Roundup Review: 9 Gaming Mice

[slayvus]

I think you could've done better on the mouse selection.

There are a lot more mice that you could've tested.

For example

Cooler Master Storm Sentinel
OZone Gaming Smog Gaming Mouse
Steel Series Ikari
OCZ Behemoth
OCZ Eclipse
HP's Gaming Mouse with VooDooDNA

 

[Zinosys]

Mmm.. Well, I own a G9x and I think it's at least a 4.5! Getting a gaming mouse is largely taste. I was going to get a G500 (the price IS right), but it was too skinny for my hands. So, I purchased a G9x. They're basically the same technology, but the ergonomics are different.

No Habu? No MX518?! No Lite-on Play-doh mouse??! (Ok, not really...) Come on guys.

My rankings: G9x = G500, Tact X, Sidewinder X8, Habu (Not here...), Imperator, Naga, Xai Laser, Kinzu Optical, Then the goofy little Orochi.

Mice are mainly subjective, it's hard to give ratings to mouse. Choosing a mouse depends on the buyer. A perfect example is the G9x vs G500. They're practically the same, but the G500 is too skinny and I'm willing to pay >$90 for a mouse.

The only true answer is to do your research; Go to your local electronics dealer and try out a couple mice. See if they fit in your hand nicely. Then go online, see if there are any problems with the mouse (laser engine is not good, bad tech support, etc.), and look at the specs. If everything matches up nicely, go for it!

Good Luck.

 

[Guest]

While I appreciate the article, I think you owe it to your readers to call out more examples of clearly-inspired or outright-licensed tech, since you use design pedigree as a criteria in some of the reviews (G500, I'm looking at you).

The moment I saw the shape of both SteelSeries mice, I was _immediately_ reminded of the old MS Intellimouse Explorers. So much so that I had to grab my old one out of it's storage box and see if it wasn't a licensed or copied body shape. It doesn't appear to be, but give credit where credit is due: they are _extremely_ similar in shape and button layout, even down to the small details of the frame surrounding the middle mouse button. This doesn't upset me at all, as I loved that mouse for gaming and everyday tasks, but of if you're going to acknowledge inspirational designs, it's hard to miss this one.
http/images.google.com/images?q=intellimouse explorer

Secondly, and less favorable in my opinion, the Alienware Tact X. Blah blah, Alienware = Dell != gaming whatever blah blah. What I care about is you're reviewing a licensed design from another company that is only slightly tweaked as it's own product. You acknowledge it bears striking similarities to the Logitech devices, uses the same Logitech ratched scroll wheel, and even uses a reskinned SetPoint, but you never actually state that this is clearly a Logitech mouse with a bit of Alienware cruft on top. I'd argue you owe it to Logitech to make that very clear, as it is their mouse with a different badge.
http/images.google.com/images?q=mx1100
Look familiar? I should think so. Especially from the overhead. Again, I would be ashamed if I hadn't recognized it; one is sitting on my desk right now. Even if you don't publish it, whichever Tom's Guide writer tested this Alienware mouse ought to try the MX1100. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they're identical under the bits of plastic and slightly altered button shape.

 

[micky_lund]

comfort if very different to each person. should have more size things...which big person wants a small mouse, or which smaller person wants a big mouse?

 

[se7envii]

I just got my 2nd MX-518 a few days ago -- it's a great mouse and I don't feel a need to get a different one anytime soon. Don't want to have to readjust to a new mouse quite yet plus it's well priced compared to others.

 

[Guest]

No Razer Mamba? Same design at the DeathAdder, but updates hardware, 5600DPI Infrared Laser, New Side rubber grippy bits, 2 extra buttons. Can either be a wired or wireless mouse, a damn fine mouse if I do say so myself.

 

[avatar_raq]

Nice round-up. Thanks James, I was waiting for this.
I do hope you'll review other mice soon as the ones slayvus mentioned.

 

[jamezrp]

Slayvus: several of the mice you listed are older, so they wouldn't fit for this roundup. (HP's VooDoo mouse, Ikari Laser, Others, like the Ozone SMOG gaming mouse, we hadn't even heard of. But you are right, there are other mice that could have been included in this roundup. But our guidelines were for mice released within the last six months (the SideWinder X8 was the biggest stretch), and that we'd be able to publish it in a timely fashion.

Each new mouse adds at least a few days of testing, and we were already expecting 12 mice from the beginning (three missed the mark, only the Mamba was listed by you guys), and we had a deadline to make. If you guys like this type of article and it does well, we'll do more of them, more often, and we'll cover more products.

 

[yang]

this is a very small collection of mouse they're reviewing. I'm surprised they didn't introduce the extreme of all categories. For example, I would like to see my mamba being compared to these mice

 

[slayvus]

James, if you get a chance and can add them. They are interesting mice to add to the list and fit into the 6 month period.

Cooler Master Storm Sentinel Guru3D Review
Ozone Gaming SMOG Mouse Guru3D Review
OCZ Behemoth Mouse Guru3D Review

I own the CM Sentinel, I wish I could have gotten the SMOG though. Only problem though is that it isn't available in the US yet...

 

[maestintaolius]

I absolutely love my G500. I got mine for 49.99 which I thought was pretty fair. I decided to move away from MS mice after my third MS Explorer Intellimouse's left click stopped working (I don't know what it was but 3 for 3 the mouse's left or right click died after a little over a year of use). I loved the ergonomics of the MS mice but I was sick of the buttons dying. The G500 has a nice feel and the extra buttons are positioned well so you don't accidentally hit them.

 

[Rock_n_Rolla]

Guys, how about Coolermaster's Sentinel Gaming mice???
With it's great features and awesome design, how come
you didn't include it on your review?

 

[ekidhardt]

This is one screwed up review. Let me get this straight, we're talking about gaming mice, yet you're giving major thought into non gaming purposes. Why is non-gaming performance on this chart?

The highest scoring mouse is the lamest one of the bunch. A gaming mouse has buttons; lots of buttons. That you chose the most simple 2 button mouse, and then included 'non gaming' as part of your criteria for judging 'gaming mice', shows that your editorial staff needs further education in organization.

 

[jacobdrj]

I love the G9. It had some early problems with the replaceable grips disintegrating, but other than that, when Logitech replaced the defective grips, the mouse upped my KDR quite a bit. I didn't even realize it had profiles until recently, and the sensitivity has an overdrive.
I actually recommend the Razer G3 for Photoshop users because of its sensitivity on the fly feature.

 

[Micropat]

I wish it said which was the best at minesweeper

 

[timbo]

mx518. 4 years & still doing what it's supposed to do, & doing it well.

 

[Guest]

deathadder respawn, the reviwer should have added this, as this is not an old model.

 

[jrnyfan]

G5 ftw.

fin.

 

[kelemvor4]

[citation][nom]the associate[/nom]Wtf no wireless Logitech G7/sidewinder X8/Razer Mamba gaming mouse???I know what your gona say, batteries suck, but tell that to the sidewinder X8, or the Razer Mamba, you attach a cord to recharge..[/citation]
I've got a razer mamba. It's the fifth wireless mouse I've got and it's garbage... The battery life is nothing short of unacceptable. The year isn't 1991, I expected a lot more for what I paid. Razer doesn't even deserve an honorable mention in a review like this after producing such junk.

 

[epocrewant1976]

i had to modify/customize my G9X to make it fit perfect...
Cutting the grip in two, top right corner/bottom left...
"saw&sandpapper"
Attach with "Double adhesive tape or glue"..
SemperFidelis-EpoCrew.