Optical vs Laser Mice, Corded and Wireless

I'd like to hear from the people who use optical and laser mice, corded and wireless, to decide which type and which brand I should buy.

So without further ado:

What type of mouse do you use, optical or laser?
Is it wireless or corded?
Whats the connection type (USB, PS2, other)?
How many buttons does it have?
Can the buttons be mapped to different functions?
What type of batteries does it take (standard alkaline, rechargeable, other)?
Does the mouse "sleep" when not used within a certain time interval and have to be "woke up"?
How good is the mouse tracking on different surfaces?
How is the precision of the mouse, does it lag, is it acurate?
How would you rate your mouse on the scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest), and why?

I'd like to hear your experiences with the mice you are using, any information would be helpful, thanks...

 

I use the Logitech MX1000 cordless laser mouse. I use it as USB, but it comes with a PS/2 converter. It's got about as many buttons as a mouse can have, and the scroll wheel is multi-directional, which is nice. You can reprogram the buttons however you like, though that can cause problems if you like binding things to your mouse in games. It comes with a rechargable battery, which charges in about 60-80 minutes. I guess it goes idle when not being used, but there's no noticable "wake up" time when you resume use. I've yet to put it on a surface it won't track on (wood, cloth, plastic, paper, skin). Absolutely no lag, and quite accurate.

I give my mouse a 6 because I can't imagine wanting anything else out of a mouse.

 

I have a mini optical corded mouse that I bought in India for 20 ruppees, which is around 50 cents. Works perfectly for such a cheap price, very reliable and looks cool

 

Logitech G5!

What type of mouse do you use, optical or laser? Dual Laser I believe...
Is it wireless or corded? Corded
Whats the connection type (USB, PS2, other)? USB
How many buttons does it have? One back, two to customize DPI
Can the buttons be mapped to different functions? Yeap
What type of batteries does it take (standard alkaline, rechargeable, other)? None
Does the mouse "sleep" when not used within a certain time interval and have to be "woke up"? No need
How good is the mouse tracking on different surfaces? Pretty awesome
How is the precision of the mouse, does it lag, is it acurate? I haven't had any
How would you rate your mouse on the scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest), and why? 5.9 because it's one of the best I've used, the lack of a forward button cripples it a bit...

 

-I use an optical Razer Diamondback, 1600DPI - very accurate
-Corded. Wireless = no good for gaming.
-USB 2.0. Gold plated USB connector.
-Two main buttons, scroll wheel, two buttons on either side.
-Yes, the included software lets you change the controls, and also sensitivity on the fly.
-No batteries.
-Nope, stays on all the time.
-Great on my mouse pad, doesn't really like my desk surface at work. Works fine on wood. I recommend using a mouse pad.
-No lag, extremely accurate. Awesome for games
-I'd rate it a 6 as a gaming mouse - light so it can be moved quickly, came with a neoprene pouch so I can travel with it, durable cord, looks and feels great in the hand.

I use this mouse 24/7 - I am looking into getting a travel mouse for travel purposes, but this one is still nice for that because it has a travel pouch. Neat extra.

It's lit up along both sides, very cool. The little feet on it are teflon I believe, very slick.

The newer version of this mouse is the Razer Copperhead, it basically looks the same, but is laser.

 

What type of mouse do you use, optical or laser?
Optical Trackball
Is it wireless or corded?
Corded
Whats the connection type (USB, PS2, other)?
USB
How many buttons does it have?
Two plus a wheel
Can the buttons be mapped to different functions?
Possibly, never really tried
What type of batteries does it take (standard alkaline, rechargeable, other)?
None, who needs batteries?
Does the mouse "sleep" when not used within a certain time interval and have to be "woke up"?
Not that I'm aware of
How good is the mouse tracking on different surfaces?
Perfect, as long as I have a small space to put the trackball down, although if necessary my leg does serve as a table for the trackball
How is the precision of the mouse, does it lag, is it acurate?
Fine for everything I've ever used it for
How would you rate your mouse on the scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest), and why?
I'd rate it as a 6, control is great, works great, rarely needs cleaning, has no issues, can use it pretty much anywhere I can find a small flat surface (no space needed to move it around)

 

Well, as I regularly use two different mice: the Razer Diamondback Plasma LE and the Logitech MX610, I shall answer twice, because I'd rather not study right now.

Razer Diamondback Plasma LE
What type of mouse do you use, optical or laser?
Infrared optical sensor (super cool!), 1600DPI.
Is it wireless or corded?
Corded.
Whats the connection type (USB, PS2, other)?
USB.
How many buttons does it have?
Seven buttons, only five really usable at any given time.
Can the buttons be mapped to different functions?
Yes, but the software to do so is limited.
What type of batteries does it take (standard alkaline, rechargeable, other)?
N/A
Does the mouse "sleep" when not used within a certain time interval and have to be "woke up"?
No.
How good is the mouse tracking on different surfaces?
Seems to be fairly good at most reasonable surfaces. Haven't bothered to try on highly reflective or glass surfaces.
How is the precision of the mouse, does it lag, is it acurate?
Extremely accurate, very sensitive, absolutely no lag.
How would you rate your mouse on the scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest), and why?
An easy 5.5 - great shape, very sensitive, and can be used to blind people at LAN parties. The software stops it from being a 6, though.

Logitech MX610
What type of mouse do you use, optical or laser?
Laser sensor, 800DPI
Is it wireless or corded?
Wireless (2.4GHz RF).
Whats the connection type (USB, PS2, other)?
USB, comes with a PS/2 adapter.
How many buttons does it have?
Ten physical buttons, all mostly accessible at any given time.
Can the buttons be mapped to different functions?
You bet.
What type of batteries does it take (standard alkaline, rechargeable, other)?
A pair of regular AA batteries. Does not recharge them, but claims a 3-month battery life.
Does the mouse "sleep" when not used within a certain time interval and have to be "woke up"?
Yes. There is a very noticeable wait time.
How good is the mouse tracking on different surfaces?
As good as any laser, I suppose. Does not work well on glass surfaces.
How is the precision of the mouse, does it lag, is it acurate?
Fairly precise. I'm undecided as to whether it lags; I need to test it against the Razer.
How would you rate your mouse on the scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest), and why?
4.5. The shape is good, but makes my fingers feel stiff, and some of the cool features of the mouse have extremely limited compatibility. The software also seems to go berzerk from time to time.

That doesn't quite do justice to the MX610, though - I had to leave out the e-mail and IM notification lights (limited compabitibility) and the ability of the mouse to turn itself off when the computer enters standby or is shut down, and turn itself back on with the computer (according to Logitech this is something new; don't take my word for it, though).

EDIT: Just discovered something very cool about the MX610 - it can run off of a single AA battery with no apparent problems. Makes it very lightweight, especially with just a single li-ion battery.

 

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000

What type of mouse do you use, optical or laser?
-Laser
Is it wireless or corded?
-Wireless
Whats the connection type (USB, PS2, other)?
-USB
How many buttons does it have?
-5
Can the buttons be mapped to different functions?
-hai!
What type of batteries does it take (standard alkaline, rechargeable, other)?
-AA Alkaline, lasts well over 6 months
Does the mouse "sleep" when not used within a certain time interval and have to be "woke up"?
-never has to be woke up
How good is the mouse tracking on different surfaces?
-few surfaces it won't track on
How is the precision of the mouse, does it lag, is it acurate?
-very precise, microsoft's laser tech. is very good
How would you rate your mouse on the scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest), and why?
-5- Because it is the best looking mouse available in my opinion, it tracks extremely well, all the buttons work well, Intellipoint is a decent mouse software, The only con i can say is that alot of people like the detents in the wheel rotaion and this has smooth rotation, but i like the smooth rotation.


I'd like to hear your experiences with the mice you are using, any information would be helpful, thanks...
I actually have 2 of these now, i keep one in my bag and one at my desk, I also have a MS Intelimouse Explorer 4.0 Corded, and the difference is night and day with tracking ergonomics etc. The cord just would drive me crazy!

 

Logitech G7

What type of mouse do you use, optical or laser? -Laser
Is it wireless or corded? -Wireless, and those that say wireless is no good for gaming have never used the G7!!
Whats the connection type (USB, PS2, other)? -USB
How many buttons does it have? -Back, standard tilt wheel, DPI +/-
Can the buttons be mapped to different functions? -Yes
What type of batteries does it take (standard alkaline, rechargeable, other)? Comes with 2 rechargable
Does the mouse "sleep" when not used within a certain time interval and have to be "woke up"? -Not sure. If so, it wakes up intantly
How good is the mouse tracking on different surfaces? -VERY good
How is the precision of the mouse, does it lag, is it acurate? -2000 DPI and no lag
How would you rate your mouse on the scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest), and why? - Gonna go with the 5.9 that someone gave their G5, because I too would like a forward key