I've also posted this on Deskthority:
https://deskthority.net/other-devices-f3/does-your-ideal-mouse-exist-t12917.html#p286347I am interested in seeing responses from both sides of the Atlantic. My comments on mice are certainly not proper reviews; they are merely my impressions based largely on the feel and look of the various mice.
Recently, I have been testing mice in an effort to find a suitable replacement for my Razer Deathadder Black Edition (DA BE). The mouse is still going strong, but it is starting to look scruffy from years of use, and it surely must fail eventually. Unfortunately, this mouse is no longer in production and the current Razer products seem not to be built as well.
I am looking for a solidly built large right-handed corded (wired) mouse suitable for my palm grip. I also prefer a good optical sensor (but I could tolerate a laser sensor) and a simple design with no more than 6 to 8 buttons. After much searching, I am finding it difficult to find a mouse that meets all my expectations. Before embarking on this latest quest, I had never considered doing a mouse mod or a custom build for a mouse, but I am beginning to think this might be necessary in order to get the mouse that I want.
I tried the Razer DA Chroma, but I returned it because the scroll wheel rattles, especially when scrolling upward. Although I would prefer an optical sensor, at the moment my favorite alternative to the DA BE is the Razer Mamba Tournament Edition (TE); it is a laser mouse, but it has most of the characteristics I am seeking, including a quiet scroll wheel. However, the right-hand forward side button rattles, giving the mouse a cheap hollow feel whenever that button is touched. It is also difficult to press the side buttons without momentarily changing my grip.
Many reviews give high marks to the Logitech G502, but in the past I have had bad luck with Logitech mice. In particular, I am not fond of the dual-action scroll wheel whereby you can shift to a freely spinning wheel. I prefer a solidly built rubberized and notched wheel.
Here is a brief summary of mice I have tested recently:
Corsair M65 RGB: Solidly build with an aluminum frame, but I found the sniper button distracting. It also has a laser sensor rather than an optical sensor and it was somewhat too short and low for me.
Ducky Secret Mouse: Innovative construction -- made of PBT with accessible screws so that the mouse can be dismantled without removing the teflon feet or breaking any seals or labels. However, the mouse is too slippery to pick up easily without changing your grip.
Mionix Castor: Good build quality, but a bit too small for me.
Mionix Naos 7000: Good build quality and ergonomic shape, but too smooth to pick up easily without changing your grip.
Razer Deathadder Chroma: Excellent overall, but it has an unacceptably noisy scroll wheel.
Razer Mamba Tournament Edition: Very good overall and my current favorite. Good, quiet scroll wheel that also has horizontal scrolling. However, as noted above, the right-hand forward side button rattles, giving the mouse a cheap hollow feel whenever that button is touched. It is also difficult to press the side buttons without momentarily changing my grip.
Roccat Kone XTD Optical: Feels solid. The best scroll wheel I have ever tried; it also has horizontal scrolling. Unfortunately, the mouse has an ostentatious logo and the clear plastic used for the cosmetic LED stripes has a sticky feel. It is sad that Roccat has allowed purely cosmetic choices to interfere with functional characteristics of the mouse. They make a smaller version (the Kone Pure line) without the LED stripes, but it is too small for my palm grip.
Steelseries Rival 300: Feels solid. Excellent grips and pleasing rubberized surface. Quiet scroll wheel. Definitive switch clicks. Side buttons easy to locate with minimal change in grip; however, the side clicks are a bit loud. The LED lighting is somewhat uneven, and I am not fond of the logo.
Zowie EC1-A (2016 version with red logo): Perhaps the simplest design of all the mice I have tested. Excellent fit for my palm grip. Well-placed buttons (including those on the left side). The understated non-illuminated red logo is my favorite of all the mice I have tested thus far. In keeping with the minimalist design, there is no software. The switch for DPI settings is inconveniently located on the underside of the mouse. The DPI settings are indicated by a change in color of the scroll-wheel LED, and this LED cannot be inactivated. Unfortunately, the left-click switch sticks occasionally when dragging a window, and the surface is a bit too smooth, making it difficult to pick up the mouse without dropping it. The scroll wheel is also somewhat noisy.
Other mice I would like to try include the following (not yet tested):
Asus ROG Gladius: This one has some innovations, including swappable Omron switches and a detachable cable. Unfortunately, it has an illuminated logo with the words, "Republic of Gaming". They should lose the words and just have a symbolic logo. In addition, although it comes with replacement switches and encourages modding, it is necessary to remove the teflon feet to get to the screws. Asus should take a look at the Ducky Secret Mouse, which has completely accessible screws.
Cougar 550M: This one measures 135 x 70 x 45 mm (l x w x h), which I think is the largest of the group (the Rival 300 is close -- 133 x 70 x 45 mm). The size and shape should be to my liking, and reviews indicate that it is solidly built with a sturdy scroll wheel and excellent optical sensor. However, I am not fond of the oversized gaming logo and orange accents in the color scheme.
Gigabyte XM300: This mouse looks great on paper. It is a brand-new entry from Gigabyte that is expected to be available in the US by the end of February 2016. Its dimensions are similar to the Zowie EC1-A.
Some of the above mice would do nicely, but they are not quite ideal. It is tempting to think of what could be done by selecting the best characteristics from several mice and constructing a hybrid. In my case, I would like to take the best optical sensor and install it in a shell with the handsome looks of the Mamba TE, the size and shape of the Cougar 550m, the solid feel of the Rival 300, the sturdy scroll wheel from the Roccat Kone XTD, and the muted red logo from the Zowie. Frankenmouse!
Does your ideal mouse exist, or would you like to have one built to your specifications, like an individually tailored suit?