Mouse search.

[tncanuck]

I am looking for a replacement mouse. 

The current Microsoft Wheel mouse optical I am using is a quitter. It just quits, without warning, does not matter which PC I am using it on. It's like someone turned the light out, the pretty red glow goes away. Known issue from what I read online, they had a batch do that...

I am looking for an optical wheel mouse, corded. I am not into the high end stuff, but x-mas is coming...I am also strongly leaning towards Logitech, I've had very good luck with their optical products. Looks not important, it just needs to work.

What is the hot flavor of the day? Laser worth it? Any model worth recommending?

Thanks,

tncanuck

[Joe1962]

Logitech is a good choice. I haven't kept up with the recent models, but I've had 2 of their better low-end rodents of a couple of years ago and have been generally very pleased with them.

[M0E-lnx]

i have to agree with joe. Logitech is the safest way to go imo. i've been using those for a long time. Never had one fail

[BlueMage]

Logitech is a brilliant choice.  They are literally the market leaders in both mice and keyboards, and also sound systems as far as I can tell.  While you probably won't need a G5 or G9 (both top end gaming mice - I own a G5 and I love it) I can happily recommend the MX400.  It's corded, can handle surfaces optical can't (it's a laser mouse) and has the same sort of feet that the high-end ones do (teflon-coated I believe - works great on a mousepad or desk).

You will pay a little bit more for it, but the mouse is one of the most-used components of your machine, so you may as well spend a little bit extra and get the better-quality product.

Also, I know you might see stuff about SetPoint and such - ignore it, you don't need it to run the mouse (at least, I didn't for the G5)

Of course, if you're not interested in that, I'd still say stick with Logitech - I was able to pick up a great Logitech corded optical mouse for half price.  It works great on this box

[toothandnail]

I'd also recommend Logitech. I've been using their Trackman Marble variants since the mid '90s.The best trackball I've ever used. I'm still using the first version I bought with a wheel. I think I bought it in 1997. Still totally reliable.

Its the best design trackball I've ever used, since it uses the thumb instead of the forefinger - much more precise for positioning the cursor.

paul.

[Tigerwolf]

If you live near a Microcenter store, or don't mind ordering, they've had some optical wired mice on sale for $3.99.    They had PS2 or USB types for the same price.   These seem to go on sale quite often as teasers.  Regular price is usually around $5-6.

I bought a few to test with machines I use to set up Internet cafes at some conventions.  With 30 machines accessed by random public users to potentially equip, I didn't want anything expensive or that would tend to grow legs and walk off. 

So far, they seem fine.

Look here:

http://www.microcenter.com/search_results_e.phtml?dropdown_method=keyword&dropdown_keyword=optical+mouse&submit.x=0&submit.y=0