Laser Mouse Roundup

Reviews: Peripherals

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Laser Mouse Roundup

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Bradford Day
Kurtis

Apr. 30, 2006

Specifications

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Desktop Usage

For the purposes of this roundup, I will define "desktop usage" as normal, everyday mousing. Included in this category would be such actions as web browsing, word processing and graphics work. And in that regard I can say, after fiddling with laser mice for the last few months, that most people probably won't need a laser mouse to send e-mail, buy things from Amazon, or surf porn. The precision laser engines in these little beauties are far more powerful than what most non-gaming applications require. In truth, I've noticed little difference between my stock Dell optical mouse I use at the office and the laser mice when it comes to desktop usage.

But, since I can't leave you with no impression at all here are my observations. The Microsoft Laser Mice 6000s are quality laser mice with good tracking skills for graphics work and web browsing. For normal use these mice are quite satisfactory. The non-stick pads on the bottom allow for smooth gliding and easy pointing. The wired version has clumsy side buttons that were difficult to manage with my little finger. The wireless version is slightly larger and has better ergonomic design with easier to use thumb buttons.

Similarly, the Razer Copperhead has some minor issues with button placement as the outside edge finger buttons are hard to get at. However the ambidextrous design of the Copperhead gives it a bit of an edge as both righties and lefties can purchase the same model. The Microsoft wired Laser Mouse 6000 is the only other mouse in the roundup that features ambidextrous design. The Copperhead likewise tracks smoothly and is a good choice for an everyday mouse.

Logitech kept the button layout simple with just a thumb button in addition to the standard 3-button layout. Both the G5 and G7 share the same hull design and both are sculpted for right-handers. The wired version contains a customizable weight pack while the wireless version contains a handy swappable rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. Again, both handle simple browsing and graphics chores without incident. However, the single thumb button isn't so good for forward/back browsing or cut/paste operations as you can only do one or the other, not both.

In-game Usage

By now I've played many hours if not days worth of video games with these mice. And one thing I've found is that I absolutely could not frag worth a damn when using the wired Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000. This mouse should be marketed as a laser desktop mouse, not as a gaming device. The side buttons are difficult to master, the features are slim and did I mention that I sucked at fragging with this mouse? The wireless version is much better for gaming in my opinion, although it runs on AA batteries. That's no good. As soon as they start to go, you loose transmission strength and BLAM, you're fragged. The customizing software is little more than a slightly modified version of their standard mouse software. The 6000 series mice also carry less resolution than their competitors, so if you are a serious gamer, why would you waste your time with something that is half as precise as the other brands?

Razer is known only as a gaming peripherals company, that's all they do!and they do it well. The Copperhead is an outstanding gaming mouse. It looks the part with its glowing lights and it is no slouch in the performance department either. The included mouse software is useful for customizing your preferred level of tracking precision and the on-the-fly sensitivity switching is a must; I can't live without it now. While it lacks some of the features of the Logitech mice, it absolutely buries the pathetic Microsoft entries. Small-handed gamers will probably prefer this mouse. Game strong in the knowledge that if you chose the Copperhead, you will have chosen well.

The Logitech entries are the ones to beat, however. Their dizzying array of clever features, software customization, and comfort make them the clear winner in the gaming department. The G7 has amazing wireless range, over 20 feet in my testing, and the swappable battery packs and USB 2.0 wireless receiver are ingenious. Logitech's SetPoint software is the best of the bunch as well, offering the highest levels of customization in addition to featuring the most intuitive interface. Button placement for the on-the-fly resolution switching (the little "+" and "-" buttons) is easy to reach and less cumbersome than the Copperhead's version. Congrats Logitech, you've bested the big guys and charmed the snake.

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Desktop and In-Game Usage
Page 3: Design and Ergonomics / Conclusion

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7 User Comments

1 - Posted by CTM420 on May 1, 2006 - 2:12 pm

I wrote a little user review. Essentially I agree with your round-up. The G5 won me over too, but I think buyers should test mice themselves to get a real feel for whether it's something they will want to use every day.

2 - Posted by handrail on May 1, 2006 - 4:07 pm

i agree with your points about the G5 as well. it is definitely my favorite and the one i'm keeping.

again, i do make mention in the main reviews that smaller handed users might like the copperhead or 6000 series better than the G5...but i don't think anyone can dispute that the Logitech mice are better in terms of software. and it really does have the best ergonomics, in my opinion. the razer is a great mouse, but isn't at all curved to the shape of my hand.

one other shining example of how much the G5 rocks is the fact that practically every gaming station we passed at CES this year was using the G5...nVidia, Dell...the Logitech rep told us that they sold a bunch of G5s just to be used for displays at CES.

3 - Posted by Dyrewolph on May 1, 2006 - 9:49 pm

I just went and picked up a dvd burner for dad for his birthday... one of the guys there was talking about the mice he has at home and was complaining that he had to change the battery daily on his G7... if that's the case, and I didn't notice it in your review when i skimmed through it late last night, then I'd rather use my MX1000 over the G7... at least mine's only outta batteries about once every week or two (depending on usage) and it only takes a while to charge enough to keep playing... so yeah... MX1000 for me...

4 - Posted by handrail on May 1, 2006 - 9:55 pm

his battery must have been spent then because i left mine on for several days and never had to change out the battery. from my original review:

"The G7’s battery life is more than adequate. After a 10 hour initial charge on the normal setting, I was able to get many days of use (3-5 hours a day) without even losing a bit of charge. "

it's possible logitech had some problems with the batteries though. i thought the battery life of my G7 was nearly the same as the mx1000, except that you can swap out the packs quickly instead of having to wait for the thing to charge in the cradle...i don't like the mx1000 cradle thing.

if you don't intend to use your wireless mouse entirely for gaming, i would suggest the mx1000, it is a better desktop mouse than the G7. the mx1000 definitely has a better button layout and more of them.

brad.

5 - Posted by Kurtis on May 2, 2006 - 2:08 am

speaking of the mx1000, i still use mine and i love it. overall i like the ergonomics of it better than the G5 and G7 which revert back to the MX700's smaller body. it's a matter of preference really. and i don't game that much, so it makes an excellent desktop mouse as brad noted.

6 - Posted by handrail on May 2, 2006 - 8:07 am

yeah, the mx1000 is a bit larger than the G7...but mainly in the thumb rest area.

7 - Posted by Brian on May 2, 2006 - 11:56 am

I agree with Kurtis about the MX1000. The G5 and G7 rock, but I am big on ergonomics and because of that, I prefer the MX1000 over most other mice. I am also very picky about the wireless speed, and while the G7 seems to have no lag at all, I have no problem with the minute lag of the MX1000. Although I would probably prefer a G5 or G7 if I was a big gamer.

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