First, thanks for reading.
Over the past few weeks I've done a ridiculous amount of research and searching for the right mouse for me, and I just can't seem to identify a good fit (often literally).
Here are my specs:
- I have truly average sized man hands (7.5" wrist to longest fingertip, 3.5" palm width, average finger width and length)
- I am right-handed and use a fingertip grip. Thumb grips left side. Index and middle fingers on LMB and RMB, respectively. Ring finger and pinky grip right side. Palm barely touches mouse, if that. Side-to-side horizontal movement is fingers and wrist. Front-and-back vertical movement 100% fingers. My arm doesn't move.
- Currently using a Logitech G5. I know that many consider this too big for fingertip grip, but it works fairly well for me. Because even though the mouse is large overall, the thumb depression is deep. Also, the right side angles smoothly downward (no hard edges), so my ring finger can rest comfortably along the side and grip effectively. Furthermore, the surface materials are good I get plenty of grip, without discomfort or sweat. Still, I find the mouse a bit large, and the sensor is nothing special. I believe I can do better.
Here's what I'm hoping to find in a new mouse:
- Good fit for my fingertip grip
- High-quality, gaming-level DPI optical sensor (I tend to play at 800 DPI with my laser-sensored G5, but I also have software sensitivity set at middle-high (in games and Windows) to allow my fingertip grip to move the mouse effectively across my 24" 1920x1080 monitor). I don't know what DPI I'd play at with an optical sensor.
- At least five buttons, but preferably 7+. It seems that every optical mouse that's on the smaller side, and so well suited to a fingertip grip, has the bare minimum of buttons, as in three. Three? That may work in straightforward FPS games, but I also play RTS, MOBA, MMO, CRPG, etc. I simply need more programmable buttons, and those only seem available on palm-grip-only and/or laser-sensored mice.
- Lighter weight. Not looking for a featherweight mouse, but I prefer a lighter weight to something on the heavier side (like some metal mice).
- The rest is the obvious stuff all gamers look for: quality switches, solid feel, nice surfaces and coatings, reliable and customizable software, decent warranty, etc.
- I'd prefer to pay under $70, but price isn't a major concern
- Things like looks, colored lights, etc. aren't at all important to me
Some options I've identified (opinions please):
- CM Storm Spawn. I like CM mice quality and software. My concern with this mouse is the right-side ring-finger rest. I've tried those before (Razer Naga, for instance), and while they are comfortable, the don't allow the fingertip grip user to get optimum leverage. There isn't a store around here that carries it.
- CM Storm Recon. This could be perfect or nearly so, but, again, I'm unsure of the shape for fingertip users. But, again, there isn't a store around here that carries it.
- MadCatz Cyborg Rat 3. A lot of reviewers are really surprised at how good the cheapest Rat is, often preferring it to the Rat 5, 7 and (maybe) 9 (no one reviews the 9). It's optical and has multiple buttons with a shift key. Lighter weight too. Some adjustment is also available, but not as much as it's more expensive siblings. I've never found one to try. I'm somewhat concerned that it's too wide to fingertip grip comfortably.
- Logitech G400s. Another decent option, since it has multiple buttons and a well-regarded sensor. The shape will be very similar to my G5, which is good, because my G5 is a solid fit...but I'm hoping for better.
- Logitech G9x. Many people rave about this mouse, and fingertip grip users often say it's the best fit out there. But it isn't optical, it's laser. And I've heard the middle mouse button isn't wonderful, though it does tilt left/right, which is nice. I've never been able to try one.
- SteelSeries Sensei. Another beloved mouse. And folks say it's well shaped for fingertip grip users. But, again, not optical...it's laser. This is rarely mentioned, though, so perhaps the laser is so accurate it's equal to optical. I haven't been able to try this either.
- Roccat Savu. Roccat is renowned for quality. The Savu is a high-end optical offering. It's got multiple buttons and a shift key that effectively doubles the number. However, I'm quite concerned it's too wide for fingertip use. I tried this briefly in a store, and I didn't instantly take to the fit.
Please help. I've really put a lot of effort in to the search. Your feedback is most welcome.
Thanks,
ELB
Over the past few weeks I've done a ridiculous amount of research and searching for the right mouse for me, and I just can't seem to identify a good fit (often literally).
Here are my specs:
- I have truly average sized man hands (7.5" wrist to longest fingertip, 3.5" palm width, average finger width and length)
- I am right-handed and use a fingertip grip. Thumb grips left side. Index and middle fingers on LMB and RMB, respectively. Ring finger and pinky grip right side. Palm barely touches mouse, if that. Side-to-side horizontal movement is fingers and wrist. Front-and-back vertical movement 100% fingers. My arm doesn't move.
- Currently using a Logitech G5. I know that many consider this too big for fingertip grip, but it works fairly well for me. Because even though the mouse is large overall, the thumb depression is deep. Also, the right side angles smoothly downward (no hard edges), so my ring finger can rest comfortably along the side and grip effectively. Furthermore, the surface materials are good I get plenty of grip, without discomfort or sweat. Still, I find the mouse a bit large, and the sensor is nothing special. I believe I can do better.
Here's what I'm hoping to find in a new mouse:
- Good fit for my fingertip grip
- High-quality, gaming-level DPI optical sensor (I tend to play at 800 DPI with my laser-sensored G5, but I also have software sensitivity set at middle-high (in games and Windows) to allow my fingertip grip to move the mouse effectively across my 24" 1920x1080 monitor). I don't know what DPI I'd play at with an optical sensor.
- At least five buttons, but preferably 7+. It seems that every optical mouse that's on the smaller side, and so well suited to a fingertip grip, has the bare minimum of buttons, as in three. Three? That may work in straightforward FPS games, but I also play RTS, MOBA, MMO, CRPG, etc. I simply need more programmable buttons, and those only seem available on palm-grip-only and/or laser-sensored mice.
- Lighter weight. Not looking for a featherweight mouse, but I prefer a lighter weight to something on the heavier side (like some metal mice).
- The rest is the obvious stuff all gamers look for: quality switches, solid feel, nice surfaces and coatings, reliable and customizable software, decent warranty, etc.
- I'd prefer to pay under $70, but price isn't a major concern
- Things like looks, colored lights, etc. aren't at all important to me
Some options I've identified (opinions please):
- CM Storm Spawn. I like CM mice quality and software. My concern with this mouse is the right-side ring-finger rest. I've tried those before (Razer Naga, for instance), and while they are comfortable, the don't allow the fingertip grip user to get optimum leverage. There isn't a store around here that carries it.
- CM Storm Recon. This could be perfect or nearly so, but, again, I'm unsure of the shape for fingertip users. But, again, there isn't a store around here that carries it.
- MadCatz Cyborg Rat 3. A lot of reviewers are really surprised at how good the cheapest Rat is, often preferring it to the Rat 5, 7 and (maybe) 9 (no one reviews the 9). It's optical and has multiple buttons with a shift key. Lighter weight too. Some adjustment is also available, but not as much as it's more expensive siblings. I've never found one to try. I'm somewhat concerned that it's too wide to fingertip grip comfortably.
- Logitech G400s. Another decent option, since it has multiple buttons and a well-regarded sensor. The shape will be very similar to my G5, which is good, because my G5 is a solid fit...but I'm hoping for better.
- Logitech G9x. Many people rave about this mouse, and fingertip grip users often say it's the best fit out there. But it isn't optical, it's laser. And I've heard the middle mouse button isn't wonderful, though it does tilt left/right, which is nice. I've never been able to try one.
- SteelSeries Sensei. Another beloved mouse. And folks say it's well shaped for fingertip grip users. But, again, not optical...it's laser. This is rarely mentioned, though, so perhaps the laser is so accurate it's equal to optical. I haven't been able to try this either.
- Roccat Savu. Roccat is renowned for quality. The Savu is a high-end optical offering. It's got multiple buttons and a shift key that effectively doubles the number. However, I'm quite concerned it's too wide for fingertip use. I tried this briefly in a store, and I didn't instantly take to the fit.
Please help. I've really put a lot of effort in to the search. Your feedback is most welcome.
Thanks,
ELB