Mouse decisions

[Seltox]

I'm about to purchase a new keyboard, and I want to upgrade my mouse along with it (Christmas money, booyeah!)

I've been using a Razer Copperhead for quite a few years, and it's shape has left me with a not quite claw or palm grip.  It's in the middle, but I definitely use my fingers to actually control the mouse, so i'd say closer to a claw grip.

Anyway, I seriously can't decide on what mouse I want - money isn't too much of an issue here.  Right now i'm seriously considering a ROCCAT Kone

• (AUD$109) or Saitek Cyborg R.A.T 7 (AUD$129).  That being said, i'm not sure if I could just be better off getting a much cheaper Logitech MX518 (AUD$39).  Admittedly, I am trying to keep away from Logitech and Razer equipment these days (Currently have a Logitech G15 keyboard and Razer Copperhead mouse).

I play a lot of games, primarily Battlefield 3 and League of Legends these days (With the occasional MMO in there), and the 'sniper' button on the R.A.T 7 is intriguing.  

One thing i'm a little wary about with these more expensive mice is that a lot of the cost is in customisation and good software to do tweaks and create macro's.  My Copperhead has much of this capability, but for the last year i've been using it as a plug and play mouse, without the drivers being installed - so I have had no access to creating mouse macro's or anything.. and i'm not quite sure if I miss it or not.

Anyway, i'm just looking for some personal opinions from the forum - anything is appreciated

-Seltox

[Tsubaki]

mice don't really get better past 60$

if you use <450 dpi:



amazon.com/Microsoft-IntelliMouse-Explorer-Optical-Silver/dp/B000TXE572
needs drivers for customization, 100% accuracy, no acceleration problems

if you're going to get this mouse, get these too:

hyperglide.net/?hg=ms_skates_1


if you use >450 dpi:

amazon.com/SteelSeries-Performance-Laser-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B002NIK174/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325380225&sr=1-1
comes with teflon feet, no need for drivers, 100% accuracy, no acceleration problems

[Aarontu]

I feel kind of the same way. I've been using a Logitech MX518 for about 5 years, and while I love it, I have looking around to see if there's anything I might like more. My grip is sort of part palm, mostly claw, and the MX 518 is the most comfortable mouse I have tried out (for me). I've been especially interested in the Roccat Kone +, as it is supposed to work for both kinds of grip, and I've read people online with both grips say that the mouse is very comfortable. I don't know how much DPI I need in a mouse, because I move the mouse with small movements, never moving my wrist, and "flicking" the mouse when I need to move the cursor quickly or long distances (I guess this is "high-sense"?).

I also need a large mouse for my hand to be really comfortable; again, I love the feel of the MX518. This has made me not want to get the RAT 7 or Logitech GX9. My only concern about the Roccat Kone + is that I use the scroll wheel a lot and Roccat seems to have had QC issues with scrollwheels in the past.

Maybe I should just stick with the MX518? It has been awesome and has held up nicely to much abuse in the last 5 years. To the OP, if you are anything like me, then you would love the MX518; also, you can find one for cheap, so not much loss if you find out that you don't like it.

[RamaBot]

The Copperhead is quite a sleek low mouse so a 518 would be a real change as it is quite tall.
I agree with Tsubaki as the shape of the Xai or Sensei would probably suit your grip style better.
I use the Xai and it is a lovely mouse.
If you want an optical then maybe the Kana as it is a very similar shape but just a little smaller.

[stingrae]

I had a simmilar problem, My Diamondback3G died so I went on a wild mouse hunt to find the next best thing. I ended up with a Copperhead off Ebay Oo...

That said some notes:

Lachesis - Nice feel to the mouse but the Z axis issue really shows if you lift your mouse at all..I also did not like the fact you can't change sensitivity, you change DPI on the fly instead.

Abyssus - Probably the next best thing to a copperhead/diamondback but the scrollwheel is awfully cheap and nasty

Deathadder - too big for my small hands (but has really nice buttons)

G400/MX518 - as said too big and honestly the G400 has a terrible scroll wheel

RAT 3 - Not mentioning the RAT 5 or 7, this is a decent mouse for a laser sensor but it is a bit bigger than a copperhead width wise but perhaps not a bad choice (if you order it from the website you get a free mouse mat, which I didn't *doh*).

CM Storm Spawn - Nice mouse but you really need a perfect claw grip...

I just wish Razer would reintroduce copperhead/diamondback shape with an update lol..I also wish they'd have better quallity control razer products seem to have a lifespan of a fruit fly if you go by all the angry posts...

My copperhead is functional but the lazer sensor while not the worse is certainly not that enjoyable compare to how smooth my Diamondback 3G was...but im not paying ebay prices for that (was on for double what I paid for mine meh).

[nolliepoper]

The Abyssus scroll wheel is one of my favorite features, I hate those unnoticeable feeling scroll wheels when the Abyssus scroll wheel is very distinct.

[stingrae]

Guess that's nice if it suits you...Personally there's enough tactile feedback from the copperhead style of wheel which is practicly silent and feels smooth. However the cm storm spawn has a really nice wheel imo.

[Seltox]

I've definitely looked at the SteelSeries Sensei, it seems very nice, and looks sort of mature, unlike every Razer product.. ever.

[bokan]

Sorry to say, but in my experience there is nothing that can match the control the copperhead's shape gives you. I've tried several other mice, and I can't quite get the same grip control.  I think this is largely because I lift off constantly and need the side rims.  If you really like the copperhead, I would try and hunt down another one.

But anyhow, if you are looking for something new, the steelseries xai is great (I suppose you'd want the sensei now).  The production values are insane- your hand will be happy.  I also had some success with the logitech g9 (some of the 'portable' mice work well for the claw style).  The xai is hands down the nicest mouse I've ever owned, however.

[angry gamer]

ugh, I had a Copperhead for two years, and I never really got used to it. Eventually I went back to the tried and true MX518, and nearly two years after I bought it and it crapped out on me, just enough time for the warranty to kick in - and to my delight Logitech replaced it without me even needing to send it back to them. Also, I asked if the new mouse came with a new warranty, to which they replied, "yes!" We'll see, should I ever have to replace it in the next year.

[nolliepoper]

Steelseries is great if you like hardware level mouse acceleration.
I will never use it, why would anyone want something so inconsistent for gaming?

[bokan]

Not sure on the hardware acceleration- I've never noticed it on the Xai.

[RamaBot]

I haven't noticed any acceleration either.
I've tested my Xai by moving it from one point to another and back. The mouse cursor ends up very close to where it started.
Now I know this isn't exactly a scientific test but it is close enough for me.
And I kick ass playing FPS games with it. It is very accurate.

[Seltox]

Are you talking about the "Exactaim" and "Exactaccel" stuff that's on their advertisements?  If so, I wasn't too sure about it either - but surely you could turn it off?

[RamaBot]

Are you talking about the "Exactaim" and "Exactaccel" stuff that's on their advertisements?  If so, I wasn't too sure about it either - but surely you could turn it off?

I turn all of the exactaim and exactsense stuff down to zero. That way I have nice raw mouse input. I have my DPI at 3200 and the poll rate at 1000.
It never skips or jumps or does anything odd. It feels solid and accurate. Also the lift distance is very low so it is great for FPS.
If there is any acceleration inherent in the mouse then it is too slight for me to notice.