OK, so I've wanted a gaming mouse for a while and I am a major fingertip grip/claw grip player. I'm fairly old school when it comes to PC gaming, dating back to Wolfenstein 3d, Doom, and I learned to KB/Mouse on Quake 1. I played that game for years and years, and most of the time I used low DPI optical mice, such as the Microsoft Wheel mouse or a low DPI Logitech simplistic mouse (don't exactly know the name, but it's even smaller than the WMO/Intellimouse and more "egg" shaped).
So, being used to older optical mice and lower DPi, I've never really had a problem with them in most FPS games. i wouldn't say I'm a "low sensitivity" gamer, but I'm definitely not a high sensitivity gamer (doing a 180 or 360 in game with a .5 or 1 inch wrist movement would drive me CRAZY). I have to "feel" my movements, which means I have to have a decently low sensitivity. I'd say my average 180 turnaround is usually at least 3-4 inches swipe.
Also, I like to "flick" my mouse and throw it around, making extremely quick and precise movements. The Microsoft WMO/intellimouse is such a lightweight mouse by default (lighter than a weight-less G9 by far) that it's easy to flick around and get incredibly accurate, so the weights included with the G9 are of no use really since it's already heavy enough IMHO.
Now that you know my mousing history, I really wanted to try a Logitech G9 (or x) due to it's additional buttons and all of the rave reviews I've heard about, plus it's designed for claw/fingertip grip styles. The macros in setpoint are awesome too, since I do occasionally play an MMO/other game that could benefit from that. The higher DPI and switchable DPI was also novel to me and I thought it could legitimately help my gameplay in some games.
That being said, I picked up a G9 brand new for a decent price (didn't wanna spend 2x for a G9x just in case I didn't like it) and I'm having some MAJOR FRUSTRATIONS with it.
First and foremost, I've found that the lift off distance (which wasn't really a factor I actually "thought about" in the past) is awful. It's easily twice that of my older wheel mouse optical (which is only 400dpi by the way). I've also noticed that when I'm lifting off/turning/setting the mouse back down, whenever I lift/set down I notice "jittery" movements of my crosshairs on screen. It's almost as if it's too sensitive at tracking when I lift/set down, and this is a major deal for FPS games which demand accuracy and quick movements.
I've tried using higher vs. lower DPI and raising/lowering the Windows sensitivity to no avail. I'm using a Steelseries QcK+ mouse mat, which is dark cloth and isn't really shiny/reflective. I like the smoothness it provides overall, but I've removed the QcK and tried the G9 on my desk (dark wood) and it's a tiny bit better but still horrible in comparison to my older cheapo $10 WMO.
That's my first gripe with it. My second issue is that I personally don't know what settings go better with certain games/profiles. For example, is it better to raise the windows sensitivity and lower the DPI? Or is it better to use the highest DPI possible and lower out the Windows control panel sensitivity?
On top of that, there's a checkbox in the setpoint software for "use Windows drivers/acceleration." Is this recommended or not? I've seen very little difference when switching it, although sometimes it can make a larger difference. For example, in Battlefield 3, I had the mouse settings configured in a way where checking that box provided a quicker/higher sensitivity like I was used to with the WMO, however when I UNCHECK the box and use the Setpoint drivers, the sensitivity drops to way too low.
Add on top of that the fact that some games have "raw mouse input: on/off" options, like BF3. Now things are just starting to get TOO complex! What's the best configuration?!?
Any insight towards making this thing more accurate/lower lift off distance would be highly appreciated!
I also found an article (I hope external linking is allowed here) explaining that Laser mice/DPI/etc. is all just marketing hype, and that a lot of FPS professionals use 400-800 DPI optical cheapo mice. After using the G9 I'm starting to think they are right. the article is here (and a good read if you get a chance) -
http://defragdev.com/blog/?p=631
That being said, I was possibly thinking of selling the G9 and going with something like a coolermaster spawn, which is a claw/fingertip mouse only it uses a fairly good optical engine and has 3 switchable DPIs also. I realize it should just be about comfort to me, so perhaps I should just keep using my WMO, but I'd like to take advantage of some of the features these newer mice offer without giving up my hard-coded and engrained mentality that I'm so adept with. It wouldn't be worth trying to adapt in my opinion and I'll just stick with my old WMO if it really comes down to it.
Another fun side note - in Battlefield 3, I noticed if I turn up the in game sensitivity to a decent amount, then aim down my sights, if I make very very tiny precise movements it's extremely choppy! However, if I lower the sensitivity to an extremely low value, then aim down sights, the movement is really quite smooth. I'm guessing this is because it's a console port or just crappy mouse integration by DICE/EA, since other FPS games are super smooth even with high in game sensitivity and my 400dpi cheapo mouse. The Logi G9 with a High DPI actually has an advantage here, because I can still get the medium sensitivity that I want by upping the DPI, but keep the in game sensitivity super low, which makes the small aim-down-sights movements extremely precise. If I use my 400dpi WMO, I am forced to turn up the in game sensitivity, and my tiny precise movements will always be a bit choppier and a bit harder to aim. It's a fairly common issue too, and I'm not the only person who has noticed it (Google will show you forum threads with others admitting the same problem.)
So, after this long post, what do you guys think overall? Is it worth ditching the G9 and sticking with the WMO? I've tried playing with it for HOURS - low DPI, High DPI, low/high windows sensitivity, mouse polling rates, etc. and I just can't find a comfortable setting due to that lift off height and the jittery crosshair movement!
So, being used to older optical mice and lower DPi, I've never really had a problem with them in most FPS games. i wouldn't say I'm a "low sensitivity" gamer, but I'm definitely not a high sensitivity gamer (doing a 180 or 360 in game with a .5 or 1 inch wrist movement would drive me CRAZY). I have to "feel" my movements, which means I have to have a decently low sensitivity. I'd say my average 180 turnaround is usually at least 3-4 inches swipe.
Also, I like to "flick" my mouse and throw it around, making extremely quick and precise movements. The Microsoft WMO/intellimouse is such a lightweight mouse by default (lighter than a weight-less G9 by far) that it's easy to flick around and get incredibly accurate, so the weights included with the G9 are of no use really since it's already heavy enough IMHO.
Now that you know my mousing history, I really wanted to try a Logitech G9 (or x) due to it's additional buttons and all of the rave reviews I've heard about, plus it's designed for claw/fingertip grip styles. The macros in setpoint are awesome too, since I do occasionally play an MMO/other game that could benefit from that. The higher DPI and switchable DPI was also novel to me and I thought it could legitimately help my gameplay in some games.
That being said, I picked up a G9 brand new for a decent price (didn't wanna spend 2x for a G9x just in case I didn't like it) and I'm having some MAJOR FRUSTRATIONS with it.
First and foremost, I've found that the lift off distance (which wasn't really a factor I actually "thought about" in the past) is awful. It's easily twice that of my older wheel mouse optical (which is only 400dpi by the way). I've also noticed that when I'm lifting off/turning/setting the mouse back down, whenever I lift/set down I notice "jittery" movements of my crosshairs on screen. It's almost as if it's too sensitive at tracking when I lift/set down, and this is a major deal for FPS games which demand accuracy and quick movements.
I've tried using higher vs. lower DPI and raising/lowering the Windows sensitivity to no avail. I'm using a Steelseries QcK+ mouse mat, which is dark cloth and isn't really shiny/reflective. I like the smoothness it provides overall, but I've removed the QcK and tried the G9 on my desk (dark wood) and it's a tiny bit better but still horrible in comparison to my older cheapo $10 WMO.
That's my first gripe with it. My second issue is that I personally don't know what settings go better with certain games/profiles. For example, is it better to raise the windows sensitivity and lower the DPI? Or is it better to use the highest DPI possible and lower out the Windows control panel sensitivity?
On top of that, there's a checkbox in the setpoint software for "use Windows drivers/acceleration." Is this recommended or not? I've seen very little difference when switching it, although sometimes it can make a larger difference. For example, in Battlefield 3, I had the mouse settings configured in a way where checking that box provided a quicker/higher sensitivity like I was used to with the WMO, however when I UNCHECK the box and use the Setpoint drivers, the sensitivity drops to way too low.
Add on top of that the fact that some games have "raw mouse input: on/off" options, like BF3. Now things are just starting to get TOO complex! What's the best configuration?!?
Any insight towards making this thing more accurate/lower lift off distance would be highly appreciated!
I also found an article (I hope external linking is allowed here) explaining that Laser mice/DPI/etc. is all just marketing hype, and that a lot of FPS professionals use 400-800 DPI optical cheapo mice. After using the G9 I'm starting to think they are right. the article is here (and a good read if you get a chance) -
http://defragdev.com/blog/?p=631
That being said, I was possibly thinking of selling the G9 and going with something like a coolermaster spawn, which is a claw/fingertip mouse only it uses a fairly good optical engine and has 3 switchable DPIs also. I realize it should just be about comfort to me, so perhaps I should just keep using my WMO, but I'd like to take advantage of some of the features these newer mice offer without giving up my hard-coded and engrained mentality that I'm so adept with. It wouldn't be worth trying to adapt in my opinion and I'll just stick with my old WMO if it really comes down to it.
Another fun side note - in Battlefield 3, I noticed if I turn up the in game sensitivity to a decent amount, then aim down my sights, if I make very very tiny precise movements it's extremely choppy! However, if I lower the sensitivity to an extremely low value, then aim down sights, the movement is really quite smooth. I'm guessing this is because it's a console port or just crappy mouse integration by DICE/EA, since other FPS games are super smooth even with high in game sensitivity and my 400dpi cheapo mouse. The Logi G9 with a High DPI actually has an advantage here, because I can still get the medium sensitivity that I want by upping the DPI, but keep the in game sensitivity super low, which makes the small aim-down-sights movements extremely precise. If I use my 400dpi WMO, I am forced to turn up the in game sensitivity, and my tiny precise movements will always be a bit choppier and a bit harder to aim. It's a fairly common issue too, and I'm not the only person who has noticed it (Google will show you forum threads with others admitting the same problem.)
So, after this long post, what do you guys think overall? Is it worth ditching the G9 and sticking with the WMO? I've tried playing with it for HOURS - low DPI, High DPI, low/high windows sensitivity, mouse polling rates, etc. and I just can't find a comfortable setting due to that lift off height and the jittery crosshair movement!