The Great Mouse Showdown

Feature

The basic differences between a regular mouse and a gaming mouse is that the gaming mice are more expensive, have higher DPI and, with the new laser sensors, also higher polling rates.

April 16th, 2008 by Marko Susimets�

Logitech G5

Logitech G5 is traditionally held in very high regard amongst gamers and new arrivals are often compared against this classic. The version of Logitech G5 that we received for testing was the earlier version of G5. The newer version differs only by the fact that it's got two thumb buttons instead of one, which, truth to be said, is what the mouse should have offered from the start.

The G5 enables 2000 dpi precision and offers a possibility for 500 USB reports per second. The G5 also enables adjustable sensitivity during use between 400, 800 and 2000 dpi (configurable in the driver software). The mouse is accompanied by a set of 8x1,7g + 8x4,5g weights that can be used to adjust the weight of the mouse to your liking. A very useful side-to-side scrolling feature is included in the scroll wheel.

Logitech G9

Logitech G9 could probably be called Logitech's flagship gaming mouse at the moment. Its appearance deviates radically from Logitech's previous successes (MX500 series and G5) by presenting a lower and shorter profile and interchangeable grips (2 variants come with the package, while extra ones can be ordered). The grips provide different kinds of surface textures and widths etc. making it even easier to find just the correct combination for each individual player.

G9 also has 32KB onboard memory allowing you to take your mouse with you and use the same profiles and settings when using it with a different computer. Also, there's a custom-coloured LED screen that shows both the current profile used, as well as the current sensitivity setting. The button to change the sensitivity is conveniently placed right in front of the left mouse button and the mouse is accompanied by a set of 4x4g + 4x7g weights that can be used to adjust the weight of the mouse to your liking. The scroll wheel also includes a side-to-side scrolling feature.

Razer Lachesis

Razer Lachesis is the crown jewel of Razer mice and, in addition to the whopping 4000DPI precision (3G laser sensor), it presents an ambidextrous design, 32KB onboard memory (your settings will follow you wherever you go), up to 1000Hz polling and 1ms response time, a gold-plated USB connector and a fancy pulsating Razer logo on the back. Like all Razer mice, Lachesis is also very lightweight and offers no way to adjust the weight out-of-the-box. However, you can purchase a add-on for the mouse that will allow you to adjust the weight, but this will require you to open the mouse and thus void the warranty.

Lachesis follows the successes of past Razer mice in its feel and design and is set apart from the rest mainly by its high DPI and a total of 9 programmable buttons. In the standard setup, the sensitivity buttons are on the top of the mouse, in front of the scrolling wheel, but you can customise the button functions just the way you want from the Razer control panel.

Razer Diamondback 3G

Razer Diamondback 3G is the successor of Razer Diamondback. The new suffix comes from the 3rd generation infrared sensor, achieving an impressive 1800DPI precision bringing it almost on par with standard laser sensors. However, the polling rate cannot exceed the maximum of infrared sensors: 125Hz. With its green light effects the mouse looks pretty good especially in darker surroundings. A quite important aspect of all Razer mice is that they are symmetrical and can be easily used with either hand. However, since the Diamondback 3G is relatively small and the side buttons are pretty far in the back they can be hard to reach if you have big hands and prefer to use full-palm contact. Like Lachesis, Diamondback is also a very light-weight mouse.

Microsoft Habu

The first thing you notice about Microsoft Habu is that it is nothing like any other MS mouse you've ever used. And, in fact, it is actually a Microsoft/Razer mouse in that all the technology inside the mouse (including the mouse drivers) come from Razer, while the ergonomic design is Microsoft's own - although the Razer influence is clearly detectable. The handiest feature of the Habu is the fact that you can change the positioning of the two thumb buttons simply by exchanging the side module of the mouse. Thus, the mouse serves both full palm-contact gamers and fingertip-controllers equally well. The mouse is also somewhat heavier than the Razer mice, which improves the tactile feel of moving the mouse tremendously.

Microsoft SideWinder

Microsoft SideWinder was the first-ever mouse that included its own LCD display. The display shows the current DPI settings, which can be easily switched between 400, 800 and 2000 dpi using the assigned buttons on the top of the mouse and further changed from the driver software. Unlike many other mice, the SideWinder also has three different replaceable mouse feet so that gamers should not have any problems when playing different types of games on different types of surfaces. Also included are adjustable mouse weights of 1x5g + 3x10g. The 5 buttons can be customised and the mouse driver software also provides the possibility to use macros and different profiles for various programs.