**UPDATE - The Lachesis works exactly the same after the 1.58 firmware beta. It still skips like crazy on the Cyber Snipa Tracer pad (a hard, slick mouse surface that works great with ANY other mouse I've used on it), but cloth surfaces are trouble free 99% of the time. /UPDATE**
**ANOTHER Update! ;) - Razer has some very "interesting" things to say about how to "fix" this mouse's problems. I think they are pretty ridiculous suggestions. One is remove the bottom piece of the mouse around the laser. Yes, you read that right. Remove part of your mouse. :\ Another suggestion is... wait for it!... use it at 2000 dpi. Wait, doesn't the Lachesis go up to 4000 dpi? Yes. But, even though you might have bought it to use that feature specifically, Razer is saying to fix some problems with it you really can't use that feature and you should use 2000 dpi only. Pretty pathetic fixes if you ask me.
I really like Razer stuff, I use their Diamondback 3G mouse and Tarantula keyboard currently. However, do NOT get the Lachesis unless you only use a cloth mousepad. They have released another firmware update I believe since the one I last tried (I returned the mouse so I can no longer test it, as I think it sucks totally). However I have my doubts that it would fix the problems for people with hard slick mouse mats such as the Cyber Snipa.
I would link you these references on their site, however it is currently down. I will try to link them at a later date when their site is back up. /Update**
Looks - As with most Razer mice, the Lachesis looks great. It comes in blue or white lighting (I have tempest blue). The shape looks different than any other mouse I've seen. This is fine in the looks department however as the mouse looks slick. The pulsating Razer logo on the mouse is the same as the Death Adder, which looks great. This can be turned off in the Razer software (if installed). It has the "velvety" feel of the Death Adder and Diamondback 3G covering the whole mouse and similar one-piece construction on top that the Death Adder has.
Shape - I am used to a Diamongback 3G as my primary mouse and this is not really like the Diamondback in shape. It is definitely unique. I think what throws me off is its length and also width near the corded end. Picture an hourglass in your mind, and that's how this mouse is setup. Big rear, thin middle, big front. Great for a woman, not so sure about a mouse. I will have to say it seems to be hard to get used to so far. I have to hold the mouse semi-sideways to make it work for me. I do this with most mice anyhow as I tend to rest my ring and pinky fingers on the right side of the mouse, however it is exaggerated with the Lachesis.
Performance - I have had my share of problems here, unfortunately. I am currently testing 1.58 Beta of the firmware for the mouse, as 1.00 and 1.56 have had major problems tracking on surfaces like the Cyber Snipa Tracer mouse mat. This puzzles me because Razer's Exact Mat has a smooth side that is similar, if not the same, as the Cyber Snipa's surface. If it performs on theirs like it does mine then I don't see how it ever got to production. It will randomly jump across my screen, sometimes up to 4-6 inches. Finer movement is very difficult. It is like dust or something being on the sensor, even though there doesn't appear to be any. Swap mouse pads (for example, go to a normal cloth pad) and this problem disappears. I have seen it jump once on a cloth pad. This was using the 1.00 firmware as well, which definitely has jumping problems. If you search the 'net for Lachesis problems, you'll see what I mean. There are plenty of people with tracking problems related to this mouse. If you look at Newegg customer reviews alone you'll see what I mean. I am convinced this is directly related to the mouse pad or mat that you use this mouse on. I'm convinced this mouse (in its current state) is designed strictly for cloth mouse pads. If you have a hard surfaced mouse pad or something similar to the Cyber Snipa Tracer (or even Razer's own Exact Mat with the same slick surface) then don't expect the Lachesis to work on it. The "super precision" it is advertised as having will go down the toilet as soon as it hits the mat.
The side buttons are stiffer than the Death Adder or either Diamondback versions.
If Razer can correct this problem, I see this mouse being a possible contender among gaming mice. Otherwise I don't see much use for it. I can use any other mouse on the Cyber Snipa mat without any problems at all, including the G5 which is a laser mouse like the Lachesis, just half the DPI. However, setting the Lachesis to 2000 or even 1000 DPI has made no difference on the skipping problem.
Software - Razer's software is typical here. Same look and feel as their other mouse software (Diamondback, Death Adder, Copperhead, etc). It does of course have specific Lachesis options, such as DPI adjustments from 125 to 4000. Personally I try to use the mouse at 4000 DPI with the windows mouse sensitivity on either the 2nd or 3rd notch. Over that and I have to drop the DPI to 3000 or 2000. It allows for adjustments in increments as small as 125 DPI. Razer claims this mouse adjusts that way via its hardware, not through software interpolation (meaning the hardware is doing the adjustments, not just software emulating an adjustment).
I have setup some profiles with different report rates. The Lachesis can be set to 125, 500 and 1000. I can't tell any difference from 500 to 1000, so I typically leave it on 500 to use fewer computer resources.
Conclusion - As of now, I give it a 5/10. I can't justify it over any other Razer mice I've reviewed. Pending more tests on the Cyber Snipa Tracer surface via firmware updates and also getting used to the different shape knocks the score down. This mouse didn't work for me right out of the box like it should. I would dock it at least a point or two for the comfort factor because of its semi-radical shape, but shape is all personal preference. My hands aren't large but I have skinny long fingers. The problem I have with the Lachesis shape is mostly the width near the primary buttons. It feels it should be narrower there. It could stand to be at least a half-inch shorter as well to fit my personal tastes.
Hopefully Razer can salvage this mouse, seeing as it is the only one on the market with 4000 dpi. Not that 4000 dpi is necessary (I really think it's just a selling point honestly), but it does offer another precision level for gamers who toy with DPI a lot. I can see someone who constantly adjusts DPI settings liking this mouse... IF they can overcome its radical shape and if they don't use a hard surfaced gaming mouse mat. What gaming mouse can't be used on a gaming mat?
-Rav
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