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What Makes the Perfect Gaming Mouse?

An anonymous reader writes A new article looks at the advanced technology that goes into many gaming mice favoured by professional gamers, from dedicated processors to custom weights for the sake of ergonomics, discussing the developments with designers at three top peripheral companies: Logitech, Razer and SteelSeries. Surprisingly, some factors that were once thought to have reached the limit of their usefulness, such as DPI sensitivity, are becoming more important again as screens get bigger and we make the move to 4K resolution. ... "With the rise of higher resolution screens, especially looking into 4K multi monitor systems and beyond, DPI might become an important factor in the future again, so we are not ruling out changes in the maximum tracking rate," says Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan.

199 comments

  1. It depends by QuietLagoon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The Perfect Anything depends upon the person using it, and the needs of that person.

    1. Re:It depends by thedonger · · Score: 2

      The Perfect Anything depends upon the person using it, and the needs of that person.

      So you are saying the Perfect Gaming Mouse should have a vagina?

      --
      Help fight poverty: Punch a poor person.
    2. Re:It depends by pellik · · Score: 2

      Are you saying it shouldn't?

    3. Re:It depends by stimpleton · · Score: 1

      And should be able to make sandwiches.

      --

      In post Patriot Act America, the library books scan you.
    4. Re:It depends by courteaudotbiz · · Score: 2

      Obligatory fun: The Shii

    5. Re:It depends by Adriax · · Score: 3, Informative

      I prefer using a trackball. But the only decent form factor (thumb ball, 3+button and scroll wheel) I can find is the logitech mx570, which has horrible life expectancy for the buttons.
      My experiences have mirrored the reviews. 6 month average before the left or middle button stops clicking normally and starts going off randomly. The little springs in the buttons crap out and don't push the button back properly.

      --
      I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!
    6. Re:It depends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1. Agree

      2. I have big hands too and feel your pain. No mouse is big enough for me to palm it entirely. The Logitech G500 comes close.

      3. 8200 DPI isn't enough for you? My Logiech G500 has that and it's awesome. Trackballs are terrible for precision gaming. I've tried them before.

      4. If the Naga wew bigger with a bigger numberpad, it'd be perfect.

      5. I don't eat while I use my PC and the mouse/keyboard still get dirty over time. The trick is to wipe it clean often, but that becomes time-consuming.

      6. For a minute there, I thought you were talking about a rumble motor in the mouse for force feedback... LOL.

    7. Re:It depends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly correct! No one mouse or type of mouse will work for everyone. Although I don't like most trackballs, the Logitech Marble Mouse is my favorite for the FPS games that I play. It works well for either hand. It takes less desk space, and I can turn my game charactor 360 degrees in either direction without ever having to pick up the mouse because of running out of space on a mouse pad.

      This mouse feels natural to use, with my hand laying in a natural and relaxed position on it. I have one of these mice for each computer that I own, and a spare just in case. I still own and use my original Marble Mouse purchased over 10 years ago. It has only needed occasional cleaning and lubrication of the rollers that the "Marble" rides on.

      This USB mouse "just works" in both Linux and Windows, and all of mine have come with an adapter for the connectors used on older computers for the keyboaed and mouse.

      Different mice may work better for some games.

    8. Re:It depends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Good to hear I'm not alone. Trackballs are an abandoned design choice in the market, which I find to be strange. They make 3 or 4 designs so similar to each other, but they don't make gaming (heavy use, wide featured) trackballs afaik.

      I may have bought that one for my mother, as she sits far from the tv / monitor (unstable surfaces for a normal mouse) and it gets light to medium use. It has worked great for her. She wants one that they had back in the 90s thou. It was large transparent and the ball was in the middle and had colored L.E.D.s that changed when clicking. The nearest to that now days would be a toy for toddlers.

    9. Re: It depends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Trackball is the only way to game.

    10. Re:It depends by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I've got a trackman wheel T-BB18 and guess what? Same problem. Logitech has some of the best design, then they shit on it with crap OMRON microswitches. I've had to replace the microswitches in this trackball twice so far. Probably wind up burning off a trace next time.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    11. Re:It depends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not sure what those people are doing with their mx570. I got my first mx570 4 years ago for work(I'm a developer, so 8 hours a day there), and for 2 years, I took it back and forth to home to use it there. At around 2 years, the rubber feat started coming off, no biggie though. 2 years ago I bought another mx570 to leave at home. I use it on the couch, and have two kids, so the thing hits the floor hard at least two times a week. Both mice are still as functional as the day I bought them(outside of the rubber feat).

    12. Re:It depends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Been using the Kensington Slim for over a year now. It's absolutely daylight robbery at the price being charged, but I have to admit that it's still going strong and has no signs of wear on the top surface or ball. I expect it to keep going for a good 5 years or so.

      http://www.kensington.com/en/gb/4493/k72327eu/slimblade%E2%84%A2-trackball#.VRW_V6fLfmE

    13. Re:It depends by Seraphim_72 · · Score: 1

      I think I am on year 8 or 9 for my Microsoft Trackball Explorer and it is still going strong. Whatever else can be said of MS, they used to make really good hardware. I have 2 new ones in the box still as well. I suspect they will outlive me.

      --
      Slashdot, where armchair scientists get shouted down and armchair theologians get modded up.
    14. Re:It depends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You sound angry.

  2. Symmetric mouse by misophist · · Score: 1

    A gaming mouse or really any mouse should be bilaterally symmetric. Nothing more I detest than a mouse that's slanted to one side or another. High accuracy optical tracking is helpful as well. Programmable buttons is nice also. And that's about it.

    1. Re:Symmetric mouse by Luckyo · · Score: 3, Informative

      A gaming mouse should be tailored to a user's hand. That means a slanted one handed mouse. The entire point of the exercise is to get a mouse that is suitable for YOU, not "suitable for everybody".

      Ambidextrous mouse is definitely not on the list of requirements for being a gaming mouse, and if anything is one of the factors that will work against said mouse when being selected as a good gaming mouse.

      Full disclosure: I haven't used ambidextrous mouse in over 15 years and I will NEVER use one again now that I'm used to one handed mice. I'm also the key target audience for the sellers, and buy high cost premium mice, my current one being Logitech G700s.
      I actually ended up dragging my mouse to work when I wasn't offered a proper right handed mouse there. Ambidextrous models are simply far too uncomfortable once you're used to a proper one handed mouse.

    2. Re:Symmetric mouse by crashumbc · · Score: 2

      Absolutely not, the only way to maximize the proper design of a mouse is to design it to properly fit the hand. The only way to do this is to separately design a left handed and right handed mouse.

      Anything the fits "both" actually fits neither...

    3. Re:Symmetric mouse by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      As with everything, there are preferences. Starcraft players often find programmable buttons get in the way. WOW players tend to like programmable buttons. So it really depends.......

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    4. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I regularly use (in different contexts) both an ambidextrous and a righthanded mouse (a Steelseries Rival and Steelseries Sensei). Both work well enough for me to use perfectly well, and I experience no difficulty switching between the two. It probably helps that I don't usually have much bound to the Sensei's right-side buttons (which the Rival lacks) outside of very program-dependent stuff.

      Different people are different. In mice, personal preference and comfort is king, and what works well for one person may be detestable to another

    5. Re:Symmetric mouse by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 4, Insightful

      A gaming mouse should be tailored to a user's hand. That means a slanted one handed mouse. The entire point of the exercise is to get a mouse that is suitable for YOU, not "suitable for everybody".

      My fingers appear to have been the result of an evolutionary process that allows the fingers to flex and form to the shape of the thing it is gripping, whether bilaterally symmetric or bilaterally asymmetric.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    6. Re:Symmetric mouse by no1nose · · Score: 1

      This is my favorite Logitech Gamer mouse (G602): http://gaming.logitech.com/en-...

      It has a solid feel, great DPS and the perfect amount of mappable buttons.

    7. Re:Symmetric mouse by QuietLagoon · · Score: 1

      ...Ambidextrous models are simply far too uncomfortable...

      What if you are like me, i.e., ambidextrous. I switch my mousing hands once a month or so.

    8. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You're the worst kind of awful.

      Your type is why trackballs are crap now.
      No more brilliant asymmetrical functional trackballs that are comfy, now they are all bilateral crapheaps with half the functionality at best.
      Or worse, thumb trackballs, the worst thing to happen to input devices.

      Paradoxically, you probably even like the Xbox controller.

    9. Re:Symmetric mouse by otopico · · Score: 1

      Hear hear for the AC. This guy gets it.

    10. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My asymmetrical, ten year old Logitech MX518 gaming mouse disagrees. Having a symmetrical mouse not only provides less than optimal comfort, but it preclude the presence of side buttons.

      What makes a good gaming mouse:

      1) Comfort. How well is it contoured for your hand? Is it too light or too heavy? Are all of the buttons easily reachable?
      2) Quality. Is it sturdy? Does it have reliable microswitches in it? Is the cord durable?
      3) Performance. How well does it track on various surfaces? What kind of DPI settings does it have?
      4) Function. Can the buttons be reassigned? Does it support macros?
      5) Wired. Wireless mice introduce lag, can receive interference and can run out of batteries at a crucial moment.
      6) Cost. Is it overly expensive? Can you get an equivalent or better mouse for less? Is it only costly due to the name on it?

      I use two different mice regularly, both of which are gaming mice. The first is the aforementioned Logitech MX518, which I absolutely adore. I paid $50 for it back in 2005 and it still works well. The second is an E-Blue Auroza Type G, which is an amazingly high quality (Omron switches, braided cord, 3000 DPI accurate sensor) gaming mouse that I paid $25 for a couple years ago, but can now be bought for about $15.

    11. Re:Symmetric mouse by bistromath007 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Your spine is capable of flexing to fit your chair, too. That doesn't mean you shouldn't worry about proper lumbar support.

    12. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What is DPS?

    13. Re:Symmetric mouse by Wootery · · Score: 1

      I assume "DPI" was intended (that mouse is 2500DPI).

    14. Re:Symmetric mouse by nmb3000 · · Score: 2

      What is DPS?

      Damage Per Second. It's a unit of measure in games such as WoW that's primarily used to show how much better you are than other players. Typical use of the term would be, "hey, does anyone have dps meter for that last pull?" Feigning insecurity and disinterest are important, and the requester must absolutely not reveal that they're running 2 or 3 meter addons themselves.

      A new mouse, preferably one with at least 12 programmable buttons, variable weights, and at least two bright blue LEDs, is sure to increase your DPS by at least 20%.

      --
      "What do you despise? By this are you truly known." --Princess Irulan, Manual of Muad'Dib
      /)
    15. Re:Symmetric mouse by sexconker · · Score: 2

      What is DPS?

      Whatever it is, you're going to do it very, very slowly.

    16. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      whatever noob. i'll 360 noscope you all day every day.

    17. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, you let me know how well that works out when you're feebly trying to formulate strategy. Like I said, I prefer games that require skill, not mindless shooters and grinders.

    18. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      My fingers appear to have been the result of an evolutionary process that allows the fingers to flex and form to the shape of the thing it is gripping, whether bilaterally symmetric or bilaterally asymmetric.

      By that logic, southpaws should have absolutely no grips (small pun intended) about using a right-handed mouse with their left-hand.

    19. Re:Symmetric mouse by arielCo · · Score: 2

      That doesn't mean that every shape is equally suitable to handling for hours. Ergonomics is not exactly a new field - maybe precisely because of that we tend to take it for granted.

      --
      This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
    20. Re:Symmetric mouse by ceoyoyo · · Score: 1

      EVE players get banned for programmable buttons. You really can pick your poison.

    21. Re:Symmetric mouse by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      I first grabbed a computer mouse in 1984 and I've been using them ever since, without hand pain. How long to I have to wait to find out?

      The only issues I have with computer mice is the button configuration and the crap that builds on up the bottom.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    22. Re:Symmetric mouse by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Not if it's symmetric. But a side button for the thumb would suck on an asymmetric mouse.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    23. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He could always just pay to win like the "elite" in all MMOs.

    24. Re:Symmetric mouse by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      The spine was design to stay at an ideal location, with enough flexibility to accommodate movement. Our hands on the otherwise have joints and muscles designed for more purpose. However some activities, usually in the terms of fine movement, may put more strain than larger movements and grips.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    25. Re:Symmetric mouse by vux984 · · Score: 1

      On the other hand as a left handed person; right hand ergo mice are useless; and its frustrating to see the majority of high end stuff is right hand ergo.

      And any desk that's used by multiple random people should have a universal mouse because while you might whine about using a universal mouse imagine how annoying it would be to sit down at a desk with a LH ergo one!! That's what I deal with all the time with ergo right mice.

      For gaming at my own desk, I'd buy near the top end if they made them but they don't. They are all RH ergo. I'm generally forced to buy lower tier stuff that available in universal form factors.

      Razer makes a couple LH ergo units though, and I'm actually using their DeathAdder now myself as my preferred mouse; but again more because its slim pickings than because i think its the best mouse on the market. It might well be the best LH ergo mouse on the market though; and I am pretty happy with it.

      Logitech used to make one MX 610 left handed but it was really far down the line as far as quality and it was nearly junk as a gaming mouse. (fucking thing had alert LEDs for im and email... yeah. they made exactly one LH ergo mouse ever and its pathetic crap like that.)

      I realize LH ergo is going to be at most 10% of a niche - a niche within a niche; but I'm still surprised at the near total dearth of decent LH ergo options.

      I'm also surprised at the tendency for LH ergo mice to have the Right and Left mouse button flipped by default. How many LH people actually swap the mouse buttons?? I spend enough time using random and shared computers that the left mouse button is the left mouse button and I click it with my middle finger.

      When I use my LH ergo mouse at home, I don't want the everything backwards, I want the left mouse button to be the left mouse button and the right to be the right. Do the majority of lefties really swap the buttons? Unfathomable to me.

    26. Re:Symmetric mouse by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      Really? How do they know if someone has programmable buttons on their mouse?

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    27. Re:Symmetric mouse by ChrisMaple · · Score: 1

      Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000 is symmetrical, and has one button on each side. There's room for more if the design were changed.

      --
      Contribute to civilization: ari.aynrand.org/donate
    28. Re:Symmetric mouse by ceoyoyo · · Score: 1

      It's not the buttons themselves, it's using them to execute more than one command at once. If you seem to manage to press some key combination with perfect timing all the time.

    29. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I must have imagined RSI/carpal tunnel and all of the ergonomic keyboards and mice that have been designed to prevent those injuries.

      Also, your fingers do have an ideal position, which is slightly cuffed. Symmetrical mice are horrible for your hands.

    30. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So basically you'll get banned if you're too good at the game.

      I don't know about you, but I can consistently perform simultaneous complex actions in the games I regularly play (Q3A, UT and Jedi Academy).

    31. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Having a button on either side is a horrible design. I could see accidentally pressing the far button with my ring finger or pinkie all of the time with that kind of configuration, not to mention not having the ease and natural feeling of movement of being able to roll my thumb across the two buttons.

      I use my side buttons in many applications. In my browser, it's forward and back a page. In my audio and video players they are used to skip forward and backward 10 seconds. In my text/code editor, they are used for page up and page down. In games they are used for jump and crouch. Having one button on either side would be a usability nightmare.

    32. Re:Symmetric mouse by arielCo · · Score: 1

      I was (perhaps a bit pedantically) objecting to the apparent argument that any shape will do because your fingers will wrap around it. I can think of shapes that you could hold but wouldn't like working with.

      I first grabbed a computer mouse in 1984 and I've been using them ever since, without hand pain. How long to I have to wait to find out?

      That means that the shape(s) you've been using is/are adequate (possibly for most normal hands of roughly similar size). The ordinary mouse I use at work is symmetric and gives me no issues, but early mice wouldn't work as well for long hours, and I know from experience that tiny "laptop" mice kill my thumb adductors. OTOH (no pun intended), I know people who work *better* with tiny mice, either because they have small hands or because of injury.

      Lastly, TFA is about gamers. They mouse like their lives depend on it (some do make a living off it) and it's not unthinkable that the situation resembles other activities like shooting or golf to some degree, where subtle differences in performance and myth complicate gear choices.

      --
      This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
    33. Re:Symmetric mouse by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      does anybody use dual mice or track balls or track pads? that would be pretty awesome.

    34. Re:Symmetric mouse by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      whats wrong with the xbox controller? I think it fits really good and the finger triggers are in a good place. my ownly gripe is that there aren't more dpads.

    35. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Xbox controller is crap. The Xbox 360 controller is perfection. There is a difference.

    36. Re:Symmetric mouse by vux984 · · Score: 1

      Don't think its possible; I don't think windows or any other OS actually supports multiple mice having independently operatable cursors. At least I've never seen it.

      On systems with mutiple mice -- eg. laptop trackpad + external mouse they always control the same cursor.

    37. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's possible, but requires third party software such as Multimouse. Of course a game can do anything it wants with multiple input devices.

    38. Re:Symmetric mouse by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      Not if it's symmetric. But a side button for the thumb would suck on an asymmetric mouse.

      I use a right-handed mouse with my left hand, the Logitech Mouseman Optical (URL is a picture of the thing). It has a thumb button which I click with my ring finger of pinkie finger, and I love this setup by far over any other, at least for office work.

    39. Re:Symmetric mouse by Rakarra · · Score: 2

      I first grabbed a computer mouse in 1984 and I've been using them ever since, without hand pain. How long to I have to wait to find out?

      Of course it also depends on the tasks that you use a mouse for. I didn't have much mouse-caused hand pain until I became a Diablo II addict, with its "hold down left-click to run" movement paradigm. What ended up helping was switching to using the mouse with my left hand, even though I'm right-handed. Problem mostly solved.

    40. Re:Symmetric mouse by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      Apparently you were playing them wrong.

    41. Re:Symmetric mouse by Bill_the_Engineer · · Score: 1

      It should be possible. You could use a program like ControllerMate. I use ControllerMate to give the mouse wheel on my Nostromo a different function than the mouse wheel on my Razer Naga. Also ControllerMate allows me to redefine the keys on the Nostromo while leaving the keys on my keyboard unaffected.

      --
      These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
    42. Re:Symmetric mouse by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      I was envisaging one of those black, spikey gaming mouses. I can see how that mouse might work well.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    43. Re:Symmetric mouse by vux984 · · Score: 1

      Of course a game can do anything it wants with multiple input devices.

      Right, of course. But

      a) no game actually does support it directly that I've ever seen.

      b) i doubt any game engines have support for it so you'd be working outside the engine which is usually a PITA; if you are using the engine to provide all your other input primatives and events and would make developing support for it at the game title level highly unlikely.

    44. Re:Symmetric mouse by Mal-2 · · Score: 1

      Don't think its possible; I don't think windows or any other OS actually supports multiple mice having independently operatable cursors. At least I've never seen it.

      There was something called "OtherMouse" which did precisely this. You got a red cursor for your second device (mirrored if desired), in addition to the usual black one. Oddly, it seems to have vanished.

      --
      How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
    45. Re:Symmetric mouse by PixetaledPikachu · · Score: 1

      Having a button on either side is a horrible design. I could see accidentally pressing the far button with my ring finger or pinkie all of the time with that kind of configuration, not to mention not having the ease and natural feeling of movement of being able to roll my thumb across the two buttons.

      I use my side buttons in many applications. In my browser, it's forward and back a page. In my audio and video players they are used to skip forward and backward 10 seconds. In my text/code editor, they are used for page up and page down. In games they are used for jump and crouch. Having one button on either side would be a usability nightmare.

      You can always disable them or assign them to do nothing. It's a 2 minutes activity. My gripe with these kind of mice is that they advert the full number of buttons that they have on the mouse without mentioning that a couple of them are practically unusable.

    46. Re:Symmetric mouse by Thumper_SVX · · Score: 1

      See, the only thing I don't like here is that it's wireless.

      I have used wired and wireless mice for a long time and have quite a collection, but I've pretty much abandoned wireless mice for all but simple usage when on the road because of interference or battery life issues. Bluetooth in particular is usually horrendous, dongle-mice tend to be better but still have issues on occasion.

      I have three active computers I use a lot so have different mice. My work system I use a wired Dell mouse; a K251D (http://www.amazon.com/Dell-6-Button-Perfectly-Connectors-Compatible/dp/B005O239FW) which for a cheap mouse is bloody fantastic. Good tracking, decent if bland shape and adjustable sensitivity. Not a good gaming mouse, but for a great all-purpose one it's awesome.

      On my gaming rig (the one I'm typing on) I have a Roccat Kone XTD (http://www.roccat.org/en/Products/Gaming-Mice/Kone-XTD-Series/Kone-XTD/) which is one of my favourite mice to-date. It's shaped perfectly for my right-handed self, has great adjustable weight (I packed it with all the weights that came with it) and a brilliantly sheathed cable that's incredibly long.

      My wireless mouse of choice on the road is a Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/arc-touch-mouse). It's wireless with a dongle, but collapses flat so it can be packed neatly in my laptop bag. Perfect on the go, works on just about every surface I've thrown it at and gets great battery life. I use it with my work laptop when on the road and my Surface Pro.

      Now having said all that I do like a lot of Logitech's gaming gear. My keyboard is a G710+ and I have a G13 that when used with the Roccat is brilliant. I just haven't found a Logitech mouse I really liked to be honest; the Roccat fell perfectly into my hand when I tried it and I pretty much got it on the spot it was that good. Still, this one looks pretty good except for the wireless part... as I said I just don't do wireless for gaming :)

    47. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apparently you were paying them wrong.

      FTFY

    48. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      a) Doesn't mean there aren't any out there. There are certainly applications like whiteboard software and emulators that support multiple mice.
      b) Support for multiple analog input devices is a given for any game engine, so yes, most can easily support multiple mice. Supporting a mouse is no more difficult than supporting a gamepad.

      Basically you're nitpicking because you're angry that I exposed your lack of knowledge.

    49. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's EitherMouse

      There are actually a ton of ways you can use multiple mice on a PC, including Microsoft's own MultiPoint.

    50. Re:Symmetric mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Disabling buttons is even worse than accidentally pressing them.

      No, the correct approach is to make mice asymmetrical with side buttons where your thumb goes.

    51. Re:Symmetric mouse by Mal-2 · · Score: 1

      Thank you greatly. I'd been going nuts trying to figure out why I couldn't find it anywhere!

      --
      How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
  3. Perfect gaming mouse by StatureOfLiberty · · Score: 1

    It can count cards?

  4. Poor Linux support by jukk · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Still haven't found any good alternatives that just works in Linux, other than the trusty old Logitech (MX series are nice).

    1. Re:Poor Linux support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      NetHack and Frotz don't need a mouse anyway.

    2. Re:Poor Linux support by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      Agreed. I've gone through two Logitech Wireless Performance MX mice. I've used them so much that the microswitch started to malfunction in the left button. Aside from that, they're near perfect for both gaming and everyday use.

      BTW, I purchased new microswitches in attempt to repair the first mouse. It ended in failure as the PCB board was too thin. Whatever the narrow margin of heat needed to solder on that board was, I obviously didn't have the right equipment. My iron just plugged into he wall with a specific wattage rating; meaning it couldn't be adjusted with the dial. And the deconstruction of the mouse was a major PITA that often made putting the plastic feet back on next to impossible as the adhesive wouldn't stick as well. Oh well.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    3. Re:Poor Linux support by mrchaotica · · Score: 1

      My iron just plugged into he wall with a specific wattage rating; meaning it couldn't be adjusted with the dial.

      You're handy enough to attempt repairing a mouse, but not handy enough to hook your soldering iron up with a dimmer switch?

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    4. Re:Poor Linux support by Ralphus+Maximus · · Score: 1

      You're handy enough to attempt repairing a mouse, but not handy enough to hook your soldering iron up with a dimmer switch?

      As someone who has been soldering professionally since the 1970's, I am ashamed to admit, I've never thought of doing that.

      --
      Nobody's as dumb, as I appear to be
    5. Re:Poor Linux support by Spasmodeus · · Score: 2

      Zowie makes gaming mice that require no special drivers at all. They are no-bullshit, bling-free devices with top notch sensors that you just plug in and go. I have an FK1, and I'm very happy with it.

      Roccat makes super-bling++ mice and they've actually provided kernel drivers and GPL configuration software for engaging all their bells and whistles. I've never used their stuff, so I cannot attest to its quality, but I'm intrigued because I've never seen a company provide Linux support like that.

    6. Re:Poor Linux support by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      I'm using the Razer Abyssus right now on Linux and it works fine.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    7. Re:Poor Linux support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're handy enough to attempt repairing a mouse, but not handy enough to hook your soldering iron up with a dimmer switch?

      Well I did plan to do that, but next thing I realized I designed a complete soldering station replacement system and the next day had PCBs being shipped and parts ordered.
      Sadly I then realized I needed my soldering iron to put together the soldering iron station, saw I had dismantled the dimmer switch for "prototyping purposes", and then just lost interest in the entire project...

      Man I hate when that happens!

    8. Re:Poor Linux support by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      Didn't have one. To he perfectly clear, I only solder wiring harnesses for car audio equipment and the occasional re-capping of amps and motherboards. I can't do fuck-all with these tiny delicate surface mounted components. Either I don't have the tools, dexterity, or knowledge how how to properly work on that stuff. So yeah, I'm done messing with that stuff.

      FYI, I managed to get my last mouse working better by hosing down the microswitches with CRC Mass Airflow Sensor Cleaner that I had laying around. So far so good.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    9. Re:Poor Linux support by mrchaotica · · Score: 1

      FYI, I managed to get my last mouse working better by hosing down the microswitches with CRC Mass Airflow Sensor Cleaner that I had laying around. So far so good.

      Any thoughts on the relative merits of MAF cleaner vs. brake cleaner, canned air, or other things like that?

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    10. Re:Poor Linux support by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      My iron just plugged into he wall with a specific wattage rating; meaning it couldn't be adjusted with the dial.

      Nor could you replace the tip? I have a couple of seriously old weller irons, and I've got 700 degree round tips and 800 degree pointy tips, which seem to bring about the same amount of heat into the work when you're just using the tip. Less surface area, you know.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    11. Re:Poor Linux support by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      I have a Razer DeathAdder and... well the Linux support is not great. The mouse gets detected perfectly fast under Windows, but on Linux there's always an eight-second delay and when it finally gets added, it always sends a tiny bit of "noise." If I have vi up, I'll notice the cursor moved down several lines when the mouse is finally added, if I was pressing control at the time, it switches workspaces. I've never had another mouse that does this, and it makes switching back and forth on a KVM a pain in the ass.

      Not to mention that the buttons aren't 'buttons' but are presented as a programmable keyboard. A keyboard you have to program using the windows-only Razer driver, as the bindings are stored in memory on the mouse hardware. But the buttons feel -really- nice, as does the scroll wheel. Those are usually the downsides of many mice: buttons that take too much effort to press, a wheel that takes too much (or too little!) effort to roll, or is hard to "click" (since it's a middle mouse button too) without accidentally causing a scroll event too. The Deathadder seems to get all of that right. I just wish its programming methods weren't so kludgy.

    12. Re:Poor Linux support by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      That sounds miserable. You might try getting a driver/configuration.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    13. Re:Poor Linux support by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      For electronics and contacts, use MAF cleaner as it's closer to electronic cleaner. Additionally, you can actually use it on the MAF which provides improved fuel economy, engine performance, and keeps the carbon buildup minimal while adding additional life to the O2 sensors and catalytic converter. MAF being one of the first important real-time sensors, it does leave an ancillary impact on the rest of the system.

      As for brake and carb cleaner, don't use them on electronics. Those are harsh solvents that leave a film of residue behind and can really harm some plastics. I suppose if you really had too on a failed mouse, use a short burst of it, then quickly chase with a can of compressed air to dry it out quickly. But you're rolling the dice on those results.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    14. Re:Poor Linux support by Hamsterdan · · Score: 1

      Even if that's a clever idea, I'm pretty sure code doesn't allow for dimmers to be used on electrical outlets.

      --
      I've got better things to do tonight than die.
    15. Re:Poor Linux support by mrchaotica · · Score: 1

      Nobody said the switch had to be mounted permanently in the wall.

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    16. Re:Poor Linux support by Thumper_SVX · · Score: 1

      I can say I use a Roccat Kone XTD and it's my favourite mouse I've ever used. I don't really care about the bling... it's actually not all that bad. What I care about is good tracking, weight and button response and this thing has all of them in spades :)

      The Linux support is also really good, as you said. Their engineers really are geeks like us :)

  5. Kinect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Kinect should be good for everything and one.... I use it to code with an on-screen keyboard, but it really shines on games!

  6. Not what, Who. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Logitech.

    1. Re:Not what, Who. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And absolutely, positively NOT Razer. Holy crap. Nice designs, Chinese-knockoff-tier build quality.

    2. Re:Not what, Who. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      and a microcontroller inside thats far far too complicated for the function it does.

    3. Re:Not what, Who. by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 1

      This! So Much This! I've had a Razer Lycosa Keyboard and a Lachesis Mouse. Both of them glitched so damn hard with and without the drivers installed. The keyboard would randomly stop recognizing random keys, requiring me to unplug and then re-plug the damn thing in to get it to start working again. The Anti-Windows key feature would randomly lock on and make alt-tabbing or even mousing over items in the taskbar impossible, even while not gaming. The backlighting would randomly go completely out. The touch media/backlight/Game-Lock pad was so damned touchy and both over/under sensitive to boot. It was a bleeding nightmare, and the mouse wasn't any better. Also, the rubberized..paint?... that they used on the keys to keep the light from shining through where it shouldn't be started wearing off about 5 months after I got it, leaving the lettering on the keys about useless as all there was left was the clear purple plastic on the top of the key; especially all the keys around the WASD pad.

      The mouse would start skipping across the screen about every 20 minutes which could only be fixed by unplugging and re-plugging the mouse in, just uninstalling the mouse from device manager wouldn't even work. And again, that same rubberized padding on the thumb buttons didn't even last a month. Also, the left and right mouse buttons completely failed at the same time about 4 months after I bought the thing.

      The mouse I threw across the room and found a $20 logitech 5 button wireless mouse to tide me over until I could find something better, which wound up being a G600 20button mouse. The keyboard I saved up for a Logitech G710 to replace the lycosa...which I also trashed. Oh...and Linux Support? What a goddamned joke that was trying to use the Razer crap on my dual boot system. And while I bought the Logitechs to feed my gaming habit, the macro and modal keys on both have turned into epic time savers when pounding out code in Visual Studio and just about anything I try to do under KDE while in Linux.

    4. Re:Not what, Who. by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      My first Razer mouse was a Lachesis. What a complete waste of money that was. After a bunch of headaches, it finally just broke not that long after the original purchase.

      Against my better judgement, I got a Razer Deathadder. Results have been... mixed, per my comments above

  7. obvious slashvertisement by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    is slashing obvious and obviously slashvertisement.

    1. Re:obvious slashvertisement by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      Slashvertisement for which mouse company? The three mentioned in the summary are competitors, you know.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
  8. Depends on the game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I never had any use for the super ultra high DPI settings my gaming mice supported. Hell, I get the best precision in Counter-Strike with 400 DPI. Which is really no surprise to anyone who reads up on it for 5 minutes.

    It's evident that the submitter hasn't, because "DPI sensitivity" isn't a thing.

    Nice ad disguised as a story, anyway.

    1. Re:Depends on the game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      DPI is important for accuracy or you'll get little jumps in your aim, especially noticeable when trying to snipe. What I do is bump the DPI on my mouse to max and lower the mouse sensitivity in the game to minimum or near minimum. This way the speed remains usable, but I get highly fluid and precise aim.

  9. Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This piece is an advert for Razer? Well let me tell you about Razer: Every single thing I've ever purchased from them has been absolutely shit build quality and has broken either right away or pretty soon thereafter. However, the box it comes in is fucking wonderful.

    So if you like nice boxes and have more money than brains, buy Razer.

    1. Re:Advert for Razer? by GrBear · · Score: 1

      This, absolutely this.

      I burned though 3 Lycosa keyboards (keycaps breaking, backlighting failing, USB misdetection) in as many months. Thankfully Amazon has a generous exchange program, which I ended up using.

      Also, why the hell do I need to sign up for a fsckin account on their website for drivers which should have been included in the package in the first place!

    2. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Hi, I'm a mechanical engineer for Razer. :-) Describe specifically what kind of problems you have had? I will dispatch those remarks to our team to try to make sure that we won't botch similar things in future products. I can give you no exact promises, but let's see if we actually can do something better. We generally do not want to ship garbage.

    3. Re:Advert for Razer? by halivar · · Score: 2

      My Razer Naga is still going strong after 8 years. I use the hell out of it, too. But I am glad that other manufacturers are getting in on the side 12 buttons thing, so my options are open if Razer ever dies. I had another friend who bought one at the same time I did, but it died six months later. The lesson she took away was to buy two, so when it breaks she doesn't have to wait for the replacement. The Naga was just that useful to her. Unfortunately, she jinxed it and the second one is still sitting in the box in a closet.

    4. Re:Advert for Razer? by Last_Available_Usern · · Score: 1

      Their mice have been so-so for me but their keypads (ie. Orbweaver) are excellent and durable. While you couldn't say this as much for the older revs, their current software also does everything I need it to (profiles/macros are a snap). Sorry your experience has been crappy but they haven't grown into a monster because everything they make is junk.

    5. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yup, nothing but good experiences for me. Currently on the Death Adder. And I love being marketed to. Nice box. Called the Death Adder. Pretty simple little mouse that feels good. Exactly the amount of buttons I want (this, along with shape, size, weight, will be different for everyone!). Spending a few bucks on a tool I use FAR too much is not a problem.

      My question is - how the FSCK does anyone use Apple mice, with single button unisex crap. My brain literally HURTS trying to navigate with that mouse and that shitty UI. Give me a scroll wheel, and two buttons, at the very least.

    6. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      We generally do not want to ship garbage.

      But wouldn't that put you out of business?

    7. Re:Advert for Razer? by rogoshen1 · · Score: 1

      don't forget the software is utter and complete shit. (both in terms of functionality and UX)

      for example: logitech's software for macro's is infinitely better.
      razer = record the keypresses+delay
      logi = just specify the buttons.

    8. Re:Advert for Razer? by m.dillon · · Score: 1

      Not sure what that guy was complaining about but I love my Razer Blackwidow ultimate (2013) keyboard. I grew up on heavy n-key-rollover IBM keyboards and then had to make due with horrible light, cheap, keyboards for many years until I found the Razer. It's worth the price for me. And I've gone through probably 30 or 40 keyboards over the last 35 years.

      * Heavy, it doesn't move around.

      * USB extension port on the right hand side is perfect for my wireless mouse's transceiver plug.

      * N-key rollover that actually works, solid tactile (mechanical) response. I can type at 80+ WPM again.

      * And doesn't have thousands of useless extra buttons.

      Since a Razer engineer is listening. My suggestions:

      * Have a usb port on the left side as well as the right side.
      * Change the middle-bottom symbol. I don't quite remember... it might have been backlit before and I took the keyboard apart to disconnect it. It was a distraction.
      * Don't reverse the upper and lower-case symbols on the keycaps. That was kinda silly.
      * The bottom feet could be a little more robust.

      In terms of mice, I use a simple microsoft or logitech wireless mouse now. Simple three button w/wheel... I don't like extra buttons or left/right buttons and when I play games I tend to map most features to the left-hand side of the keyboard rather than to a complex mouse. That way I can bang the mouse around without accidental button pushes. I prefer wired mice but for the last few years I couldn't find any at the stores I frequent.

      The wireless mice are fine as long as (A) the tranceiver is within a few inches of the mouse, which it is hanging off the keyboard's RHS usb port. and (B) You use a AA alkaline (non rechargeable) battery. Rechargeable batteries just don't last due to charge leakage. And of course keep a spare battery within reach or replace every month whether or not it needs replacing.

      -Matt

    9. Re:Advert for Razer? by man+bear+nerd · · Score: 1

      my razor mouse (imperator) failed after 2 years i will never buy razer again so many options out there and having to register a product to use the software is a deal breaker even if i use a burn email. the company should be happy with the sale and leave the customer alone.

    10. Re:Advert for Razer? by halivar · · Score: 1

      FWIW, the Magic Mouse is two button (errr... two touch?) and swipable not just up and down (for scrolling), but side to side also (does not, however, support the three-finger swipe of the Magic Pad). It's weird; I didn't like it at first (predominantly PC user), but after a while I really, really dug it and wish I had something like it for the PC.

    11. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You could start by looking at Logitech and Microsoft keyboards and mice, then try to meet that level of quality. As it is, I can buy a $20 mouse or keyboard that is at least as well made as any $100+ Razer product.

      Oh, also remove the online requirement to use one of your keyboards or mice. That is absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary.

    12. Re:Advert for Razer? by PixetaledPikachu · · Score: 1

      My Ouroboros double clicks less than a year after it was bought. Apparently there are others like me, and this doesn't only happen to the Ouroboros, but also a couple of other models, such as the Naga. My Orochi and Chimaera on the other hands, are doing great :)

    13. Re:Advert for Razer? by jmcbain · · Score: 1

      I bought a wireless Mamba a few years ago. I had an extraordinarily hard time getting it out of the box. It comes mounted on some plastic pedestal, and I was trying for 15 minutes to remove it for fear of breaking off some piece of the plastic mouse. Maybe you guys should try to make the unboxing experience better.

    14. Re: Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Best combination is Microsoft sidewinder keyboard and Logitech trackball marble.

    15. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, the Logitech software is even better than that. Not only can you specify just to record the button presses, but you can also specify if you want it to record delays and whatnot. The Logitech software also lets you record mouse movement too, so you could have your mouse execute a series of movements and button presses.

    16. Re:Advert for Razer? by halivar · · Score: 1

      Man, all you did was throw red meat to the dogs. Customer service departments exist because all your most well-intentioned communication can do give angry people a chance to exact revenge for your company's perceived slights against them by attacking you. At long last, someone they can blame. You really need to let your customer service dept. handle this.

    17. Re:Advert for Razer? by Ksevio · · Score: 1

      I got a razer diamondback in a bag of crap for $1 several years ago and it's been going strong since then. Not that any of the other mouses I've used have failed either so maybe I'm just better at handling them.

    18. Re:Advert for Razer? by rogoshen1 · · Score: 1

      right, that's what i'm saying :)

      the problem with razer's software (As of last year, i had a nostromo, before moving to the g13) is that if you want a 2 or 3 button combination macro, such as: alt, shift , ~ (mmo's, hotbars, you get the point) you have to record yourself actually pressing those buttons, and then gin up the delay such that it's seamless in whatever game/app you're playing.

      Logitech allows you to specify exactly what buttons make up that macro. But if you want you can go the individual delay route.

      (Also again, razer's UX design seems to be "let's make it look like something someone high on Mountain Dew and Cheetos would find edge, who cares if it's usable"

    19. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I get you, just clarifying for other readers :) The Logitech software lets the user define what they want, how they want.

    20. Re:Advert for Razer? by vux984 · · Score: 1

      Sure, if this is for reals I'll bite.

      I went through three copperheads over a couple year period, now discontinued; the buttons gave out. Instead of a crisp click that worked anywhere on the button, it got 'soft' and unreliable. Old product, old news, hope you got whatever the issue was sorted on new units. I haven't had trouble with my current death adder.

      I use a deathadder LH ergo now.

      But as it is now, its still on your site if you search for it, but its not easy to find. If its not selling well, that might be part of it :(. It also doesn't look like you've made the successor the death adder chroma available in LH form factor. Too that's a shame; I'd buy one.

      Beyond that: feedback:

      Quite like it. Comfortable; but wish it had a a couple more usable buttons.

      Only one of the 2 thumb buttons is really usable. I hold the mouse too far back to be able to reach the forward thumb button. I wonder if that's a common complaint?

      And I'd LOVE to see the market research / focus group data etc that led you to have it default to the right mouse button being the "left click" *button 1"!!!

      As someone who grew up in a world of universal and RH ergo mice, the left mouse button has always been the Left mouse click "button 1"...on every mouse ive ever laid a hand on; it seems absurd to me that any mouse would ship with them reversed by default; even on for LH users.

      Sure I can swap them in the software, but its still annoying; since they'll be wrong in BIOS/UEFI, or if boot to safe mode, or with linux live CD, etc... maybe I'm the oddball who uses mouse left handed, who wants the left button on the mouse to be the left button click event but I truly find it hard to believe.

      If the deathadder LH is on its way out that's a shame. I'd definitely be interested in an LH mamba or LH deathadder chroma than the Naga; I might try a Naga LH; but I can't imagine needing or wanting the thumbnumber pad. Maybe its one of those things you love once you try... but I haven't taken the plunge... and its bit much $$$ to just order online to find out. And I've never seen one open in store to play with.

    21. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I bought my first Razer mouse about 10 years ago. It would drop out all the time and the computer wouldn't recognise it when rebooting.

      Recently I decided to try another one of their mice. After all, if they are still around after 10 years, they must have improved their products. Right? (Unless they are doing a Zalman).

      What stupid company requires an internet connection to use a mouse? You can't configure the mouse unless you connect to the internet, create an account and sign on. Not an option for me. My computer is in the shed in the far corner of my property (I wanted a good mouse for CAD and CAM work).

      After 4 days of useless suggestions from the Razer support, I returned it and got a Steelseries mouse.

    22. Re:Advert for Razer? by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      * N-key rollover that actually works, solid tactile (mechanical) response. I can type at 80+ WPM again.

      When I was in college, after years of using the cheap keyboard my Dell came with, and then using the shoddy Ultrix machines in the Unix lab, I stepped into the SGI lab which had a number of high-end SGI graphics workstations and some nice SGI keyboards. Mostly I was there to test the file system browser SGI had shown off in Jurassic Park. It sucked. But still I was amazed. Amazed at how fast I could type! Amazed that the keyboard mattered that much with my typing speed. It would have been a misuse of those high-end workstations, but I wanted to do all of my programming homework in there.

      Now that I'm older, I've noticed my WPM goes waaaay down on the cold nights when my fingers are stiff.

    23. Re:Advert for Razer? by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      Man, all you did was throw red meat to the dogs. Customer service departments exist because all your most well-intentioned communication can do give angry people a chance to exact revenge for your company's perceived slights against them by attacking you. At long last, someone they can blame. You really need to let your customer service dept. handle this.

      That's often true, but so far most of the responses to him here have been fairly civilized.

    24. Re:Advert for Razer? by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      And I'd LOVE to see the market research / focus group data etc that led you to have it default to the right mouse button being the "left click" *button 1"!!!

      As someone who grew up in a world of universal and RH ergo mice, the left mouse button has always been the Left mouse click "button 1"...on every mouse ive ever laid a hand on; it seems absurd to me that any mouse would ship with them reversed by default; even on for LH users.

      Sounds you got a mouse that defaulted to "left-hand mode." I bought a Razer "left-handed" mouse which was pretty much identical to the right-handed version, but with different button-mapping defaults.

    25. Re:Advert for Razer? by vux984 · · Score: 1

      Sounds you got a mouse that defaulted to "left-hand mode." I bought a Razer "left-handed" mouse which was pretty much identical to the right-handed version, but with different button-mapping defaults.

      I'm trying to parse your message but can't.

      My mouse (DeathAdder Left Handed) by default is a perfect mirror image of the RH one. And that's the problem; its fine ergnomically; but the button physically on the left side, by default registers as the Right Mouse Button and the one physically on the right side registers as the Left mouse button ... which I find to be patently idiotic. I can (and do) switch them in the Razor software, but their are times I want to use the mouse without the Razer software (bios, safemode, tempoarily with a laptop etc and its a PITA.

      If lefties really are evenly split on which button should be which I'd suggest either the mouse be configurable at the mouse firmware level on that setting so that its "built into the mouse", or that it have a physical little switch on the bottom to set it one way or the other.

      But I suspect most lefties are like me, and expect the button physically on the left of any mouse they use to BE the left mouse button; and the right to BE the right button.

      What razor mouse did you buy? And how were the button mapping defaults "different"? How was yours different from mine?

    26. Re:Advert for Razer? by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      I found the mighty mouse/magic mouse really hard to use, but I really enjoy using the new trackpads, especially when enabling multitouch gestures.

    27. Re:Advert for Razer? by JThundley · · Score: 1

      I can vouch for this as well. I bought 2 expensive mechanical keyboards that would disconnect randomly, repeat keys, and even press keys that were somewhat near other keys I pressed. That and their Razer Synapse software is terrible. It's bloated, it fails to update sometimes and I had other problems with it. Even the fucking mousepad I bought from them doesn't work correctly, I had to use double-sided tape to stop it from sliding everywhere!

      I've since wised up and stopped giving them my money.

    28. Re:Advert for Razer? by onmyouza · · Score: 1

      A few years ago I bought Razer Deathadder, it failed miserably within 1 month. That piece of garbage had annoying 'double-click' problem. I agree with OP, stay away from Razer. It's a high price piece of garbage.

    29. Re:Advert for Razer? by nuonguy · · Score: 1

      Oh come on. I have a mousepad with the Razer logo on it that is excellent!

    30. Re:Advert for Razer? by ax_42 · · Score: 1

      Your software on the Mac is horrible:
      - Randomly hangs
      - Randomly disconnects from the cloud service and forgets its password
      - Doesn't recognise when apps are started (to switch profiles)

      Given how bad the software was, I gave away the mouse before it got enough mileage to develop hardware issues.

    31. Re:Advert for Razer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I will 2nd that... their build quality is absolute shit!

      Logitech, I have worn out the buttons after 10 years of use before deciding to replace

    32. Re:Advert for Razer? by RivenAleem · · Score: 1

      Their Nostromo is super sweet though. I got one of them at the height of my WoW playing, and it's taken an awful hammering the last few years. I can't imagine oing back to playing games with a keyboard. My mouse, however, is Steelseries, I find the Razer ones too small and light for my hands. I find that making slight movements (lighting up a headshot with a sniper rifle, for example) is a lot harder with a feather-light mouse.

  10. For the love of a middle button! by Psychofreak · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I just want a middle button! My new M525 functions, and has a wheel button, but pushing the button so it doesn't register rotation is a pain since the rotation sensor has very fine graduations. It also has left and right push on the wheel.

    Even if the software would create an increased, adjustable "dead spot" of N clicks prior to action on the wheel might be what is needed to make it work to my needs.

    Phil

    --
    Laugh, it's good for you!
    1. Re:For the love of a middle button! by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      The apple mouse, the one with the touch panel where the buttons would be seems to manage this. You can configure it to register a middle tap as a middle click and disable the scroll function. Not that I play many games on my mac. Why you can't disable the scroll with normal mice is beyond me. I'd pay extra for a switch array on the bottom, just like Happy Hacking do with their keyboards.

      In fact, we need the Happy Hacking people to make a mouse. They wouldn't screw it up.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    2. Re:For the love of a middle button! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Razer, again, there's a noticeable CLICK of my scroll wheel as I scroll, pressing down is not a problem, I don't accidentally slide, because it's MECHANICAL. Use real gear, it's better. Touch panels are terrible. Give me tactile buttons so my fingers can FEEL what is happening.

    3. Re:For the love of a middle button! by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      > Touch panels are terrible.
      For games, yes.

      It's pretty neat for my mac where I can switch pretty seamlessly between 'X mode' and mac mode, depending on what window I'm in.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    4. Re:For the love of a middle button! by CrashNBrn · · Score: 1

      Logitech's G700s is decent, but I think I prefer the MX518/G400 -- primarily due to the better button layout and buttons that are easier to press in multiple ways - as opposed to G700s' top-body buttons which can only be activated via "claw-holding" or a very specific way to lay your hand so your index finger can depress that button. Which is also due in part to the idiotic placement of the fly-wheel-scroll-release button --- as opposed to it being depressed (instead of raised) or moved to just below the scroll wheel --- where it wouldn't intefere with the (only) top-body button.

      The rest of the buttons, even the side thumb ones have far too much resistance and "sharp-angles". Many of the G700s issues can be "gotten used to", and you might not even notice most of the problems if you never owned the MX518.

    5. Re:For the love of a middle button! by shadowrat · · Score: 1

      > Touch panels are terrible. For games, yes.

      It's pretty neat for my mac where I can switch pretty seamlessly between 'X mode' and mac mode, depending on what window I'm in.

      Since this is a discussion on gaming mice, I think the statement that touch panels are terrible is right on target.

    6. Re:For the love of a middle button! by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Unless you're playing nethack through an Xterm.

      Are you plating nethack through a Xterm? If not, why not?

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    7. Re:For the love of a middle button! by RyoShin · · Score: 1

      I used to be the same way, but then I started getting mice with buttons on the left side that my thumb could use and the concern alleviated completely. Now I have one of those buttons assigned to "middle click" and it works better because my index finger can stay on M1 at hair trigger.

    8. Re:For the love of a middle button! by Radical+Moderate · · Score: 1

      I have a G400. Been pretty happy with it.

      --
      Never let a lack of data get in the way of a good rant.
    9. Re:For the love of a middle button! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have a Logitech G600 that I got for free at some event. It's a silly MMO mouse with 30-some odd buttons that I never use (the thumb buttons have been mapped to large button groups because I could never, for the life of me, remember what all 30-some did). The nice thing about it, though, is that it has a ring finger button, and two buttons directly under the mouse wheel.

    10. Re:For the love of a middle button! by Bugamn · · Score: 1

      Because instead I am playing it directly on console, as it was meant to be.

  11. Roccat Kone Pure by Per+Wigren · · Score: 1

    As someone with small hands (glove size 7), the best mouse I have ever used is the Roccat Kone Pure. The 8200 dpi laser version require a good mouse mat for good precision (I have the Roccat Raivo and I love it) but there's also a 4000 dpi optical version that can be used on any surface. I have tried a lot of mice and for me they are either too large to be comfortable, or just crappy for other reasons (build quality, dpi, etc).

    --
    My other account has a 3-digit UID.
  12. Bigger penis in 2 weeks by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 3, Funny

    It has to give you a bigger penis. You should look for a $500 wireless mouse with a unified RF, a charging cradle, laser, 5000dpi, and at least 13 programmable buttons. It should also glow all over the place when in use, and have a sick silkscreened diamond pattern.

    1. Re:Bigger penis in 2 weeks by Jax+Omen · · Score: 1

      The funniest part of this reply is that he thinks 5000dpi and 13 buttons are big numbers nowadays...

    2. Re:Bigger penis in 2 weeks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The funniest part of your reply is that you actually give a shit about such things.

  13. Laser vs Optical by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Optical sensors are widely considered superior for gaming, but personally I've had a number of bad experiences with optical mice. Optical is good for accurately tracking fast, twitchy, and long motions, but they are bad when it comes to jitter and surfaces. Laser works on far more surficaes and you won't get nearly as much jitter as high DPI optical mice (i.e. if you move an optical mouse slowly across a surface in a perfectly straight line, it'll jitter away from this line on your screen beyind normal aliasing).

    So pick carefully, if you do graphics work or spend much of your time clicking your way through GUIs, are simply don't like having to have a mouse pag, you might find that laser works quite well.

    1. Re:Laser vs Optical by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ^ minus the spelling errors - sorry, I had a beer or two :D

  14. Gaming Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My problem is that many games nowadays don't have any way to map to the two side buttons on a gaming mouse. I remember how awesome my original Microsoft Explorer was with the optical tracking and the 2 side buttons, but for the last several years the side buttons on my last couple mice have been useless in most games.

  15. It needs to be optical by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 1

    Current laser mice have an inherent design flaw that makes movement a little bit noisy in some cases -- people call this "acceleration". Optical mice don't have this issue, and are prized by FPS gamers for having a predictable linear response.

    1. Re:It needs to be optical by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think that's bullshit. I know quite a lot of fanatical gamers and they all prefer laser mice because of their better precision.

    2. Re:It needs to be optical by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, they prefer laser mice because they cost a lot more and therefore must be "better".

  16. My Preferences by eepok · · Score: 1

    Light
    Easy gliding
    Replaceable feet/pads
    Ambidextrous
    5-buttons (2 regular, wheel button, button on either side for thumb and ring fingers)

    Basically, I loved my old Microsoft Intellimouse Optical which is no longer available. I killed the main two buttons and the feet/pads on probably 5 or 6 of those over the years. I can't find anything to match that fit anymore.

    1. Re:My Preferences by Whorhay · · Score: 1

      I miss the old Microsoft Intellimouse also. I used one at work for six years straight with no issues or problems ever. The first time I thought about buying one for home use they were available super cheap on line and I bought one anticipating using it when my current mouse broke. In the mean time my wife's mouse broke and so she started using it, it lasted maybe 3 months because she was constantly dropping it off the side of her desk. Since then the only ones I've been able to find online were at scalper prices on ebay.

    2. Re:My Preferences by n3r0.m4dski11z · · Score: 1

      Well if you mean this mouse

      Then im using that mouse right now. I thought I might want to upgrade to something better though. Through the comments it seems that there is nothing that truly stands out as a better gaming mouse.

      The microsoft optical with one button on each side has been my mouse for 10+ years and still works great. I have had zero issues with it ever. I had one, then when that got grimy I found another one in a parts bin at work.

      I was reading the comments, hoping to find a replacement for when this dies, as you stated, they dont seem to make them anymore which is a real shame. I guess they cant sell you a new mouse if your current mouse lasts 10 years.

      --
      -
    3. Re:My Preferences by Saaz · · Score: 1

      Same here. After some research, I settled on a Zowie FK1, and I'm quite happy with it. The main criteria for me were similar shape and size to my old intellimouse, comfortable for a fingertip grip, and low lift-off distance. It has adjustable DPI and lift-off distance, which can be adjusted on the mouse. No special drivers.

    4. Re:My Preferences by eepok · · Score: 1

      I'm impressed that you got yours to last so long. I've gone through 5 of them since my first in 2000/2001. In fact, I bought a 3-pack when I heard they were going the way of the dodo. I'm on my last one now.

      Le sigh.

    5. Re:My Preferences by eepok · · Score: 1

      Like others who responded to my post, I posted with the hopes of finding an Intellimouse replacement. Your post is the first I've seen with a favorable comparison and a make/model. From what I can see, the only major difference is instead of having one button on either side of the mouse, it has two on either side thus making this a 7-button mouse.

      Could you confirm?

      And wow... a $70 price tag at Amazon.com? That's rough. Do you have a cheaper suggestion?

  17. Mouse portions by Culture20 · · Score: 1

    Mouse portions of energy drinks and doritos.

  18. For me... by otopico · · Score: 1

    My Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman. The singular failure of this device is that it is not Bluetooth, or Unifying receiver compatible.

    You kids can keep your mice, forcing you to move your arm all over the place. I'll stick with my finger control.

  19. regular mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I just got rid of my old Razer Lachesis for a Microsoft Standard Optical Wireless Mouse. The increased sensitivity never really helped as much as I thought, besides with Photoshop, and I got sick of having to turn down the sensitivity all the way to the bottom for certain games. It's like they expect you to be playing with a laptop or a normal mouse.

  20. Stout body, long legs, good lateral movement by jfdavis668 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Make sure it gets plenty of grain, plenty of water, and paper for bedding. You need to exercise it at least twice a day. Needs to spend a lot of time on the wheel to build up stamina. A few trips through the maze will also help.

    1. Re:Stout body, long legs, good lateral movement by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 3, Funny

      If this were Fark, it would have become a furry porn thread filled with anthropomorphic mouses reclining on sofas playing Xbox while getting blowjobs. From catgirls, I guess.

      Shortly thereafter, it would become a catgirl-in-bikini thread.

    2. Re:Stout body, long legs, good lateral movement by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What about the tail! You forgot the tail! The most important attribute on a mouse, a matter of pride and glory!

  21. My perfect mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I play games. Lots of games. If I had to pick a perfect mouse, it would have:

    - Optic sensor (because I hate having to clean the gunk that gets stuck on the ball area).
    - Two large-y buttons (commonly know as the left and the right buttons)
    - A scrolly wheel that you can click (middle mouse button).
    - Possibly two buttons on the side that can I claim, to anyone who cares to listen, that I will reassign to some useful function but then won't be because I am lazy.
    - WIRED, because it sucks to have to change the batteries mid-game.
    - Plug it in and it woks.
    - Doesn't die the first time you drop it on the floor.
    - Hefty enough to kill someone if you throw it at them. Cable strong enough to strangle someone.
    - Doesn't cost an arm and a leg just because it has some whacky brand name on the side.

    Things I don't need:

    - A million buttons that can be reassinged only via the proprietary application that comes bundled with the mouse.
    - Mouse profiles that are managed by the proprietary application that comes bundled with the mouse.
    - The proprietary application that comes bundled with the mouse.
    - Configurable weight, width, height, feel, smell, ...
    - "Ergonomic design".
    - Wireless, especially if you need some proprietary dongle.
    - LEDs that tell me the mouse is on (I don't need to know IF my mouse is on. My mouse only has two settings: 'on' and 'recicled for parts').

    Come on. It's a mouse. The mouse is a problem that's been solved for decades. And besides, unless you have some sort of disability, you should be able to play with any mouse.

  22. as a true gamer maybe i can shed some light. by nimbius · · Score: 2

    A true gaming mouse is carved from the antimatter core of a dying nebula, and its casing carefully polished with the tears of 7 golden osprey held in a perpetual state of incorporeal bliss through the veil of time. Sure, you can find deals on lesser models, but youre still compromising IMHO.
    Next, and this is probably obvious to anyone playing crysis currently, use a crystal forged in the heart of a collapsing sunstar and blessed by liagegam, the cursed red priest of the refrain of the million agonies. you'll need to carve the lense with this crystal and ive found the runes of the elders deep within the marianas trench actually do a great job of this. Finally, the laser itself must be a captured beam from the one explosion that wrought the galaxy, and space itself as we know it. harnesing the energy from this beam, into the crystal and past the lense will allow you to begin to use what, crudely, is known as a 'mouse' by non gamers.

    Your integrated components and circuitry is dead simple however, and consists mostly of 128-qubit chipsets using quantum annealing. this will give a general method for finding the global minimum of a function by a process using quantum fluctuations, and in turn help you guide the pointer on the screen.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
    1. Re:as a true gamer maybe i can shed some light. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The subject is gaming mouse, not Apple mouse.

    2. Re:as a true gamer maybe i can shed some light. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ur trying too hard bro

    3. Re:as a true gamer maybe i can shed some light. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you a gamer or an audiophile?

    4. Re:as a true gamer maybe i can shed some light. by Billly+Gates · · Score: 1

      Shoot!

      You got the new monster mouse at bestbuy bro?

  23. Trackball... by David_Hart · · Score: 1

    My preference is the Kensington Expert Mouse trackball for FPS games (billiard sized trackball). I find it to be more precise than a regular mouse and requires less desktop space. I tend to use the keyboard for programmable buttons and just use the two standard mouse buttons.

    1. Re:Trackball... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I still use an ancient ps/2 port Logitech FX trackball. I have yet to find another pointing device that will beat it for accuracy and speed.

    2. Re:Trackball... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Kensington makes some durable stuff. I still have a $10 Kensington "Keyboard for Life" (that's the actual name) that works great and, as the name implies, is guaranteed for life.

  24. Gigabyte M6880 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Way cheaper than the logitech / MS mouse of that style works just as good

    i detest the razor and high priced mice that are akward and coated with so many buttons you cant rest your hand anywhere

  25. Spelling by flopsquad · · Score: 1

    favoured by professional gamers

    On this side of the pond, we'd spell it "gamours."

    Cheers!

    --
    Nothing posted to /. has ever been legal advice, including this.
    1. Re:Spelling by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're not too far off. Seriously, in France it's "gameurs".

      I am an American but I grew up in and went to primary school in England, so I still mostly spell and pronounce the English way. I don't have the slight accent any more though.

  26. I call bullshit by GuB-42 · · Score: 1

    With the rise of higher resolution screens, especially looking into 4K multi monitor systems and beyond, DPI might become an important factor in the future again, so we are not ruling out changes in the maximum tracking rate

    So what's important ? tracking rate or DPI as these are very different things. DPI is about positional accuracy and is especially important to players who favor small and precise movements. Tracking rate is about temporal accuracy and is especially important to players who favor large and fast movements.

    And I don't think that 4K and large multi-screen setups will change anything. Screen resolution doesn't matter as long as the target is bigger than a pixel. And according to Fitts's law, what matter in pointing accuracy is the distance / target size ratio, and this ratio doesn't change no matter how big your screens are.

    I guess that Razor will soon sell a mouse with big numbers as a selling point and they are doing their best convincing us that it matters somehow. Ah, and the only number that matters to professional gamers is how much they get paid by the sponsor.

  27. rat 9 by man+bear+nerd · · Score: 1

    I bought this mouse cause i have have sausage fingers and wanted an adjustable grip and adjustable weight is nice, http://www.memoryexpress.com/P... i have a problem of right clicking unintentionally just from weight my finger it seems.

  28. My preferences by epyT-R · · Score: 1

    1. low latency and high, unsmoothed dpi. It's not just useful for gaming. Some will claim otherwise, but it helps with other software too, esp on high res displays for those of us who don't need our desktops set to fisher price mode in order to see. Per pixel is a requirement simply because it makes using the gui less frustrating during those times when 1 pixel accuracy is needed.
    2. good,simple ergonomics. I am sick of these crazy designs that force me to hold the mouse in odd ways.
    3. NO ACCELERATION. the 'laser' mice are known for this and I avoid them for that reason. Optical all the way.
    4. Construction. A lot of them (including razer products) are built like shit. Stop using so many cheap switches. Have three good ones instead. Stop using cheap plastics that degrade just from holding them. The scroll wheel is another area of brokenness. If you're going to charge $80 for a mouse, why not switch to some other material?
    5. no gimmicky software that requires an internet connection to adjust settings.
    6. Wired. Wireless mice/keyboards are almost useless from lag. Plus I don't like replacing batteries or having them die during use.

  29. Oxymoron by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Perfect gaming mouse is an oxymoron. Anything that isn't a trackball is not suitable for gaming.

    1. Re:Oxymoron by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Trackballs aren't used by gamers because they lack the precision of a good mouse.

  30. BUTT TONS OF BUTTONS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    More buttons! Buttons on the top! Buttons on the side! Buttons with buttons attached to them! Thumb buttons, pinky finger buttons! Scroll wheels with multidirectional buttons and a few conveniently placed buttons around them! Are you listening, Logitech? I will buy your 40 button mouse.

  31. Size by sabbede · · Score: 1

    I have big hands. The average mouse (gaming or otherwise) is just a little too small. Weights are also something I like.

  32. Obvious Answer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Turn it into a trackball. Trackballs are far superior to mice for gaming.

  33. I buy gaming mice just for everyday use. by Higaran · · Score: 1

    I only buy mice from the gaming section, even for everyday use they are more comfortable and last way longer. I also have large hands, so most regular mice are a bit too small for me.

    1. Re:I buy gaming mice just for everyday use. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I recommend gaming mice and keyboards to everyone who asks me, regardless of whether they game or not. Gaming peripherals are just built better.

  34. Razor bullshit by WaffleMonster · · Score: 1

    Last time I was in the market for a mouse I briefly looked at a Razor model when I noticed it required special drivers and "activation" via website... that was the last time I ever bothered looking at any of their products.

  35. A mouse that can take my abuse by quintesse · · Score: 1

    A mouse that won't break after a couple of month of intense gaming, meaning I might press button much more forcefully than actually needed but that's just what happens when in the middle of a kill streak, I get all excited and the mouse suffers. And it's even worse when I'm losing ;)

    Seriously though, I've thrown away so many mice whose micro-switches just gave out on me. Sometimes they'll last a while, others only a couple of months. Not one seems to last much more than a year. Some other time it's not the switch itself but the plastic bits that press on it. In any case something always breaks.

    Now I really wouldn't mind paying more for a sturdy mouse, but none of the tests/reviews ever seem to care about that aspect. (Some manufacturers tell you about millions of clicks, but of course they only test normal light clicks)

  36. Trackman Marble FX by wikthemighty · · Score: 1

    I long for a reprint of my trusty old Trackman Marble FX, which someone will probably have to be pried out of my hand when I'm dead. ;)

    --
    "There are people who do not love their fellow human being, and I _hate_ people like that!" - Tom Lehrer
  37. Many Factors by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Good drivers, 1000Hz and stable polling rate, good sensor accuracy (NOT maximum DPI,) button layout, wired, and good build quality. I've read many stories about shoddy drivers and weird mouse stuttering in games at certain framerates due to fluctuating polling rate. DPI is a marketing gimmick at this point when utilizing some mice at even 1/5 of their maximum is already extremely fast and has nothing to do with sensor accuracy. Do research to find the native DPI of the sensor when possible for the greatest accuracy. Wireless should be avoided unless it is absolutely necessary for your setup since it introduces additional input lag, the possibility of wireless interference, and batteries.

    One last element that I discovered only a couple days ago is button lag. Companies will sometimes use de-bouncing algorithms in firmware which introduces a delay in button clicks or simply have slow to respond firmware. If you can't read Japanese, scroll down to the graph. http://utmalesoldiers.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/114.html

    I personally use a Logitech G400s. It fits all of the above criteria without breaking the bank with unnecessary features.

  38. Polling Rate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    We hit the "good enough" threshold on DPI and sensors in general a long time ago - what matters now that high refresh rate displays are becoming common is the polling rate. On a 120Hz+ screen, the default USB polling rate (125Hz) results in noticeably lower responsiveness vs. higher polling rates.

  39. Perfect gaming mouse hasn't changed in 15 years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

  40. better mouse is something you should look into by citizenr · · Score: 1

    When you are in the top 3-5% of skilled players.

    'Gaming equipment' is a gimmick designed to tax gullible morons. Bright green/red/blue stripes/leds on everything, LCD screens on the BOTTOM side of the mouse, gaming chairs, blinking headphones, its all bullshit for suckers. LOOK AT ME I have $200 keyboard Im so l33T!!!1.

    I managed top 5% in Cod 4/RtCW a long time ago using ordinary MS Optical 1.1a. Top 3% in WoT using shitty office model A4tech.

    People are so irrational its not even funny.

    --
    Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
  41. Perixx MX-1000 by reboot246 · · Score: 1

    I've been using this mouse for nearly a year now and I love it. Great DPI, fast, good feel, not too many extra buttons, and the buttons it has are programmable. Good for the games I play and plenty accurate when I use Photoshop.

    And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg!
    $15.99 at NewEgg.

  42. Here are some actual stats to look for by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    DPI is meaningless, as monitors go up it does nothing on the mouse end, these two factors have no relation other than having the same units.

    DPI was meaningful in early ball-less mice, as they suffered due to a lac of technology. The scan rates were poor and the mice were unable to detect sudden changes in repeating or similar patterns. Now that technology has advanced the DPI is beyond what it needs to be. This means that the mouse can scan more information than it needs to. It can see microscopic differences in materials and even glass crystals, scan rates have achieved a high enough rate that the mouse can pattern match at speeds that are beyond what any human can achieve. Any mouse labeled as a gaming mouse should already be up to par on scan rate and DPI, however you may run into some issues with these with a $20 or below mouse.

    The biggest factors that gamers need to read into are: Response speed, weight, shape, speed of clicks, and additional features.

    Response speed also called mouse lag is probably the most important factor. This is important because it is the time it takes for an action you perform to register by the computer. Anything greater than 1/10 of a second is unusable for games, think of it this way 1/10 of a second is equivalent to 100ms lag, this is in every game and is added to any other lags you may already be experiencing. (e.g. if you have a ping of 40ms to a game server and a mouse lag of 140ms then it will take 200ms for your actions to get to the server, this can easily get you killed in a FPS death-match) This factor pretty much eliminates all wireless mice for gaming use as they all have high mouse lag.

    Shape is second. Shape determines if the mouse will be comfortable., or confusing, or difficult to use. A mouse where you can't find the buttons you need to press quickly might as well be useless to you.

    Speed of clicks is also important, if your mouse cant register how fact you click then you may have trouble here. and you don't want it to be so hair triggered that it registers accidental clicks or twitches either.

    Weight, a mouse that is too light is going to move too easily, and a mouse that is too heavy will tire you out and lower your reflex speed. You don't want a featherweight mouse as it may register movement that you didn't intend. And moving a brick is not a good idea either. Fortunately most mice are already in a good range here, but some mice are adjustable and this can give you a slight advantage.

    Finally additional features. I personally like the Logitech adjustable DPI which amount to nothing more than button based speed change for the mouse. This is highly useful in games, and graphics applications where you may need pixel precision. My brother prefers mice with additional buttons, I think his mouse has 12+, these are best for MMO gaming where you can never have enough buttons at a fingers press. personally I like to keep the number of buttons down. Anything beyond 5 buttons (Left, right, middle, speed up, and speed down) is more than I need.
    Additional software can be a mixed blessing, additional software can introduce cool features like key-mapping, macros, and cool lighting effects. but it may have performance costs. You may notice that some software will take additional ram, introduce mouse lag, or have stability issues. Generally I prefer to have a mouse tat responds directly to the drivers. There are exceptions, but they are rare.

    Finally is do you like the mouse, if you don't like it then all of the above is meaningless. If you can give the mouse a test whirl, if you have a lot of gamer friends try their mice find out what you like, you may be surprised. But in the end word of mouth is the best way to tell if something is good or not.

  43. Corsair Raptor M45 by approachingZero+ · · Score: 1

    I bought a Corsair Raptor M45 and it kicks ass. $45, a nice rock solid mouse. http://www.corsair.com/en-us/r...

    --
    'I don't know what it's called. I just know the sound it makes, when it takes a man's life.' ~ Four Leaf Tayback
  44. A perfect mouse should not require a CLOUD... by JackAxe · · Score: 1

    So definitely not my Razer Naga 2014 edition -- or anything Razer now. It required I log in just to get to the button config screen and the option to go into off-line mode. If I had not had an internet connection, I would have not been able to config my new mouse, a problem I have not had with the prior two Razer mice I own.

  45. tried a CST Ltrac-X ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    3 buttons, ball the same size/weight as a pool ball, scroll wheel, laser sensor, on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment, option for 2 extra buttons via external jacks