optical mice: are they worth it

[Brain]

i'm looking at getting a logitech cordless 3 button(4 actually) optical mouse. any comments on weather that is a good purchace or not? also are optical mice pretty good in fps games? that last thing i want is tohave the mouse jump when i'm whipping around to cap someone.

one last thing, if you use an optical mouse, please leave a note of what it is and how you like it

[tasty]

i use a kensington optical elite with four buttons and a scroll wheel. it is nice having those other buttons for gaming (you can use the side buttons for reloading and stuff). However, i still kinda miss my old iMac puck? that thing truly did own for gaming. I find that when I get into close quarters battle, my first instinct is to do what i used to do with my iMac puck- pick the mouse up and move it quickly across the mousepad. obviously, this does nothing but fuck things up with an optical mouse and it has gotten my killed several times. so as far as first person shooters, i would say that an optical mouse is good for long range, slower action things like sniping but not as good for those who enjoy rushing and dancing bullets.

[Jeb]

i have a logitech dual optical mouse, it is the shit. it hasn't skipped ever, and its extremely acurate because of the 2 optical sensors.  I wouldn't mind a cordless optical mouse, with no cord to get caught up on beer bottles and whatnot

[*DAMN Silent Killer]

i got my apple optical mouse and it works great, it may not have as much buttons(one big one) but it works fine

[Mattster]

SOrry guys this is a little off Topic but i need to say this Brain, its Confucius not Cunfucus. Hehe sorry and i think that the optical mice arent worth it.

[Brain]

sorry, the error will be fixed...damn typos...

[BTs_Colin]

I have a MacAlly iOptinet.

It doesn't skip and is honestly the best investment I've ever made on my computer.

A one button mouse is crap.

[bastard]

I played UT with an optical mouse, and it sucked ass.  The good ol fashioned mouse is still the best.  Like tasty said, you can pick it up and move sideways for those close combats.  Optical mouse is not bad for sniping, and definately good for everyday use of your computer, not for close combats in RS or any other fps.

[bronto]

I got one and it's great, but my friend has a wireless one and it's really sketchy.

[PsYcO aSsAsSiN]

I have a Logitech 3 button whell mouse and it works like a charm for all fps that I play. Unlike what "bastard" said, I can thoroughly dominate in most fps in cqc and tactical positions with my mouse. It has worked well for me in Rogue Spear, Ghost Recon, America's Army, and MOH:AA...i'd suggest that you get one, but not the crap you get from Apple. Logitech 3 button mouse allows for fast weapon change (roll whell up or down to access inventory), left button to fire, and right button to reload...and yes, it works for Macintosh because my brother also uses one.

Added on: My Logitech is a wired one, not a wireless. Wireless is not good because it is mandated by the Government to accept any interference that might be sent its way. I looked into a wireless one, but it wasn't worth the extra $30.

[xoclipse1]

100% they are worth it. I bought a microsoft optical mouse for 10 bucks, with a 10 dollar rebate. Its probably the cheapest optical you can get, but it works perfectly. Ball mouses are a real pain and the motion isnt smooth, ball gets dirty, and it "skips.
Brain, go pick up an optical mouse, and youll love it. (not the apple one)

[(SEALs) one]

I have a logitech dual optical mouse and its great for an everyday use.  On ther other hand the Apple USB circle mouse is the best for gaming, like tasty mentioned, but Apple doesn't manufacture them anymore.  The Apple Pro Mouse is crap!  I bougt an Apple pro Mouse and the optical sensor stopped working so I bought another one,it worked fine for awhile then it broke again.=(  
On anotehr note:
Brain I wouldn't buy a cordless mouse since reviews say its bad for gaming and some other stuff.  Read reviews at www.insidemacgames.com They have some Mouse reviews in there.

Cheers,
one

[(SiX)Ben]

So to summarize the whole thread... If you're used to ball mouses, it sucks... If you don't pick up and move your mouse when you run out of room, its good!

Ben

[|MP|Cringe]

I use some logitech Optical mini mouse with 2 buttons and a scroll wheel that is also a 3rd button in rs. "MouseMan Traveler" or something.
Heh, its uber leet and matches my titanium powerbook. Never skipped once in its life, and prolly never will. I had a ball mouse once, and it always got something in it and skipped horribly.
the wireless technology has also prolly progressed enough that it will be just as good as a wired one. Go ahead and Get It.

[Bigpat]

Having multiple buttons is alone worth getting a new mouse, but never having to clean it is also a big plus.  I'd say go ahead and get a nice mouse, they are definitely a good investment.  

[Brain]

thanks for all the input, i went ahead an bought the wireless mouse i listed above (the other option was a corded dual sensor one) the reason i went ahead with the wireless one is that it freed up alarge amount of desk space that was taken up by my other mouses cord.

the current report is that it used to skip, but i then changed my mouse pad to something that didnt have a well worn black surface and things seem to be going fine

[|MP|Cringe]

In terms of a mouse pad, brain, i use a leet circular Jaguar mousepad that i got at the jaguar event at one of the many Apple Stores. ( i got like 4 or 5 of them). my wireless mouse just loves it.


(Sorry for the double post, but it seems like this fits better under brains most recent post)

[Typhy]

A bit late, but what the hell. I use a 4 button/scroll wheel Microsoft mouse on my Powerbook g4 with a simple black mouse pad that I got at the dentist. On my 867g4, I use a Logitech three button with a scroll wheel. I like the mice with more buttons, it allows me to have my most important keys ( Fire, reload, crouch, scope, and change weapon ) all on the mouse, makes it  great for close quarter combat in Rogue Spear, also exellent for all games. I personaly perfer the Logitech

[[[EUR]] HoloGram]

I have the logithec cordless Desktop ( thisone with the black keaboard ) and it rox! I love the wireless mouse its is accurate and it works great with games - it is the only wireless mouse that works well with fast fps shooters - most other mice have to slow signals! As always u first have to get used to the new mouse but u will love it when u buy one that is wireless anf optical, when u dont need a wireless mouse, then get the dualoptical from logitech, it is simply the best mouse u can get!

[MacMan]

Optical is fantastic.
I've used mouse balls on old macs, and still have to use em at school, and it quite frankly sucks.
iI now use a Logitech Cordless Optical mouse (2 buttons and a scroll wheel) on a white desktop surface. This works perfectly. Replaced my old Apple Pro mouse (which never broke once one   ) Optical is great for everything, wireless is a very useful feature since it most definetly clears up desk space. all IMHO of course