Recommend me a new gaming mouse

[Dirty Hipsters]

I've been wanting a new mouse for gaming recently, seeing as how I use the standard crappy mouse that came with my PC when I bought it. Unfortunately I know very little about gaming mice (as evidenced by my use of the crappy mouse that came with my PC), so I'd like to ask for some advice on the subject.

I've been thinking of getting the Cyborg RAT 5 mouse (http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-Cybor.../dp/B003DKJ44C) or the Cooler Master Storm Inferno (http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...F26W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314038558&sr=8-1), but I was wondering if anyone could recommend a better one based on the following criteria?

1. Should be under $50
2. Programmable buttons
3. Wired
4. Right handed
5. Large(I palm the mouse)
6. Good for FPS game (which is what I mostly play)

Any advice would be very appreciated.
Thanks.

Also, for discussion's sake, what kind of mouse do you use, what games do you mostly play with it, and would you recommend the mouse to others?

 

[number2301]

I've got the CM Storm Inferno and I'd say apart from being stupidly named (albeit much less so than the RAT) the main issues are that it's a bit creaky and the mousewheel is rubbish.

The creakiness comes from the left and right mouse buttons not being separated from the rest of the top of the mouse. The issue I have with the mouse wheel is that it has a light up ridge either side of the wheel, this being at the same level means that I had to adjust to hitting it right in the centre as opposed to anywhere with my old mouse.

I can't really recommend any alternative mice, as this is my first new mouse in about 9 years, I was still using a ball mouse 6 months ago.

 

[dillinger88]

I clicked on this thread to recommend the Coolermaster Storm Inferno mouse and noticed that you had it as one of your options.

It's got excellent build quality and software for creating macros. It's extremely comfortable and the scroll wheel is nice and wide. I got the CMStorm mousepad with mine and it is ridiculously smooth on it. Braiding on the cable prevents annoying kinks and protects the wiring.

Buttons are in a good position and the DPI buttons are easily accessible.

I have nothing but praise for this mouse, however this is one man's opinion.

I mainly play RTS games, but I play the odd FPS and it works well for those too.

Hope this helps.

EDIT:

the main issues are that it's a bit creaky and the mousewheel is rubbish.

The creakiness comes from the left and right mouse buttons not being separated from the rest of the top of the mouse. The issue I have with the mouse wheel is that it has a light up ridge either side of the wheel, this being at the same level means that I had to adjust to hitting it right in the centre as opposed to anywhere with my old mouse.

I can't really recommend any alternative mice, as this is my first new mouse in about 9 years, I was still using a ball mouse 6 months ago.

I've not experienced any creakiness with my mouse. Also, what do you mean by hitting the middle mouse button? I think the wideness makes it incredibly easy to use. The light-up ridge, as you call it, can be used for both scrolling and clicking easily.

I'm not being argumentative, I'm genuinely intrigued as I've not experienced any of these problems.

EDIT 2:

The problem I have is when you switch modes. the mode-select button has 4 different colours. Blank, Red, Green and Yellow. The green and yellow kind of clash with other colours on the mouse, but it's easily ignorable.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I clicked on this thread to recommend the Coolermaster Storm Inferno mouse and noticed that you had it as one of your options.

It's got excellent build quality and software for creating macros. It's extremely comfortable and the scroll wheel is nice and wide. I got the CMStorm mousepad with mine and it is ridiculously smooth on it. Braiding on the cable prevents annoying kinks and protects the wiring.

Buttons are in a good position and the DPI buttons are easily accessible.

I have nothing but praise for this mouse, however this is one man's opinion.

I mainly play RTS games, but I play the odd FPS and it works well for those too.

Hope this helps.

EDIT:

the main issues are that it's a bit creaky and the mousewheel is rubbish.

The creakiness comes from the left and right mouse buttons not being separated from the rest of the top of the mouse. The issue I have with the mouse wheel is that it has a light up ridge either side of the wheel, this being at the same level means that I had to adjust to hitting it right in the centre as opposed to anywhere with my old mouse.

I can't really recommend any alternative mice, as this is my first new mouse in about 9 years, I was still using a ball mouse 6 months ago.

I've not experienced any creakiness with my mouse. Also, what do you mean by hitting the middle mouse button? I think the wideness makes it incredibly easy to use. The light-up ridge, as you call it, can be used for both scrolling and clicking easily.

I'm not being argumentative, I'm genuinely intrigued as I've not experienced any of these problems.

EDIT 2:

The problem I have is when you switch modes. the mode-select button has 4 different colours. Blank, Red, Green and Yellow. The green and yellow kind of clash with other colours on the mouse, but it's easily ignorable.

How's the software that the mouse comes with? Does the mouse work well with the standard drivers that window's uses or do you need to download new mouse drivers to utilize it effectively?

 

[number2301]

I clicked on this thread to recommend the Coolermaster Storm Inferno mouse and noticed that you had it as one of your options.

It's got excellent build quality and software for creating macros. It's extremely comfortable and the scroll wheel is nice and wide. I got the CMStorm mousepad with mine and it is ridiculously smooth on it. Braiding on the cable prevents annoying kinks and protects the wiring.

Buttons are in a good position and the DPI buttons are easily accessible.

I have nothing but praise for this mouse, however this is one man's opinion.

I mainly play RTS games, but I play the odd FPS and it works well for those too.

Hope this helps.

EDIT:

the main issues are that it's a bit creaky and the mousewheel is rubbish.

The creakiness comes from the left and right mouse buttons not being separated from the rest of the top of the mouse. The issue I have with the mouse wheel is that it has a light up ridge either side of the wheel, this being at the same level means that I had to adjust to hitting it right in the centre as opposed to anywhere with my old mouse.

I can't really recommend any alternative mice, as this is my first new mouse in about 9 years, I was still using a ball mouse 6 months ago.

I've not experienced any creakiness with my mouse. Also, what do you mean by hitting the middle mouse button? I think the wideness makes it incredibly easy to use. The light-up ridge, as you call it, can be used for both scrolling and clicking easily.

I'm not being argumentative, I'm genuinely intrigued as I've not experienced any of these problems.

I suppose it wasn't massively hard to get used to, but on my previous mouse you could hit it anywhere on the wheel and click easily, this takes a lot more pressure, particularly on the transparent bit.

Although actually testing it now, I'm not sure if it's just loosened up with time, or I've got used to the pressure.

In terms of creaking, press the top of the mouse to the sides of the hex shaped button (can't remember what it does, macro maybe?) or just back from there, the plastic is a bit cheap and creaks.

 

[dillinger88]

How's the software that the mouse comes with? Does the mouse work well with the standard drivers that window's uses or do you need to download new mouse drivers to utilize it effectively?

The mouse uses standard windows drivers and works flawlessly. The software provided allows you to change settings, set up profiles and macros which are then stored on the memory in the mouse. The software doesn't run in the background or anything, you don'y even have to install if you're happy with the default profiles/settings.

I suppose it wasn't massively hard to get used to, but on my previous mouse you could hit it anywhere on the wheel and click easily, this takes a lot more pressure, particularly on the transparent bit.

Although actually testing it now, I'm not sure if it's just loosened up with time, or I've got used to the pressure.

In terms of creaking, press the top of the mouse to the sides of the hex shaped button (can't remember what it does, macro maybe?) or just back from there, the plastic is a bit cheap and creaks.

Ok, I see. Yeah, I'd agree that the middle mouse button can be hard to click, but you get used to it.

Also, after squeezing my mouse where you said and it does creak a little. Though I'd expect this with any mouse. Plus, no one actually puts pressure there...? I don't.

That hexagonal button changes the profiles in the mouse.

 

[smearyllama]

Personally, I use a standard Microsoft mouse that an old boyfriend of my sister's gave her.
She never used it, and one day, after tiring of my old mouse, which was an old Dell classic, I borrowed it from her room. It works really well.
It may have no fancy features, but I like it.

 

[auwdioslave]

I've been using the original Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse for a couple of years now and I'm extremely happy with it. I bought it because it was one of the largest gaming mice around. It has a nice elevated back-end to rest your palm on (I also palm my mouse).
Resolution is not as high as the newer, modern mice, but for me 2400dip is more than enough.
I'm also a big fan of the vertical side buttons. You don't have to shift your thumb to reach either one, the're always at the right place.

about 3 months ago my first sidewinder mouse got a major beer spil and it broke. I actually tried the Cybor R.A.T. 5, because of the possible adjustments. After 1 hour of use I returned it to the store I bought it at. It's probably a nice mouse to use with your fingers, but I found it an absolute nightmare for palming. The palm rest is just a sheet of plastic, which doesn't run all the way to the bottom of the mouse. The left edge of this rest constantly poked in my lower thumb, making it extremely uncomfortable.
After I sent it out I immediately ordered another sidewinder!

(Beware though, the newer models are smaller than the good old sidewinder)

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I've been using the original Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse for a couple of years now and I'm extremely happy with it. I bought it because it was one of the largest gaming mice around. It has a nice elevated back-end to rest your palm on (I also palm my mouse).
Resolution is not as high as the newer, modern mice, but for me 2400dip is more than enough.
I'm also a big fan of the vertical side buttons. You don't have to shift your thumb to reach either one, the're always at the right place.

about 3 months ago my first sidewinder mouse got a major beer spil and it broke. I actually tried the Cybor R.A.T. 5, because of the possible adjustments. After 1 hour of use I returned it to the store I bought it at. It's probably a nice mouse to use with your fingers, but I found it an absolute nightmare for palming. The palm rest is just a sheet of plastic, which doesn't run all the way to the bottom of the mouse. The left edge of this rest constantly poked in my lower thumb, making it extremely uncomfortable.
After I sent it out I immediately ordered another sidewinder!

(Beware though, the newer models are smaller than the good old sidewinder)

Thanks a lot for the input on the RAT. After looking at the pictures again, I can definitely see what you mean about the edge and palming it. Can't believe I didn't see that as a problem before.

As for the sidewinder, a friend of mine has one, and I find it slightly too big for my hand to be comfortable, and my desk is kind of small, so a large mouse would really take up more room, and be less maneuverable than I want. I definitely do love the vertical side buttons though.

 

[Chainsaws_of_War_2]

I'd go with the Mionix Naos 5000 if you have the money. About the most comfortable mouse I've ever used, and I've been from Intellimouse to Razer Mamba to G500.

 

[octafish]

I've got a Microsoft X-8 which is the most comfortable mouse (for me) I have owned. In my experience the X-8 is the best/most comfortable palm mouse. It is wireless though, so not ideal for large LANs where interference can make it a little dicey. For those situations I rely on the old standby Logitech MX-518. My little finger tends to drag on this mouse a little though so I don't find it nearly as comfortable as the X-8. I don't know what to recommend as mouse choice is deeply personal, I've never met anyone who likes the X-8 as much as I do, though I know plenty who like the MX-518 more than myself. I don't think the MX-518 is very suitable for palmers because of the finger drag.

I guess I didn't help much.

Off Topic: It is funny that at home I use a Logitech KB (G15) and a Microsoft mouse (X-8) while at a LAN event I'll use a Microsoft KB (X-4) and Logitech mouse (MX-518).