Computer "Gaming" Mice: are any not trash?

[aceman67]

I have a Steelseries Ikari Laser mouse, with on-mouse adjustable DPI down to the single digit. Best mouse I've ever owned, Its hyper responsive, buttons have withstood years of abuse from playing everything from shooters to RPGs, and normal every day use.

And it fits my hand perfectly and doesn't aggravate my damaged wrist (har har, i know what you're thinking, but no, its not that. I shattered my wrist falling off a bike when I was younger and it didn't heal properly).

 

[Sealpower]

If you're going to end up manipulating a control devices multiple hours per day all year long it better be comfortable. In my case that means a bigger heavier mouse than the standard size (which have become smaller the last few years, correct me if I'm wrong). Same goes for the keyboard.

I'm currently using a Logitech G500 and it's served me well so far.

Hell, even the company I used to work for bought "gaming" mice for its engineers because you got the same performance and ergonomics as the specifically branded and much more expensive "professional" mice (which are usually crappy cumbersome shit anyway)

 

[Jiefu]

I only buy Microsoft laser mice and I have yet to have one fail in performance even years after purchase. I have 2 that are 5 and 7 years old. They aren't really "gaming mice" but I don't understand why I need 10 buttons on my mouse. One has 5 buttons on it and sometimes 2 of them get annoying by being so sensitive I accidentally press them. I haven't ran across any problems you mention.

Binding extra stuff to those extra buttons can actually be a real boon. In TF2 I have my Engineer set up to destroy the old sentry and be ready to place a new at the press of a single button. For Mini Sentries, those extra 3.5 seconds or so (the build/destroy interface is so cumbersome) make a huge difference, along with being able to pump my FJ/Sentry crits into at will.

 

[Vegosiux]

I only buy Microsoft laser mice and I have yet to have one fail in performance even years after purchase. I have 2 that are 5 and 7 years old. They aren't really "gaming mice" but I don't understand why I need 10 buttons on my mouse. One has 5 buttons on it and sometimes 2 of them get annoying by being so sensitive I accidentally press them. I haven't ran across any problems you mention.

Binding extra stuff to those extra buttons can actually be a real boon. In TF2 I have my Engineer set up to destroy the old sentry and be ready to place a new at the press of a single button. For Mini Sentries, those extra 3.5 seconds or so (the build/destroy interface is so cumbersome) make a huge difference, along with being able to pump my FJ/Sentry crits into at will.

Ehm, but that just means I can bind that to a single available button everywhere I want, and is an interface/macro thing rather than it being down to the mouse being a "gaming" mouse...

 

[AT God]

I usually can't tell the difference, in my opinion if it doesn't have at least a mouse4 and mouse5 button it is a waste of money. Also I like the ones with sensitivity controls built in, my last two mice have had that.

I do have a wireless logitech that is supposed to work for gaming but I have found the mouse wont register on any surface other than a cloth-style mousepad. Even a vinyl mousepad causes problems.

 

[Madkipz]

I have used computer mice for gaming for nearly 20 years now and have been steadily breaking microsoft, logitech, & razer products in 6 months to two-years over the past decade. The only difference in the last decade has been that computer mice are given the "gaming mouse" marketing tag that I'm not sure means much other than it's black. And it's not just the eventuality of becoming broken beyond use which is problematic, but the transitional period of buttons becoming stiff, spongy, and unresponsive, or in some cases the point tracking growing intermittent, which is incredibly irksome in gaming particularly if it is competitive.

Granted, with the aforementioned of three mice manufacturers, I am not well accustomed with the many brands of computer mice out there. However, with the numeracy of consumer reviews reporting malfunctions, or products breaking through normal use, seeming relatively common among all mice available through online resellers; I have to wonder if the gaming mouse is little more than a cheap piece of plastic crap in nearly every iteration.

My chief complaint with all the mice I've used is that the buttons become stiff, spongy, or non-functional in relatively short periods of time 6 months to a year on average. However, I have had dead pointers in the 1 to 2 year periods, primarily with logitech products. Ultimately I am asking a wide audience: have you used any gaming mouse for a year or more through a multitude of intense sessions that would lead you to conclude: "This mouse is made extremely well and the clicks and button presses feel exactly as they did on the day of purchase." ?

I would recommend a large palm designed mouse.

Like the steelseries Ikari.

http://steelseries.com/products/mice/steelseries-ikari-laser

it distributes the weight of your palm evenly and doesn't break as often.

 

[PFCboom]

I'm using a R.A.T. 7 mouse, and have been since about September of last year. After adjusting and swapping plates to my liking, I don't think I've ever had a more comfortable mouse. Being able to change sensitivity on the fly is nice for certain games (Skyrim is a pain). It spent a lot of time in Afghanistan, but still holds up. About the only problem I have with it now is the wheel is kinda derpy, but considering the abuse it's taken since I got it, that's to be expected.

 

[Xyebane]

I have had my Razor Death Adder for 3 years or so. Still works good. Its very very very sensitive. I can't always decide if that's a good thing or not but I've gotten used to it by now.

 

[Stavros Dimou]

I'm using a basic Microsoft optical mouse that I bought in 2008 for 14 euros. Last year at a point the right button started being kind of unresponsive so I had to press it really deep and apply more force to it to register a button click.
I was thinking of getting a new mouse but postponed it once and again and again,and after a while the problem was gone and the button became responsive again.
So yeah,I have my mouse for like 5 years,not without a periodical problem,but still it took more than double than what you say have been the largest life of a mouse you had.
Keep in mind that everything wears with usage and the pass of time. Not only electronics hardware,but also cars,and actually whatever.

 

[AndyRock]

I'm using a corsair M60, while the software isn't great (some people have had some major problems, but I've managed to avoid them) it's perfectly functional. It fits my hand perfectly so don't have the same problems I did using regular mice (mainly cramps after long gaming sessions), and seems rather sturdy, been using it for about a year now and it seems as solid as ever. Some people seem to be having problems as it seems corsair's quality control on this isn't up to snuff, but it seems I got lucky.

 

[Yopaz]

Well, my Logitech MX518 works for over 3 years now... I'm thinking of replacing it due to comfort issues (the age shows).

I've had one of them for about 6 years now. It is getting worn, but it's still fully functional.

On my other computer I use a Logitech G500, it has lasted me for 2 years now and it's still as good as the day I bought it. It's also the most comfortable one I have tried as it fits my hands.If you manage to break gaming mice over such a short span then you might just have a lot of bad luck always getting products that weren't picked up in quality check or they are receiving harsh treatment. I'm only guessing here, but there are good gaming mice out there and there are bad ones. Even good models have their share of faulty products though.

 

[TNightmare]

I have a Razer Deathadder Boomslang (a 2007 Collector's Edition), also bought in 2007, and, despite it being almost 6 years old, it still works perfectly for me.

 

[SnowyGamester]

I bought one of these [http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270929346666] eight months ago and all of the buttons are still nice and clicky, and if they weren't I couldn't give two shits because it cost bugger all and I could just get another. People are mad paying more than $20 for a mouse.

 

[omicron1]

Gaming mice are such an oddity to me. A lot of them tend to look incredibly uncomfortable [http://takemydough.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rat-9-gaming-mouse.jpg].

I don't see what's wrong with just using a standard mouse; that's what I do. No complaints here.

It's really not uncomfortable. Looks odd as heck, but fits the hand like a glove.

However, in my case the scrollwheel's gotten unresponsive after about a year.

 

[unindexedsearchengine]

I've only ever had positive experiences with razer products. I don't know what kinds of satanistic rituals you put the poor things through to kill them in 6 months, but of they don't last longer, nothing will.

 

[Sight Unseen]

I use a Razer Imperator that I've had for maybe 7-8 months now(?) and it's still working pretty perfectly. I like the feel of it better than my old mouse, and ith as moveable side-buttons to adjust according to the position of your thumb, and the higher sensitivity is nice. I've gotten used to 3,000 dpi sensitivity now, and anything less just feels really cumbersome and slow.

 

[Saregon]

My experience is mainly with Logitech. For my desktop I'm currently using a G5 that's almost a decade old I think, it still works wonders and I'm quite sure I could toss it out my 5th floor window, go down to the street and get it, plug it in, and it would still work. Also for my laptop, a Logitech MK700/710 wireless. It feels a lot cheaper (and it was), but hasn't let me down yet, after about a year.

 

[Kungfu_Teddybear]

I've been using my Razer Naga a little over 3 years now and it still works perfectly.

 

[octafish]

I've been using a Microsoft Sidewinder mouse for the last few years and it works as well today as it did when I bought it.

Me too. I have an X8 and it is the second most comfortable mouse I have found for my palm style grip. I can't imagine it would suit a claw grip at all. The most comfortable mouse is the discontinued Logitech MX Revo, unfortunately its sensitivity is too low for even general computer use for me. If they made the Rev with even just 2000 dpi.I would have a drawer of the things. I am not looking forward to the day my X8 dies, there doesn't seem to be much on the market in the way of asymmetric ergonomic palm mice with high dpi and decent polling.

 

[Denamic]

Well, my Logitech MX518 works for over 3 years now... I'm thinking of replacing it due to comfort issues (the age shows).

My MX518 is 7 years old now. Still works as if new, save for the matte black surface being worn down to a mirror sheen.