Laser vs. Optical

[hondaf17]

I need a new gaming mouse and am considering both the Logitech MX518 and Logitech G5 (rev2). This new mouse will be used for gaming, and will eventually be controlling abouta 40'' screen on my HTPC. The main differences I can tell are this:

1) MX518 is on Optical engine, G5 is on Laser
2) MX518 has 1600 DPI, G5 has 2000

Question: Will I get great benefits from going from Optical to Laser? The difference in DPI seems inconsequential.

The MX518 can be shipped for $40 from Newegg, whereas the Logitech G5 (rev2) ships for about $65.

Thoughts?

TYIA

 

[dclive]

Opticals have problems tracking on my desk every so often. Lasers don't. I use lasers.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Early generation laser engines such as those in the G5 (or any laser mouse available) have tracking consistency problems when used at higher speeds (skipping/unwanted postive or negative acceleration). Other problems (largely fixed by driver and firmware updates) involve tracking issues where the laser would even track on certain surfaces even though superior tracking over a variety of surfaces is supposed to be an advantage of laser vs. optical, but there is still that problem for some.

Based on that I'd say save the $15 and go with the MX518 as you're right about the extra 2000dpi option being fairly negligible unless you're a high sensitivity gamer and use very high resolutions.

Originally posted by: dclive
Opticals have problems tracking on my desk every so often. Lasers don't. I use lasers.

that's what mousepads are for...

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: dclive
Opticals have problems tracking on my desk every so often. Lasers don't. I use lasers.

that's what mousepads are for...

[/quote]
A what-pad?

That's why I use lasers -- no need for that stuff anymore.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Well good for you, whatever floats your boat I guess.

My optical mice actually work better / more consistently on my desk than my laser mice (note the problems I listed above) but with a nice pad I get good performance from all of my mice not to mention the control I want, especially if I switch desks where the surface is naturally going to vary.

 

[dclive]

Right - this is the beef that opticals almost completely solved. Only on laminate wood and super shiny surfaces (glass, etc.) are opticals unable to track properly for me. When I put a laser on laminate wood, it tracks properly, so I've moved to that. (You might guess that my desk is cheap, worn, almost uniform laminate wood, and you'd be right. 🙂 )

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

How do opticals compare to lasers today. Are the lasers improved with better low-res support? Are MX518's still preferred?