Mouse without tilt-wheel

[Landstander]

Our family has a pair of aging Logitech MX500 mice... probably the best series they've ever made.

It's been tough finding anything that feels as comfortable, but what is really making us nuts is the current crop of wheels.

Logitech's cheaper mice <$40 have these plastic wheels that feel loose and cheap.
The more expensive mice up to $100 ALSO have a loose feeling wheel, but at least they seem to be rubber coated metal.

Although my father only needs a basic mouse that is comfortable for every day use (at least 3 buttons and wheel), I'm looking for something with a few more buttons for gaming (mostly FPS).

Needs: Ergonomic (thumb indentation and hand rests naturally over it), a good size (returned a couple Daedalus Prime because they felt like they were sized for children) and absolutely no limp floppy feeling wheel (returned an M510 for feeling cheap wheeled (tilt-wheel-less preferred)). Wired/wireless is unimportant.

It doesn't have to be Logitech since they seem to be lost design-wise right now.
Preferred <$30-40, especially for the basic mouse.

 

[Aeacus]

How about Gigabyte M6880X,
specs: https://www.gigabyte.com/Mouse/M6880X#ov
review 1: https://thetechinsider.org/gaming-mouse-reviews/gigabyte-gm-m6880x-gaming-mouse-review/
review 2: https://www.thatsitguys.com/reviews/gm-m6880
amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Wheel-Wired-Gaming-GM-M6880X/dp/B00NJNFUZK

In my household, i have it in use both for my Skylake build and for my wife's Haswell build. For everyday browsing and office work, this mouse is a great choice and we are happy with it. The thumb forward and back buttons are the ones we like the most. While for gaming, there are better mice available but at that price, it's also decent in games thanks to the DPI button.

 

[Landstander]

How about Gigabyte M6880X,
specs: https://www.gigabyte.com/Mouse/M6880X#ov
review 1: https://thetechinsider.org/gaming-mouse-reviews/gigabyte-gm-m6880x-gaming-mouse-review/
review 2: https://www.thatsitguys.com/reviews/gm-m6880
amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Wheel-Wired-Gaming-GM-M6880X/dp/B00NJNFUZK

In my household, i have it in use both for my Skylake build and for my wife's Haswell build. For everyday browsing and office work, this mouse is a great choice and we are happy with it. The thumb forward and back buttons are the ones we like the most. While for gaming, there are better mice available but at that price, it's also decent in games thanks to the DPI button.

Looks pretty good. Reminds me of the M705 from Logitech, but without the tilt wheel.

The dimensions are almost identical to my MX500. That may not be a coincidence.

What is the wheel like? None of the reviews say. Is it rubberized like they used to be or a hard plastic? The truck tread appearance is, um, interesting.

 

[Aeacus]

Mouse wheel is rubberized and the "truck wheel" appearance is for helping to scroll the mouse wheel. With smooth mouse wheels, there can be an issue when your finger slips on it and the wheel doesn't turn. No such issues with it.

 

[Landstander]

Like I said in the first post, Logitech has started using hard plastic wheels on their lower-end mice and metal wheels with a fat rubber band/tread around it on their higher-end.
I never thought there was anything wrong with solid rubber wheels and I have no idea why they changed it.
Then again their original MX series was probably their best reviewed mice, I have no idea why they'd move away from the style.

Barring any other suggestions from the peanut gallery, we'll have to give the Gigabyte a chance. Thanks.

Edit: Had the mouse for a few days. I like a slightly heavier mouse, but besides that, there is not a single thing wrong with your recommendation. My dad is happy, and I'm thinking of getting one for myself now.