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Thread ID: 56470	2005-04-05 23:16:00	analog vs optical mouse	anne (7817)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
342011	2005-04-05 23:43:00	Optical are defintiely more accurate, easier (less force) to push around and achieve fine movement . Less downtime with problems related to fluff/dirt and mechanical issues . Fluff and dirt are the main enemies of balled mice . It gets on the ball causing inaccuracy and hesitations, it gets on the diods that register movement and cause inaccuracies and errors, it gets on the wheels that the diods measure and causes inaccuracies and errors . While being, in general, slightly more expensive, optical mice last a great deal longer before replacement is needed than analogue mice . The main killer of optical mice, which does not usually affect analogue mice because they don't last that long, is wire breakage within the cable due to constant flexing at the same points . A cordless optical mouse would overcome that, but then you have signal and battery replacement to consider . In my opinon, the USB optical is the most reliable and consistently accurate rodent . BTW, I don't know why but, if you use any Windows OS other than XP, it is recommended that you use a USB mouse (of any persuasion) through a USB adapter to your PS2 port .	Murray P (44)
342012	2005-04-05 23:51:00	gosh ...........dont spend more than about $25 on one at the MOST and no dont get wireless one they chew thru battries............really it's amazing how little the upper echelons of management know sometimes lol	drcspy (146)
342013	2005-04-05 23:51:00	The main killer of optical mice, which does not usually affect analogue mice because they don't last that long, is wire breakage within the cable due to constant flexing at the same points. Hmm, I have 2 PS2 ball mice still going well, and 1 ancient serial mouse still going well. I find the cords break mostly if they are tangled or wound round something and therefore having flexing at certain points. Same thing can happen whether its optical or not.	pctek (84)
342014	2005-04-05 23:55:00	gosh ...........dont spend more than about $25 on one at the MOST and no dont get wireless one they chew thru battries............really it's amazing how little the upper echelons of management know sometimes lol Well theres an A4 wireless mouse out now, which uses no batteries at all! Not all wireless mice/mouses need batteries.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
342015	2005-04-05 23:56:00	Not strictly true . I had one where the scroll wheel stuffed out . Mechanically . Pedant . Although not expicitly mentioned by the thread starter, we were, I believe, talking about tracking mobility of the rodent . As all scroll wheels on all species, AFAIK, are mechanical your pedantry is moot . However, I also take "Not strictly true" as a qualifier so all my previous remarks can be considered as the meanderings of a baited pedantic :p	Murray P (44)
342016	2005-04-06 00:00:00	Personally, I like optical mice. Changed to one over a year ago and won't ever change back. They don't have to be cleaned as often (therefore are more productive :D) Because they don't attract as much dirt as the balled variety, they are more responsive, and less stress inducing :D I know when I go to course (and they use balled mice) it drives me *&^%$$$ nuts coz the dirt on the rollers (I wonder if I'm the only one there who cleans the rolllers?) As for wireless, I tried my partners one, whether it was the brand or what I don't know, but because it is less responsive on the x,y coordinates, I won't ever buy one for myself	Myth (110)
342017	2005-04-06 00:05:00	Yes as above. It is actually getting fairly hard to find a ball mouse now anyway. Still around but becoming scarce as no-one wants them anymore. Optical tend to be less picky about the surface you use them on too. Although it varies a bit depending on brand. My son has a DSE one that works fine on whatever he uses, dirty, cat-hair covered desk, pad, paper, his jeans...	pctek (84)
342018	2005-04-06 00:09:00	Just a point . If your going to be using the mouse a lot and, require fine detail movement, get a good one . Not all mice are bred equally . My first optical was of the cheaper mongrel breed type of rodent of very poor parentage, in fact I think they sold me a rat for it clapped out after less a year . The next one I git was a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer, still going and much more comfortable to use and therefore les risk of RSI/OOS . A4 raise a pretty good mouse but IMO, Microsoft and Logitech breed the best general use mice in the medium price range ($50 to $100) . Try out some mice at your local store, feel the difference between optical and balled, feel the difference between basic desgn and ergonomically designed ones that are, well, designed for comfort, accuracy and reducing bodily stress .	Murray P (44)
342019	2005-04-06 00:26:00	dont get wireless one they chew thru batteriesYes they do use batteries (unless they don't need them - see other post), but I use rechargeables and the cost soon gets recouped. The thing I like about wireless mice (and keyboards) is that there are fewer cables cluttering up the desk, and you have huge flexibility in where you use the devices. I've been doing stuff to the innards of the PC and had the keyboard way off to the side and still useable (I know, OT from mice, but shows advantages of wireless). If you are going wireless though, I'd definitely go radio rather than infra-red (can you still get I/R cordless mice?) - wider angle of use, don't need complete line-of-sight, etc. I'd also agree that you get what you pay for, and although MS is a dirty word, they do make good mice.	Tony (4941)
342020	2005-04-06 00:32:00	well it sounds like her/his boss is a bit worried about the cost so I'd suggest an A4Tech Optical Mouse I have one myself have had it on this system about a year and it works wonderfully well and is as accurate as you could wish without going to the extent of measuring it's accuracy by the pixel or thousandth of inch........excellent device and CHEAP........	drcspy (146)
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