Don't know about bomb-diggity but DH bought a simple Microsoft optical mouse about 3 yrs ago and all we did was unplug the old one and plug this in. Still working great and it really gets a workout. Sandy

Is that the Basic Optical; white with gray scroll wheel & dark gray underside?

If so, I have that one, but sometimes the cursor disappears & I have to move the mouse like crazy to find it! LOL And I've tried playing chintzy games with it (Yahoo! type), but it didn't have a good enough response time.

I used to have it on the solid oak desk top or a semi-glossy world map mouse pad, but was told to switch to a felt or cloth-top pad so the optical eye has something to track on. That helped somewhat.

Nope...the bomb diggity ones are fairly expensive.
The bomb diggitiest your going to get for under 40.00 is the Razer Krait for 29.99 and that is because it is on sale at Amazon ...the sticker is 64.00 and for 29.99 its a bargain.

For about 10.00 more the Razer plasma's are very good mice (especially compared to GE). The Diamiond Back is the most popular. The Razer Copperhead, is according to Tom's Hardware...the leader and as good as it gets (that's their laser model).

You don't have to game to use gaming mice...they are supposedly more accurate. They are very easy handling compared to the standard fare.

marf

Here is a link that might be useful: Razer Krait Mouse

Okay, I realize I'm not going to get the best corded non-ball mouse for the least price. Call that wishful thinking or living in la-la land! LOL

So I'll take recommendations for one that has great DPI, so long as ALL applications on & off-line (message boards, shopping sites, word documents, Windows, games & so on) accept such & that it doesn't break with normal use as soon as (& hopefully not even after) the warranty's up.

Thanks for the link, I'll definitely check into one of those, for myself & my son!

My Lord, I've done some research & there's information overload on the subject!

It's crazy that gaming/graphics mice are mostly laser versus optical, are as high as 2000 DPI & that some come with as many as 8 programmable buttons plus weights to adjust the drag if they're not being used for games, & aren't recommended for general applications!!!

Sheesh, I guess I was living in la-la land with wanting a mouse that could do it all!

*SIGH*

Now I have to reconsider everything, especially since my son plays W.O.W., yet he goes to a message board that has low-end games, checks e-mail, Instant Messages with friends, & is still doing high school work & may be going to college soon.

During reading Consumer Research Reviews to him, he said he doesn't want a mouse that comes with or needs weights adjusted for when he's not gaming.

So I guess a non-weight & thus a non-laser, but high DPI optical is the best bet for his needs.

My needs closely resemble his, though not so high on the gaming.

It's also mind-boggling that I have to consider future applications (i.e., OS system upgrades) & if my hubby, who's a lefty, wants to switch the mouse to right-handed use. Though he hasn't done so in the approximate 10 years we've had a computer/a mouse hooked up for right-handed use only.

HUH?

I have a laser, you don't need a weight adjustmet. You inset the disk, install the drivers, and plug it in.

I use the Logitech MX1000 ... Weights?

Logitech no longer makes my model, but their replacement is the MX Revolution with a sticker of 99.99.

Below is the info on it ... believe me, I have no idea what you are taking about with adjustments while not gaming.

Where are you getting this information?

marf

Here is a link that might be useful: Logitech MX Revolution

The MX1000 is still for sale at Amazon. The biggest drawback is that its big...you need a giant sized pad...its a large and high one...but its great...although I've gone through three sets of feet...and there is nothing to adjust.

Stay away from Consumer Reprots when it comes to computers and peripherals...my advice is to stay away from Consumer Reports altogether but old habits die hard.

If you want research go to Tom's Hardware and or their forums, or any of the product forums you are interested in. When something doesn't work right with computers, people use the forums to vent their disappointment and anger when they don't work.

Cnet has user reviews as well as Amazon...you can learn a lot more from user reviews than from any editor who either only uses the product marginally, is biased, uninformed, and (yes even with Consumer Reports) gets incentives.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon's MX1000

I got my information here:

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/computers/computer-mice/review.html

I'm On my way to check it out ...see you in a few.

Let me know if I got some information screwed up, which would have happened because I became so confused!

The Razer Copperhead is a laser ... that is complicated, by the way the article was also wrong about "as good" they clearly named the Copperhead as number 1. The complications are from all the specific driver downloads and the mouse's specic programs that can be used by a touch of a button going from game to game or application to application. You can program the mouse for WoW and for the Garden Web and flip back and forth between the two.

For the anal-retentive pickyune gamers that have to have everthing perfect... there is a tool kit available for purchase to change the heft of the mouse by adding weights to make it feel better for whose ever using it. If you do this ... it voids the warranty of the mouse.

From a Razer Copperhead retail site:

"Razer Pro-Tools (Sold separately)
Up to 3 customizable weight standards and optional dummy buttons*

* Using Pro-Tools will void your warranty. The Razer Copperhead is not compatible with Mac OSX.

The person who wrote the article doesn't use a laser. My laser is lickety split and actually too fast for some older games....but I've never had an issue with web browsing and photo editing...it makes capture better, especially for in
game screens.

It flies through files and clicks back and forth to webpages like nobody's business with a special document flip.

Somebody again had a job to do and a deadline to meet. They skimmed over what they thought was pertinent data..and its false.

Anyone who uses my NOTEBOOK loves my mouse ... they can't believe how easy the MX1000 is to use...no adjustment necessary. The only problem I've ever had is flying Buckbeak through the batrings in the Prisoner of Azkaban game...everyone has trouble flying through the fifth round of rings in that game anyway...I'm not sure I should blame the mouse. Most games have a mouse speed to set. The 1000 really helped zapping those pixies in the same game. We'd still be at the wishing well fighting them without it.

The Copperhead still..if you know how to use it...is the best...but with Microsoft and all these drivers and driver issues and "Microsoft Tested" it can be a headache.

I mentioned the Copperhead, but I didn't recommend it.

I recommended the Krait or the Diamond Back...which are optical mice, and not quite as fancy. Infra-Red are Optical Mice.

I would whole heartedly recommend the MX1000 or the MX Revolution...if you wanted to spend that much.

Another big deal to consider is that Logitech and Microsoft get along (Logitech probably makes their mice for them) and Microsoft won't give you any hassles about Microsoft Testesd and Approved drivers that come with it.

There are many peripherals that Miocrosoft has driven out of business because their drivers aren't Microsoft Tested...which is very unfair. Saitek...the English Company is one that I won't buy from anymore because their drivers aren't "Tested" and there is nothing wrong them...except Windows sets off bells and alarms when you try to use Saitek's drivers.

May the Krait is something more than you want to hassle with. I do know a couple of peopel that just love the Diamond Back Plasma (Optical) for about 39.99.

There's the green color that didn't sell (because its green) at GoGamer.com for 34.00.

Here's a Faq page from Razer and the various concerns addressed by purchasers.


http://www.razersupport.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=view


Or see if you can find a bargain somewhere on the web for the MX1000. Its a great mouse.

Below is the home product page for the Diamond Back, and as I said GoGamer.com sells the green one for 34.00, ignore the price at the home site.

marf

I want to apologize for the length of time I spent getting back to you. I got sidetracked on the phone...and later realized I hadn't even submitted the post.

The sentence "May the Krait..." should be "Maybe the Krait..." if there is anything confusing, let me know.

Thanks and again my apology.

marf

I don't know much about the Habu. Its a mouse produced jointly between Razer and Microsoft. Amazon has it around 59.00-60.00. It seems interesting.

marf

I was reading on another site about Logitech, which seems to have quite a following:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=29&N=2010290065+50001080+1083027186+1083607055&Submit=ENE&Manufactory=1080&SubCategory=65

Sorry for the length!

We don't need anything real expensive/fancy. Just to give you an idea of what programs we currently use, which may hint at the level of future things, see below. By the way, they're not in any particular order of usage.

World of Warcraft
Yahoo! games
MS-loaded games
Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games
MS Office
Adobe PhotoShop
message boards

You get the picture, right? ;-)

The following, which I forgot to add to the above, must have been exactly what happened with the GE mouse I tried installing!

Another big deal to consider is that Logitech and Microsoft get along (Logitech probably makes their mice for them) and Microsoft won't give you any hassles about Microsoft Testesd and Approved drivers that come with it.

There are many peripherals that Miocrosoft has driven out of business because their drivers aren't Microsoft Tested...which is very unfair.

Porbably the the Diamond Plasma for 34.00 at GoGamer.com
(beware their links usually redirect to the home page)


http://www.gogamer.com/Razer-Diamondback-Chameleon-Green-Gaming-Mouse-Razer_stcVVproductId4758990VVcatId444872VVviewprod.htm


or Go with the Krait:


http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Krait-Professional-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B000FZVTSM/sr=1-29/qid=1168211391/ref=sr_1_29/103-9355026-2543017?ie=UTF8&s=electronics


or this one which some one hated for the Mac and another person hated because it was USB only and used background processes (which they all do now...my MX1000 takes a Chunk of RAM...WOW!)

Seems to be ok:


http://www.amazon.com/Razer-ProSolutions-v1-6-Mouse-RP01-010100R1M1/dp/B000BYQDLU/sr=1-6/qid=1168211509/ref=sr_1_6/103-9355026-2543017?ie=UTF8&s=electronics


I have Microsft's Intellimouse ...I didn't like it. It was too slow. Pixies kept biting.

If Razer is working with Microsoft, their drivers should not give you the hassle that Ideazon, Saitek, and Nyko have given me. Ideazon is pricy and full of hype.

I don't know if its possible to make a good "reasonably priced laser" as of yet. I know that a lot Microsofts first attempts at laser mice were fairly duddy and medium priced (which is why they went in with Razer).

The logitech G5 laser is at Amazon for 46.00. Now with a laser you are going to need a flat smooth light colored mouse pad like the Kilenflor.

Then there's the Logitech Optical:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006HZ0K/ref=pd_cp_e_title/103-9355026-2543017


You might be able to find some good prices.

I'm going to make you cry...I got my MX1000 for about 35.00 when Amazon had a special introductory Christmas offer two years ago. I am still amazed as to what it is still selling for. It is discontinued, but still in demand.

good luck

marf

About has the top 5 mice and a its fairly accurate:

1. CopperHead

2. DiamondBack Plasma

3. Logitech's G5

4. Logitech's G7

5. Logitech MX1000

The Nerds are selling the DiamondBack for 32.99. I don't know anything about them except I got their link through the About.com price comparison. I have shopped at GoGamer and they are OK. Everything always arrives intact. When you add shipping...you might as just as well stick with Amazon and their free shipping for 39.99. That's more than you want to spend...but I've heard its a great mouse and if its holding its own at number 2 in a field of laser mice...that would be my choice.

The Diamond Back is the best optical mouse on the planet and it is the second best mouse over all (only to be unseated by its big brother Copperhead Laser).

marf

Thanks for all the info you've given me!

If I can't find any of the brands you noted & I don't recall seeing them locally, in fact I don't think I've ever heard of them before, I'm going to look for Logitech. Specifically 931658-0403, 931622-0403, RX 300, MX 310, MX 500, 930808-0403, or MX 518 at Target or Wal-Mart (I have gift cards to use) or Best Buy (I have coupons to use). If I can't find those then I'll probably purchase on-line.

Best Buy is really high compared to Target and Amazon ... even with the coupons. Beware. Target and Walmart might take your gift cards from an online purchase...I don't know how that works...if there are numbers on them. Target and Walmart (online) pretty much specialize in Logitech. Walmart has a couple of Creative Labs Lasers that look interesting ...but at around 65.00. Amazon is really beating them both for online prices.

Best Buy...our's is selling the Copperhead for about 100.00, it is selling online for around 59.00. Use extreme caution with Best Buy.

marf

I just read the Habu reviews.

"Its been Microsofted...it crashes to the desktop!"

Some people are very funny and have a sense of humor...I don't know if I'd have a sense of humor after spending 70.00 on a mouse with faulty software.

The Razer mechanics are fine its just the software and Microsoft's instructions...unbelievable.

From Amazon:

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

The Microsoft Magic, December 22, 2006
Reviewer: William Kerney (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

As I walked out of the store with the Habu, I joked with a friend of mine (who works for Microsoft), that, knowing Microsoft, they have taken a decent mouse and applied their Microsoft magic to it to make it crash.

I laugh now at my woeful naivete. Oh, it got Microsofted all right.

Consider. You open your box. Inside there is a staid instruction manual, and an even staider troubleshooting insert, which says things like "Make sure you plug in your mouse, if it needs to be plugged in" and "Make sure you put batteries into your mouse, if it needs batteries", and et cetera, which tells you right off the bat they didn't really customize it for the product, since the Habu neither has an AC adaptor nor need of a battery or plurals thereof. BUT, as you shake the box to make all the last components fall out, a bright green inserts falls into your lap warning you quite explicitly that you need to install the drivers on the CD before you attach the mouse. Covering the USB plug on the mouse is a label softly glued to the connector, warning you with the same warning, making sure that the ignorant mouse-attacher cannot possibly miss the important fact that the drivers must be installed before the mouse is attached.

Now, see, that's funny because if you do, in fact, install the drivers first, the Habu will never work on that computer. Ever. It will only detect as a normal USB mouse, and you cannot make use of the sundry utilities to, for example, change the sensitivity of the mouse, or the sampling rate, or option any of the other options. The Habu software will indeed load, dangling these tantalizing features before your eyes, but it steadfastly refuses to acknowledge you do, actually, have a Habu connected. In fact, as I found out online, the only way to make sure that your system does not become, to coin a phrase, "Habu-proof", you must install the drivers only after the mouse is already attached. Once the drivers are on your system, no amount of effort short of a line by line audit of the registry will allow your Habu to work as anything other than a plain USB mouse. You can choose to add/remove the drivers, you can try the updated software on the website, you can try updating firmware, et cetera and et cetera -- it will not work. The only method some person online found that worked is this: flash the firmware of the mouse with the firmware for another Razer product, uninstall and reinstall the drivers, and then reflash it to be a Habu. He said that he got occasional bluescreens of death now and again, and the mouse would occasionally lurch in an epileptic seizure, but that, for the most part, he indeed had a Habu working on his computer.

In my opinion, he had an undead Habu, but I safely kept that opinion to myself.

And, naturally, to make the Microsofting of the product complete, Microsoft forbade Razer from supporting the product, making their tech support people direct all calls to Microsoft's, where they can very unhelpfully fix nothing, as true to form. Microsoft's technical support webpages and wizards are always along the lines of twenty different ways of making sure all of your cables are attached. Keeping in their milieu perfectly, the Habu tech support page has nothing helpful, only suggesting that you might perhaps want to replace your mouse pad. And, under general support, it recommends installing the latest version of Microsoft's Intellipoint software, which, of course, does not support the Habu.

As a fitting postscript, the process of uninstalling and reinstalling the Habu software several times killed my video card. Fortunately, modern medicine does work on Nvidia's products, and so my machine was not permanently blinded.

Conclusion: Microsoft can indeed take their lessons learned in software design and apply them to their hardware process as well.

............................................................
Ahhh, there are no reviews like user reviews, and a high -priced mouse doesn't mean its good, or even that it will work.

marf

QUOTE/Best Buy is really high compared to Target and Amazon ... even with the coupons. Beware. Target and Walmart (online) pretty much specialize in Logitech.

Amazon is really beating them both for online prices./QUOTE

I've noticed that with some things with Best Buy & often I go somewhere else & say screw the coupons. I'll check out Target & Wally World though, in person & on-line.

I figure why not use someone else's money first & then mine. *wink* LOL

QUOTE/Ahhh, there are no reviews like user reviews, and a high -priced mouse doesn't mean its good, or even that it will work./QUOTE

Amen to that!

Well I had no luck in Target & WM, on-line & physically (I had to go to both places anyhow this morning) so I'll be checking out Amazon.

I think I'm going to stick with 1000 dpi since the MS 3000 was such & it was plenty fast for us.

It's too bad though the scroll wheel on it was flaky; working perfect, then near nothing, then back & forth between perfect & near nothing. It was a vicious love-hate relationship circle.

Thanks for all your help!

Live ... get the Diamond Back ...

marf

One good reason for getting the Diamond Back Plasma Optical: Orisinal.

Wonderful eyecandy Adobe Flash site. Start out playing the "Apple" game ... I think its the last square and one of the easiest ones.

I build my own PCs. The last time I put a machine together (July), I chose the Microsoft Optical Wheel mouse (about 18 dollars from Staples (probably cheaper from NewEgg). I've used Microsoft mice for years without a problem. (One replaced the ball mouse that came with an IBM factory built machine I had. Those mice lasted 6 mos each!

Oh my good grief! That game messed with my eyes & gave me a headache [strobe lights mess me up worse =(], & I only played twice! I missed 32 the first time & 25 the next & chickened out for a 3rd try. I've too slow a hand & eye for that sort of game, or maybe it was a combo of both plus the MS Basic Optical! LOL

But I saved the link for wild-hair days. *wink* Thanks!

About the mice with all the lights, I should've said sooner so you didn't waste your time, but they seem a bit too flashy for me. Sorry. =( I like the plain-Jane types.

I'm sure the Microsoft Mouse is a very good reliable mouse. But when these kids play WoW (which is an online game) they are serious as serious can be. You don't want to be in a Wow battle campaign, dead, before you can fire off your blows.

marf

QUOTE/You don't want to be in a Wow battle campaign, dead, before you can fire off your blows./QUOTE

He has that probelm anyhow because of higher-ups hunting him, whom he can't touch due to his lower level. I'm trying to get him to quit playing anyhow because of that & the sounds the computer makes when the game freezes or lags on him! LOL

I guess it lags & makes noises either because of so many on-line playing it, or the computer's equipment isn't up to par. He'll have to bite the bullet on the latter because hubby probably won't give in to upgrading it any further than it was recently done. Though it will get upgraded for a DVD drive & a case with card ports.

I do agree with you about the driver business...and it is solely Microsofts fault, they have so many updates, by the time companies catch up and update the drivers to accomodate...they've got to do it again.

Logitech has been Microsoft hassle free for me. Their controllers and joysticks aren't the greatest...but I can download and utilize their drivers without MS having fits.

That to me is illegal ... but that never stopped MS before.

There are 118 rave reviews over this mouse. Its 39.99. Not bad, not great. But there are many satisfied everyday users and gamers with this mouse. The Razer Plasma is a better mouse for the money...will it be hassle free or will you have to spend hours on the phone with Razer support trying to find a work-around from the latest MS udpate?

I've never had a problem with Logitech drivers...MS has caused havoc with even Canon drivers. My current keyboard from Ideazon is less than useless.

The 39.99 gaming optical mouse by Log is overpriced...especially compared to the Razer Plasma Opticals but it is much better than its 30.00 offering and there are next to no complaints, people DON'T feel cheated and they believe they got their money's worth.

There was a good review by a owner of both the Log MX518 and the Razer DiamondBack Plasma ...and he preferred the Razer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Razer RZ-1600 Diamondback Precision Gaming Mouse- Chameleon Green
Price: $38.65
Availability: In Stock
6 used & new from $34.99

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

They really sweated the details on this mouse, October 2, 2005
I'm not a gamer.

I bought this mouse for ergo reasons. And because I spend enough of my life at the computer that there's no reason to have anything other than the hottest equipment.

I switched from the Logitech MX-510, the other hot gamer's mouse series. They're functionally very similar, but the Razer Diamondback has been far superior (for me) in practice! Here's the breakdown:

Razer Diamondback pros:
- Better ergo I: Smaller size that fits more naturally in your palm, in better "at rest" position, than the Logitech. (At least for my desk and my hand.)
- Better ergo II: Also, the way your fingers rest on the (slip-proof) main mouse buttons is more relaxed. In particular, it feels like I'm easily using my whole finger. The Logitech in comparison was awkward, felt like I was using only part of my finger, or never quite was settled right.
- More buttons, or at least more buttons available for reasonable use.
- Left and Right side buttons much more comfortable to click.
- More programmable? At least in practice, more easily programmable, so I did customie more.
- Great driver and control panel applet to set options for the mouse. This really helped me get more use out of it.
- Nice work on software details; e.g. "on-the-fly sensitivity" adjustment, without going back to Control Panel, just with controls on the mouse.

Logitech MX-510 pros:
- The Logitech has two buttons, one each above and below the scroll wheel, that mean "keep scrolling in that direction." So you roll the wheel in one direction, and when your finger hits the end of the roll, you can just move to the button right there to say "keep going." Nice. I'll miss that. (But I've already adjusted the scroll speed conveniently several times on the Razer to where I'll miss it less; I never (or at most once?) adjusted the scroll speed on the Logitech.)

These kinds of choices can be very personal. But in my experience, you couldn't get me to go back to the Logitech now.

..................................................................
That should be your decision and its a hard one to make.

Okay, we're not serious gamers, so I'm confused about some things. Could you explain the following, in layman's terms? Thanks!

The Logitech MX518 & G5 both come with adjustable balance & tuning weight cartridges. Why would these be needed?

I also read something about drag. What does that mean?

And I noticed mention of special/different feet on these. Why?

The tech specs of tracking res, max speed & image processing I pretty much understand.

But what does max acceleration, USB data format & report rate mean?

You are still worried about those weights...that's only for the corded G5 laser gamer. Actually the G5 is the only laser mouse that I know of, that comes with weights. The Copperhead has kit, but it voids the warranty if you use the weights.

I must apologize, I wasn't aware that the G5 had a weight system/option for heft. Most people I know use the Razer Diamondback. The G7 does not have a weight system, nor does the 518 as far as I know.

The MX1000 unfortunately for you...would be perfect, but its still has a very high price.

As far settings and accelerations, I was reading about the 518, it seems straightforward. Companies always tend play things up a bit.

The link to Sharkey's Machine below should help clarify any quuestions. Not owning the 518 I can't really answer as well as I wish I could. Try Sharkey's.

Forget about the G5, its expensive and it sounds like you don't want to mess with the weights...to be honest I have no idea how that started...another gimmick. They seem to be rather unnecessary.

If you are worried about setting different DPI...which is not a bad feature, older applications and software (for example early games) really don't know what to do with a fast mouse...check out the 510, I don't believe it has the change in settings.

QUOTE/Forget about the G5, its expensive and it sounds like you don't want to mess with the weights...to be honest I have no idea how that started...another gimmick. They seem to be rather unnecessary.

If you are worried about setting different DPI...which is not a bad feature, older applications and software (for example early games) really don't know what to do with a fast mouse...check out the 510, I don't believe it has the change in settings./QUOTE

Oh, I don't think I'm going to get the G5. Nope, I don't want to mess with weights. And I'm not too sure about wanting to mess with more than a left button, right button & scroll wheel! I was just curious about all the techie stuff on the newer/fancier mice, never having heard of anything on a mouse other than dpi & the two buttons & wheel. LOL

So, maybe the message boards my son & I were using the MS 3000 with didn't like the 1000 dpi, which I guess is what you mean by a fast mouse?

The 518 might have a special larger glides. My silicon glides always fall off. I used Elmers Glue on the last set. There's nothing special about them, except the 518's might be wider and better anchored.

Mouse feet are similar to glides for furniture protection. Those silicon round dots found/put on lamps. vases and whatever else not to scratch wood surfaces. That's basically all they are in a special mouse shape to let your mouse glide around. Having a smooth surface mouse pad makes the gliding easier.

Looking at the underbellies from the pictures at Sharkey's, the 518 might have those big light grey pads instead of those little black ovals as feet...which would be a bonus...they wouldn't fall off. I can't tell which is which...but don't worry about it. If its the small ones they are about two bucks to replace a set of four if they fall off. Lovely thought isn't it?

Don't sweat the details too much you will get lost in advertising double talk.

I gues the 510 is no longer made, the 518 replaced it. There is the MX500...it seems clunky compared to the 518.

my2

marf

If you are worried about setting different DPI...which is not a bad feature, older applications and software (for example early games) really don't know what to do with a fast mouse...check out the 510, I don't believe it has the change in settings./QUOTE

QUOTE/So, maybe the message boards my son & I were using the MS 3000 with didn't like the 1000 dpi, which I guess is what you mean by a fast mouse?/QUOTE

Or do you mean 32 & 64 bit compatibility?

I guess then my real question should be, "What should I be looking for that's compatible with all applications, past, present & future?"

I'm sorry I didn't see your reply, I was reading up the 518 Vs G5 Vs G7 Vs VX Vs 500.

The 500 is about 30.00 good optical mouse. So many people like the 518 and it will accommodate just about anything.

I wish I could guarantee the Razer Plasma Optical drivers and Microsoft...I can't.

I can tell you that I have kinda have a cross-country middle aged female gaming bud that started out like me with the Potter games. She since went out and bought a gaming computer that came with a Razer Copperhead and she loves it. I think she's a teacher somewhere in New York. I'm finding her reviews now and then of gaming equipment and other games. I remember her emails very well of being terrified of the big spider in the 2002 Chamber of Secrets game and wanting to know how to beat it. I told her a laser mouse wasn't necessary but it made it a lot easier than an optical one. She went out and bought a Copperhead and a computer to go with it. Now, she's probably much more proficient than I am.

You never know. How would you know if you didn't want a fancy mouse, if you never gave yourself a chance to get used to document flip and speed change? I can see where that mouse would come in handy. The MX1000, I use all the buttons all the time. I can't stand it when I forget to put it in its charger and I have to plug in the old Microsft opticals. Talk about going from a jet to a tricycle...what a difference!

Play it safe and get the 500 for 30.00 or live on the edge a little and go for 518 for 39.00.
Or throw caution to wind show your wild side and go for the Diamondback Plasma for 39.00
Those are three very solid choices with the MX518 in the middle, MX500 safe, and the Razer Diamondback the new you.

Buy any one of those three and you will be happy...which one will make you happier is your choice.

As far DPI and fast...yep that's part of it.

marf

I got one more recommendation...this is only if you are not using a router or have a 2.4Ghz frequency cordless phone.

Logitech makes a laser mouse that is selling for 45.00.
It does use batteries, and you are going to have to keep them stocked. It's a good mouse and can handle almost anything but because it is on the same frequency as most wireless computer hookups...there's interference. So if you are not using a router and/or not a laptop...this might be a good deal for you.

Lasers are completely different than opticals as far as reading surfaces...why and how ...I flunked physics in college...there faster, that's all you have to know. My DPI is 800, I wish it was a little better, but the laser is whooshy fast whether your DPI is 800 or 1600, the DPI has more to do with accuracy. Which I could use a little of. DPI is probably more important with the opticals because they are slower...just by the way they scan the surface.

If you wanted a good all round mouse for the future...MXRevolution at 99.00. You don't want to spend that and I don't blame you...I wouldn't spend it.

The link to the 45.00 laser is below...these things are so fast, you don't want to get caught up in a cord.

marf

QUOTE/I got one more recommendation...this is only if you are not using a router or have a 2.4Ghz frequency cordless phone./QUOTE

Wired router (hoping to someday give that up for a wireless, if/when hubby goes to college & needs a laptop) AND 5.8 Ghz phone.

I'm not brilliant by a long shot...but I was under the impression that home internet "routers" were used primarily to provide internet connection from the modem to other computer(s) wirelessly (is that a word?).

Most routers so work at 2.4 Ghz ...which is what this mouse works at. Its kind od an eeeeehhhhh? option.

A couple years ago, when I got my mouse, there were so many good deals offered on computer periherals ... most notably mice and now there's just nothing being offered. No after XMAS sales...nothing.

The biggest consideration that you have for a new mouse is how much space and RAM can your computer give up. The faster lasers are going to take a big bite out your RAM...mine takes probably more than 125MB, but at least that much. Always make sure you have more than what the recommended specs state to have. Computer peripherals and software underestimate the requirements to sell to a wider audience...they all do it.

What is your hard drive GB and RAM MB on your computer?

That will be a factor in your decision on a mouse too.

QUOTE/I'm not brilliant by a long shot...but I was under the impression that home internet "routers" were used primarily to provide internet connection from the modem to other computer(s) wirelessly (is that a word?)./QUOTE

The two computers are hooked up by a long cable 'cause they're in the same room. I didn't want to pay for the extra cost of a wireless router AND for someone to have to come to the house to hook it up. Plus I wanted to be able to physically monitor what the teen son does & where he goes on his computer. It's worked out great.

QUOTE/What is your hard drive GB and RAM MB on your computer?/QUOTE

I don't know without going wherever & looking. We got the VAIO in May 2005 & had extra RAM put in before turning it on. Our son's computer is a different story. It's our old Dell refurbished into something else now. He has problems running WoW as it is, prob due to lesser sound card & RAM issues.

I fell asleep on the keyboard again. You should be OK with just about anything.

I was at the logitech site taking a look at the G3. It looks like its Logitech's answer to the Razer Copperhead.

I guess with the G3 you have the option of just plugging it in or downloading the drivers. You do have the option of switching back and forth or between 800 and 1600 DPI before you download the drivers...and I'm not quite sure what that means. I don't know if that means you can choose which of the two DPI's you want or if it means you can switch back and forth between them at your leisure if you don't download the drivers.

Amazon is selling it at 47.00...we are getting higher in price.

There are only three user reviews ... but it looks comfortable to use, and if it is plug in and go...with the option of downloading Setpoint (what you use to program your mouse ... if you want) nothing could be easier.

Its a thought.

I don't think I'm ready yet to pay over $30 for a mouse.

I think I may just play it safe & go up one step from a 2 button 400 dpi w/ vertical scroll to a 2 button 800 dpi w/ vertical scroll or horizontal/vertical scroll.

Then go for the MX500. It's Logitech 30.00 optical entry.

Its not bad. Its good for the money...its more likely to work than even Microsoft's own brand. It is true for Windows that Logitech makes the best mice.

From an engineering standpoint, Razer is better but for some odd reason they have trouble keeping up with Microsoft's updates...its not their fault. I don't know how logitech does it...their better at it than Microsoft themselves.

The only drawback is the same drawback all logitech mice have ...the silicon glides come off. I called logitech support and they gave a link over the phone (and I can't find it) where to purchase replacements. For a set of four as I mentioned its somewhere between two and four dollars.

Elmers wood glue worked fine on last one that peeled off mine.

This is a good mouse for 30.00 and it qualifies for free super saver shipping.

So you wouldn't rec the:

930808-0403 that has 4 out of 5 eggs from 7 reviews on newegg & 4.5 out of 5 stars on amazon from 212 reviews? $29.99 on newegg & from $10.59 up on amazon.

931172-0403 Click! that has 5 out of 5 eggs from 1 review on newegg & 4.5 out of 5 stars on amazon from 8 reviews? $33 on newegg & from $24.95 up on amazon.

RX300 that has 4 out of 5 eggs from 11 reviews on newegg & unknown stars/reviews on amazon? $10.45 on newegg & from $9.70 & up on amazon.

MX310 that has unknown eggs/reviews on newegg but 4 out of 5 stars from 27 reviews on amazon? $29.95 on logitech, unknown on newegg, & from $19.95 & up on amazon.

I'm not too familiar with New Egg, But its 30.00 at Amazon. It was originally 39.99 but its on sale for 30.00 Checked it out at CNET and they don't have an editor's review because they reviewed the MX510 and the MX518 and gave high marks to both,
MX500 is their entry level of that series. Its what you want to spend, and there are happy campers.

Me, I would go for the MX518 or the G3 at this point, for 39.00 and 47.00 respectively.

I'm not quite sure what all the numbers above, are they all from New Egg? Let me see what I can find.

Most of those mice are 2002-2003. They are a basic mouse, and no I don't recommend them, they are not bad, but their time has come and gone.

The first one is sold out, and I don't know if it will be restocked.

Why spend 27.00 + shipping for a precursor to the MX 500 series when you can have the MX 500 for the same price?

The scrolling bars and document/page flips I got used to real fast. You won't be sorry, and with the setpoint software you can program the buttons for different functions than what they come built in with.

My2

marf

Libbyliz

I;m going take that back...IE7 and the future is having trouble with "Mouseware" the logitech software before Setpoint. I was under the impression that The MX500 uses Setpoint. Apparently it uses mouseware. Its from 2002,I don't what logitech is going to do about all this.

Hear we are with Microsoft ... again and their updates.
We are going to have to have to find a later mouse. Damnn! I'm sorry. That shouldn't have slipped by me. I figured the same as the 518.

It still might be a good deal...I don't how important the Mouseware is besides changing the pre-programed buttons.

They do have the latest updates for IE7 and Mouseware...download from the site if you want the software.

Why spend 27.00 + shipping for a precursor to the MX 500 series when you can have the MX 500 for the same price?

I'm confused about which one you're referring to, in bold above.

I just looked on the 310's spec sheet & see it uses MouseWare too.

The others don't say what software they use, other than the 930808-0403, which uses WebWheel.

I see the LX3 & 7, & RX1000 use SetPoint.

I remember reading on lots of reviews that Logitech's software is practically worthless anyhow. I don't know how true this is, never having used LogiTech mice before. ???

I just now saw the "out of stock" note on the 930808-0403's newegg printout, though it's still avail on amazon, for less than half of what newegg wanted. oops

The one that I was referring to was the MX310 for 27.00 at New Egg. You could get the better MX500 at Amazon with free supersaver shipping for the same price or maybe even a little less than the New Egg MX310 price + shipping.

marf