With online gaming being as competitive as it is these days, you will no doubt want to take advantage of every opportunity available (short of cheating) to gain an edge over your online foes. Today we are taking a look at five gaming mice that aim to do just that.
From Logitech, we have the G5 and G9 mice. Microsoft is represented by their Sidewinder and Habu mice, while Razer rounds out the group with the Lachesis gaming mouse.
Although there is admittedly a plethora of options out there as far as mice are concerned, there is only a handful of brands that we would wholeheartedly recommend. Considering it would be nearly impossible to cover all options we have gone with the usual suspects which usually carry the best ergonomics and sensor technology available at any given time.
Each mouse offers a unique layout and feature set that should go a long way to improving your gameplay during intense action. Without further ado, here’s our detailed impressions and comparisons between these major contestants.
Logitech’s second revision of the G5 gaming mouse adds a second thumb button on the left side as well as all-new aesthetics. A grippy, rubberized black and blue “cracked” surface replaces the smooth plastic of the previous G5. A DPI indicator lies on the top of the mouse between where your thumb and index finger rest. The rubberized scroll wheel is clickable and also tilts to the sides for two additional button clicks. Directly behind the scroll wheel are the DPI adjustment buttons to switch on-the-fly between 400, 800 and 2000 DPI at default settings.
Logitech includes a removable weight cartridge that slides into the bottom of the mouse along with a set of weights. Eight 1.7g and eight 4.5g weights are included, allowing you to mix and match to find the perfect balance of weight vs. friction when fragging.
Three polytetrafluoroethylene feet (a.k.a. Teflon) ensure smooth, effortless movement over your mouse pad or desk. Logitech replaced the standard boring cable with a braided version that looks really nice. If you have been using a wireless mouse, it may take some time to get used to a wire again, but you will no doubt enjoy not having to charge a battery.
The G5 works just fine out of the box, but you will more than likely want to install the included SetPoint software for added flexibility and customization. With Logitech’s SetPoint, you can remap each button to a specific function in Windows or even map it to a specific program such as Outlook or Windows Media Player. Other options include adjustable pointer speeds, report rates, and further DPI adjustments.
During testing, I found the G5 to be a superb gaming mouse. I have relatively small hands and I never felt like the mouse was overwhelming my hand. I experimented both with and without weights and found a medium-weighted mouse using 800 DPI offered me the best gaming experience. The on-the-fly adjustable DPI comes in handy when using a sniper rifle, allowing you to bump down the sensitivity for more precise shots. A quick bump back to 800 DPI and you are ready for battle with assault rifles and the like.
Pros:
– Adjustable on-the-fly DPI
– Grippy Surface
– Multi-Use (Tilt) Scroll Wheel
– Braided USB cable
– Adjustable weight cartridges
– Relatively Low Price
Cons:
– Scroll wheel is a bit tough to depress
– Aesthetics not for everyone
– Those with larger hands may find it a bit small
Cartridge weights are also included with the G9: four 4g and four 7g weights are included, but you can only use up to four weights at a time in the cartridge. Two different grips, Wide Load and Precision, are also included. The Wide Load grip has a smooth satin-like feel and, as the name implies, offers a “fatter” mouse. The Precision grip is a bit slimmer and has a grippy, almost sandpaper-like feel to it.
Logitech equipped the G9 with a MicroGear similar to the one found on the MX Revolution. When engaged, the MicroGear acts like the clutch in a manual transmission of a car, and takes the scroll wheel “out of gear”, allowing it to spin freely on its axis. This allows you to scroll through long documents, playlists and web pages at incredible speeds. The button to activate the MicroGear, however, is located on the underside of the mouse and thus, isn’t all that convenient. On the MX Revolution, this function can be activated simply by flicking the scroll wheel quickly to disengage the gearing system – a much more convenient system in my opinion. The other button on the belly of the G9 is the profile selector. With the G9, you can save all of your custom settings directly to the mouse and have them at your disposal anywhere you go – this includes macros (up to 5 at a time), DPI and LED color settings.
The LED color in the DPI display can also be changed to better match the color theme of your system. Polytetrafluoroethylene feet help guide the G9 across your mousing surface with ease.
While gaming and during general use, I found that I preferred the Precision grip, with its slimmer profile and more secure feel. The scroll wheel worked very well, although again, it was a bit difficult to depress the scroll wheel for a button click. The tilt function worked well but I would have preferred a more tactical feel to let me know that the button had indeed been pressed.
The overall feel of the G9 was good and it slid across my mouse pad without effort. I wasn’t too fond of the placement for the DPI adjustment buttons: on more than one occasion, my index finger would accidentally press the button to lower the DPI. Having these buttons in the center of the mouse behind the scroll wheel seems like a more convenient place overall, but we won’t blame Logitech for trying something different with the G9.
In the end that would seem to be the ultimate purpose of the G9, continue the successful record of its predecessors while trying a few new tricks.
Pros:
– Adjustable on-the-fly DPI
– Two Interchangeable Grips
– Onboard Memory to Store Profiles
– Braided USB Cable
– Adjustable Weight Cartridges
– Custom-color LEDs
Cons:
– Inconvenient DPI Adjustment Button Placement
– Inconvenient MicroGear Button Location
– Relatively Expensive
Two thumb buttons are positioned vertically, again, a bit different than the norm. A macro record button lies directly in front of the two thumb buttons which can be used to record macros in games, but be warned that you most likely won’t be able to reach it with a normal grip on the mouse – it’s simply out of reach, even for someone with a long thumb.
The bottom of the SideWinder is relatively plain, with a glossy red surface, five mice feet and an eject button for the weight cartridge that slides out on the right side. Microsoft included three sets of interchangeable mice feet, each offering a varying degree of friction, or lack thereof. Simply choose whichever feels best to you.
Microsoft includes only four weights with the SideWinder; one 5g and three 10g, but only three can be fit into the cartridge at any given time. The weight and replacement feet box also doubles as a cable anchor to prevent the mouse cable from tugging at your mouse or to keep some extra slack at your disposal.
One word can accurately describe the Microsoft SideWinder Mouse: large. During testing, I was never really able to fully get accustomed to its size and even found my wrist to ache a bit after a few hours of gaming, something that doesn’t happen with smaller/standard-sized mice. I also found that the two thumb buttons took some time to get used to, as most mice use horizontally-positioned buttons.
The IntelliPoint software allowed me to customize each button of the mouse as I saw fit and adjust the DPI presets from 200 to 2000 incrementally. Accuracy during FPS gaming was superb and I never felt like the mouse was mistracking or otherwise obstructing the experience. I liked the idea of multiple mice feet – this certainly helps to give the mouse a better feel, as some people like very slippery mice and others prefer something with a bit more friction/tracking.
Pros:
– Adjustable on-the-fly DPI
– LCD display
– Adjustable weight cartridges
– Cable management box
– On-board macro record button
– Interchangeable mouse feet
Cons:
– Very large
– Build quality feels a bit “cheap”
– Unusual thumb button layout may pose trouble for some
The Habu has two interchangeable thumb button panels, each having a slightly different button layout (moves the buttons further away or closer to your palm) to best fit your hand size. The upper surface of the mouse uses a soft, velvet-like rubber material which is really comfortable during extended use. Underneath, Microsoft uses one large and two small Teflon feet that produced a nice gentle glide across my mouse pad. An eject button can also be found under the mouse, used to remove the interchangeable side button panel.
I was a bit disappointed to learn that I needed to update the firmware in order to take advantage of the on-board profile memory feature. If memory profiles aren’t important to you, there is no need to install this new firmware. Otherwise, an update is in order.
I have worked with other Razer mice in the past, and while I found they worked great, most of them seemed to be a bit too large or just uncomfortable under my palm. The Habu, however, has a great feel to it and perfectly contours to my hand. I experienced no wrist pain, even after hours of intense gaming. Subtle blue LED lighting lines the corners of the Habu and gives it a nice look compared to LEDs used under the mouse. Tracking was accurate and overall, this was a pleasant mouse to work with.
Pros:
– Adjustable on-the-fly DPI
– Interchangeable Thumb Button Panels
– Very Comfortable
– On-board Memory for Storing Profiles
– Relatively Low Price
Cons:
– Firmware Updated Needed For Profiler
– No weight adjustments
The Razer Lachesis is the only mouse of the bunch that features a symmetrical ambidextrous design, making it an instant viable option for many left-handed users. Razer has pulled out all the stops with the Lachesis, making use of a 4000 DPI 3G laser sensor and 1000Hz ultrapolling.The Lachesis uses a seven foot long non-tangle cord with a gold-plated USB connector, which should give you plenty of flexibility. The upper surface of the mouse is constructed from smooth rubber with a satin-like feel. The left and right click buttons are one solid piece with the top of the mouse which makes for an awesome look.
Between these two buttons is the scroll wheel which gives off a hazy blue or white glow along with the Razer logo at the palm of the mouse. The clickable wheel has 24 individual click positions and uses grippy ridges that provide a non-slip surface. Behind the scroll wheel are two on-the-fly DPI adjustment buttons.
Each side of the Lachesis has two programmable thumb buttons. It’s a bit unusual to find buttons on both sides of a mouse if you are accustomed to right-hand mice, but I suppose you could also learn to use the opposite buttons with your pinky finger for even more usable buttons. On the bottom, we find three slick Teflon feet, the 3G tracking laser and a profile selector button. The Lachesis has 32kb of on-board memory that allows for up to five different profiles to be stored at any given time.
I found using the Lachesis to be a mixed bag. The upper surface of the mouse feels really nice and it slides around effortlessly on my mouse pad. Tracking was very accurate on my RevolTec gaming mat as was to be expected, but I did run into a slight issue. I noticed that if I applied more downward force on either side of the mouse, it tilted to that side ever-so-slightly and as a result the tracking laser wouldn’t make a solid read, making the cursor jitter a little bit. This became very annoying over the course of testing.
The adjustable DPI buttons worked flawlessly. The seven foot cable was plenty enough and didn’t hamper me in any way. The Lachesis nice blue glow on the scroll wheel and the logo can be turned off using the bundled software if you wished to do so.
Speaking of software, Razer uses a nice software set that allows full customization on each button on the mouse from presets or even create your own combination using macros. Despite the weird tracking issue mentioned above, I simply couldn’t get used to the ambidextrous design and noticed my wrist would begin to ache after extended use, whereas an ergonomic right-hand mouse didn’t give me that kind of problem. Perhaps I could get used to this over the course of a few months.
Price as of writing: $79.99
Pros:
– Ambidextrous Design
– 9 Programmable Buttons
– 4000 DPI Laser
– Long Cord, Gold Plated USB connector
– Adjustable on-the-fly DPI
– On-board Memory for Storing Profiles
Cons:
– Symmetrical Design not as comfortable
– No Weight Adjustments
– Tracking Issues with Mouse Lean
– Relatively Expensive
Considering we first reviewed the G5 back in January 2006, it should be safe to say that this model has endured the test of time, with this second revision fixing the #1 bugging issue of the original that only carried a single thumb button.
Microsoft’s offerings, the SideWinder and the Habu, were on opposite ends of the spectrum. The SideWinder just didn’t cut it for me. While I really liked some of its unique features, namely the interchangeable mouse feet and the LCD display, it was way too large for my hand. The side thumb buttons also felt very strange – I much prefer the standard horizontal layout. All of this, and the fact that the SideWinder just didn’t feel as “solid” as the other mice left me wanting more.
The Habu, on the other hand, was an absolute pleasure to work with. The mouse felt great under my hand, even after hours of gaming and general use in Windows. The blue LED lighting looked really nice and was not overly bright. Interchangeable thumb buttons means you can have two different layout options for the best possible fit and feel. The only issue I had with the Habu was the fact that you are required to update the firmware if you want to use the on-board profile memory feature.
When the Habu was first released, it got very positive reviews but was criticized for its expensive price. Now the Habu sits next to the G5 as the less expensive choices within this round-up.
Moving on, with nine programmable buttons and a 4000 DPI laser, the Razer Lachesis was clearly designed with hardcore gaming in mind. This is the only product that caters to both left and right hand users, in fact, most Razer products usually do.
This could be a huge selling point if you are a leftie, but honestly I have never seen someone use a mouse with their left hand. Due to this design, the mouse was not too comfortable over longer periods. I also experienced some problems with tracking, specifically if I put too much weight on one side of the mouse with my hand, causing the mouse to lean slightly. Other than this, the Lachesis worked very well and if you have experimented before with Razer mice, chances are you won’t have the same kind of problem.
At the end of the day, any of these products will certainly improve your gaming experience over any standard two-button scroll optical mouse. However, my personal choice has to be the Microsoft Habu, which offers a nice blend of everything I look for in a gaming mouse, including lasting comfort for those long gaming sessions. Unfortunately it’s impossible for us to dictate what will work the best for you, but we are sure that by now you will have made up your mind on how much you want to spend, and what kind of features and design cues from this selection of premium devices appeal the most to you.
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