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[Q] lazer vs optical mice, which is better?

Forum Index > Tech Support
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1 2 Next All
Wartortle
Profile Joined August 2010
Australia504 Posts
February 17 2011 13:46 GMT
#1
Hi guys, looking at trying out some different mice, i was wondering what the main difference between the two types are?

Thanks to anyone who can help out.
SladeR
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada61 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 14:02:47
February 17 2011 13:53 GMT
#2
Specifically laser mice has a very obnoxious problem when lifting the mouse. Laser mice can track 3/4/5 inches above the surface you are using the mouse on. This means that in a RTS game like starcraft where you have to reposition the mouse by lifting --- the mouse ends up tracking inches above your gaming surface (tracking quite awkwardly I might add) optical/3ginfrared optical mice do not have this problem and only track a cm or so above the surface. With that said, Steelseries laser mice have more or less fixed this problem. Laser mice also have to be used on specific surfaces, glass/plasitc/shiny wood surfaces have tracking problems with laser mice; a problem that the competitive optical mice do not have. This means with nearly all laser mice you are forced to use a cloth mousepad or you will run into tracking issues at some time or another due to lighting conditions etc.


personally, Steel series Xai, Deathadder, intellimouse 3.0, or the 518 are the three mice you should choose between. I'd personally recommend the deathadder, it's just the better mouse overall as razer is really the only company embracing 3g infrared. Probably because consumers do not know better and think that 'laser' is just better overall.
PolSC2
Profile Joined December 2010
United States634 Posts
February 17 2011 13:54 GMT
#3
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6419059-1.html
We learn nothing from history except that we learn nothing from history.
SladeR
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada61 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 14:01:42
February 17 2011 13:55 GMT
#4
On February 17 2011 22:54 PolSC2 wrote:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6419059-1.html

Are you serious? it's laser mice that have problems tracking on shiny surfaces. That link is complete garbage as most gaming mice have adjustable DPI, meaning sensitivity is never a problem between the two mice. Many 3g infrared optical mice have 3500+ dpi, maybe the old 10+ year optical technology has these problems, not the more recent 3g infrared. Infrared light means no matter what color the surface tracking is not going to be effected, something which cannot be said about laser mice.
Wartortle
Profile Joined August 2010
Australia504 Posts
February 17 2011 14:07 GMT
#5
so basically, the better choice is infrared? but you recommend a deathadder which is lazer?
Luiwtf
Profile Joined January 2011
England217 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 14:08:36
February 17 2011 14:07 GMT
#6
Lol at the 5 year old link :D.

I'm not sure of the differences between them tbh, but I use a Razer Diamondback 3g.

Very good mouse imo (as are all the other razer mice I've tried). Logitech (who make the mx518 that SladeR reccommended) also make very good mice, altho I'm not a fan of the shape of them, much prefer the razer shapes.

Best thing to do is go to a local computer shop and try some out, then when you find one you're comfortable with, order it online (as it's probably cheaper).

If you do go and try some out, remember that the sensitivity will probably be adjustable in the drivers (and in windows/in game), so pay more attention to how comfortable you feel with the mouse (the size and weight of it), rather than if the sensitivity is exactly how you want it.

I havn't tried any steel series or microsoft mice, so couldn't comment on the others that SladeR reccommended .
Wartortle
Profile Joined August 2010
Australia504 Posts
February 17 2011 14:12 GMT
#7
to be honest, i have a death adder. i must be like the only person in the world that doesnt really like it. it might be my mouse pad
http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.169419600/categoryId.35208900
but im considering going to an optical, cheaper option. the DA feels too inaccurate, sometimes it hops around a little for me, i may just be imagining it, but im second guessing it a lot. i want something with a lot of control. maybe its just personal preference...
Sriver
Profile Joined January 2011
19 Posts
February 17 2011 14:12 GMT
#8
Laser mice can track on more surfaces than optical, even shiny surfaces.

That said, laser generally prefer hard surfaces, while optical work best on cloth.

Laser mice(above 3500, generally 5000-6000) have higher DPI than optical(up to 3500).

The other thing is that very few laser sensor have perfect tracking. Most of them have positive acceleration(most avago sensors) or z axis tracking problems(most philipps sensors). While some optical appear to be better in that regard(such as Razer Abyssus or Deathadder).

Regarding the lift-off distance, this is about the same, but some higher end laser mice have customizable lift off distance, such as the Roccat Kone+.
Wartortle
Profile Joined August 2010
Australia504 Posts
February 17 2011 14:14 GMT
#9
oh i didnt realise the DA was optical, always thought it was lazer. maybe i did buy the wrong mousepad then?
SladeR
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada61 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 14:18:45
February 17 2011 14:16 GMT
#10
Razer Deathadder is a 3g infrared OPTICAL mouse.

And as a previous user said, between the few mice I recommend find one that best suits your hand and your grip style. With that said the Deathadder favors claw style grips for RTS and low sensitivity palm grips for FPS. The DA is kind of the best of both worlds along with being one of the few mice that employ the 3g infrared sensor which performs the best with both extreme positive and negative acceleration.
Luiwtf
Profile Joined January 2011
England217 Posts
February 17 2011 14:16 GMT
#11
The DeathAdder is 3G Infrared according to Razer's website?

As for the tracking problems you have, it could be that you have the actual resolution of the mouse turned down, and that you've turned up the sensitivity too much in either windows/in game?

I'm not sure if that would have that effect, but in my mind it seems like that's how it would work.
Wartortle
Profile Joined August 2010
Australia504 Posts
February 17 2011 14:17 GMT
#12
yeah i get that now, so i guess swapping to something else wont help me.
Wartortle
Profile Joined August 2010
Australia504 Posts
February 17 2011 14:18 GMT
#13
On February 17 2011 23:16 Luiwtf wrote:
The DeathAdder is 3G Infrared according to Razer's website?

As for the tracking problems you have, it could be that you have the actual resolution of the mouse turned down, and that you've turned up the sensitivity too much in either windows/in game?

I'm not sure if that would have that effect, but in my mind it seems like that's how it would work.



yeah i might have to fiddle with the settings a little more
SladeR
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada61 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 14:25:31
February 17 2011 14:21 GMT
#14
First question
Open your windows "mouse" options in control panel, and go to the "pointer options" tab

1) is the sensitivity set to 6bars/11bars

2) is "enhance pointer precision" disabled

These are 2 most common mistakes users make when using gaming mice. The windows sensitivity MUST be set at the default 6bars/11 and pointer precision MUST be disabled to remove mouse acceleration. The sensitivity and DPI should be controlled through your razer drivers. Also update the deathadders firmware and use the latest drivers. These are probably the source of your accuracy problems, as mouse acceleration gives you very inconsistent results. With that said mice like the steel series Xai apparently have an inherent mouse acceleration that cannot be disabled. I have not found any specific tried and true documentation regarding this but your accuracy problems will only get worse using these mice.
Wartortle
Profile Joined August 2010
Australia504 Posts
February 17 2011 14:28 GMT
#15
On February 17 2011 23:21 SladeR wrote:
First question
Open your windows "mouse" options in control panel, and go to the "pointer options" tab

1) is the sensitivity set to 6bars/11bars

2) is "enhance pointer precision" disabled

These are 2 most common mistakes users make when using gaming mice. The windows sensitivity MUST be set at the default 6bars/11 and pointer precision MUST be disabled to remove mouse acceleration. The sensitivity and DPI should be controlled through your razer drivers. Also update the deathadders firmware and use the latest drivers. These are probably the source of your accuracy problems, as mouse acceleration gives you very inconsistent results. With that said mice like the steel series Xai apparently have an inherent mouse acceleration that cannot be disabled. I have not found any specific tried and true documentation regarding this but your accuracy problems will only get worse using these mice.


awesome advice, thanks for this, ill try and sort it all out, ive never updated the firmware etc so ill do all that and see how i go.

thanks again.
Overpowered
Profile Joined January 2011
Czech Republic764 Posts
February 17 2011 15:28 GMT
#16
I have used both laser and optical and found very good laser ones better overall. But if you dont want to buy laser high-end mice, optical would be probably better. Sensor of opticals feels more stable and easily controlled, but very good lasers are just as good and work good on every surface.
Just another gold Protoss...
ChoboCop
Profile Joined July 2004
United States954 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 15:40:51
February 17 2011 15:40 GMT
#17
Logitech g9x never has any tracking issues ever, not once have I mistracked when picking up the mouse. I tested it upon reading this and I cannot get my mouse to move without the mouse being on the mousepad. I use a large black mousepad. The XTrac Ripper XL mousepad + Logitech G9x has been an amazing combo. I really like the adjustable weights and grips of the g9x also. And if I didn't have a g9x I'd have a R.A.T. mouse and if not that Razer Deathadder, and if not that the SteelSeries Ikari.

There is no advantage to having an optical these days except cost.
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered.
ChoboCop
Profile Joined July 2004
United States954 Posts
February 17 2011 15:42 GMT
#18
On February 17 2011 23:21 SladeR wrote:
First question
Open your windows "mouse" options in control panel, and go to the "pointer options" tab

1) is the sensitivity set to 6bars/11bars

2) is "enhance pointer precision" disabled

These are 2 most common mistakes users make when using gaming mice. The windows sensitivity MUST be set at the default 6bars/11 and pointer precision MUST be disabled to remove mouse acceleration. The sensitivity and DPI should be controlled through your razer drivers. Also update the deathadders firmware and use the latest drivers. These are probably the source of your accuracy problems, as mouse acceleration gives you very inconsistent results. With that said mice like the steel series Xai apparently have an inherent mouse acceleration that cannot be disabled. I have not found any specific tried and true documentation regarding this but your accuracy problems will only get worse using these mice.

QFT. This is extremely helpful advice that many people for some reason don't know.
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered.
MaliciousOne
Profile Joined June 2010
United States47 Posts
February 17 2011 16:07 GMT
#19
To just add on things from a slightly different slant:

In the end, optical vs. laser doesn't matter as much as the individual mouse quality. Yes, laser mice can achieve higher DPI and track on more surfaces, but if you're buying a serious gaming mouse, you should also get a good surface to use with it (it's really irritating to see someone use a gaming mouse on the back of a notebook or dirty table/desk). This should mitigate most/all of the differences between laser and optical.

With the plethora of mice out there, you should pick one that has all the features you want, fits your hand ergonomically (which depends on your style of grip and hand size), and has few known issues.

My take on some different mice companies/models:

Logitech: Hit/Miss ergonomics. Either you love it, or you will never get used to them. Solid but not extravagant feature set, lower DPI than other companies for similar prices (this is not terribly important, but worth considering). I've heard of very few tracking issues from logitech.

Razer: Excellent ergonomics (especially the deathadder and imperator), solid but not extravagant feature set, occasional tracking issues that are usually fixed by just making sure your surface is clean and you have the correct surface.

Steelseries: Generic but good ergonomics, great if you are used to and want a mouse to just feel like a regular mouse. Great feature set, haven't heard of many tracking issues at all.

Rat5/7/9 mice: Dizzying array of cool features and customization options. Hit/Miss ergonomics, as they feel a little flat for people who like to palm their mice.

Roccat Kone[+]: Very expensive, not easily available in the US. Cream of the crop for gaming mice. Has any feature you can think of packed into a mouse.
SladeR
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada61 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 16:16:52
February 17 2011 16:13 GMT
#20
Something to add to the mice options above, stay away from any mouse with weights. You do not want a mouse with additional weighting as you are just begging for a RSI. You do not want to put any more stress on your wrists and hands than what starcraft already demands. This makes the rat series of mice a very very poor choice as they have a metal plate as the bottom of the mice, and additional weights. Another problem with the cyborg rat series of mice is the fact that you control the ergonomics, you are not a doctor and I personally would not trust myself to properly fit a mouse to my hand. Plus all the rat series of mice is made by the same people who made all those obnoxious "MadCatz" controllers for PS1/2 and xbox. A good portion of razer's mice are garbage and I would not recommend them (side the deathadder for example). Steelseries Xai is a great mouse, is really expensive, but have a built in native acceleration that cannot be disabled, but steel series has done alot to minimize the tracking at heights. You really have to look around and fine one suited for your hand size, I would say most people in north america are going to need a mouse the size of the deathadder/mx518/xai/3.0 though, the small mice dont do too well with the average sized hand.
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