Do I need an expensive gaming mouse for single player?

[david2123]

I don't play competitively; I'm not interested in online mulitplayer, so I'm only going to be playing against the computer. Do I really need a mouse with a great sensor for that? I play a variety of genres; RPG, FPS, racing, etc., if that helps your judgement. I'm considering just getting an Xbox One controller as it seems more comfortable.

I'd like a good, comfortable, nice looking mouse, but does it really have to cost £40/£50 like the Razer Deathadder or the Logitech G402 (two mice I see recommended a lot)? I've been to my local shops, but they don't have any nice mice out to test unfortunately.

The one I've been using with my laptop is just a cheap one you can pick up from most shops and it's done fine (a Sweex M1501). The only thing wrong with it is that I don't normally pick my hand up when I move my mouse, I just pivot it on my wrist (I use palm grip), and to get the cursor from one side of my laptop screen to the other side of my external display (1280+1920 pixels) I have to lift it and bring it back over and swipe again. I think this means I need a higher DPI, right (I believe it is 800 on the Sweex)?

One last thing is wired or wireless? As a casual gamer, will it make a difference? I'd prefer wireless, but I'm not too fussy. PC Gamer recently did an article about wireless mice and they said they couldn't notice any lag on a few mice, one being the G602, but one being the EBlue Cobra, which seems a bit more reasonably priced.

Thanks in advance.

 

[James Mason]

For single player it's not a big issue. Controllers are only better in a select few games, mostly racing, and 3rd person action games that aren't FPS.

But a higher DPS will make your mouse react more with less movement on your part.

Wired is still better because of the occasional loss of signal, or because the way your desk is setup there can be signal loss.

That Eblue looks good enough and at a cheap price, increase the DPI to 1600 or above (depending on how high it will let you go) and you'll see it moving/reacting 2x as your current mouse.

 

[RadicalAnberlin]

This really comes down to what you want. In response to your comment about a controller I would really recommend sticking with a mouse and keyboard unless you play a lot of racing games where the joysticks on a controller can come in handy. A mouse has so much greater accuracy than you can ever obtain with a controller. The ability to have higher dpi on the gaming mouse will enable you to have more sensitivity to your mouse, and move it further on screen while moving much less on your mouse pad, thus making it so you don't have to lift up your mouse as you move your cursor across the screen. That is if you can deal with the sensitivity. Be sure to look at the dpi as it can vary depending on the mouse and most modern gaming mice have adjustable dpi. Wired or wireless is more of a personal preference, I myself prefer to use a wired mouse because I don't like having to deal with recharging or replacing batteries. Good luck in your decision and I hope this helps!

 

[madmatt30]

Best priced gaming mouse in the UK IMO
Anker® 8200 DPI High Precision Programmable Laser Gaming Mouse for PC, 9 Programmable Buttons, Weight Tuning Cartridges, Omron Micro https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AAQRNQ8/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Vzmzvb0HZCMWB

I switch between this & a 360 wireless pad .

Bear in mind the xbone pad needs to be connected via cable .

A good compromise is one of these .

It clones both 360 xinput control & the older direct so works with any game - very good quality pad .
Speedlink XEOX Pro Analog Wireless Gamepad - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008XPEH9O/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_4Bmzvb1CZ0GFV

 

[david2123]

Thanks for the replies guys. That Anker mouse is over 50% off on Amazon. I'll be sure to check it out. Also, thanks for the advice about sticking with a mouse and keyboard. The Xbox controllers can be pretty pricey too, so I guess it would be better to just spend that on a mouse.

 

[bystander]

A good gaming mouse is good because it is accurate. Even without other people, it is nice to have a mouse that is accurate, but there is no competition. It's up to you what you want, but just because you play single player, doesn't remove their advantages.

 

[madmatt30]

TeckNet® X9800 High Precision Programmable Laser Gaming Mouse with 8200 DPI, 9 Programmable Button, Weight Tuning Cartridge, Omron Micro Switches https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CSTJIWM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_I.Yzvb0WRDY8B


Exact same mouse as the anker - rebranded by tecknet - it even links to the anker download site on the install disk....
Tenner less - absolute bargain - this is actually the one I own - I didn't see it before as my Amazon search was set to prime delivery only.

Consider that xeox wireless controller too if you have any interest in racing/platform games/3d adventure games etc

Personally I only use a mouse for fps - pad for everything else - the xeox is amazing value ...

 

[king3pj]

On my main machine I mostly use a controller because I play from a couch on my TV. I mostly use this to play console ports.

I do have a second PC at a desk for PC games with small font that are hard to see from across the room like Civ V, Diablo 3, Smite, Banished, Sim City, etc...

I'm getting buy just fine with an extra Dell mouse and keyboard set I took from the office. We buy new Dells for the office every couple years and they come with an identical mouse and keyboard every time. Since they are the same and the old ones are already wired through the desks we don't bother to switch them out unless someone is having problems. We literally have dozens of Dell mouse/keyboard sets just sitting in a storage room. My family runs this business and no one cares that I took a couple sets.

I play lots of Smite(competitive MOBA) and occasional multiplayer shooters like Team Fortress 2 with this setup and I do okay. I'm sure gaming specific components would be better but it hasn't been a big enough deal for me to want to upgrade.

 

[madmatt30]

^ had mine 14 months - still good as new - replaced the Teflon pads on the bottom but that's pretty normal in my experience - my old mx510 I changed em 3 or 4 times in 5 years.

In all honesty at £18 id be happy replacing it every year - I bought another one a month after buying the first as its the most comfortable mouse I've ever used - needless to say its still BNIB.

The only fault (& not really a fault) is that its about as much use as a chocolate teapot for a left-hander.