+2048; with 16bits the maximum is -32k/+32k.