Anyone Using a Laser Mouse? (1,600dpi?)

[trowand]

Hey, anyone using a laser mouse? I'm torn between the Razer Diamondback mouse and the Logitech MX518. Anyone got suggestions?

[Hi Ho]

The MX-518 is not a laser mouse. It is an optical mouse that uses an LED light and optical sensor like most modern mice. The only laser mouse on the market is the MX-1000. Personally I would go with an optical or laser mouse any day. I hate ball mice.

[Byte 2.0]

Myself I like the Kensington mouse model 72129, PilotMouse Optical wireless.

It eats batteries, more the one of my friends that has a MS wireless optical.

However, for me, this mouse fits my hand perfect and the grip is nice, soft rubber.
2 programable buttons on the left and the wheel can be programmed to be a button as well, but I don't care for that.

Just go and find one that fits your hand. Look at it this way, once you have narrowed it down to features you want and like, make your choice on how it feels in your hand. You are going to have your hand on it 80 percent of them time you are at the computer, be nice to your hand.

[tomster2300]

What's the difference between an optical mouse and a laser one? I've never heard of a laser mouse before. I own a generic optical mouse which came with my computer case. It's not the best in the world, but it's not bad at all -- leaps and bounds ahead of normal ball mice.

[Iniamyen]

I'm pretty sure the difference between optical and laser mice is just the quality of light used. In an optical mouse, you use an LED to emit light, and an eye (photodiode or something) looks for patterns illuminated by the light to track movement. A laser mouse uses the same concept I think, except laser light is coherent light and can thus provide a more accurate image for the photodiode to "look at." Honestly, though, I haven't needed more accuracy than an optical mouse provides. Also, the laser mouse is a new design. So, if you need to buy a mouse right now, I'd go with a tried and true optical. I'm waiting to buy a laser mouse until a few more models are out and any bugs in the design are squashed.

[Hi Ho]

The difference is that an optical mouse uses an LED light and a laser mouse uses an actual laser like that in a CD player, not an LED. Both are technically optical because they use optical sensors to track movement. The MX1000 is an excellent mouse. I don't know of any bugs what-so-ever. The advantage to using a laser is that it can be used on more surfaces and is also mour accurate than a standard optical mouse.

[trowand]

EXACTLY. Regular LED optical mice have a sensitivity of 400dpi while laser mice have a sensitivity of 1,600dpi. Like HI HO said a laser mouse can be used on just about any surface and is more accurate. The reviews of the laser mice say that they are REALLY awesome for gaming. And the MX-518 has IN GAME sensitivity/speed changing capabilities! So while you're playing a FPS you can have it be quick while running around with a machine gun but if you go to use a sniper rifle, you can change the sensitivity/speed to slow IN GAME. I can't believe no one has bought one yet. If I see one while I'm out I'm gonna get one. They're supposed to be awesome.

[Lamilia]

I hate having to clean mouse balls

[trowand]

Well nobody said that you had to buy a male mouse!

[Yuanji]

uhh Trowand, both of the mice you chose are optical, not laser. The only laser mouse i know of is the MX-1000 with 800dpi. I have one and it's pretty good. I'm looking forward to purchasing a MX518 soon and giving the 1000 to my parents to use but 518 if you are right handed because of the on the fly dpi switching which i hear improves gaming for many people. If you are left handed, get the razor diamondback since the MX518 won't fit if you are left handed.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by Byte 2.0 Myself I like the Kensington mouse model 72129, PilotMouse Optical wireless. It eats batteries, more the one of my friends that has a MS wireless optical. However, for me, this mouse fits my hand perfect and the grip is nice, soft rubber. 2 programable buttons on the left and the wheel can be programmed to be a button as well, but I don't care for that.

Hmm.. thought I was the only one that liked this mouse. This is my main rodent too. Excellent feel and it fits my big hand better than others I've tried. First found mine by spending some time in a Comp USA just checking the feel of different mice. Liked this one the best. And yes, it has a big battery appetite.

[Lamilia]

Originally Posted by trowand Well nobody said that you had to buy a male mouse!

so that means the optical and laser ones are female?
If you buy rechargables then you don't have to worry about it. less money and no being out of batteries so you can't go on the computer.

[Hi Ho]

The Logitech MX700 and MX1000 have a charger so you don't have to worry about batteries. Just set it in the cradle when you're done.

[trowand]

Originally Posted by Yuanji uhh Trowand, both of the mice you chose are optical, not laser. The only laser mouse i know of is the MX-1000 with 800dpi.

I don't know dude, I pointed the bottom of my mouse at the moon last night and darn near blew it up! (Wow! A lot of posts recently on the weekend... NICE!)

[Hi Ho]

I belive the laser in the MX1000, and any other laser mices there might/will be, is invisible like those in a CD player. The LED's in optical mice are very bright but they are definetly not lasers.

[james8547]

Originally Posted by trowand I don't know dude, I pointed the bottom of my mouse at the moon last night and darn near blew it up! (Wow! A lot of posts recently on the weekend... NICE!)

I pointed mine at an airplane (747, I believe) flying overhead. 5 minutes later, I got the Homeland Security, AARP, FBI, ABC, DEA, UPS, CIA, FOX, IRS, and FAA agents jumping through my windows.

I was tempted to buy the MX1000 but its price is too much for its benefits. I guess I'm sticking with my MX700 until prices go down.

[tomster2300]

Here's a dumb question. How much damage can an optical mouse's light cause to your eyes? (I'm not stupid enough to stare at it, but something I read said not to even look at it -- I am dumb enough to ask this question though).

[Cricket]

If it's just a normal optical mouse with a LED, I don't think you'll go blind by just looking at it (unless you stare at it for days). It's the same kind of LED you find on the front of your case (just brighter) and they aren't dangerous.

With the laser mice I think it would be wise to read any warning labels that come with it.

Cricket

[tomster2300]

Originally Posted by Cricket If it's just a normal optical mouse with a LED, I don't think you'll go blind by just looking at it (unless you stare at it for days). It's the same kind of LED you find on the front of your case (just brighter) and they aren't dangerous. With the laser mice I think it would be wise to read any warning labels that come with it. Cricket

Alright, thanks Crickett. I just remember reading some warning about it and I thought, "Yeah right, like that would happen". Now I know

[David M]

I just bought a Razer Diamondback for gaming. There is a noticable increase in accuracy and better response time. It obviously is not a laser device. It would have all the laser warnings and I have been around enough lasers with my job to know a real laser from an LED...its obviously an LED. Lasers have this wierd effect..at least with my eyes...hard to describe. The buttons on the side are darn near impossible to use..nice idea..bad implementation. Its also heavier than I like, but the precision makes up for the additional weight. If I were to buy another one I would buy the Razer Viper since the side button are almost worthless. You cant squeeze the button on one side without pressing the button on the opposite side.

I also bought an Ice Pad with Teflon strips and the liquid that lets it slide better...man, what a nice difference! You dont know how much jarring motion a regular mouse has until you try this combination for gaming. Its especially helpful for sniper aiming like in Halo and CS. It's so easy to pick off people while they are running now First night I had the Razer, one guy got really pissed at me ...he accused me of cheating for being able to pick him off so easily. I was laughing so hard that night I had tears. Halo multiuser at times can be an absolutely hilarious game if you have never tried it.

[trowand]

Originally Posted by David M Lasers have this wierd effect..at least with my eyes...hard to describe.

Yeah, I know what you mean. If you look at the laser projecting onto a surface, it's like the area has little tiny dots moving around in it. It's funky. So that liquid stuff works? What's it called? I heard good things about the Razer mice.

[David M]

Its just called "LiqUid" ...with a capital U. Anti-friction Treament The website is http://www.func.net/liquid.html I think I bought it through Xoxide.com..dont remember for sure

[trowand]

It's a silicon liquid. OOOOOHHH! I have a spray can of dry silicon in my basement for lubing my fooseball table rods. I bet that'll work great! I'm gonna try it. The stuff is super slick! Awesome!

[David M]

Is that all it is?...silicone spray? Heck, I can buy that at the local boat store for a few dollars. It's used to slide sails up a mast easier.