Ball mouse vs Optical mouse

Destructionator XV · Post by **Destructionator XV** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:44 am

I was just cleaning the rollers in my ball mouse, which is my primary mouse, and this question came to mind.

Which kind of mouse do you prefer, a ball mouse or an optical mouse? Which kind do you actually use more often? Any reason why you have this preference?

I generally prefer the ball mouse, especially a clean ball mouse. They glide along the pad so nicely and give me precise control. Sure, they need cleaning every month or so, but that takes only a minute.

edit: I left out trackball on the poll, so I added it. The trackball is a stationary mouse where you manipulate the ball with your thumb. Not to be confused with a normal ball mouse.

Narsil · Post by **Narsil** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:47 am

Optical, because it's easier to clean, more reliable, more accurate, works better on more surfaces and doesn't squeak.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:35 am

Nit has an optical. I have a ball. Guess which one is the more reliable?

not mine!

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:13 pm

Optical, with ball on the backup PC.
Basically what Narsil said (though I guess I case could be made for 'It's a mouse! It's supposed to Squeak!').

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:23 pm

Optical for me as well.

I'd be intrested to see what a wireless optical is like, reliability wise.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:26 pm

Dartzap wrote:Optical for me as well.
I'd be intrested to see what a wireless optical is like, reliability wise.

I can tell you mine has worked flawlessly for the past 4 to 6 years give or take. If anything it should be more reliable than a ball one-less moving parts, after all.

Destructionator XV · Post by **Destructionator XV** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:35 pm

I've been using ball mouses for years, and have never had one squeak on me. You must be doing something wrong if yours is.

As for accuracy, I find a clean ball mouse at least matches an optical mouse.

On surfaces, aye the optical does usally work better, but not always. I have an awesome holographic Star Trek mouse pad and if I set my optical on it it goes nuts, but the ball works just fine. Also true of shiny and highly reflective surfaces in my experience.

Narsil · Post by **Narsil** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:37 pm

I've been using ball mouses for years, and have never had one squeak on me. You must be doing something wrong if yours is.

Older ball mouses tend to squeak with the moving parts as you move them.

Ra · Post by Ra » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:40 pm

I'd be intrested to see what a wireless optical is like, reliability wise.

I had one for two weeks before it broke on my ass. I now use an optical with a wire, which is working fine.

Masterharper · Post by **Masterharper** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:07 pm

I got an optical mouse when they first came out, pretty much. Logitech, metallic blue. Very simple, very sturdy, very reliable and easy to clean. The wheel wore out on me here about 4 months ago, and the mouse was at least 5 years old. I replaced it with the exact same mouse in a different color (but only because they didn't have the same color.)

There's really no comparing in my mind. Optical all the way.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:21 pm

Destructionator XV wrote: On surfaces, aye the optical does usally work better, but not always. I have an awesome holographic Star Trek mouse pad and if I set my optical on it it goes nuts, but the ball works just fine. Also true of shiny and highly reflective surfaces in my experience.

Optical mice react really badly to multicolour and shiny surfaces, true. I can live with that. And it's not like optical-compatible mousepads are all that expensive. You miss your old mousepad that much, nail it to the wall for decoration.

About the only thing I miss about ball mice is I can no longer hide the mouse ball on others

Post by **Dark Silver** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 2:08 pm

Trackball, Logitech Marblemouse Trackabll to be precise, a Optical Trackball.

Easy to use, requires a minimum of space, and I can swung a railgun around at 1000 FPS with a flick of my fingers.

If I'm going to use a normal mouse, then it must be Optical.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:06 pm

Optical wired.

I'd actually be more interested in how many people prefer wired over wireless.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:24 pm

I sure as hell don't.
The ONLY advantage wired has over wireless is the lack of need for batteries and with rechargeables that one is considerably mitigated especially as a lot of wireless mice include a recharger with the base station.
I'm sure as hell not going back to corded.

vampykat · Post by **vampykat** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:46 pm

I was using a lovely trackball, it worked great for gaming, I didn't have to move my wrist (athritis and all that), just loved it.

For my bday I was given a wireless keyboard and mouse and I must say I would much rather prefer to go back to my trackball. But I love not having cords to deal with.

I cannot find a wireless trackball, I must be either A. missing it completely, or B. dorky as hell cuz it is out there..lol

Don't say dorky, ya might hurt my feelers, and DS..shup, cuz I know you want to say I am dorky..lol

vampykat · Post by **vampykat** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:48 pm

Yikes, so after posting that I thought what the hell, I will google a wireless trackball mouse since it had been a while.

Ok, I admit, I am dorky, found a buttload.

le sigh, can I blame all the medical testing and pain killers I got today on the dorkiness??

*grins impishly and runs off to order said wireless trackball mouse*

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:09 pm

The only game the trackball ever worked with for me was Spindizzy/Marble Madness. How do you control a flight sim with a trackball? Or a FPS?

Narsil · Post by **Narsil** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:40 pm

How do you control a flight sim with a trackball? Or a FPS?

I managed the latter quite well. Dual Enforcers plus a near-zealous refusal to lose plus a trackerball - I became extremely good at it. (In fact, I wound up being able to aim perfectly well with both hands at one time due to breaking my right thumb after an attack at school - I had to adapt my playing style somewhat.)

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:50 pm

Wireless Logitech optical mouse and keyboard. Both are fantastic, RARELY notice even the slightest hiccup.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:54 pm

I use a laptop, but when I use a mouse, I prefer an optical mouse. Otherwise, I am happy using the touchpad. I have actually become lethally proficient with it.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:00 pm

Technicly the situation nowdays is thus:

Optical wired
Ball and Optical Wireless are fairly even.

Optical wired have amazing resolution and just damn well good sensativity.

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 1:30 am

I have a logitech wireless optical and it seems to be the exception to everything everyone has ever told me about them, It gets great battery life (change batteries once every two months or so) and great accuracy on a rather niffty black Amphibious Outfitters (Dive equipment company) mouse pad. I like it and it is very durable having lasted for several years, survived trips accross country and even being partially melted in summer heat in car *knocks on desk*.

The Village Idiot · Post by **The Village Idiot** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:16 am

I gott say...I work almost everyday for 16 hours a day with an optical mouse. I like it despite the low quality of the mouse, It does a fine job keeping up.

My home mouse is also an optical, but much higher quality, and it shows. At this point I dont think I could go back to a ball mouse. I am starting to like the trackball mouse, but I need more practice to surpass my optical....Although those who are well practiced scare me *cough*Derick*cough*(Guy me, CT, SB, and Magi know)

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:19 am

acutally he's on the bored now Kophen. Yeah he can use a track ball in a FPS and Age of Empires II with frightning speed and accuracy while keeping the track ball base on his chest rather than the desk. Though recently he was forced to switch over to a wireless optical due to the trackball being irriversably broken.

The Village Idiot · Post by **The Village Idiot** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:22 am

Lets see if his loss of the track ball will give us an edge in our upcoming lan party. Age of Empires, RTW, and Dawn of War I believe are on the docket.

LibriumArcana.Games

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