Optical vs laser mouses?

[vampyiere6]

Hello!

As the title says what is "better" optical or laser mouses?

As many sites and facts and so always states that laser is better while many gaming channels and tech persons says optical is better so what is the real difference?

I myself game alot mostly fps games and i been using a razer imperator 4g mouse and it has both a optical and laser so i have not really been thinking that much about it.

And that mouse is really great been serving me well but like half year ago my midle click stopped working and now just scrolling is horrible, and my last one before i did rma it got the duble click problem.

now i am thinking about ordering the corsair sabre rgb mouse but now im really thinking if i should get laser or optical im leening towards optical as most youtube channels etc have said its much better.

 

[retix]

Optical vs Laser Mouse: User Experience - Optical mouse has definitely proved itself as a much improved version over the mechanical mouse. However, it cannot take down the supremacy that laser mouse has established in terms of user experience. As the screen for the computer sizes up to 19inches and even larger sizes, it is desired that the mouse gives a good DPI. Here, Laser mouses are always preferred than the simple optical ones. Also, laser mouses are popular among gamers for their high precision and added hardware feature of extra buttons.

 

[vampyiere6]

Optical vs Laser Mouse: User Experience - Optical mouse has definitely proved itself as a much improved version over the mechanical mouse. However, it cannot take down the supremacy that laser mouse has established in terms of user experience. As the screen for the computer sizes up to 19inches and even larger sizes, it is desired that the mouse gives a good DPI. Here, Laser mouses are always preferred than the simple optical ones. Also, laser mouses are popular among gamers for their high precision and added hardware feature of extra buttons.

What is the added extra hardware features of buttons as they have the exacly same as optical

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

The difference is just the sensor type. A manufacturer may build any mouse they want around either sensor type.

Laser mice likely use a laser diode as the light source while optical mice usually use a regular light emitting diode, sometimes near infrared.

Laser mice may have a higher DPI, which translates to tracking smaller features or faster cursor movement rates. This has more to do with the way the information is being processed than the light source being used, so optical mice can have high DPI, it's just not the same selling point.

Ultimately, whether the mouse uses a laser or just plain old optical is irrelevant, as that's not all there is to it. Take Microsoft's Bluetrack mice for example. Optical, but tracks better on most surfaces than even my Logitech laser mouse.

So, buy the mouse that has the features you are looking for, feels comfortable in your hand, and tracks well on the surface you intend to use it on.

 

[vampyiere6]

The difference is just the sensor type. A manufacturer may build any mouse they want around either sensor type.

Laser mice likely use a laser diode as the light source while optical mice usually use a regular light emitting diode, sometimes near infrared.

Laser mice may have a higher DPI, which translates to tracking smaller features or faster cursor movement rates. This has more to do with the way the information is being processed than the light source being used, so optical mice can have high DPI, it's just not the same selling point.

Ultimately, whether the mouse uses a laser or just plain old optical is irrelevant, as that's not all there is to it. Take Microsoft's Bluetrack mice for example. Optical, but tracks better on most surfaces than even my Logitech laser mouse.

So, buy the mouse that has the features you are looking for, feels comfortable in your hand, and tracks well on the surface you intend to use it on.

How about tracking does one work better on said surface then the other?

I did just order myself the corsair sabre rgb optical one as i hear much more good about that, and i always use a mousepad as i have a glass desk, i use the razer vespula mouse pad so does the optical or laser make a difference in that?

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

I have a glass desk as well. In the case of most laser mice, I haven't yet found one that tracks on glass. My MS mouse with their Bluetrack sensor works wonderfully on both the glass and my old mouse pad.

Every mouse, regardless if it's optical or laser will have surfaces that it's picky about. If one mouse pad doesn't work, try a different one.

 

[TNAndy]

There is one other consideration to think about for computer mice: How they connect to your computer. The earliest mice used a 9-pin serial connector. The next connector was a 5-pin round plug. Later-model mice had a PS/2 connector. Modern wired mice have a USB connector. Wireless mice are probably bluetooth, so you'd need bluetooth capability in your computer or a dongle in a USB port.

Some USB mice can be plugged into a USB to PS/2 adapter and will still work. MANY MICE DO NOT WORK WITH A USB TO PS/2 ADAPTER.

 

[vampyiere6]

There is one other consideration to think about for computer mice: How they connect to your computer. Older mice probably have a PS/2 connector. Later-model wired mice have a USB connector. Wireless mice are probably bluetooth, so you'd need bluetooth capability in your computer.

Some USB mice can be plugged into a USB to PS/2 adapter and will still work. MANY MICE DO NOT WORK WITH A USB TO PS/2 ADAPTER.

Who now days, or more like what company these days do even make mouses with ps/2 like all are with usb so i dont think thats really a problem, and same goes for wireless and gaming worst thing ever, wired ftw

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

Most mice are USB, including the wireless ones. Since Bluetooth is still less than a de facto standard on all machines, Bluetooth mice still cost what I would consider to be a premium over the newer generation wireless.

While some very cheap wireless devices have bad latency issues, the newer generation wireless, whether it's Bluetooth or using it's own USB dongle / micro dongle, is not something I would shirk before trying, even when gaming. I've been gaming with wireless mice for the last ten years quite happily. The nuisance of the cord outweighs the potential interface lag.

 

[vampyiere6]

Most mice are USB, including the wireless ones. Since Bluetooth is still less than a de facto standard on all machines, Bluetooth mice still cost what I would consider to be a premium over the newer generation wireless.

While some very cheap wireless devices have bad latency issues, the newer generation wireless, whether it's Bluetooth or using it's own USB dongle / micro dongle, is not something I would shirk before trying, even when gaming. I've been gaming with wireless mice for the last ten years quite happily. The nuisance of the cord outweighs the potential interface lag.

Yea true, but i myself have almost always been using wired mouses and as some that does not have a braided cable gets stuck when its just soft plastic cover around it sticks easy and gets stuck.

But as most "gaming" mouses now days and the more expensive ones almost all have the braided cables i think its really nice and works good.

And as wireless sometimes loses connection depending on where your comp is , what desk you have etc can interfere and if its battery power can run out of batteries, and you dont always have some spares at home i think it can be really frustating, so i still choose wired.

but then again its all a matter of taste what people like better and what works for them.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

Yes, would have to agree. All good points, and it does boil down to what each individual's tastes are. 🙂