Can Anyone Recommend a Similar Quality Replacement Mouse?

[Moondoggy51]

I have an old USB connected "Corded" Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000, Model 1055 that's in need of replacement and I was hoping that I could get a recommendation from the community on what to buy. Although I do play an occasional game I would not categorize myself as a gamer therefore I don't need a high end that a gamer would buy but I am looking for a quality, name brand mouse as a replacement. At this time I really don't want to go wireless and would prefer to stick with a corded model instead. I'm just looking for a higher quality laser mouse has a high degree of precision and not something cheap that one would get when they purchase a new computer from HP, Dell, etc. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Most of the "good" mice these days are wireless. I suspect you would be quite satisfied with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003NR57BY/

Obviously, sky's the limit and you can spend a lot more money.

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2415385,00.asp

"Gaming" peripherals are usually decent hardware with decent ergonomics, even if you don't like the "gamer chic" aesthetics.

 

[Moondoggy51]

While I was waiting on a reply I found 2 mice that may do the trick. The low priced model is the Logitech M500 mouse that sells for around $28.00 on Amazon. The second is the Razer Deathadder Elite that sells for about $60.00 on Amazon. Both of them actually have more DPI than my Laser Mouse 6000 but the Deathadder has an insane DPI. The DeathAdder is a bit closer in style to my 6000 whereas the Logitech is just slightly different. If anyone has any experience with either could you please provide me with your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Shamrock]

The Deathadder Elite, is only good, if you like heavy, big mice. I went with the Steelseries Sensei 310, because it's only 92 grams, and it's ambidextrous. It also has 12,000 dpi (adjustable).

I got it for $38 on Amazon.

 

[ao_ika_red]

I have logitech G102/G203 (depends on the region) and it's a massive jump from my travel mouse m187. Adjustable dpi is quite helpful when doing graphic stuff. And on top of all, it's very cheap (less than 20 USD when I bought it).

 

[DigDog]

what you got there, is an IntelliMouse. These things have been around in one shape or the other since the Windows Mouse Optical, which is still considered to be the best mouse ever made (or one of teh best) by many professional Quake players.

The answer is: buy another IntelliMouse. You can find them on Ebay, Amazon, for reasonable prices. There's a million models, most have almost identical shapes to one another, and knowing the mouse panorama these days, you are not going to find another mouse with that shape that doesn't suck - the only other mice that use the IntelliMouse shape are horrid dollar-store products with unheard-of brand names.

 

[Moondoggy51]

The Deathadder Elite, is only good, if you like heavy, big mice. I went with the Steelseries Sensei 310, because it's only 92 grams, and it's ambidextrous. It also has 12,000 dpi (adjustable).

I got it for $38 on Amazon.

Thanks for the reply. If you got a new one for $38 then you got a bargain as the price on Amazon and elsewhere is just over $54.00. Based on some reviews it appears that the Rival 310 is basically the same on the inside as the Sensei but is for right handers only. Is the reason why you recommended the Sensei the fact that you need an ambidextrous model or was there something about the Sensei that you liked better over the Rival?

 

[Moondoggy51]

what you got there, is an IntelliMouse. These things have been around in one shape or the other since the Windows Mouse Optical, which is still considered to be the best mouse ever made (or one of teh best) by many professional Quake players.

The answer is: buy another IntelliMouse. You can find them on Ebay, Amazon, for reasonable prices. There's a million models, most have almost identical shapes to one another, and knowing the mouse panorama these days, you are not going to find another mouse with that shape that doesn't suck - the only other mice that use the IntelliMouse shape are horrid dollar-store products with unheard-of brand names.

Thanks for the reply. My first thought was to find and buy another Laser 6000 but the reality is that they are simply not available anymore, even on ebay or any other active website. Buying another IntelliMouse is certainly an option but from what I can figure out from reading the internet is that the IntelliMouse is no longer a laser, it's simply an optical mouse. I agree with you 100% that knockoffs of the IntelliMouse are not of the quality that I wish to consider and this is why I'm leaning toward an upscale model.

Previously, I had found the Logitech M500 and the DeathAdder Elite but Shamrock suggested the SteelSeries Sensei 310 and I've also been pointed to the SteelSeries Rival 310 and the Logitech G403 and I'm now leaning toward the Rival 310 but I'm still doing research and seeking advice on alternatives.

 

[DigDog]

ok, between the deathadder, sensei, m500, g403, you got 4 completely different mice. i'm trying to not be rude but there is a world of things to know about mice and i'm not getting the feeling you know much of that stuff.

so, WHAT DO YOU NEED YOUR MOUSE FOR??

Laser is generally considered an inferior alternative to the antecedent Optical sensor, and this was fact until a few years ago, when many laser sensors caught up with opticals. Still, laser are generally very temperamental, and have no discernible advantage over the opticals.

I assume that you like the intellimouse because of the very comfortable shape. The DA is way bigger and heavier, and shaped in a weird way. The M500 and G403 are very tall and require a very different grip from the DA, or the IM, or the sensei.
The only modern, high quality mouse which resembles the IM is the FK1, however there are a TON of Intellimouse available online, they simply aren't called the Laser 6000. If you google "intellimouse" and look at the images, you will see how many different models exist, and they are all VERY similar to each other. I've used WMOs, IMs, IME3, they are all slightly different implementations of the same mouse. The feel is very similar between them.

I can see right now a Intellimouse 1.1a for sale at 27 Gbp http://www.tabletphonecase.com/microsoft-intellimouse-optical-1-1a-gaming-mouse-white?___store=uk

and you can find a ton of these as new-old stock. You just need to look.

Otherwise, we can't really give any real advice on what mouse to get. Depending on what you need, we can narrow it down a bit, but you got A LOT of choice... most of which will be quite a lot expensive.

 

[Moondoggy51]

ok, between the deathadder, sensei, m500, g403, you got 4 completely different mice. i'm trying to not be rude but there is a world of things to know about mice and i'm not getting the feeling you know much of that stuff.

Thanks for the reply and you are correct that mouse technology has advanced significantly since my last purchase. That being said the reason why I purchased my Laser mouse 6000 was that at that time, it was a pretty decent quality ergonomic mouse and I had prior experience with other Microsoft mice and found them to be of better quality than some other mice available. This however doesn't mean that I'm still bound to that brand or that particular overall design. For example, i use a Logitech MX wireless mouse on my laptop and although it's smaller I like the ergonomic feel of this mouse a bit more than I like my 6000. So, because mice have changed so much I don't necessarily want to sell myself short by going with the same old design and since the price differential isn't that significant I was thinking that one of the mice I found would be a decent choice.

If thère is an advantage of one mouse over another in terms of form or features or if there is a way for me to determine which one would have a better fit and feel these are the things I'm interesting in knowing. Unfortunately there are no computer stores in my area that I can visit for a hands on experience therefore I'm trying to make a decision based on whatever knowledge I can gain from others.

 

[Shamrock]

Thanks for the reply. If you got a new one for $38 then you got a bargain as the price on Amazon and elsewhere is just over $54.00. Based on some reviews it appears that the Rival 310 is basically the same on the inside as the Sensei but is for right handers only. Is the reason why you recommended the Sensei the fact that you need an ambidextrous model or was there something about the Sensei that you liked better over the Rival?

That's one reason. The ambidexterity, but it also has buttons on both sides, making it have 7 buttons. The rival 310 only has 5. Other than those 2 things, they are the same mouse.

 

[DigDog]

Unfortunately there are no computer stores in my area that I can visit for a hands on experience

That is unfortunate. But you seem to get what it is that you don't understand, which is good. I dont mean what YOU don't understand, but what EVERYONE doesn't. You cannot explain what a mouse feels like, unless you have extensive experience with mice. (by which time you probably already have a good mouse)

I can suggest you look at this channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGJaDZC7PChgd-XMwcbZkiw
and associated website.

His videos are quite long, but he is VERY thorough, and it will give you an idea of what it's like to own that mouse, from the size, shape, the way it clicks, weight, the software it comes with, any issues it might have. And while the channel is clearly a "gaming" channel, the guy is a 20 year Quake veteran, and knows his stuff.

In all honesty, it's really hard to know what mouse works for one person or another. Any minor change on the shape, weight, build, can profoundly alter the way you experience the mouse. Your hand size matters, how much you grip it, HOW you grip it, how you move your arm, what kind of seat/desk/monitor arrangement you have, all these influence what each mouse feels like. There is no real way to know, unless, like you said, you go to a shop and you pick them up. Unfortunately with the success of E-Tailers, normal shops are disappearing. You do get the upside of lower prices, though.

 

[Campy]

Any gaming mouse from Logitech or Zowie, Steelseries is also good. Personally I avoid Razer, not because their mice aren't good but because I've had several of them and they all had issues with dropping their connection to the computer(problem with the cord breaking at the point it goes into the mouse) after a couple years of heavy use. That might have changed but I'm not going to give them another chance at this point.

Pretty much all gaming mice from Logitech, Zowie and Steelseries have great sensors and quality in my (limited) experience. Optical sensors are great, the switch from optical to pushing laser mice 10 years ago was a marketing scheme in my opinion, just like they advertise higher dpi like it makes the mouse better(it doesn't). Myself and most other gamers only need to use 400dpi anyway, and other attributes like perfect tracking, lift off distance, and tracking at high speeds is much more important for a sensor.


In terms of shape and weight that's personal preference so only you know what you want there, which makes it hard to recommend something concrete because there are lots of mice with flawless sensors on the market so shape is probably the most important choice to make.

I'll add one detail which I like a lot about my current mouse which is a Zowie, and that's the fact that it doesn't require or even have driver software available. There's a button on the underside that switches between dpi steps and polling rate Hz is altered by holding down a combination of buttons while plugging it in. Switching from right-handed to left-handed mode is also done in the same manner, it just changes which set of side buttons are active. I guess that could be a negative aspect for some, only having the side buttons functional on one side, but it doesn't bother me.

 

[Moondoggy51]

Thanks to everyone that posted a reply to my inquiry. Much to my surprise, I did find a store locally that did sell corded mice and I was able to try out the Razer DeathAdder, Steelseries Rival 310, the Logitech G403, and the updated Microsoft IntelliMouse Classic. DigDog suggested that I might be happy with the IntelliMouse Classic because my current mouse was an IntelliMouse Laser 6000 but I found the IntelliMouse was heavy and quite longer that what I was interested in. I next ruled out the Rival 310 as I simply didn't like the feel so it was down to the DeathAdder and the G403 and I spent a lot of time moving both of them around on the display, clicking the buttons and running the wheel. In the end I opted to buy the G403 simply because I felt the wheel scroll was much more to my liking than the DeathAdder. As many of you suggested picking out a mouse is VERY subjective assuming that from a specification point of view, the mice are similar in capabilities to each others and since I'm not a real gamer, look and feel did end up being the deciding factor. At this point my new G403 is installed and I've already noticed how much faster the pointer moves on the screen and I have yet to download and install the mouse software. Again thanks for the help.

 

[DigDog]

STOOOOP !!

STOP !

do not install SetPoint !!! Setpoint is absolute garbage.

You need to simply open your Mouse settings from control panel and set the speed down from there. Under no circumstance should you install one of the wrost drivers ever made by humanity. Logitech's software is as bad as their hardware is good, don't do it.



some of the above statements may contain Hyperbole(tm).

 

[Moondoggy51]

DigDog,

Thanks for the heads up on the setup software. However according to Logitech's website it states: If your mouse is a Logitech G-Series gaming mouse, then you will need to install Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) instead of SetPoint. My question to you is whether the concern you raised only apply to the Setpoint software and can I safely install the LGS instead?

Thanks again.

 

[Tweak155]

DigDog,

Thanks for the heads up on the setup software. However according to Logitech's website it states: If your mouse is a Logitech G-Series gaming mouse, then you will need to install Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) instead of SetPoint. My question to you is whether the concern you raised only apply to the Setpoint software and can I safely install the LGS instead?

Thanks again.

The SetPoint software was pretty much the same thing as the new LGS software. I have used both.

Not sure what DigDog is so concerned with, but I've been using SetPoint for years without issue. It can be a little bit of a learning curve, but I've never not been able to achieve what I set out to do with it.

EDIT:

However I do have the G703 (just the wireless version of the G403) and I never needed to install SetPoint / LGS for it. I would only do it if you want to change the button mapping or the Windows mouse speed is not granular enough for you. I only used LGS for my G700 / G700s and G502 Proteus Spectrum which have extra buttons and sensitivity options for gaming.

 

[DigDog]

google is your friend. SetPoint is well known for creating a host of conflicts with just about everything, and has been garbage since 2004 at least. We're talking the days when the first DVD writer went on sale, SetPoint was already considered one of the worst drivers ever written. I'm happy for you if you have no problems with it, but you are one of the lucky few.

i have no experience with LGS. i would still approach it with much caution as it is a logitech driver.