Performance

Since this mouse is capable of running three different resolutions we have decided to test every one of them. As some of you might remember the old DeathAdder performed slightly worse when you lowered the DPI, this is not the case with the 3.5 G Infrared sensor. It feels just as delicate and capable at 450 DPI as at the native resolution of 3500 DPI.

Lift-off distance was the deal breaker for me with the original DeathAdder, and that particular issue seems to be solved with the Abyssus. Lift-off distance is a bit higher than that of the newest larger gaming mice with either Agilent 9500 or Phillips Twin-eye sensor. Even though you have to lift it a bit higher in order for it to stop tracking it is by no means annoying.

At 3500 DPI this mouse performs extremely well. It feels very precise and responsive, in part because of its low weight and shape. That being said it is not as comfortable as its physically bigger brother the DeathAdder, at least not in my hands. If you like to control your mouse with just the tip of your fingers of have small hands then this mouse is definitely for you. However with my large hands and a preference for a palm type grip it comes up short, but then again so do most mice around.

The glide is very good, the mouse features three big Teflon feet positioned at the very edge of the mouse.

The Abyssus does not feature a gimmicky weight system which is nice for a change. The focus on adding a weight system to gaming mice is just out of proportions and many manufacturers have gone completely overboard trying to fit physically large weight bays to the bottom of their mice, ultimately making weight distribution odd and forcing them to mount internals high inside the mouse, giving it a higher center of gravity.

In intense FPS games like Counter Strike Source the mouse is right at home. Even though you miss the occasional toggle button on the side the performance was right on the money, and I did not feel a major difference between it an the much more expensive SteelSeries Xai tracking wise. Since I have a large hand the physical mismatch between mice and hand made longer periods of gaming somewhat painful. If you have a small to medium sized hand the Abyssus's size will not be a major issue but if you have a large hand and long fingers you will feel a bit cramped.

Tracking performance wise this mouse is outstanding and therefore a worthy contender in the sub $50 price range.