Do Optical Mice Need Mouse Pads?

[MrControversial]

I've heard conflicting things. I heard that they don't and I heard that they do. Right now I don't have one and I'm experiencing crazy mouse freezes (for a few seconds). I'd play playing a game or surfing the next and then I lose my mouse pointer for a few seconds. Could this be the result of not using a mouse pad?

 

[Sqube]

Maybe there's something goofy with the surface of your desktop? I've been able to use my optical mouse without a mousepad and I've never experienced any adverse effects.

 

[robisc]

Probably a highly reflective desktop, in that case use a pad.

 

[biostud]

some of the earlier models had problems on red surfaces and very shiny ones.

 

[LED]

Something may be up with your mouse ball and/or drivers... on the Opticals, I've never used a MousePad and it works fine on my formica table

 

[Azndude51]

Like LED said, it could be your drivers. What mouse is it (brand)?

 

[imported_g33k]

While I've had no problems mousing on a desktop with an optical mouse, the mouse feet wore out much faster than mousing on a mouse mat.