Do they make any mice that aren't junk?

[Howard_Casto]

Ok so I got through mice like nobody's business.  Generally a couple of months after I have a mouse it starts acting up.  I'll get those stray double clicks, or you have to press dow too hard to hightlight text ect.  Within a year it's downright unusable.  Now I know the cause of this, they use those cheap microswitches for the buttons and soft plastic presses the button, meaning that over time the switch wears out and/or the plastic tab that presses the button wears down. 

I just finished fixing my mouse, for the second time.  This time I had to solder on a new switch from the right button (those never wear out) of another mouse. 

I know mice are fairly cheap but my circumstances are unique.  I'm left handed... meaning none of these curved mice work for me.  Also I really enjoy the addition of forward/back mouse buttons for webbrowsing and programming.  Try to find a ambidexterous mouse with four buttons.     On top of that I need a wireless mouse because anyone else that uses this computer will move the mouse to the other side and I don't enjoy detangling cords.  Because of this I usually buy a wireless mouse/keyboard combo.  You wouldn't believe how many wireless kbs I have lying around with broken mice. 

So are there mice out there are are going to work with a left handed setup, are wireless, have four buttons and have really nice switches?

[paigeoliver]

I had one of these last me 10 years.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Logitech-TrackMan-Marble-USB-Wired-Optical-Trackball/11017032?sourceid=1500000000000003142050&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11017032

[Howard_Casto]

I appreciate the suggestion, but that's wired and it's not a mouse. 

[drventure]

You've probably already checked, but I just popped on Newegg.com, went the the mouse area and entered several of your criteria.

Wireless
tilt wheel
both hands (they have nothing specifically left handed)


There's quite a few options from Logitech and Microsoft (I've had both and rarely had issues with either make, whereas virtually all the "cheapo" brands have flaked out quickly on me.)

If you haven't yet, I'd check out the Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 (910-001321) Black 3 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB RF Wireless Laser Mouse.


Personally, I tend to stay away from wireless mice because of battery hassles, but the newer RF ones that aren't bluetooth are supposed to have pretty good runtimes.

[J_K_M_A_N]

I have found that the Logitech M310 is a great mouse. The battery life lasts many months for me. I have one at home and 1 at work and 2 of my co-workers have them. I have had this one at home for about 1 and a half years now and I think I have changed the battery twice. Still works great.

J_K_M_A_N

[Howard_Casto]

It's funny you guys mention logitech mice, because guess what the last two I bought were. 

They last longer than the others (which is why I buy them) but I'm still lucky to get a year out of one.

I wonder if anybody makes mice with cherry switches in them. 

[AtomSmasher]

I also have always had similar issues with wireless mice, which is why I still prefer wired mouse.  I have a high end logitech wireless mouse at work which is about 18 months old, and it's starting to act up on me.  I'll be switching it for a wired one soon.  Every high end wired mouse I've had has lasted 5+ years, including my current gaming mouse I use at home.

[Cakemeister]

You know how the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa.

That means that only left handed people are in their right minds!

[ark_ader]

I have a serial Gemmini mouse from my PCXT.  Works on the 560X like a charm.

The new stuff is crap. 

I'm sure I have a Mac Classic ADF mouse kicking around here somewhere...

I'm having problems finding decent ball mice.

[DaveMMR]

It's funny you guys mention logitech mice, because guess what the last two I bought were. 

They last longer than the others (which is why I buy them) but I'm still lucky to get a year out of one.

I wonder if anybody makes mice with cherry switches in them. 

What exactly do you do to your mouse that they break so much?  I don't think I've ever really had an issue with mice, wired or wireless and I use them for intense gaming, click them angrily and bang them even.

That said I'm using a Logitech MK300 wireless Mouse and Keyboard combo.  It was dirt cheap for the pair and aside from just having to update the software periodically, they haven't given me any issue for the 2+ years I've had it.

[RayB]

Logitech MX518 - Still going strong after many years. Ironically, it's my second one. The first one had the middle mousewheel break within its warranty period, but this replacement has beein going for years.

Yes, it's wired. Point is, get the equivalent wireless model. The MX518 is a "gaming" class mouse, so not cheap.

[fallacy]

Logitech makes some of the best most reliable mice. I have been using the Logitech MX 510 for the last 10 years or so as well .  http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Performance-Optical-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00020E4QO

It’s still the most precise, smooth mouse I have ever used. If this one were to go out I would probably by another even though I could only get one used. Actually now that I think I should buy one now just for backup; they are kind of expensive for a mouse though.

Never liked wireless mice. The imprecision, the weird little lag just does not do it for me.

[Howard_Casto]

It's funny you guys mention logitech mice, because guess what the last two I bought were. 

They last longer than the others (which is why I buy them) but I'm still lucky to get a year out of one.

I wonder if anybody makes mice with cherry switches in them. 

What exactly do you do to your mouse that they break so much?  I don't think I've ever really had an issue with mice, wired or wireless and I use them for intense gaming, click them angrily and bang them even.

That said I'm using a Logitech MK300 wireless Mouse and Keyboard combo.  It was dirt cheap for the pair and aside from just having to update the software periodically, they haven't given me any issue for the 2+ years I've had it.

I use it.     Seriously that's the difference.  Mice, even really good ones are only rated for so many clicks.... I'm just doing more clicking than you.  Between my programming, my photoshop work, gaming and just general usage there are a LOT of clicks in a given day for my poor old mouse.

[Howard_Casto]

Logitech makes some of the best most reliable mice. I have been using the Logitech MX 510 for the last 10 years or so as well .  http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Performance-Optical-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00020E4QO

It’s still the most precise smooth mouse I have ever used. If this one were to go out I would probably by another even though I could only get one used. Actually now that I think I should buy one now just for backup; they are kind of expensive for a mouse though.

Never liked wireless mice. The impression the weird little lag just does not do it for me.

That's a right-handed mouse man.... I physically can't use that one.

[Dawgz Rule]

Can always teach yourself to use a right handed mouse.  I am left handed and have always used a mouse with my right hand.  Play Rock Band the same way. 

[paigeoliver]

My wife is left handed and she uses the mouse right handed as well.

[knave]

Wow man I've never had an issue with mice wearing out. But I agree with the recommendation of logitech mice. I know you can't use em but I have one wired and one wireless and have gotten years of hard use from them. The 518 is a workhorse.

I would recommend razor mice. they make quite a few ambidextrous models and have all the bells and whistles. But they are all gonna be wired. Is it really a big deal to set the mouse on the other side of the keyboard...I do it at work all the time when a lefty comes around. Just allow the slack in your cable management and you can switch it back and forth.

[DaveMMR]

It's funny you guys mention logitech mice, because guess what the last two I bought were. 

They last longer than the others (which is why I buy them) but I'm still lucky to get a year out of one.

I wonder if anybody makes mice with cherry switches in them. 

What exactly do you do to your mouse that they break so much?  I don't think I've ever really had an issue with mice, wired or wireless and I use them for intense gaming, click them angrily and bang them even.

That said I'm using a Logitech MK300 wireless Mouse and Keyboard combo.  It was dirt cheap for the pair and aside from just having to update the software periodically, they haven't given me any issue for the 2+ years I've had it.

I use it.     Seriously that's the difference.  Mice, even really good ones are only rated for so many clicks.... I'm just doing more clicking than you.  Between my programming, my photoshop work, gaming and just general usage there are a LOT of clicks in a given day for my poor old mouse.

Fair enough - I do go out of my way NOT to use the mouse (tabbing down to form submit buttons, using shortcut keys whenever possible, etc.) But I still think the non-standard abuse I dish out to my mouse makes me think something is out of the ordinary on your end.

I know you have a fairly specific need when it comes to mice but if you're going through them a lot, maybe you should adapt to the cheaper mice and treat them like disposable technology.

[Gray_Area]

I think you're stuck. My first wireless keymouse (logitech, about $50), at about six years old, just recently had one of the switches go out (I think because I banged it too much - too smooth of surface, and it lost tracking), but I don't use it for even half of the things you do. Maybe one of those $120+ mice will do better, though.

[Howard_Casto]

It's funny you guys mention logitech mice, because guess what the last two I bought were. 

They last longer than the others (which is why I buy them) but I'm still lucky to get a year out of one.

I wonder if anybody makes mice with cherry switches in them. 

What exactly do you do to your mouse that they break so much?  I don't think I've ever really had an issue with mice, wired or wireless and I use them for intense gaming, click them angrily and bang them even.

That said I'm using a Logitech MK300 wireless Mouse and Keyboard combo.  It was dirt cheap for the pair and aside from just having to update the software periodically, they haven't given me any issue for the 2+ years I've had it.

I use it.     Seriously that's the difference.  Mice, even really good ones are only rated for so many clicks.... I'm just doing more clicking than you.  Between my programming, my photoshop work, gaming and just general usage there are a LOT of clicks in a given day for my poor old mouse.

Fair enough - I do go out of my way NOT to use the mouse (tabbing down to form submit buttons, using shortcut keys whenever possible, etc.) But I still think the non-standard abuse I dish out to my mouse makes me think something is out of the ordinary on your end.

I know you have a fairly specific need when it comes to mice but if you're going through them a lot, maybe you should adapt to the cheaper mice and treat them like disposable technology.

Not really... you'll find pages upon pages on the interwebs about mice "clicking by themselves" or "double clicking too much."    The problem is people aren't familiar with what is causing it.  They stupidly think that it's a software issue (drivers, or a virus ect...) when it's actually the mouse itself.  We deal with some exotic stuff around here so I thought I would ask, but I guess you guys don't know either. 

I would love to just use cheaper mice, but I tried that... getting the cheapest ambidexterous mice I could find....  they lasted 2 or 3 months tops, and it is REALLY annoying to have to deal with buying and hooking up a new mouse every few months.  I think the current keyboard/mouse combo cost me around 70 bucks and it did last fairly long considering.  I'm afraid to buy the super high-end stuff.  Afterall they seem to wear out for me regardless and I would hate to be out 200 bucks on a stupid mouse.

I'm wondering if there might be a product in this problem.  I don't see why a mouse couldn't be designed that used replaceable arcade switches.  I need to research this a bit more, I would think that at least one of those gaming mice out in the wild would have used such a design.

[Dawgz Rule]

Try a Razer.  They get great reviews.

[fallacy]

looks like your only choice is to go with the Super Nintendo mouse.

[shmokes]

Would you consider a paradigm shift? I recently got a Wacom Bamboo Create tablet. It supports both pressure sensitive pen input (potentially useful for your Photoshop stuff, unbelievably useful for Illustrator) and multi-touch like Apple's magic trackpad. I love the thing. Scroll with two fingers, forward/back with a three-finger left or right swipe. It's about five-times the size of a typical laptop trackpad, which makes a huge difference. It didn't take long at all before I vastly preferred using the tablet for about 95% of tasks. About 4% of the time I still generally use the touchpad because I can't be bothered to reach one foot away and pull my mouse out of its cradle. For the remaining 1% of tasks it's a simple thing to grab the mouse.

Oh, but since there's no mechanical click, this thing would probably not suffer from your brand of overuse.

[Dawgz Rule]

+1 on Wacom tablets.  I spent some time in IT at a publisher and our art and design people loved these things.

[Blanka]

I do everything with 3,50€ Wired Logitech optical mouses. Just bought a 5-piece box of them for 17,50 some day. They just work and cost about the price of one special beer. Just gave classes in Sketchup, and saw all those hip students struggle with their Apple Magic Mouse and magic pads. Well make that Manic Mouse and Slough pad. They were all jealous at my 3.5 euro cheese lover.

[Blanka]

+1 on Wacom tablets.

For anything that requires a lot of drag-n-drop like photo editing I use an A4 Wacom too (don't be skimpy on the size). For CAD, mouse is still unbeatable.

[Howard_Casto]

Would you consider a paradigm shift? I recently got a Wacom Bamboo Create tablet. It supports both pressure sensitive pen input (potentially useful for your Photoshop stuff, unbelievably useful for Illustrator) and multi-touch like Apple's magic trackpad. I love the thing. Scroll with two fingers, forward/back with a three-finger left or right swipe. It's about five-times the size of a typical laptop trackpad, which makes a huge difference. It didn't take long at all before I vastly preferred using the tablet for about 95% of tasks. About 4% of the time I still generally use the touchpad because I can't be bothered to reach one foot away and pull my mouse out of its cradle. For the remaining 1% of tasks it's a simple thing to grab the mouse.

Oh, but since there's no mechanical click, this thing would probably not suffer from your brand of overuse.

I've tought about this.  I'm just kind of dumb about tablets anymore.  The last time I was using one on a regular basis they had a serial connection. 

I'm still going to need a mouse though....  3d editors and tablets don't always play nice.  I'm going mouse hunting tomorrow... I'll post my results. 

[shmokes]

As do I keep a mouse. But I hardly ever use it now. If the same holds true for you I suspect you will find that your mice last a good deal longer than you are used to.

[Howard_Casto]

Ugh.... I feel defeated. 


Went to every store I could think of today trying out mice.  Not much luck I'm afraid.  They fell into three cats.... either they had the extra buttons on the wrong side, were curved to the right or don't have any extra buttons (tilt wheel only).  Even the gaming mice were decidedly right-handed.  The only one I found that was sort of good was a microsoft 3000 kbd mouse combo, but the mouse wasn't super comfortable and the keyboard used those awful low-profile keys.  I guess I'll try online shopping next and hope I don't get a carpal-tunnel generator. 

[crashwg]

Maybe instead of finding a new one you'd fix the one you've got with these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/diy-mouse-micro-switch-20-piece-pack-122495

I share your pain as just recently my MX Revolution started double clicking on it's own lest I press the button down with some force.  I figured I'd swap the mouse microswitches between the buttons. I ended up jacking the thing up with my helping hands alligator clips taking off a resistor which was destroyed in the process.  Damn if those things aren't outrageously expensive even used...

[Howard_Casto]

Maybe instead of finding a new one you'd fix the one you've got with these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/diy-mouse-micro-switch-20-piece-pack-122495

I share your pain as just recently my MX Revolution started double clicking on it's own lest I press the button down with some force.  I figured I'd swap the mouse microswitches between the buttons. I ended up jacking the thing up with my helping hands alligator clips taking off a resistor which was destroyed in the process.  Damn if those things aren't outrageously expensive even used...

Yeah this isn't really a viable option.  It takes like an hour to put in a new ms.  I had put one in the problem mouse at the start of this thread and it already failed.  I think I weakened one of the resistors during the desoldering process (the damned thing are right against the legs of the swtich) and it finally gave out. 

I think I might look into those places that will print out pcbs for you.  I might have a go at designing a mouse with replaceable parts.  There is definately a market for it. 

[Howard_Casto]

Ok so my new mouse/kbd combo came in today.  It's pretty good, not great, but good.  It's the microsoft 3000 kbd/ mouse combo.  It comes with a 3000 v2 kbd (which I'm not super fond of) and a 5000 mouse.  The mouse is ambidexterous, has for legitimate buttons and a tilt wheel.  It works really well.  I'm not super fond of the form factor (it's a little "bulgie" for my tastes) but in terms of operation it's the best I've had in a while, even better than the logitech's.

I paid 44 for it online and I think for that it's a fair price.... there's no way I would pay the retail price of 70 bucks + tax/shipping though.... mostly because it isn't exactly what I want.  Seeing as how I literally tried about every mouse/keyboard on the market when I went looking last week I can confidently reccomend this one to leftys like myself, not because it's the best, but because it's the least crappy. 

I'm documenting it in this thread as a way of seeing how long the mouse will last.  1 day and counting. 

[shmokes]

Saw this just now. Razor considering making a left-handed version of one of it's gaming mice. You have to like it on Facebook, though, to make it happen.

[Howard_Casto]

Eh... I don't want a mouse with 17 buttons on the side getting in my way.  I think the real problem is that there is such a thing as a right-handed mouse.  In the beginning all mice were ambidexterous because... well that's better, you can hold it not only with either hand, but with whatever angle you want.  These lame curved mice force you to hold the mouse only one way.  It reminds me of ergonomic keyboards... they seem like a good idea on paper.....

[shmokes]

I vastly prefer the feel of my Logitech MX-1000 to every other mouse I've ever owned. I don't buy the suggestion that there's nothing to mouse ergonomics.

[ChrisK]

I use it.     Seriously that's the difference.  Mice, even really good ones are only rated for so many clicks.... I'm just doing more clicking than you.  Between my programming, my photoshop work, gaming and just general usage there are a LOT of clicks in a given day for my poor old mouse.

I'm in awe, sir!  I've never killed a mouse button.  I've worn down the paint on a few, I busted one mouse wheel, and I've killed a couple with static, but I've never killed a button.  Even back when my brother and I played Diablo for HOURS a day (easily the most click-happy game I've played for a long period) I never managed to kill a button.

And you do it regularly?  And within a month?  You must have a five pound index finger! 

My recommendations are to try different brands until you luck into one that uses switches stolen out of an old ALPS keyboard, or to get a trackpad to work around the problem.  But then again, you might Bruce Lee your finger right through that sucker, so maybe that's not a good idea. 

You might also just give up and try to find a cheap supplier of bulk mice.  Wireless might up the price, but I bet you could get them wired for <$3 if you bought a decent sized lot.

[Hoopz]

New Razer mouse is ambidextrous:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/06/razer-taipan-gaming-mouse-hands-on/

Not sure if you're still looking but for after you kill your current one.

[Dervacumen]

When this topic was posted I thought it insane that a mouse button would wear out.  Yesterday I started losing function on my Logitech G5 right button.  If I press it I notice it works fine, but if I press a little harder the connection is lost.  Pressing hard when under fire and trying to zoom a scope in a FPS go hand in hand.  Luckily I can remap to a thumb button.  That's not too bad.

[crashwg]

Not my thread but I'll give an update on my problem anyway.  I found a mouse only on ebay (no receiver and no charger) for cheap so I bought it.  It worked pretty well for a while but occasionally the thumb wheel which I have set as volume randomly turns the volume all the way up and the scroll wheel makes the screen wiggle when you stop scrolling.

I can live with these problems for a little while but have decided when this one goes I think I'm going to get a wacom bamboo with the multi-touch.  I don't game on PC so I think it will be the best solution for me.