If you don't play PC games, what does laser mouse gain over infrared mouse?

Happy Hopping

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I remember when laser mouse first come out, there is some problem w/ certain surface. And I think logitech fixes that problem. But what do you get out of it?

I only use Foto Canvas ver. 1, firefox, wordperfect and Excel, plus a few simple utility like Total Commander. So what does a laser mouse gain from Infrared for people like me?
 
Couple of things. Better tracking which is a big deal when dealing with multi-monitor resolutions and less lag, that can be noticeable even on the desktop.
 

Because its a question about how good the sensor is and not about what technology it uses. For normal usage not only it does not matter what kind of technology your mouse is using but its also needless to have a good sensor. If you game, you just need a mouse with an accurate and precise sensor, which can be found on optical, infrared and laser mouse.

It just doesn't matter.
 
I doubt many people lift their mice much in normal desktop use. If you pick the right mousepad for a laser sensor, I don't see a major downside.
 
You guys mean optical sensors, not infrared right? Even Razer's "3G Infrared" sensors used in the Deathadder are still optical, just using a UV LED.

Couple of things. Better tracking which is a big deal when dealing with multi-monitor resolutions and less lag, that can be noticeable even on the desktop.

Better tracking can go either way. This is dependent on the specific sensors in question and the mousing surface. You can't make a blanket statement saying laser sensors are better than optical sensors because they're newer and all the latest gaming mice use laser sensors.

Lag is almost completely determined by report rate. Two different mice running at 500hz should have no discernible difference.
 
Better tracking can go either way. This is dependent on the specific sensors in question and the mousing surface. You can't make a blanket statement saying laser sensors are better than optical sensors because they're newer and all the latest gaming mice use laser sensors.

I've not seen an optical mouse that beats my SideWinder X8 BlueTrack tech and it just works great with my 5760x1080 desktop resolution. I just don't know of optical mice that will work at that resolution without a larger space that I use for my X8.
 
The reason why people go for opticals instead of laser mice is the fact that Opticals are older refined technology in the sense that they can track even during immense acceleration (your wrist movement, not software acceleration) where as some laser mice can not. I remember going from an Mx300 to Razer's new laser mouse and when I pushed the mouse quickly it would flip all over the screen and not track correctly. Now I don't know if they've updated or changed the laser mice so that this doesn't happen, but when they first came out it was a big issue and reason to stay optic.
 
Now I don't know if they've updated or changed the laser mice so that this doesn't happen, but when they first came out it was a big issue and reason to stay optic.

Not seen this at all with my G7 and X8 mice. The tracking is superb, better than any optical I've ever used. The X8 does have a problem tracking well on certain cloth surfaces but that's the only problem. Works great on my glossy desktop but I use a plastic track pad and that works great as well.
 
Not seen this at all with my G7 and X8 mice. The tracking is superb, better than any optical I've ever used. The X8 does have a problem tracking well on certain cloth surfaces but that's the only problem. Works great on my glossy desktop but I use a plastic track pad and that works great as well.

Have you launched it across the mousepad? I mean Tossed that sucker at the very minimal sensitivity setting of a game? That's the kinda do it yourself at home test to put it through.
 
The X86 switches between 4000 and 3000 DPI and I've just never noticed any problems with tracking or lag with it dozens and dozens of games. Fast, slow and everthing in between the X8 works flawlessly for me. And I thought the thread was about non-game use anyway, which once again, the X8 tracks like a champ.
 
Some are like the blind leading the blind.

It does not matter optical or laser, what matters is the sensor model itself and how good the firmware is of the particular mouse in question. That's what you should be most concerned about. First gen laser sensors sucked, nowadays most are good if not great on all surfaces and have a high max perfect control speed.
 
I haven't use mouse pad for a no. of years now. And really don't want to go back to mouse pad. Since I don't really have time to play computer games anymore, judging by what you guys are saying, there is no real gain for moving to a laser mouse.
 
Since I don't really have time to play computer games anymore, judging by what you guys are saying, there is no real gain for moving to a laser mouse.

I have to disagree with you. At least with the G7 and X8 laser mice I've used, the experience has been far superior to any optical mouse I've used but like I said, I have a 5760x1080 desktop, other's experiences may vary.
 
I've not seen an optical mouse that beats my SideWinder X8 BlueTrack tech and it just works great with my 5760x1080 desktop resolution. I just don't know of optical mice that will work at that resolution without a larger space that I use for my X8.

You're talking about sensor resolution (DPI), not tracking performance. You're not wrong that laser sensors are past optical in terms of DPI, but we were talking about different things.
 
I have the optical Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 and STRONGLY prefer it's tracking over my Logitech G9 laser mouse. The G9 just seems to jitter around a lot more when using it for fine applications.
 
You're talking about sensor resolution (DPI), not tracking performance. You're not wrong that laser sensors are past optical in terms of DPI, but we were talking about different things.

I have the optical Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 and STRONGLY prefer it's tracking over my Logitech G9 laser mouse. The G9 just seems to jitter around a lot more when using it for fine applications.

I understand, and my point is what Toast is talking about, I see NO jitter, NO lag, NO nothing with the G7 and X8 (when the X8 wasn't used on a cloth mouse pad, there I did see problems) just super accurate pointing and it beats the experience of any optical mouse I've used.

I have a zillion Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 mice, they are all in the spare mouse drawer. The newer BluTrack IntelliMouse just kick the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 in the nads to me. I have both the full size and tavel size on the IntelliMouse BluTrack version and they are awesome.
 
I have to disagree with you. At least with the G7 and X8 laser mice I've used, the experience has been far superior to any optical mouse I've used but like I said, I have a 5760x1080 desktop, other's experiences may vary.

can you be more specific as to what you gain on laser mouse? I use 30" @ 2560x1600 + 60" @ 1920 x 1080
 
I've always found laser mice more adaptable to irregular surfaces. I've never used a "pro" mousepad with any of my lasers, and the times I've tried its never improved anything other then making it seem like its on "ice"...which I don't personally like.
I just yesterday got a plastic mousepad...first one. Still on the fence, but I'll probably adapt.

Anyways, laser all the way. My first G5 changed my life...literally. I loved that mouse. I'm now using a G500, and its just as good if not better.
 
I've always found laser mice more adaptable to irregular surfaces. I've never used a "pro" mousepad with any of my lasers, and the times I've tried its never improved anything other then making it seem like its on "ice"...which I don't personally like.
I just yesterday got a plastic mousepad...first one. Still on the fence, but I'll probably adapt.

Anyways, laser all the way. My first G5 changed my life...literally. I loved that mouse. I'm now using a G500, and its just as good if not better.

I have G5 too, never heard about G500 ;) perhaps because G5 never failed for me for 4 years already. Btw, have you considered Performance MX mouse as replacement for G5/G500? I wish to get the "wireless route" but doubt on how good it will be comparing to top wired mouse I have.

Thank you!
 
Forget Laser or old school optical, and talk about specific mice. There are crap lasers out there as well.
 
I have a zillion Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 mice, they are all in the spare mouse drawer. The newer BluTrack IntelliMouse just kick the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 in the nads to me. I have both the full size and tavel size on the IntelliMouse BluTrack version and they are awesome.

Is the X8 the only gaming mouse with the BlueTrack tech?
 
Yes, the X8 is the last gaming mouse that Microsoft has released and that was two years ago unfortunately. The X8 is a very good mouse however and BlueTrack is pretty sweet and I'd love to see Microsoft come out with an X9.
 
Yes, the X8 is the last gaming mouse that Microsoft has released and that was two years ago unfortunately. The X8 is a very good mouse however and BlueTrack is pretty sweet and I'd love to see Microsoft come out with an X9.

Why aren't there more Bluetrack mice if the tech is so effective? :confused:

Is it costly to produce and/or did very few people buy it?
 
There's plenty of non-gaming BlueTrack mice, I have a couple of others it's simply that Microsoft hasn't introduced a new gaming mouse since the X8 a couple of years ago.
 
Honestly if you want the best tech nowadays it comes in lazor form. Since I got my MX1100 last year, with the feel of the mouse ( varies per person ) and the tech in the mouse itself, I'll never use another mouse for anything. I have one for my HTPC, one for my laptop ( when it's home ) and one for my backup PC.

The only optical mouse I ever liked was due to the design and feel and that was the MX518 but that was a very very precise mouse and was probably on par with the G5 I replaced it with years ago.
 
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