Mouse for Digital Artists
polycounter lvl 14
The mouse i've used for the past 3 years has just crapped out on me, and I need a new one.
I went to office depot and found that most mouses were wireless (which need batteries). That's out of the question.
On top of that, almost all the mouses are way too thin, or too small (i have huge hands), or have a weird shape... I guess i've fallen in love with my old mouse.
Anyhow, Im just asking for what mouse you guys use.
I went to office depot and found that most mouses were wireless (which need batteries). That's out of the question.
On top of that, almost all the mouses are way too thin, or too small (i have huge hands), or have a weird shape... I guess i've fallen in love with my old mouse.
Anyhow, Im just asking for what mouse you guys use.
Replies
logitech mx 518 is what i have.
Many laser mice, particularly ones with the Avago 9500 sensor like the Steelseries Xai and Logitech G500, have bad tracking and acceleration problems on cloth surfaces. That said, they track like a dream on hard surfaces, and I've found they tend to work better tracking on whatevs. If you mainly track on hard surfaces and want a big mouse, look into the Logitech G500, Razer Lachesis, or Microsoft Sidewinder X8.
However, if you are like me and prefer the whisper smooth of cloth, optical is the only choice. Optical tracks perfectly on cloth and most smooth hard surfaces, but sometimes the mice can be picky about rough hard surfaces and misc surfaces. The only two real options IMO here are the Razer Deathadder 3.5G and the time honored Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0. Alternatively the MX518 is an option, but I have had Logitech's cabling break on me a lot.
So yup. Most people are going to blindly recommend the MX518 because gamers are dumb and listened to someone on a forum say optical is better for cloth, then took "optical is better" and ran with it. Now you know it all depends on the surface you are using it on.
I hope its not too thin.
I use the cloth mouse pad. It feels better on wrist. This is also the first asymmetrical mouse ive ever had. Will be quite an experience. lol
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Wireless mice are a pain, when you forget to recharge etc.
Also, this mouse helps with wrist pain, I was getting serious wrist paint a few years ago with a basic cheap ass logitech/dell mouse, and this helped IMMENSELY.
As for the Intellimouse series - I used to swear by it carrying it everywhere at school/jobs, but now I find it too uncomfortable. I think it's because its shape is fully convex, and now I grew used to the convex parts of the MX518 for easy handling ...
I use this (and I don't now carpal tunnel syndrome btw):
Wireless and no batteries 8). Although i would say for a mouse replacement this is cheaper smaller alternative
How do you guys put up with logitechs shitty middle mouse button? or is this model previous to the tilt button
I prefer not to deal with wireless mice and prefer mice with DPI settings now to avoid strain from moving my hand too much just to get to the other monitor, i've been using a sidewinder at work which is fantastic and moved to a logitech G500 at home since I was used to the feel of the MX700. I gotta say i really do like the positioning of the forward/back buttons on the sidewinder
Just make sure you're new mouse doesn't have a tilt wheel. That shit causes a delay when trying to pan when middle clicking.
Also, if you get a Microsoft brand mouse, don't install the drivers. The I-Point software causes some redraw issues in 3D programs. I've been using this model of mouse for 8 years:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=004
Maybe at a friends place, colleague's desk or at a shop just for a few mins and decided "no thanks", because they could't get used to it so quickly.
Anyway I came from a mx518/G5 background and moved onto the Performance MX. Takes a few days getting used to the drastic change in shape and way to hold it, but now that I have I am very happy with it. It's not just the shape I really like though, I really love the position of the buttons too - they've become a integral part of how I use my pc now Theres 4 thumb buttons, 2 for back/forward, 1 thumb button is used as my MMB and another thumb button is used as a button to switch app windows to other monitors.
Back/forward is also used for undo/redo in all programs that have the functionality, and the left/right wheel tilts are really handy for toggling between wireframe/flat/shaded in max and some other stuff for explorer/photoshop/chrome/whatever.
The point is, if you take full advantage of all the buttons and customize them per application, then you'll see how having lots of buttons can help
The "infinite wheel" for browsing pages is a fun feature but is actually not that handy. Most of the time I just use the MMB to scroll.
Battery wise it lasts almost 3 days of constant usage (roughly 30 hours). You can charge it via usb while using it, so its not a hassle... it just turns into a cabled mouse basically.
Signal wise I can't notice any lag in any of the games I play (including FPS).
Added bonus; the laser is really cool and works well on most surfaces, including cloth. So since it's wireless you can take it to your bed and use it on the matress/duvet fine.
However with all that said; If I was going to try another new mouse I'd try the G700. Because there's more seemingly well-thought out buttons on it
Oh yea and that is assuming you think it's reasonable to pay £80-100 for a mouse.
It has a pretty sizeable DPI that can be adjusted between 4 values, has a horizontal scroll, and 2 buttons for the thumb
Me? I'm using a dirt cheap tiny Microsoft Wireless 3000 laptop mouse. I originally got it as an emergency backup in case my main mouse decided to fail on me for some reason. I got it for dirt cheap, and I figured it'd do the job of pushing the cursor around on the screen well enough in a pinch.
Then the day came when my main mouse did decide to spaz out on me. My old Logitech workhorse had served me well for a few years, then decided to up and die hard very suddenly. Out came the little MS Wireless, and...hell, I ended up kinda liking it. The thing is so small and light, I can cup it in the palm of my hand, and move the cursor in small, exacting motions with barely any effort whatsoever. I liked it so much, by the time it died on me (in about a quarter of the time of my old Logitech), I went out and bought another just like it.
The only thing I don't like is only having two buttons and a scroll wheel. But other than that, it's a great little mouse.
Mix that in with my cheap first rev Bamboo Fun (I challenge anyone to say that without sounding like an idiot), and I'm controlling my comp with some cheap, but surprisingly nice hardware.
but i always forget to put it in the charger, so it only lasts two weeks and then i gotta use the bamboo until its charged properly
I use the Logitech Mx laser 1000, rechargeable. I wore out my old one, and found some NOS in china I could order. So I picked up another one. Haven't found any other rechargeable laser mice. I use a thumb button for my MMB.
Voted wireless for freedom of movement.
I think the latency is noticeable for gaming, but is fine for art and such.
I wouldn't buy wireless unless you needed it though, its just another thing that can break.
Find a different mouse for home and work, so your hand can relax a bit, by not always having to deal with the same mouse shape.
One issue almost all wireless mice have is that they're heavier due to the batteries. Personally I don't like that. But if you want wireless there's no way around this.
Having said that, I now switched to a Razr abyssus (wired). Mouse seems okay. Nice high DPI and a classsic shape - I just can't stand the shape of most logitech mice. My hands start to hurt after a while when I use them. Before that I also had an intellimouse explorer. I usually just stick the classic mouse shapes with 2 buttons and a scroll wheel.
The Mouse Pad is an Allsop pad:
Which I've been using for the last 5 or so years and it still works flawlessly
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=008
It took a while to learn the position of all the Naga's hotkeys, but now it's just like using a numberpad.
thing works and aside from it i use a wacom bamboo and will be upgrading to a wacom intuos 4 when i get the money.
The Ikari is nice for being stealthy and having the most accurate adjustments I've seen, without being too ridiculous. I have a Logitech wireless laser at home too and I must say I've never hated a mouse so much, mostly due to the middle button being shit with their "revolutionary way to scroll"
RAZOR
It's been a few years and still kicking ass, good quality mouse!
:poly121:
It will also be overloadable with modifiers and macros in the next driver incarnation.
The thumb adjustment wide open together with the pinkie platform gives control nirvana.
Go wireless! ( No lag or Rat 7 woe. 8 hours a charge since november )
I just got this one wireless a couple weeks ago...it is heavy, and it doesn't seem to be from the batteries. Maybe internally weighted for gaming. I found it pretty heavy on the wrist after a couple of hours. Lots of buttons are nice though! I bought another logitech wireless that was lighter and easier to pick up off the desk for 3d stuff. I slightly lift/drop my mouse all the time to 'recenter' the mouse on desk when cursor goes to the 2nd monitor, even with high sensitivity on the pointer.
Can I ask a cheeky question?
Does anyone have one of those 3dConnexion Spacepilots ? Are they really worth getting? Have some money coming my way very soon and it made me start to wonder about them...
That wasn't a "cheeky" question, it's been asked before here and no, I've never tried one or even considered to.
But if you have the money to splash on upgrading hardware to improve workflow, I suggest trying a new mouse with more buttons and customizing them. I know you say you're happy with your copperhead, but you can be happier with something else
I was happy with having a single monitor, until I got a 2nd one and now I can't ever see myself not having at least 2. I guess going by that logic, this spacepilot thing can actually be great.
I agree with the monitors though, used to have two.. then went down to a single larger one...now its dieing I definately need to get back to two monitors again.
Shall read that thread and consider all of my options. Thanks.
My MX510 though has been the best mouse I have ever used and is still working great after 6years
but in the end just get what works for you, iv been using mx518's since they were new to the market and am just really use to them now
Can anyone confirm the no lag on this mouse? Im getting ready to buy a new mouse and would love a wireless but the lag and performance has steered me away every time.
It seems like they last for about 3years under daily use (however this is while alternating with pen use too). Just had to change one of mine the other week.
Mine is still going strong after maybe 4 years or so here, but the little teflon pads at the bottom have all worn off and it looks like dog shit, I should probably get a new one soon. My wife has the newer version with the big thick teflon pads that look like they would last 10 years.
But why can't I buy one with a normal/non fugly paintjob?
Edit: oh, I'm using a G5. It was expensive, and has an annoying LED on the top left (straight to my eye) to denote which speed setting it's on. Precision feels nice, but marking menus in maya have never felt quite right with it.