Need help picking the best optical mouse

[CheetahMk2]

I need some help picking a mouse, and after searching through some posts, I couldn't find one that objectively compares all of the solution out right now. Let me state what I have at the moment and why I am upgrading.

I have a Intellimouse Explorer 1.0, which I love because of the shape and size. It is a large mouse, and I have large hands. I think it is even a bit small at times. That, and the fact it is the only IntelliMouse to have the large forward/back buttons. I also think it is ergonomic and comfortable.

The reason I hate it is because it stinks for gaming, as it has tracking issues (move it too fast and it gets confused and skips all over the place, even backwards/sideways/up/down), and I am guessing it is messing with CPU usage as well. It has a hard time working on the surface of my desk, a marbelized wood.

First option: Mx510 [~$40]
I haven't ever used a wireless mouse before, so I am apprehensive about battery issues. I was looking at the Mx510, and I heard that is the only mouse to be able to move across a surface at any speed and not lose tracking... something that sounds very apealing right about now. But it looks uncomfortable, and the buttons tiny! It also lacks a tilt wheel.

Second option: Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 [~$25]
This looks beautiful, and I really like the ergonomics, but I am wondering about sensor quality - if it will have the same problem tracking on a desk as the current wired Intellimouse I have. Plus, it is realtively inexpensive. The buttons look acceptable, plus it also has a tilt wheel, and the receiver seems very small.

Third option: Mx700 [~$50]
This seems like the better wireless choice, but is very expensive. I am not sure if it is better than the Mx510 in any respect, and will it lag like other wireless mice? It really stinks to click and not have it register due to RF interference. Plus if the batteries run low, I'd have to charge the thing (in a very large cradele at that), something I am not used to at all. Plus I hear when you pick it up, it sometimes has problems registering you set it back down on the table, something really bad for gaming.

Last option: Razor (any line) [~$50]
The Razor series seems like overkill. Some incredibly high FPS, dual sensors, yadda yadda. Not sure about ergonomics at all, or utility, but it looks ugly to be honest. But, if it produces results, I can't argue with that. I can't quite figure out where they put the extra buttons though....

Edit Last option: Corded Intellimouse Explorer v4.0 [$20]
This is cheap, and corded, so no worries. Plus it's cheap as dirt, $20 total.

If you can reply with firsthand experience with any of these and why a particular one is better than the others it would help a lot. Please don't flame or so forth, that doesn't help me at all... this is only to figure out if they do have the problems I have heard about or if there are any other 'quirks'. In particular, I wanted to know if anyone has experience with the 'tracking' quality of the Intellimouse, or battery life. I have some NiMh rechargeables, but it may suck to have a mouse that can't be used for 3 hours due to dead batteries.

Ok.. spank me. I've been a very naughty boy and I purchased a Mx1000 amidst the raves. I got a MS Intelllimouse Explorer 1.0 for $60 when they were new, and it's lasted me till now. I hope it is the same on the other side...

 

[gotensan01]

Have you thought about Logitech MX1000? You know, the laser one?

EDIT: I don't have it personally but it looks pretty big. Also, I've read on these forums that it is good for gaming. Supposedly it is more accurate so this may fix your tracking issues.

 

[CheetahMk2]

Yeah, I was thinking about that, then I saw someone's comment about "But does it have frickin' lasers?!?" and I nearly fell over laughing. So, it is a bit too expensive, and may be overkill. Ideally I can replace this on a small budget, but yeah, that option is there. If I can confirm the validity of the statement that it lags when you pick it up, making it horrible for gaming, I might be more interested. That, and Amazon sold out of them, and everywhere else they are $80.

 

[robertsmcn]

I highly recommend the MX-510.

I picked one up a couple of months ago and it is the best mouse I have used. I didn't want to buy a cordless mouse because I'm not convinced that they are lag-free. I just didn't want to plunk down alot of money on a cordless to find out that it lags. Besides, I've never had issues with cordless mice before.

Anyway, the MX-510 is sweet. I use it primarily for FPS games and I also have big hands. It is very responsive. I think the buttons are on the large side but that's me. Could you try one out at the local BestBuy? At least get one in your hand so you can feel it. Ergonomically, I think it's great.

 

[Mucker]

MX510.....you will be very happy with it for a long time...great bang for buck.

m

 

[Arcanedeath]

I have an MX500 the older sibling to the MX510,(this mouse can now be had in the $25 dollar range) it's shape is pretty much the same, but has a slightly less powerful sensor, I still can't get this mouse to skip and I've head the MX510 is even better, Ergonomically it's pretty much a perfect fit for me, and I have slightly above average sized hands. If you have very large hands it may not be a good fit for you so I would test it out at some place like best buy to see if it fits correctly in your hand but other than those cavets, it's literly the perfect gaming mouse IMHO.

 

[CheetahMk2]

I think I'll do that. The bookstore near here has some, that's how I found out the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 was so nice. Plus NightVision skin is awesome

 

[Appledrop]

i have the razer viper, and while its very 1337, it doesnt like it if you lift it off surface and on again, can lock movement for about 100 miliseconds . but if i keep it on my mat.. (yes you guessed.. razer exactmat), it is cool,sexy light and sensitive

 

[Porter21]

I would go with a logitech wireless optical mouse if I were you. The keyboard/mouse combo is looking pretty hot right now. The mx series.

 

[CheetahMk2]

So far people have responded about the different mice, but any reason why? Is the Intellimouse really that bad at tracking to make it worth it to get the Mx510? I think the Mx1000 is indeed too much, as the cheapest I could find it was $65.

 

[Mucker]

There are a couple of other things to consider as well. If you want a great mousing experience, get a good mousing surface like a func 1030 and put some teflon feet on the bottom of the mouse. With this arrangement, your mouse will track much, much better and glide super smooth. Excellent for all applications and gaming......Having a good moouse setup is good ergonomically too, you will have a more comfortable experience also.....

MX510............$40
func 1030........$20
teflon feet........$2

m

 

[CheetahMk2]

Again, that's kinda overkill. I don't believe in putting teflon on everything, as the benefit would be minimal. I am asking about the practicality of the mice: does the Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 track on a smooth desk, and the relative size of the mice, and how often batteries have to be changed.

 

[CheetahMk2]

Ok... I think I have prices pegged. Please let me know if this is normal for these (shipped, after taxes):

Mx510 - $40
Mx700 - $43
Mx1000 - $65
Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 - $25
Wired Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 - $20

If this is as low as they go, I think my decision may be made for me. The lowest, quality, Logitech mouse is nearly double the cost of both Microsoft ones, so it seems like the price of mice is artificially inflated.... so the final question is, if anyone can update this table, please let me know. I was actually hoping to pick up the Mx510 after all of the positive comments in this thread, maybe even the Mx700 since it is cordless and of near parity with the Mx510 (I'm not an extreme gamer), but the prices are rather clear.

 

[Mucker]

Think what you may but it is not overkill. It is very practical and one of the lower costs of computing. It makes a big difference, you have to experience it to know. It sounds like you had your mind made up before your original post...... you will no doubt be happy with anything newer than the MS 1.0....best of luck...

m

 

[CheetahMk2]

Well, I was considering everything till I found out the Mx510 was so expensive - I didn't make up my mind before posting, the evidence I found afterward is kinda skewing me to the Evil Empire. This is very subjective too, as I used to game much and used a $60 trackball to snipe in CS Beta 4.

However, now I am looking at actual practicality more, as I blew a lot of money on hardware that was supposedly better only to get marginal benefits (*Hercules* TNT2 Ultra - the fastest clocked TNT2 Ultra, and last card they made before going belly up) (Dual Celery 366->500 setup) (80mhz CRT monitor ). So I have been down the 'teflon feet' road before, and it wasn't as rewarding as I initially thought - it ends up more effective getting the cheaper alternative and just buying the other one later when prices drop 50%.

Hence why I brought up the almost artifitial inflation of the Mx series, at this point I would switch to my good old cloth pad rather than spend $70 on the laser to get it to work on my desk. When the Mx1k or 510 goes down in price to maybe around $25-30, I'll buy it then in a heartbeat, I know from what people have said here it is worth it.

 

[Abhi]

I love my mx510...

 

[Wiresnake]

I can recommend MX510 the REAL gaming mouse! It has a very comfortable weight and very nice gaming features!
My own gaming set:
MX510 + Icemat Black 2nd ed

 

[CheetahMk2]

Edit: Found a really nice Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 vs Logitech Mx510 article

Seems MS doesn't even put out the DPI on their sensors. I also found a neat mouserate sampling rate program from Dansdata. That's below:
Link to mouse sampling rate program - see how fast your mouse really is sampling

 

[Elcs]

The MX510 is touted as the best or one of the best gaming mice going.

I use the MX700, probably considered the best wireless gaming mouse. I have had no problems with tracking or 'cordless lag'. I love the freedom of a cordless set up. The battery length is substantial. Ive only ever once made it run out when using it. The cradle for recharging the supplied rechargable batteries cuts out the problem of needing to buy new batteries.

YMMV. Its all about personal preference here.

 

[CheetahMk2]

You know what, screw it. I'm getting a Mx510. I found out that these wireless mice are actually Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0's, and on this site some people had scathing reviews of the tracking compared to the same mouse I have, the wired Intellimouse Explorer 1.0. Chances are they put the receiver in a weird spot, but I also have a friend who has a regular Wireless Explorer 2.0, and even he complains that the middle mouse button is too hard to press.

I am hoping the MX series isn't small like people say, and if I can find the Mx700 I'll just get that. I was hoping to try out wireless, but I can't argue with results.

 

[CheetahMk2]

Ok, I lied. I ordered the MX1000 second day from ZipZoomFly. It was $70 at Amazon, but that was with freebie slow shipping. $66 at Academic Warehouse, but that's going to ship in two weeks. Figured the $5 would be worth it for instant gratification. I'll post how that is when I get it.

 

[tphss]

My all time favorite is the MX500/510...
I had all the versions of intelli Explorer, the first version that was fat and big (with huge buttons on the side) was my favorite (I Still have it somewhere)...
I had the non-optical Razerblade, I absolutely HATE that mouse, it's not confortable, it's friggin expensive, and the only thing that's good about it is that it came in a fancy metal box.
I still don't like the idea of wireless mice/keyboard for games.

 

[shortylickens]

-

 

[otispunkmeyer]

teathered mouse....logitech mx510
wireless/blutooth the mx700 or mx710

oh yesh the lazer mouse.....bit gimmicky if u ask me

 

[Mem]

Would your optical mouse pass this test ,the MX1000 did .

Full review of MX1000 .

I`ve a MX1000 on the way,so expect my feedback/review later.

For a corded mouse I would go with MX510 or wait for the corded version of the MX1000(only matter of when it`ll be released).

Cordless, the MX1000 seems the new king on the block,the laser technology looks very promising.