Actually, it was while trying to get a mouse pad that worked good in Team Fortress Classic, with my MX510 optical, that led me to use a plain black cloth covered one. Almost every other pad caused me to randomly spin around in circles.
Now I use an MX518 with a plain cloth mouse pad imprinted with a black & white photo.
But, in the long run it comes down to - whatever works!
That was an optical mouse prior to LED ones now, correct?
I use a Razer Krait and a black Icemat. Probably newer mouses out from Razer... but any should be good. Dont get the Icemat unless you do in fact get a good (high dpi) mouse.
if you need a cheap, yet good one get a QcK steelpad or steelmat, dont remember the name. They're made of cloth, but the bottom is total anti-slip, and it works really well
I have burned through 2 MX518s. I am not a heavy clicker, but the left mouse button seems to die on me after about a year of use. I went to a local PC store about a month ago and picked up an MS/Razer Habu.
I love it. The switch DPI on the fly is great for FPS and it has interchangeable thumb buttons to better fit your hand. Mine fits me like a glove and the settings for it are simple to change. It has an easy profile builder too. About the only complaint I have is that for a game like GW I would prefer to remap the DPI switch buttons to something else, but those 2 buttons have limited customizability. Otherwise an amazingly comfortable, precise mouse. Keep in mind that this is a mouse designed for right handed use only, though.
And it glows blue, just like my Logitech G15 Keyboard.
I've purchased quite a few gaming mice... here is my take on them:
Wireless mice: forget about them... too much mouse lag lol.
Razer Diamondback - narrow design allows for quick, agile response. Despite its older design age, it would have been perfect had the two side thumb buttons been given two separate plastic plastic covers (pressing any side button too hard activated the other button contact). No hardware DPI adjustment buttons. However, the Diamondback is still one of the best mice I've used shape-wise.
Razer Copperhead - narrow design allows for quick, agile response. However, the mouse's platform base is so narrow compared to the top of the mouse that sqeezing the mouse's sides tends to lift the mouse off the table. Not good for aim stability purposes. No hardware DPI adjustment buttons.
Razer Death Adder - clean, crisp ergonomic design makes this another solid choice. However, for Hellgate London players, the optical sensor seems to have threshold issues (if you don't move the mouse fast enough, cursor movement does not register correctly on the screen). If you won't ever play HGL, then this mouse should be fine. No hardware DPI adjustment buttons.
Razer Habu - very similar look/feel to the Death Adder. Unlike the Death Adder, the Habu features hardware DPI switching and no optical sensor stall issues. It also has adjustable side buttons, but unfortunately these side buttons flex and creak like crazy. If you want a solid feeling mouse, stay away from this one.
Razer Lachesis - narrow design allows for quick, agile response like the Diamondback. 4000 DPI optical sensor is currently the best on the market. The biggest problem I found was that the mouse button5 (the side forward button) was positioned on the widened front wedge of the mouse. This made pressing that side button tend to push or "squirt the mouse forward out of the user's hands. I really wish Razer would take more time designing their mouse ergonomics properly instead for going for good looks alone. This mouse had such promise, but each time I use it, my hand ends up hurting after half an hour of UT3 game time.
Microsoft Sidewinder - pretty good design for large-hand users. Its high rear arch did lead to some ergo/comfort issues, but otherwise it was pretty good. Hardware DPI switching and adjustable weights make this mouse a pretty safe bet.
Logitech G5 - Venerable penut shaped ergo design. Very popular, supports hardware DPI switching. Unfortunately it gave me comfort problems due to its raised edges along the front of the mouse.
Logitech G9 - My current favorite mouse, though it has a number of odd-ball issues. 3200 dpi with hardware DPI switching and mouse wheel side-scroll is nice. It supports macros and has adjustable weights + grip shells. Unfortunately these shells hold the inner mouse a bit loose, leading to a squishy/flexy feel when gripped hard. I had to install adhesive felt pads on the inside of the shells to remove this excess play. The gray matte finish starts showing wear-marks after several days of use, so I covered the buttons with clear contact paper. Also, the satin wide grip started to peel unexpectedly after a few weeks, so now I'm using the narrow, hard plastic grip. Logitech is supposedly planning on selling aftermarket G9 grip shells, but I still see no signs of their actual release. UPDATE: I just visited Logitech's site and found replacement grips now being sold at $5.00 USD each. I ordered two just to be safe.
Sorry for being so wordy, but you wanted mouse reviews, so there they are...
Just obtained + reviewed...
Ideazon Reaper Edge: Excellent mouse, one of the best I've used to date. Very comfortable ergo-shape. Optics are free of that HGL-movement-lag I mentioned in my last review post on the Death Adder. Although this 3200-DPI mouse only has one DPI-adjuster button, the design works perfectly fine. Top is covered with a smooth carbon-fiber surface and clear-coated, so this should stand up to general wear and abuse. My Logi-G9's gray matte finish is already showing shiny spots where my fingers make contact with the mouse buttons. Although the Reaper's Edge has no adjustable weights, I tend to prefer lighter mice config's for quick movement. The unusual side thumb buttons' placement is a little quirky, but I've quickly adapted to their positions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pkodyssey
Logitech G5 is the only way to go.
DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM RAZER!!!
It will stop working on you for no apparent reason. There stuff is great and then just failz. I have tried 3 different products from them and have not been happy. STAY AWAY...
I did have one Diamondback that failed due to an internal wire-break at the mouse cord, but Razer promptly replaced it with a new one. Otherwise, all of my mice listed above are still working fine.
Last edited by lord_shar; Feb 15, 2008 at 01:33 AM // 01:33..
I had 3 failing Razer mice so far. Not a an attractive thing to consider.
As for gamepads there can only be the XBOX 360, unless you mean a mouse pad. Then I'd say you use that oldschool Func Pad or get those Mantis Control/Speed (less chance to fail for Razer).
I had 3 failing Razer mice so far. Not a an attractive thing to consider.
As for gamepads there can only be the XBOX 360, unless you mean a mouse pad. Then I'd say you use that oldschool Func Pad or get those Mantis Control/Speed (less chance to fail for Razer).
Razer Diamondback Red - after 1 year
Razer Death Adder - shortly before 6 months ended, got replaced by -->
Razer Copperhead Blue - after 2 months I could occasionally only reach half of my desktop since the mouse refused to go up and cut a diagonale. Only a reset would help. Updating the firmware doesn't work unfortunately (which is important for Vista and Suspend Modes).
Out of all of them the "Death Adder" was clearly the best mouse I ever used. Reaching the side buttons is so much better than on all other models.
Somehow I can't resist going back to Razer.
Seem to work for others and there's always bad luck (mentioned the tripple P35 desaster in another thread ).
Last edited by Surena; Feb 15, 2008 at 12:34 PM // 12:34..
Razer Diamondback Red - after 1 year
Razer Death Adder - shortly before 6 months ended, got replaced by -->
Razer Copperhead Blue - after 2 months I could occasionally only reach half of my desktop since the mouse refused to go up and cut a diagonale. Only a reset would help. Updating the firmware doesn't work unfortunately (which is important for Vista and Suspend Modes).
Out of all of them the "Death Adder" was clearly the best mouse I ever used. Reaching the side buttons is so much better than on all other models.
Somehow I can't resist going back to Razer.
Seem to work for others and there's always bad luck (mentioned the tripple P35 desaster in another thread ).
Yeah, Razer's optics are usually pretty good, but only their Death Adder and Habu models have that proper ergo-shape. I only hope they make another Death Adder style model with hardware DPI adjustment buttons. In the meantime, the Ideazon Reaper Edge is my mouse of choice.
Well I have the Microsoft Habu Gaming mouse, had it for about 2 months now. Its smooth and fast responding, it also has on-the-fly dpi switching which is allways nice even tho pretty much useless for guild wars On the plus side it has 7 programable buttons which can be alot of use and up to 5 profiles which can be customised for different games. Oh and it doesnt have a retarded uncomfortable shape like the G5
Well I have the Microsoft Habu Gaming mouse, had it for about 2 months now. Its smooth and fast responding, it also has on-the-fly dpi switching which is allways nice even tho pretty much useless for guild wars On the plus side it has 7 programable buttons which can be alot of use and up to 5 profiles which can be customised for different games. Oh and it doesnt have a retarded uncomfortable shape like the G5
I had the Habu... it was a good mouse, but that spring-loaded removable side button assembly was too flexy for me. Otherwise it was a great performer.
update on this thread - My MX1000 sadly died after 2 years of pounding
I got a Razer Lachesis at the weekend which is supposed to be the best gaming mouse available - however its absolutely awful - buttons that are too sensitive, buttons badly placed, 2 buttons on the right hand side that are impossible to use and the cursor jumps all over the screen.
Not to sound to patronising, but if you installed the software and got the right updates for it you wouldnt have any problems. But yeh the buttons on the right hand side is for left handed gamers. Nice thought seems the majority of gaming mouses are for right handed people.
And the only good wireless gaming mouse is the G7. MX1000 Ftl.
Last edited by Dono; Feb 18, 2008 at 04:33 PM // 16:33..
update on this thread - My MX1000 sadly died after 2 years of pounding
I got a Razer Lachesis at the weekend which is supposed to be the best gaming mouse available - however its absolutely awful - buttons that are too sensitive, buttons badly placed, 2 buttons on the right hand side that are impossible to use and the cursor jumps all over the screen.
Gonna take it back and swap it for another MX1000
It doesn't sound like you've adjusted the Razer mouse driver settings properly. Some settings I recommend:
1) Set the USB poling rate to 1000mhz
2) Set acceleration to zero (turn the acceleration option off)
3) Set the mouse master sensitivity on, then set the sensitivity slider bar to 5. Hit the apply button. Now slide the bar up or down to match your preference.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done about the side button placement -- I don't like them too much either. The side front buttons being placed on 1 and 11 o'clock slant makes the mouse prone to being pushed forward out of your hand when you press them. This forces me to grip the mouse harder than normal, which in turn leads to more fatigue.
The Razer Lachesis is a very fast, sensitive mouse, but it's not for everyone. If you like its features but not its ergonomics, then give the Ideazon Reaper Edge a shot. I did, and I'm very happy with it. Yes, I've tested/owned almost every high end gaming mouse presently on the market.