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Input Devices Games

What Makes the Perfect Gaming Mouse? 199

Posted by timothy from the give-it-a-lot-of-cocaine dept.
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.
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What Makes the Perfect Gaming Mouse? More

What Makes the Perfect Gaming Mouse?

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  • It depends (Score:4, Insightful)

    by QuietLagoon ( 813062 ) on Thursday March 26, 2015 @12:03PM (#49346717)
    The Perfect Anything depends upon the person using it, and the needs of that person.

    • 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?

  • It can count cards?

  • Poor Linux support (Score:3, Interesting)

    by jukk ( 781719 ) on Thursday March 26, 2015 @12:09PM (#49346771)
    Still haven't found any good alternatives that just works in Linux, other than the trusty old Logitech (MX series are nice).
    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

      • 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?

        • Comment removed based on user account deletion

          • 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?

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

      • 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.

    • 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 [sourceforge.net] 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.

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

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Rakarra ( 112805 )

        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

  • Advert for Razer? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 26, 2015 @12:15PM (#49346837)

    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.

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by halivar ( 535827 )

      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 th

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Ksevio ( 865461 )
      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.

  • For the love of a middle button! (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Psychofreak ( 17440 ) on Thursday March 26, 2015 @12:19PM (#49346879) Journal

    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

    • 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.

    • 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 sc

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by RyoShin ( 610051 )

      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.

  • 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).

  • Bigger penis in 2 weeks (Score:4, Funny)

    by bluefoxlucid ( 723572 ) on Thursday March 26, 2015 @12:21PM (#49346891) Homepage Journal

    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.

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • 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 p

    • Well if you mean this mouse [pcdistrict.com]

      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

  • Mouse portions of energy drinks and doritos.

  • 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.

  • Stout body, long legs, good lateral movement (Score:5, Funny)

    by jfdavis668 ( 1414919 ) on Thursday March 26, 2015 @12:38PM (#49347149)
    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.

  • Comment removed (Score:3)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Thursday March 26, 2015 @12:47PM (#49347255)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • 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.

  • favoured by professional gamers

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

    Cheers!

  • 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 point

  • 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. th

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion

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