Mouse + mouse pad combination

[Docnoq]

I'm in the market for a new mouse and mouse pad and would like your opinions.


Background info (feel free to skip this part): My current setup is a Deathadder 3.5g with a generic plastic top mouse pad. The reason I've decided to upgrade is the side buttons (mouse 4 and 5) have recently started to double click on single presses, and since I rely on those buttons a lot, it is quite irritating. I've read this can be temporarily fixed by taking the mouse apart and messing with the switches, but it just seems more trouble than its worth. I'm fine relegating this mouse to backup territory. As far add the mouse pad, it's just old and ready for replacement.


Options: For mice, I'm currently eyeballing the Deathadder 2013, the G400, and the G9x. I do enjoy the feel of the Deathadder, but I'm a bit worried about build quality as I've read the double clicking is common on Razer mice due to low quality switches. I had a MX500 prior to my 3.5g, so I'm familiar with the shape of the G400, and the G9x has always intrigued me.

For mouse pads, I'm in between a C4 Ngen04 and a Goliathus Speed. Anyone with personal experience with either of these care to weigh in on their pros/cons and durability?

[vun]

G9x is a bit hard to get and probably has the "worst" sensor of your options. I'd say it's a draw between the DA 2013 and the G400, although the Logitech Gaming Software is just a bit heavy for a simple mouse like the G400, whereas Razer's Synapse is not only unnecessarily heavy, it also requires an online connection to work. As far as I've experienced you only need to be online the first time you set it up, but it's a step in the wrong direction and I have issues recommending Razer for that reason. Especially since they use it to justify removing onboard memory with no apparent price benefit.

Safe option would probably be a G400 and a Goliathus Speed, whereas a DA 2013 and the C4 pad is the more exciting option in my opinion.


That said, I do love the G9x and if the few flaws don't bother you(laser sensor, slightly off-center sensor placement) then I'd say go for it if you can still find it.

[Abacus1234]

I will strongly recommend DA 2013. They really did great with it.

[gameaholic]

I like my g400 but Logitech just came out with the G400s

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-G400s-Optical-Gaming-910-003589/dp/B00BCEK2LA

[GeorgeStorm]

Currently use a Zowie EC1 Evo with a Puretrack Talent.

Personally love the combo, and I'd recommend either product in its own right.

If you're looking for a soft pad, then the Talent is a good shout for any mouse, decent size, good quality and offers decent tracking etc.

The Zowie possibly has a perfect sensor, can't remember, but certainly not as flawed as most

[Rare]

dont get a g400s. just get a normal g400 and any mouse pad. it honestly doesn't matter. they're all the same.

[SmallFry]

Agreed, the S series of the G mice are just new colors and an uglier logo.

[csloan1218]

I'm kinda a fanboy of the g9x, since I've had it since my last build and is the only piece of gear that I've kept. It mouse still feels new after more than 2 year and the super high dpi settings are great for large monitors.

My mousepad is a xl office depot $8 pad that I wouldn't trade for anything (and I've compared) I just dont see alot of sense in paying alot for a surface when most of the options will either fall apart or create drag on various mice.

You can get a g9x on amazon for $40.

[Docnoq]

I went by Best Buy yesterday afternoon to see if I could look at any of these products in person, but the employee stated he could not let me open any of the boxes to try any of the mice before I made a decision. I decided to grab the G400s. They were out of the regular G400 and since the G400s was placed under the label of the G400, I got it for $40. Haven't had a whole lot of time to play around with it yet to tell if I like the feel better than my old Deathadder.  I figure worst case scenario, I can return it and get the Deathadder if I decide I don't like it.

I'm looking more for a hard pad. I don't like the drag feeling of the soft pads. After a bit more investigating, I'm not sure I like the color of the Ngen04 nor do I particularly like the giant snake logo on the Goliathus. Currently looking at the SteelSeries 4hd and the Mionix Propus. Are there any particularly good Artisan hard pads? I've seen lots of people raving about them here.

[vun]

My brother has a G400 and a SS 4HD, and while I haven't tried the combo for gaming they do feel really nice together whenever I need to do something on that computer. So while I can't say much in-depth about the combo, the first impression is really nice.

[Grim Fandango]

I agree that the g9x is probably the worst sensor out of the mice that you mentioned. The laser sensor has some acceleration problems, not a huge deal, but it also does not track that well on cloth. Whether you will notice this or not depends partly on the sensitivity you play on.

The G400 and the Deathadder are both a solid choice imo, and the one you should go for probably depends on which shape works best for your particular anatomy.

Personally I use the Zowie FK on the Steelseries heavy and I am pretty satisfied with it.

[Photekq]

I have always, and always will, recommend a Qpad 5k to people looking for a mouse. I have tried almost every mouse logitech, razer, steelseries, corsair and zowie have to offer for a few hours each while I was attending various lans. The qpad 5k is the only mouse out of all of these that I would deem comfortable. The mionix naos is also comfortable. They both have good sensors and are solid mice.

[vun]

I have always, and always will, recommend a Qpad 5k to people looking for a mouse. I have tried almost every mouse logitech, razer, steelseries, corsair and zowie have to offer for a few hours each while I was attending various lans. The qpad 5k is the only mouse out of all of these that I would deem comfortable. The mionix naos is also comfortable. They both have good sensors and are solid mice.

Quick note about the Mionix Naos mice; the shape doesn't work all that well if you have large hands, and the 5000 has a very poor implementation of the 9500 sensor. The 3200 is probably just fine, not sure about the new 8k one, I'd be wary since it's not a common sensor.
Also, the Naos generally feels a bit cheap, although they're not really bad mice. I'd recommend the 3200, I have a 5000 and while it's not a very bad mouse I have a hard time recommending it over other mice.

[Photekq]

I have always, and always will, recommend a Qpad 5k to people looking for a mouse. I have tried almost every mouse logitech, razer, steelseries, corsair and zowie have to offer for a few hours each while I was attending various lans. The qpad 5k is the only mouse out of all of these that I would deem comfortable. The mionix naos is also comfortable. They both have good sensors and are solid mice.

Quick note about the Mionix Naos mice; the shape doesn't work all that well if you have large hands, and the 5000 has a very poor implementation of the 9500 sensor. The 3200 is probably just fine, not sure about the new 8k one, I'd be wary since it's not a common sensor.
Also, the Naos generally feels a bit cheap, although they're not really bad mice. I'd recommend the 3200, I have a 5000 and while it's not a very bad mouse I have a hard time recommending it over other mice.

How big is 'large'? I've got a handspan of just under 10 inches and find the qpad & mionix to be perfect. I retract my statement about the mionix mice being solid since I have never actually owned one. However, I've owned a qpad for years and it's still in great shape.

[csloan1218]

I agree that the g9x is probably the worst sensor out of the mice that you mentioned. The laser sensor has some acceleration problems, not a huge deal, but it also does not track that well on cloth.

I have been playing on max settings on cloth for years and I have never experienced any trouble with my sensor or tracking, why are you guys saying this?

Just curious.

[vun]

I agree that the g9x is probably the worst sensor out of the mice that you mentioned. The laser sensor has some acceleration problems, not a huge deal, but it also does not track that well on cloth.

I have been playing on max settings on cloth for years and I have never experienced any trouble with my sensor or tracking, why are you guys saying this?

Just curious.

Because laser technology isn't perfect at the moment, almost all laser sensors will have a slight amount of acceleration. Basically the much hated PTE sensors are the only laser sensors without acceleration.

That said; acceleration is not a negative thing, some people prefer acceleration, so it's not a problem with the tracking, the problem is that you don't have control over it. You can't switch it off, it's always there. But it's such a small amount that most people won't notice it, and even if they do notice it it probably won't matter since it's such a small amount and very few relevant games require that level of precision.

[Grim Fandango]

I have always, and always will, recommend a Qpad 5k to people looking for a mouse. I have tried almost every mouse logitech, razer, steelseries, corsair and zowie have to offer for a few hours each while I was attending various lans. The qpad 5k is the only mouse out of all of these that I would deem comfortable. The mionix naos is also comfortable. They both have good sensors and are solid mice.

I think it is pretty personal. Those large heavy ergonomic mice have never felt good to me. I prefer the more old-school style ambidextrous light mice. I always use mice under 100 grams, and could probably not tolerate a >150 gram mouse. Just goes to show that there are different shapes, weights and sizes that work for different people. For me, a lot of it is determined by the very low sensitivity I play on and the fact that I play a lot of high paced shooters (which means a lot of long rapid sweeps and picking up the mouse).

I also like sensors that are without acceleration and prediction and a low lift of distance , though these things are not half as important to me as actual shape and weight of the mouse. Those are the first things I look at.

[Grim Fandango]

I agree that the g9x is probably the worst sensor out of the mice that you mentioned. The laser sensor has some acceleration problems, not a huge deal, but it also does not track that well on cloth.

I have been playing on max settings on cloth for years and I have never experienced any trouble with my sensor or tracking, why are you guys saying this?

Just curious.

It is not as big of an issue for some people as it is for others. The sensor has some acceleration that you can not get rid of, but it is not that bad of an issue on the correct surface (There are even Pro Counter strike teams sponsored by Steelseries where people use the Avago 9500 sensor in the Sensei). On cloth however, there is some noticeable negative acceleration, though it is more noticeable when you play on low sensitivity, which tends to amplify most issues a sensor can have.

You indicate that you play at "max settings" which I assume means high DPI. In that case I am not surprised you do not notice, and I would not expect you to. Personally I play a game like Counter Strike GO with windows setting 6/11, ingame setting 1.75 (I think) and 500 DPI. Severe acceleration would be an issue. I first ran into this problem when using a friend's G500 ( I hated that thing) at a lan on my Qck heavy. But acceleration is also not something like skipping or something that everyone will immediately pick up on. Also, when acceleration is consistent, I think people can get used to it and compensate for it in their movement. Or at least that is my theory why they are still sometimes used competitively.

[csloan1218]

I'm at 6/11 default on games with the mouse at 5700 dpi, so maybe thats why i dont notice

[Rule16]

I have a Logitech G400 and a SteelSeries Qck+...
Optical mouses are the master race.

[TheSoulhunter]

Recently switched to a DA 2013 BE with a Razr Manticor for FPS, wont use anything else anytime soon!

[Vintage]

Pretty sure that any good mouse will be really nice with any good mousepad.

Assuming you don't want an exotic hard pad with limited compatibility.