optical mouse?

Saturday, November 8, 2003 by Richard Mohler | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

Since I really value your opinions before I buy something, I was thinking about looking at buying an optical mouse. Do you have any opinions about them? Let me know, Thanks, Richard
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Fuzzy Logic
Reply #1 Saturday, November 8, 2003 2:50 PM
They're pretty good providing you have a suitable mouse mat. They don't respond too well to rapid movements though, they skip about a bit. I changed back to an ordinary mouse due to better control in games. In their favour is the lightness of touch and zero maintenance.

XX
Reply #2 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:00 PM
You just need a mouse pad with good contrast all over the mat. It will skip if it gets confused at an area that is mostly solid one color.

MarkMcQ
Reply #3 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:22 PM

You don't need a mouse mat with an optical mouse.
They'll run on any surface pretty much.
I use mine straight on my desk, no worries.
Definitely a good purchase Richard, I'd highly reccomend getting one.

I use the MS Intellimouse Exploreer model. No trouble at all with it, and I've not encountered any of the problems Fuzzy logic has had.


Phoon
Reply #4 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:25 PM
I have to disagree with X and Logic here. I have had an optical mouse for a very long time, using it on the oldest, most crusty funky mouse pad I have. It has always worked without a hitch. However, I only buy genuine Microsoft Mice.. always have. They last longer and are well worth the extra bux. I had a logitec opti mouse.. it lasted all of 6 months.
I say go for the optical, it's one of the greatest gadgets on my system.

Note - I don't use USB port for connectivity though. I use the little usb/ps2 adapter. I seem to reacall something bad happening when i had it connected via usb.
[Message Edited]

paxx
Reply #5 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:28 PM

Ball-mice are very hard to get anymore. Optical is almost all that's in the stores now a days.


Fuzzy Logic
Reply #6 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:32 PM
My MS Intellimouse Explorer is in bits. I threw it across the room in a fit of anger after once more finding myself facing the wrong way in the heat of battle in UT2003. Not good for my stress levels. They may be OK for you but just don't have the control I need for rapid jerky movements within games.

Phoon
Reply #7 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:35 PM
Is the Intellimouse the one with the funky buttons on the side of it? I had one of those once. It was okay.. but now i stick with the standard no frills opti scroll mouse.

Fuzzy Logic
Reply #8 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:37 PM
Yes, it has the extra buttons - which make it 'creaky'!

Phoon
Reply #9 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:38 PM
EEEEK.. then I agree with you on that one. Intellimouse bad... for fragfesting..

Tech-Cat
Reply #10 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:38 PM
I recommend the Microsoft optical mouse. It's only $20 and will work fine in Linux if you like playing around with Linux too.

You do not need a mouse pad, but I use a mouse pad for comfort. I like to have that padding there for my hand to rest on.


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Koasati
Reply #11 Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:49 PM
I love my Logitech cordless optical  mouse. 2 years without a problem, moves around as fast as I want. It has one of those creepy thumb buttons, that I have setup to open the startmenu, and the scroll wheel can be programed to do numerous things on click.



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I.R. Brainiac
Reply #12 Saturday, November 8, 2003 4:08 PM
Same here Koasati,never one problem,works great on the desk,no pad.No jerkiness,scroll wheel is clickble.Batteries make it heavy and stable.Good shape.Uses a lot of batteries but I use rechargeables.It was a bargain at 30 $.

IPlural
Reply #13 Saturday, November 8, 2003 4:12 PM
personally I like the wireless MarbleMan+ thumb/trackball for a mouse.

I think that there is a starter version Intuos tablet for $99.00 which is
not that much of an investment depending on how much graphics you do or
plan to do in the future? I think they might be found at a lower price with
some web searching? not sure though...

Fuzzy pointed out the one hang up I have with my MS wireless OptiMouse. When you
move to fast the cursor has to play catch up and it is not always true tracking
so you end up having to use Undo and then do it again. Though it might just be mine
doing that, not sure on that either...?

good luck with you eventual choice

oh, some of the Commercial Magazines have Online edition and they do reviews, you might
also want to look around for some of those before a final choice?

MrGupps
Reply #14 Saturday, November 8, 2003 4:47 PM
optical mouse................................10x better than a ball mouse in every way, unfortunatley my wirless optical eats up batteries as fast as a regular mouse eats cheese

Richard Mohler
Reply #15 Saturday, November 8, 2003 4:54 PM
Thanks, I appreciate your input, Richard

Jafo
Reply #16 Saturday, November 8, 2003 6:10 PM

The first optical mouse I had required a metallic pad with a grid pattern of dots on it....worked a million times better than the archaic mouse-with-ball....and that was years ago [I think they were derived from the Amiga version].

Mechanical mice are at least cheap, so WHEN they are beyond crud-cleaning you can chuck-em...but that is their only advantage.

The MS Optical Explorer mouse is probably the best product MS ever released....even its shape may seem overdone but I've noticed a lot of imitators since.....probably because it ultimately feels so natural AND I've seen no symptoms of RSI, unlike with some of the older, standard shaped meeses...

 


Shameless Designs
Reply #17 Saturday, November 8, 2003 6:29 PM
I am not now, nor have I ever been a fan of almost anything Micro$oft, but I have to admit, I love the M$ Optical mouse for most things, and I wouldn't be without my M$ Optical trackball plus for graphics. I have tried several Logitech optical mice out of sheer perversity and regretted every one I bought after a day or two. And the prices on optical input items seem to be coming down quite a bit now that the technology is a little more mature.

I.R. Brainiac
Reply #18 Saturday, November 8, 2003 6:45 PM
My logitech is both optical and cordless (for 30 bucks) never let me down(almost a year old)

kona0197
Reply #19 Saturday, November 8, 2003 7:12 PM
optical mouse................................10x better than a ball mouse in every way, unfortunatley my wirless optical eats up batteries as fast as a regular mouse eats cheese


You should look into getting a rechargeable model. expensive, but worth it.

I have a Microsoft Optical wheel mouse and I use USB connection. NEVER had any problems and I play ALOT of command and conquer. I got in off ebay for 5 bucks and it was in its original package, unused and brand spankin new.

Keith Perry
Reply #20 Saturday, November 8, 2003 7:28 PM
Love the Logitech Wireless, No need for a high dollar rechargeable one, just buy a Rayovac Battery Charger for 30 bucks at walmart. Great for Digital Cameras too.

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