The selection criteria for computer mice are considered particularly stringent in the gaming environment. The gaming industry is one of the locomotives of the modern IT market. Therefore, the choice of the appropriate type of computer mouse for its subsequent use for gaming purposes is a procedure no less responsible than, for example, selecting a processor model or video card for a PC. What criteria should be followed when solving such problems? Which mouse manufacturers can I look for?
The mouse must be sensitive
One of the criteria for choosing the optimal mouse for games noted by experts is the sensitivity of the devices. This parameter is responsible for the speed of movement of the cursor arrow on the screen, as well as for the accuracy of its location on the monitor. In practice, if we talk about the significance of this criterion in computer games, sensitivity affects the smoothness of character control, the accuracy of the aiming procedure in "shooters", etc. The optimal range of values within the parameter in question is 800-1600 DPI. Gaming mice must match it.
Programmability
Some experts consider important such a criterion as programmability. Gaming mice, in their vision, should be able to flexibly adapt to the structure of character control in games: a standard, “amateur” format in which active actions are performed with only two buttons is not always popular in a professional gaming environment. In e-sports, the ability to effectively program the mouse is one of the important competitive advantages.
Response
Another important parameter that characterizes the effectiveness of gaming mice is response time. This criterion determines the interval that the device needs to transmit a command from the button to a program element in the game. The shorter the response time, the better the quality of character control.
In e-sports, this can be an important competitive advantage: victory in the race, "shooter", and in a strategy can determine fractions of a second. The optimal value for the criterion in question is 1 ms.
PC connection
Another significant parameter is the type of connection between the device and the PC. There are two main options: a wired interface and radio. In the first case, the USB mouse or the one that connects to the PC via the PS / 2 connector is most often used. In the second, as a rule, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi interfaces are involved. There is no consensus among gamers about the dependence of the quality of control of game characters on the type of connection between devices and a PC. Some users believe that a USB mouse, despite being less comfortable to use, is not as effective. Others believe that modern wireless interfaces are quite competitive with greater ease of use.
Ergonomics management
A criterion that is more justifiably classified as subjective. Its applicability is determined, rather, by the personal preferences of the user than by the objective conditions for completing tasks. The fact is that mice - gaming, "office", designer, it doesn't matter - can function on different principles in terms of interaction with the user's hand and fingers. There are two main types of devices. These are mice, the effect on the buttons of which occurs by pressing mainly with fingers, as well as devices, which are controlled if they are encircled by the entire palm. In a professional gaming environment, perhaps, there are no generally accepted guidelines regarding what type of device is better adapted for games. The best gaming mice come in both modifications. However, before studying this or that model of the device, you should decide which type is optimal for solving a particular problem. Or proceed from the familiar criteria for the user to comfortably control characters in games.
In addition to this, basic, as some experts believe, classifications, mice can be divided into a large number of other types of subtypes. So, for example, some devices may have the ability to adjust the dimensions - length, width. Or, as an option, have replaceable buttons from different materials. Some gamers are more familiar with rubber controls, others with plastic.
Brand Name: Razer
The best gaming mice ... What brands are they represented in the world market? Let's start exploring the most advanced designs from the Razer brand. Mice of this manufacturer, according to many experts, are endowed with excellent sensitivity, can be programmed and have excellent control ergonomics. What objectively the best mouse from this brand is a rather controversial question. But some IT professionals believe that one of the most advanced designs is Razer Ourboros.
Take only the first parameter. Above, we noted that gaming mice should provide sensitivity of the order of 1600 DPI. In the Razer Ourboros device, you can set (through software settings) an indicator that is much higher than the recommended one - 8,200 dpi. According to this criterion, this type of mouse has very few analogues. In terms of programmability, the device is also very competitive: it has 11 buttons that can be configured.
The mouse implements entertaining concepts in the field of ergonomics. We noted above that there are devices in which dimensions can be changed. Razer Ourboros is one of those. The mouse can be lengthened and changed in height, adjusting to the size of the gamer's hands. Some users prefer devices that provide the minimum distance between the palm and the table, while others, on the contrary, like tall devices. The brand probably decided to release a universal type of device that can be customized to the most diverse preferences of gamers.
If we talk about differences in the vision of the convenience of controlling mice between users, it is worth noting such an aspect as the type of connection between the device and the PC. The fact is that for some gamers, a wired mouse is more convenient, for others - the one that interacts with the computer via radio. And here the Razer brand pleased. The mouse he produces can function both with and without a wire. At the same time, as many users and experts note, in the radio communication mode, the mouse is no less inferior in practical efficiency than when connected via a wired interface. Accuracy is on top, the response speed of objects on the screen to user actions is excellent.
Note, however, the fact that when switching between modes of communication with a PC - from wired to radio and vice versa - a computer restart is required. This is not entirely convenient if, for example, the gamer is at a crucial stage in the game, and the battery providing wireless mode is suddenly discharged. To go to the "cable" will have to reboot.
Another great mouse is the Razer Naga. It has as many as 19 programmable buttons. The sensitivity is the same as the previous model. True, connecting a mouse is only possible in wired mode. Another noteworthy example of a device from Razer is the Mamba mouse. It is characterized by the presence of an effective sensor system, due to which the highest accuracy of cursor positioning is achieved. And, as a result, the high efficiency of character management in games.
Logitech
Logitech is one of the leaders in the global IT market and one of the most famous computer mouse manufacturer brands . Among the best samples of devices that the company offers now are Logitech G700S. What features is characterized by this mouse? First of all, it has 13 programmable buttons, and a total of 15. Experts note that you can configure not only a single action associated with pressing a certain key, but also a certain sequence of activities.
Regarding sensitivity. The sample from Logitech is in no way inferior to the models from Razer, the maximum figure is 8,200 DPI. The response speed is normal - 1 ms. In general, in terms of basic characteristics, this mouse is better than the Razer Ourboros model, but it is somewhat inferior to it in terms of ergonomics - simply because the dimensions of the device cannot be changed.
We noted above that some gamers prefer devices that are adapted to control their fingertips. These include the Logitech G9X mouse. By the way, it also belongs to devices in which it is possible to replace controls based on material preferences. You can also adjust the weight of the mouse using metal inserts. The maximum sensitivity of this device is somewhat more modest than that of the previous model - 5600 DPI. But this is for the mouse (reviews of many gamers confirm this) is not at all critical in terms of the effectiveness of character management in games.
We also note the fact that the Logitech brand pays great attention not only to meeting its products with hardware criteria, but also to the software part. So, for example, Logitech devices can be flexibly configured using the interface of the SetPoint solution that comes with the device. This mouse program is a convenient tool for setting the necessary actions for buttons, and also, if there is such a need, for changing values for the response. The fact is that some gamers prefer to increase its value, say, from 1 ms to 10-12.
Mad catz
Another popular brand is Mad Catz. Among the most unusual models noted by users and experts is Cyborg RAT 9. This mouse (photo below) is characterized by a futuristic, effective and very bold design.
The device can work wirelessly. The maximum sensitivity of the device is 5600 DPI. Among the notable features is the architecture of the interaction of its components in the aspect of providing wireless operation. The fact is that the radio receiver responsible for connecting to the mouse is also also a charging station for the battery (there are two of them in the delivery set). Thus, if one battery is discharged, it can immediately be replaced with a fresh one. The battery life of the mouse is pretty decent - about 9 hours of continuous gameplay.
As in the case of Logitech G9X, you can adjust the weight of the mouse of the model in question using metal elements. In addition, Mad Catz product dimensions are also subject to change. You can adjust the length, width, height of the mouse. An interesting device management structure. In particular, there is a hardware DPI knob, a wheel for scrolling the contents of the screen horizontally.
ROCCAT
Another noteworthy brand is ROCCAT. It is among the inexpensive ones - in particular, the average price of one of the most popular models, the ROCCAT Kone mouse, is 3-4 times lower than the Razer Ourboros device. But the functionality of the device in some aspects is inferior to analogues. In particular, the Kone model has 9 programmable keys. However, the brand has prepared an "asymmetric solution" in the form of an EasyShift interface. By activating it, the user can increase the number of programmable buttons to 22 by adjusting their various combinations.
The sensitivity of the Kone mouse is fine, with a maximum of 6000 DPI. The response time is normal, 1 ms. Among the notable features of the device is TDCU technology, which provides high mouse performance on glass and other surfaces, which are considered not the best for convenient character control in games. Interestingly, the mouse has a built-in microprocessor with a operating frequency of 72 MHz, as well as its own random access memory of 576 KB.
Mionix
Among other brands - market leaders - Mionix. A product that many experts and gamers themselves consider one of the best is the Naos 5000 mouse. What are its features? In general, it is comparable in its characteristics with devices of the Kone level. True, there is less RAM in it - 128 Kb.
You can flexibly configure the device using a special program from the brand. Many gamers characterize the corresponding sample of software as extremely convenient to use and easy to learn. At the same time, as some of them note, the main part of the mouse functions can be activated without resorting to program settings.
The weight of the mouse, as in the case with many analogues, can be adjusted using additional elements. The sensitivity of the mouse is slightly lower than that of the analogs, but nevertheless decent - 5060 dpi. Not too many keys are programmed - 7.
Microsoft
One of the world's leading IT brands, Microsoft, produces not only well-known software samples, but also computer mice. For Windows, according to some experts, they are adapted in the best way - which, in principle, is logical, based on the fact that this brand actually produces this OS. Among the most noteworthy device models is the SideWinder X8.
This model is characterized by gamers and IT experts as an ergonomic, comfortable to use model. No, however, the ability to adjust the weight of the device. The number of programmable keys the mouse possesses is 7. The device can work both in wired mode and by radio. You can change the sensitivity settings right in the course of the game (you can see the current indicator on a small built-in display).
Among the shortcomings of the model is a modest battery life. The battery lasts about two days at an average intensity of using the mouse, while a typical indicator for the samples of devices discussed above is 3-4 days. Although, as some users note, the device is charging quickly enough.
Steelseries
Another well-known manufacturer of computer mice is SteelSeries. Among the most notable devices is the Xai model. Users, as well as IT experts, characterize the device as a successful combination of technology and innovative design. This mouse looks - the photo below it clearly shows - quite ordinary.
But in this, according to many IT specialists, its advantage is that various categories of users can take control of it. According to some reports, not only engineers from the manufacturer's brand participated in the development of the Xai device, but also gamers themselves from around the world.
A4Tech
One of the leaders in the IT market in the segment of computer mice is the A4Tech brand. Among the most noteworthy models of devices manufactured by this company is the X7 mouse. What are its features? Note that the sensitivity indicator is lower than that of the above models, it is 3600 DPI. However, many experts and gamers themselves note, speaking about the distinctive features of the device, the high adaptability of this mouse to fine-tuning software. It allows you to implement the branded Oscar Editor solution, which comes with the device.
X7 setup
How to configure the X7 mouse through this program? Experts and gamers themselves note the intuitive and logical interface of this software. As soon as the user opens the program window, almost all the components necessary for customizing the mouse are displayed clearly and with detailed explanations. You can see what type of action will be attached to clicking a particular mouse button. The range of activities available for customization is very wide. In particular, in some cases it is possible to configure not only single presses, but also button combinations. Configuring the X7 mouse allows programming various kinds of macros, as well as associating device controls with computer keyboard buttons. User-friendly program interfaces are also provided for creating appropriate algorithms and editing them.