progamers Mouse... - Page 5

This is my first time posting on these forums, mostly because i didn't find it relevant to enter pointless discussions with ppl stating things based purely on their gut feeling.
However this time i feel that my knowledge about this particular topic can put some light on the MOUSE subject, and explain some things that I'm sure most of you don't know.

To understand why these Starcraft pro gamers use outdated mice, we first need to understand how mice work, and why different mice produce different movements on the screen and same sensitivity setups.

DPI this is translated as "Dots per Inch". It basically means how many dots a mouse cursor will move if the mouse is moved for one (1) inch (1 inch = 2.53 cm) on a surface (a mouse pad for example).

Sensitivity filters - the mouse signal can be amplified and changed so that the distance traversed on the screen increases or decreases (simply put you can increase or decrease the sensitivity of the mouse in windows, and thrue special mouse drivers). However if we set the sensitivity in control panel to the 5th scale (the middle) and turn off the Enhanced pointer precision (acceleration), the mouse input we get is the pure mouse movement unchanged by artificial filters.

To better understand these 2 things lets move on to examples.

If for example we have a screen resolution of 800x600 and we have a Logitech mx300 mouse (800 DPI), and sensitivity filters are off, by moving the mouse for 1 inch we will move the cursor from one end of the screen to the other. If we want to achieve the same effect in a resolution of 1280x1024 (standard 19" LCD resolution) we would have to increase the sensitivity of the mouse VIA filters or increase the DPI of the mouse. A 1600 DPI mouse will cover this LCD screen in a movement that is less than 1 inch, in order for my logitech mx300 to achieve the same effect (remember he has 800 DPI), i would need to double his sensitivity in the windows sensitivity fileter (mouse setup in control panel) by moving the pointer speed from the middle to the far right (100% bonus speed increase), but lose precision in the process.

Now that we understand how DPI affects sensitivity we can conclude how this affects Starcraft and why some people say Razer mice or some other logitech hihg DPI mice are not good(this however not being true).

Starcraft uses a 640x480 screen resolution, by using an old 800 DPI mouse with sens unfiltered by windows you will get a middle to higher speed sensitivity that is very nice for use in starcraft (less than almost 1 inch of movement covers the whole screen). If we use a 2000 DPi mouse the default sensitivity will be very big and the game would be unplayable by most players unless they reduce the sens via the windows filter. However almost all mice that have over 1600 DPI also have an option to reduce the DPI to 800 or 400 so you don't have to artificially lower it via the windows filter. If u use unfiltered sensitivity, the mouse movement is more accurate and also it is 99% the same on any computer you go and plug in your mouse (very useful for LANs and Tourneys).

Lets look at higher resolutions now. If we play a game in 1280x1024, if i want to achieve the same sensitivity feel like i have in SC (640x480) i will have to almost double my sensitivity in windows (and in the process lose a lot of precision) or get a mouse with higher DPI.

Also, keep in mind, when SC2 comes out, the resolution you play in won't be 640x480, it will be higher, and if you use an outdated mouse you will most likely be unable to use the same sensitivity you used in SC.

If you read all of the above and understood it, you now know why SC progamers use outdated mice. Its basically because SC is an outdated program (technically, not the gameplay), and not because the new high end mice are no good, they just don't need them, they don't help them.

I own a logitech white pilot mouse (400 DPI), a mx 300 (800 DPI), inteli explorer 3.0 (800) DPI, logitech dual optical (iirc 800 DPI), and a Razer Copperhead (2000 DPI-adjustable to 400,800,1600 and 2000). I have played Q3, CS, and war3 on tourneys with some of them. Regarding SC, if i set Copperheads DPI to 800, the sensitivity is almost the same as on the logitech mx300, and the precision is almost the same.

When choosing a mouse, it is important to know what you will be using for, and how versatile it is.
Also looks also matter. To some more, to some less, but its always nice to have a cool looking mouse. If you use Logitech G1 to play SC, you like its design, it fits your hand, the G5 (2000DPI laser) will do all that and more, in SC you just lower its DPI, and if you play something else you wont have a garbage mouse that is only excellent in SC.

There is also mouse design, most RTS players use symmetrical mice, although this is not a rule set in stone. just chose the mouse that you feel is most comfortable in your hand and fits your grip style (Palm or Finger grips).

Hope this sheds some light on the "GAMING MOUSE" subject.