Is optical mouse better than regular mouse?

[kaimeng]

Hi all,

Is optical mouse better, other than the fact
that you do not have to open the bottom and clean
the moving parts of dust??? What about precision,
accuracy and responsiveness??? The Logitech PS/2
optical mouse is selling for S$38 right now. I am
very tempted to upgrade. Comments??? Thanks a lot!!

 

[sohcrates]

i love my microsoft intellimouse explorer optical.

not having to clean it is a GREAT feature

it works just as well as a regular mouse, even in gaming!

 

[Stealth1024]

I have the MS IntelliMouse Optical and its great. I think tracking is more accurate and a mouse pad isn't required.

 

[Shooters]

When I bought my Intellimouse Optical I immediately noticed how much more responsive and smooth it was. Now when I have to use a standard ball mouse my aiming is all screwy.

 

[Radharc]

I have the Logitech optical mouse you spoke of. I think that the optical mouse is more accurate than the regular ball mouse in the long run -- both mice out of the box would be the same, but the minute the ball mouse gets a little dirty, you would notice a difference. The optical mouse can also work on multiple surfaces (a mouse pad is really not necessary), whereas the regular mouse sometimes does not work correctly on those same surfaces. For 38 bucks, I think it's a great investment.

 

[Barrak]

I have gone optical and will never go back to the ball. Nice not having to clean it, because of this they also end up having a longer live. And you can use them on just about any surface and not worry about "skipping" that you get with ball mice.

 

[Mem]

The best optical IMHO is the Logitech Optical Mouseman Wheel,I`ve no problems in gaming and now would never go back to the normal ball type.

 

[panhead49]

anyone ever had the problem of getting carried away in gaming,(heat of battle) then lifting the optical mouse up just a little, and lose control of movement, as in player stoping for split second....sucks..........other than that i love my optical mouse

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

i personally like balled mice. opticals just arent up to it when it comes to twitch games.

 

[Boonesmi]

ill go against the grain

i really don't like optical mice, especially in gaming. if you play games slow like a grandma you wont notice it, but if you start moving the mouse around really fast the dang thing freaks out

give me a good ole ball mouse any day

 

[V]

I love my Intellimouse Explorer. I like not having to clean it.

 

[thephew]

I've used the Logitech optical at work, and I have the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer at home. Both are really nice, but I have to give the nod to the Logitech; its a little heavier, but it feels better. I think the newer Logitechs scan at 2500 Hz, as opposed to the Explorer @ 1500. I could never go back to ball mice. Optical is just so responsive. I like being able to mouse on my leg or float half an inch above desk, it still works regardless. In games you have to be careful not to move too abruptly, or the crosshair spazzes, but this is easily fixed by increasing the sensitivity and moving more smoothly. In CS i have no problem Scouting guys from across the map while they are jumping.

 

[Odoacer]

I have an optical mouse and a wireless ball mouse... I like the ball better because I like the tension of the mouse against the pad and the weight of it just seems more natural. It's really a matter of personal preference. Technically I have had no problems with my optical mouse.

 

[Quad]

i think ball mice are more responsive in gaming. i have the logitech mouseman wheel (the ball version) and it's the best mouse that i have ever bought. i games, it's as smooth as silk (i'm use an everglide mousepad btw).


<< anyone ever had the problem of getting carried away in gaming,(heat of battle) then lifting the optical mouse up just a little, and lose control of movement, as in player stoping for split second....sucks..........other than that i love my optical mouse >>


that's one of the reasons i didn't buy the optical version of my mouse. when u lift the mouse (or run out of mouse pad) u stop completely. with a ball mouse, the ball still has momentum so you keep moving.


<< i personally like balled mice. opticals just arent up to it when it comes to twitch games. >>


that's the main reason i didn't buy an optical mouse. when you need to make quick, accurate, rocket jumps, the optical mouse doesn't respond. i've tried a few out and all of them are unresponsive when flicking, twitching, or moving the mouse quickly

if you're worried about the ball mouse getting dirty, then get an everglide or ratpad. it takes many months for my mouse to get dirty.

 

[crypticlogin]

I agree with odoacer in that ball mice tend to be heavier (for obvious reasons) and have a better &quot;feel.&quot; That's all a matter of personal preference, but I like my optical for the fact that I can mouse on just about any surface around my computer. For me, that added convenience outweighs the weighted feel.

 

[Infra]

much better.. I'd never go back to a ballsy mouse.

alot more accurate..and u dont have to clean it.

 

[eviltoon]

Yes, I play lots of games and love my optical intellimouse. The only time I curse is when I'm trying to snipe at some alien from like a mile away. I notice it doesn't line up quite so smooth. Don't know why really, I understand the laser reads more info that the ball mouse. The microsoft intellimouse has a pretty darn nice feel. Hey, my opinion only. Lord, can't believe I saying something nice about Microsoft. Maybe I'm coming down with malaria or something.

 

[kaimeng]

Hi all,

Thanks for the informative responses. I think I will try
to get the logitech optical and try it out. Expect me to post
the results in a few days time!

Regards,
Kai Meng







<< I have the Logitech optical mouse you spoke of. I think that the optical mouse is more accurate than the regular ball mouse in the long run -- both mice out of the box would be the same, but the minute the ball mouse gets a little dirty, you would notice a difference. The optical mouse can also work on multiple surfaces (a mouse pad is really not necessary), whereas the regular mouse sometimes does not work correctly on those same surfaces. For 38 bucks, I think it's a great investment. >>

 

[ugh]

I was wondering, since so many of you guys here have the optical mouse, what is their lifespan compared to the regular mouse? I'm kinda sick and tired of cleaning and changing my mouse so often due to unresponsive movements.

 

[Redwingsguy]

My Inteli explorer + ratpadz is the ultimate low friction combo IMO