General use full size wireless mouse?

[etherealfocus]

I mostly work with spreadsheets and typical web development apps (Notepad++, browsers, Adobe crap for graphics, etc). Don't need fancy gamer mice, just something with good, precise tracking and solid ergonomics.

Prefer full size... I have big gorilla hands.

Amazon's steering me toward a Logitech M510/M525/M705/Performance MX.

I like the unifying nano receiver but not a fan of the Logitech software and concerned with recent complaints about their customer service.

I liked Microsoft's older mice but seems like all they've got now are their legacy products which are universally ridiculous fashion statements, microscopic 'mobile' mice, or corded models. Dunno what they're trying to accomplish by neglecting the average user, but they don't seem to have anything for me... unless they have other mice somewhere I'm not aware of? Their old Wireless Mouse 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000 are crazy overpriced on Amazon and OOS on Newegg. The old huge wifi adapters are a deal breaker anyway.

So, what's good out there? I'd like to stick to the $30 range if possible. As far as buttons, just left right center back forward is plenty. Maybe a sensitivity adjustment.

 

[CA19100]

I've been using a basic Logitech M510 for years with no issues at all. Software for reprogramming the buttons and tweaking the sensitivity is adequate and has caused no issues for me under Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10 Preview. (The only reason I install it is to reprogram the "forward" side button to do "Ctrl-W"; very handy.)

If it dies, I'll probably get another one. Very happy with it.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I absolutely love love love love love Logitech's M525. I hadn't thought about it, but I've had it for nearly three years and it works like the day it was new. I don't think I've had to change the batteries more than twice in that time and I use it a _lot_ every day. I never bother to turn it off, as I guess it sleeps and wakes instantly.

I came from mice that had very clicky wheels, so the "micro-precise scroll wheel" took a little getting used to, but now I couldn't go back.

My PC is on the floor to the side of a solid oak desk, and when I had the nano-receiver plugged into the back of the PC it was a little iffy. I moved it to one of the front USB ports and it works perfectly.

I've done very little with the software other than to set the sensitivity and to program the center-click to do (emergency) Mute, for when some obnoxious video on a web site autoplays at full volume. Works fairly well, although I notice that it will often do both a center-click and a side-click when I use it, so the center-click isn't something I'd want to use a lot.

 

[Micrornd]

You might like Logitech's older MX1000 mice.
They come in both RF and Bluetooth varieties.
They can do everything you want and much more, if you want them to, through their Setpoint software.

I haven't found a suitable replacement for mine, in a full-size mouse

 

[bigboxes]

You don't have to use their software. Just plug and play. Windows loads up the appropriate driver and you're good to go. Unless you want to program the buttons just leave the mouse set at default.

 

[ggadrian]

I am very happy with my Logitech Performance MX: it's comfortable for long sessions, precise enough, has enough customisable buttons (at least for me) but not too many, and is sturdy as hell, I can't even count how many times it has fallen and its still almost like new (minus normal use marks).

 

[etherealfocus]

I'd only need the software to adjust any buttons with weird settings. Left right back forward is perfect.

I'm a little skeptical of the tilt wheel buttons on the 525, but it looks like an ergonomic improvement over the 510. No love for the 705? Figures... I remember some older Microsoft mice with the weird over-sculpted shape and didn't like those either.

The MX1000 had a great sensor but I think it's entered collector item status - goes for $300ish on Amazon, and the MX Revolution goes for $1000. I wasn't a fan of the thumb platform on the MX1000 anyway - I pick up the mouse a lot when I'm working and the reduced side grips weren't ideal for that.

The 510/525 with high sides, lighter weight, and rubber grip pads look pretty ideal at this point. Would've liked to see some competition from MS... and really it blows me away that the 510/525 are still top of the line mice after ~5 years on the market. Amazon shows the 510 first available in 2010 and the 525 in 2011. Blows me away that the only developments since then appear to be overengineered gamer stuff and niche fashion statements.

Oh well... so I'm leaning toward the 510 for better button placement and more developed thumb groove - make picking it up easier.

Given the year difference though, does the 525 have sensor improvements or anything else I should consider? I notice the battery life is 3 yrs instead of 2 but not losing sleep over that lol.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I'm a little skeptical of the tilt wheel buttons on the 525, but it looks like an ergonomic improvement over the 510.

Skeptical, how? Works exceptionally well. Very intuitive. It's a pretty light click, which is nice. I'm more than a little amazed that none of the switches have worn out, or even feel worn, in all the use that I've put the 525 through. The 510 appears to also have a tilt wheel, in addition to the extra couple of buttons on the side.

The 510/525 with high sides, lighter weight, and rubber grip pads look pretty ideal at this point. Would've liked to see some competition from MS... and really it blows me away that the 510/525 are still top of the line mice after ~5 years on the market. Amazon shows the 510 first available in 2010 and the 525 in 2011. Blows me away that the only developments since then appear to be overengineered gamer stuff and niche fashion statements.

If it ain't broke... But (looking at their web site) Logitech does appear to have a couple more expensive mice. The 560 looks like it may be successor to the 510, with an updated scroll wheel more like that on the 525.

Oh well... so I'm leaning toward the 510 for better button placement and more developed thumb groove - make picking it up easier.

Given the year difference though, does the 525 have sensor improvements or anything else I should consider? I notice the battery life is 3 yrs instead of 2 but not losing sleep over that lol.

I've never compared the 525 and 510, so couldn't comment on the sensors. You might prefer the button placement on the 510, but you'd have no trouble picking up the 525. One thing I do notice is that the 510 appears to be larger. The 525 could almost be called "mid-sized", between the 510 and one of their 300-series notebook mice.

 

[etherealfocus]

1. Ok, maybe it's better than expected. I'm leery of oversimplification after the crime against laptops that was the clickpad.

2. The 560 is programmed by default to a bunch of Win8 nonsense rather than back/forward/DPI adjust. Obviously you can change that in software, but it's extra hassle. Also not a shape I like - the excessive sculpting and sloped top doesn't work well for me.

3. Ahh, there's the rub. Like I said, I have gorilla hands and generally like something one size down from the overengineered mega mice. I used a Microsoft Mobile Mouse 4000 briefly and couldn't stand it... so bad I went back to my trackpad (which is not a high end model in my ProBook 430 G1, but it has dedicated buttons and gets the job done). Sounds like it's a 510 for me.

I tried the Microsoft Laser Mouse 5000 a while back liked it ok too, but the receiver is an old model far too big to leave plugged in as I travel. Nano receivers for the win.

 

[davewnelson]

Logitech MX Master Brand new model just came out :biggrin:

 

[Carson Dyle]

Logitech MX Master Brand new model just came out :biggrin:

Rechargeable? One more damned thing to plug in.

Interesting, though. It looks gigantic. Long, wide and very tall. The way I use mice, I rest my hand on the desk and move the mouse using my thumb and two small fingers. The size of the mouse, so long as it fits comfortably between those fingers isn't a big issue. But if my hand actually had to rest on the mouse, I think it would be fatiguing.

 

[bigboxes]

Rechargeable? One more damned thing to plug in.

Interesting, though. It looks gigantic. Long, wide and very tall. The way I use mice, I rest my hand on the desk and move the mouse using my thumb and two small fingers. The size of the mouse, so long as it fits comfortably between those fingers isn't a big issue. But if my hand actually had to rest on the mouse, I think it would be fatiguing.

Looks like a really good mouse to me. The only drawback here is the price. $99? Yikes!

 

[XavierMace]

Rechargeable? One more damned thing to plug in.

Opposed to a regular corded mouse?

 

[Carson Dyle]

Opposed to a regular corded mouse?

"Opposed" to a battery powered wireless mouse that needs its batteries changed only about every 18 months.

 

[etherealfocus]

It looks gigantic. Long, wide and very tall.

Why thank you.

Yeah rechargeables were nice when battery life was a month, that got obnoxious. Now that it's >18 months, the charging accessories are more obnoxious than biyearly battery changes.

$100 mice are the epitome of the overengineered xXxTurb0l33tUberBlingxXx gamer crap I'm trying to avoid. I don't need a million buttons and an integrated boombox; I just need the Honda Civic of mice. Expensive peripherals are just one more thing to worry about damaging on the road. And fodder for a million not-unjustified epeen jokes.

 

[rchunter]

I just bought 2 refurbished logitech g100s mice from newegg for like 30 bucks. Last mouse I bought was over 10 years ago. I don't need much. Lot's of buttons i'd rather not have on my mouse.

 

[GrumpyMan]

I just wish MS still made their thumb tracball........

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Why thank you.

Yeah rechargeables were nice when battery life was a month, that got obnoxious. Now that it's >18 months, the charging accessories are more obnoxious than biyearly battery changes.

$100 mice are the epitome of the overengineered xXxTurb0l33tUberBlingxXx gamer crap I'm trying to avoid. I don't need a million buttons and an integrated boombox; I just need the Honda Civic of mice. Expensive peripherals are just one more thing to worry about damaging on the road. And fodder for a million not-unjustified epeen jokes.

+1 . . . We're on the same page or frequency with that. On a (wooden) desktop, I don't see how "wireless" makes any difference. There are some "really nice" keyboards and mice on the market for > $100. But you really just need the buttons and mouse wheel to work, and a keyboard that's reliable.

Even so, since I like to keep this room dimly lit and I sit down at my desk often late at night, I'm beginning to think a keyboard with LED-lit keyswitches could be "just the thing." But it would only be "just the thing" when you really need those LEDs to see what you're doing. [Oh, sure -- we could "touch-type" and be blind, but switching my KVM from the keyboard requires some visual effort . . . so . . . ]

 

[Carson Dyle]

On a (wooden) desktop, I don't see how "wireless" makes any difference.

Do you really mean to say "wireless", or are you referring to the tracking mechanism? I'll never use a wired mouse again. To me, there's a huge difference in ergonomics in not having to fight with a mouse cord.

 

[rchunter]

Even so, since I like to keep this room dimly lit and I sit down at my desk often late at night, I'm beginning to think a keyboard with LED-lit keyswitches could be "just the thing." But it would only be "just the thing" when you really need those LEDs to see what you're doing. [Oh, sure -- we could "touch-type" and be blind, but switching my KVM from the keyboard requires some visual effort . . . so . . . ]

I'd be careful with backlit keyboards and kvm switches. Most I found don't work right. At least with my kvm.... I pretty much gave up on them. Running a Unicomp ultra classic now.