Long-standing Mouse issues

Preface: TLDR: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZhFKOq8CM8 I've had this issue with the Imperator and the RAT7 (same sensor), and I'm looking to find a mouse that doesn't do this. Thanks

To keep a long story semi-short, I've jumped from the Logitech Mx518 to the Razer Imperator, and then to the Cyborg R.A.T.7, which I am currently using.

For several reasons, the RAT does not sit well with me anymore, and Razer have such shoddy build quality that I would not recommend them to anyone, much less buy again.

I am looking for a mouse that can serve in capacity as close to the Mx518 as possible, but it has to include these features:

-At least 2600 DPI (this is what I use, higher would be nice in-case I ever decide to increase it, but I am sitting with 2600 comfortably and I don't think I will need higher).
-The 2 side buttons (they act as forward/back on an internet browser, for example)
-DPI adjusting buttons aren't necessary, and I would certainly prefer not having them (since I hit them by accident often), but since it's generally a staple feature of large DPI mouses, I don't really mind having them.
-Macro's are unnecessary (i never used the macros on the RAT, nor the side scroller because it was impossible to setup to actually f**king sidescroll)

**IMPORTANT** The sensor must be similar to the MX518, as both the RAT and the Imperator. On both those mice, when you lift the mouse, the pointer will move in a diagonal towards the bottom right as you lift and lower because of the way the sensor is (it is very sensitive to depth, and the laser being on an angle seems to affect it as "distance"). The MX518, when lifted and lowers, the mouse remains at the same relative position (minus any movement that might occur horizontally).

I know this is kind of specific, I am hoping to get a broad view of opinions from people. I am first and foremost interested in build quality and that sensor issue above and comfort (size similar to the MX518 is awesome, although I do love the comfort of the RAT, i find it too heavy and impractical for a cloth mat).

Please do not suggest Razor products as I will just ignore you. I have my eye on Steelseries mouses (they have a great track record with build quality and sturdiness), however I've never owned a mouse of theirs, and would like some opinions to narrow me down before I start browsing reviews.

Thank you for your help!

 

Well, I am going to be equally stubborn and suggest one anyway. If you feel like growing up and reading something that might benefit you in the end, read on.

The fact is, you shouldn't base your entire perception of a brand on one mouse that you didn't like, especially one of that company's least popular models.

To be completely honest, it sounds to me like the DeathAdder is right up your alley. It's got an optical sensor, as does the MX518; the R.A.T. series and Imperator use lasers. It goes up to 3,500 DPI, has two very well-placed thumb buttons, and the DPI button is on the bottom of the mouse, well out of the way of accidental bumps.

In terms of quality, I've owned two DeathAdders in my life; one was the original 2007 1,800 DPI model, and the other was the newer 3,500 DPI model. I replaced the first one with the second one, and the second one with my current Mamba, and they're both currently still working like brand new in the hands of friends.

Any company can have defective products. You're just as likely to get a lemon from Logitech, SteelSeries, or any other company as you are from Razer. Your faulty Imperator is a shame, but it's hardly representative. In any case, Razer mice come with a two-year warranty to cover defective products.

 

I edited my original post with a video found: YouTube - Razer Imperator Z-axis problem
the issue is common to all imperators, and even rat7 (it uses the same sensor).

I will look into this mouse however, I won't reject it out of hand just because its Razor, but I am still heavily biased against it, since ive had bad issues with the keyboard too, and those where also fairly common). Thanks

Does being optical (even though it can hit 2600 dpi) have any significant differences over Laser? Thanks. Also would you recommend the legacy, or the black edition (i hear the material is slightly different).

 

If you want "the best" i highly regard the Steelseries Ikari Laser. With a 3200 DPI Laser. Its a no nonsense FPS gaming mouse with none of the sensor problems you mentioned.

Furthermore it is easily the most comfortable i have ever used. The mouse is considered 'big' but i myself, with reletively small hands find it extremely comfortable, its ergonomics are really good.

It is quite easily comparable to the Deathadder, great shape, good sensor but it comes with a proper on-the-fly DPI switcher which is a must have for me in FPS gaming.
By the way, the DPI switcher button is in the middle of the mouse below the scroll wheel and i have never accidentally hit it before. A small screen on the left side of the mouse shows your DPI settings be it at low or high.

Lastly, it has a tiny lcd screen on the underside of the mouse to show which profile you are using now, you can name the profile whatever you like and it will show up on the screen.

I understand where is the OP coming from. Most of the high-end razer mouse use a bad philips twin-eye sensor (the cursor problem is attributed to this sensor) and are also known for a poor build quality (which he mentions indirectly).

 

Glad to see you're willing to listen to reason

As for the keyboard, in another post you mentioned you had the Lycosa...once again, I have to say it's not one of Razer's better products

In my personal observation, optical sensors tend to "feel" smoother than lasers. They also have a tendency to be less picky about the surface you use them on; some laser sensors are very finicky about certain colors or textures of mouse pads. Once again, this is all just based on personal observation. In any case, optical sensors are not known for Z-axis tracking issues. The DeathAdder should be functionally much more similar to your MX518 than to the R.A.T. or Imperator.

I currently use a Razer Mamba, with a 5,600 DPI laser. But in terms of actual mouse sensor quality, I preferred my old 3,500 DPI optical DeathAdder. It's not that the Mamba is bad, it's just less awesome. But I'm willing to compromise that little bit for the convenience of wireless functionality.

I'll put it this way: if they re-made the Mamba with a 3,500 DPI optical sensor from the DeathAdder instead of the 5,600 DPI laser, I would gladly trade down the DPI for that sensor.

 

I will pretty much always listen to a well reasoned argument, it makes no sense not to.

The only reason I got the imperator over the mamba was because I generally dont need wireless, and also they came out around the same time and my "newer is better" alarm went off at the time I was looking for a new mouse.

Hard to get a feel for those "long term" issues when its relatively new though, and I do regret it now. It's still perfect to use working from home though!

I think i will consider the deathadder (black, cause I would prefer the matte side surface better) and the steelseries from the above poster. Thanks a lot guys.

 

Glad to be of assistance.

If you end up with the DA Black Edition, let me know how it is. I'm curious; I only had the regular version. They do use the same optical sensor, though.

 

Would anyone who has owned both the Xai and Ikari laser mouses (both steelseries) be able to compare them?

edit: I seem to be the only one who holds the mouse the way I do. Im watching reviews on youtube, and all of them grip with their ring finger on the side, with the pinky lower, and with the middle and index finger on the right and left click respectively.

I hold it with my index on the LMB, middle on the scroll wheel, ring finger on the right click, and pinky on the side rest.

Will this affect my comfort level on those mice (meaning, are they skewered more towards those who hold them the first way I described).

Thanks

 

I sometimes grip my mouse just like that, but usually only when browsing the web, not gaming. It's convenient since I don't have to move my fingers at all, but in games I keep accidentally clicking the wrong button if I hold it like that, so I use the traditional grip (index on LMB, middle finger on RMB, only moving it to the scroll when needed, both ring and pinkie on side) when I game.

The DeathAdder is very comfortable for either grip style.