Interessant review en anglès:
My own personal view, an ongoing study. This guide is for other "finger grippers" who grip the mouse with fingers rather than with palm and swinging the arm from side to side.
I used simple 2 button + scroll wheel MS optical mouse for as long as they've been around, and its ball versions before that. I've never really given too much thought to mice, I always liked the shape of MS optical and that was good enough. I tried other mice in past but just kept coming back, and that was that.
Until recently. Eventually there came a point when I realized that 2 buttons really just isn't gonna cut it anymore, and there MUST be something out there to top a lowly $20 MS optical. That's when the quest for the mouse began (a few weeks ago). And so, in the order of aquisition, brief commentary:
Razer Lachesis - alleged new king of laser razer mice, at 4000 dpi and 9 buttons. Slick menacing shape proved difficult to lift off the mouse pad, which was not helped by mouse's comparatively heavy weight. The coolness of setting mouse sensitivity to low everywhere and still have mouse move as normal was present, but how much benefit higher resolution brings is unknown. MS optical wins by being lighter, more ergonomic to hold.
Logitech G9 - latest and greatest from logitech. Comes with 2 switchable cases, one for palm and one for finger gripping. Being the finger gripper I was pleasantly surprised by such consideration by logitech. And, the case indeed feels great. I rather liked the non-slip rough texture, and the overall proportions of the mouse feel just right. Even though it is a good deal heavier than MS optical, it was not a problem to lift and move around quickly (as a finger gripper I imagine I do this a fair bit more often than palm users). I was all but happy with this mouse, but alas, it had to have an achilles heel. The scroll wheel requires more force to press than a double action pistol. I can't imagine why they made such a decision, as some of the time you end up scrolling the mouse wheel instead of depressing it. With the middle button rendered useless the G9 ended up being a superman on a pair crutches. MS optical prevailed by a having an easy to click scroll wheel.
Microsoft Sidewinder - the laser gaming entry from microsoft. In a stroke of genius the arranged the thumb buttons one above the other, instead of in sequence. This allows you to constantly have your thumb touching both, and instantly pressing either by simply applying pressure with the thumb, no movement required. Absolutely perfect arrangement. While heavy like the G9, it is, sadly, missing the ridge on the right side to assist with lifting the mouse. Left past of the mouse lifts easily, but the right side slips out of your fingers unless you grip it hard or use the palm grip. Sadly, as much as I loved the thumb buttons, MS Optical won in the lightness and ergonomic shape department.
Razer Deathadder - legend of gaming mice, by Razer. Shape reminiscent of MS optical it was a promising looking mouse that I was eager to try. Could it really be MS optical with 5 usable buttons and improved sensors? Razer took it upon themselves to improve the shape of MS optical by making the right side of the mouse slanted instead of vertical, which coupled with heavier weight made the mouse difficult to lift quickly and often. Had they kept the original MS optical shape, they would've been onto a winner. MS optical won again, in the useability department.
MS Explorer 3.0 - a real workhorse of gaming, allegedly the most used gaming mouse ever. Suffers from the same drawbacks as the deathadder above, with the right side slanted to prevent a secure finger grip. MS optical wins in ergonomics, as usual.
MS Optical 1.1 - same as MS Explorer above, except with thumb buttons located on different sides. It has TWO slanted sides instead of one. Almost as if it say, if you think one slanted side is bad, wait till you try THIS.
Logitech MX 518 - although aged by now, this proved to be a very decent mouse. With ridges on both sides to assist with lifting, it's easier to use than most other contenders (except the G9, which was a much better shape). This was one mouse where I actually felt the accuracy of my long distance shots improve noticeably in COD4, and I don't think it was placebo as I did not see such effect with other mice up to that point. However, for long term usage the shape is still awkward and the mouse is too heavy to use. MS optical IS one of the lightest mice out there, if not the lightest, so it is hard for others to match it that respect. However, I don't really understand why I can't spend $100 on a mouse and get both: a light mouse, and 5 usable buttons.
Dynex Wired Optical - Dun dun dun. Dynex? Whaa? Dynex is a $17 dollar mouse (available at Best Buy), a contender to compete with $100 gaming heavy weights above. It is very light, comparable to MS optical, has ridges on both sides for lifting, and sports 2 side buttons. Featuring 1000 dpi engine it easily plays with the best of the gaming mice. Ironically, THUS far, it is the best mouse of the list above. But it is too small : (. The shape becomes difficult to use after a while. MS Optical was BIG and light, and dynex is just too undersized to use comfortably, unless you have smaller hands.
Razer Diamondback - A bit low for my taste, not loving the opposing thumb buttons.
Razer-MS Habu - a mouse jointly designed by Razer and Microsoft, it sports microsoft familiar shape and razer technology. Although from pictures the right sides looks slanted, it does have 2 rubber rails on each end to aid with lifting. A bit heavy to use, and a bit to hard to lift because of slanted shape and non-functional rails.
Fatal1ty 2020 - [WINNER] - a mouse designed by Fatal1ty in collaboration with Creative. It is a laser mouse, and made to by a "finger grip" mouse by fatality himself. Reviews have been questionsable, but we'll wait and see for it to arrive to pass judgement. See posts 10-13 for complete review.
Ordered and waiting to arrive:
Razer Copperhead - a 5 button ambidextrous design. 2 rubber rails on each side.
Waiting for release:
Roccat KONE - a no name company that came out with a feature rich high tech design, that looks promising, although expensive (I think expected to run $130 on release). You can check them out at roccat.org
Other thoughts:
Razer Boomslang - was willing to try but some reviews claiming it to be too low, and since it only has 4 buttons I'm not sure about it. It also runs $100 since it's only a limited edition. Unless I heard something good about it, no longer planning on getting it.
Ikari - having both optical and laser versions they're marketed as "no bullshit" gaming mice for FPS gamers. Allegedly designed to be lightweight, they nonetheless have odd looking shape that may not be easy to lift, and I have read some reviews to that effect. May give a shot later, but don't know at this point yet.
Open to other mice suggestions if you know a good mouse I should try...
Winner: Fatal1ty 2020 (aka professional laser mouse), see posts 10-13 for reasons why.
