Welcome to summer, and welcome also to the second installment of our look at gaming gear. Under the proverbial microscope last issue were keyboards – not just any keyboards, mind you, but keyboards designed with extra perks and conveniences that make gamers jump for joy.

Ultimately, Microsoft’s Reclusa proved to be a superb unit for casual gamers, while Saitek’s do-all Cyborg topped the charts for the hardcore crowd. This issue, we’ve trapped ourselves a few of today’s hottest gaming mice and didn’t let them go until we found out what they’re all about.

So, how do gaming mice differ from good ol’ run-of-the-mill general mice? In the lower dollar bracket, the only real difference is likely the word “gaming” on the packaging. But in the $50-plus arena, where the heavyweights hang out and where the focus of this article lays, the distinctions can be quite palpable.

This is the domain of adjustable weighting, customizable on-the-fly resolution switching, programmable buttons, game-friendly ergonomics, loaded software packages, and more. Yet the most obvious physical difference, particularly now that wireless mice have become so darned popular, is that today’s premiere gaming mice are generally corded. While that may be a surprise and a potential deterrent to those who’ve experienced the freedom of a cord-free environment, the top manufacturers tell us there’s good reason for retaining that hardwired link.

Microsoft, for example, says its research proves gamers prefer the speed and responsiveness of a wired mouse and that they don’t enjoy interrupting gaming sessions to change batteries. Preeminent game peripheral designer Razer elaborates further:

“With the amount of wireless devices currently in use today, there are many sources that can cause interference and create “noise” that disrupts the wireless signals a mouse uses. This may not be noticeable in day-to-day office tasks, but our validation tests have proven that in the heat of a gun fight or a serious RTS skirmish, not having full control of your mouse is very frustrating. Our engineers are watching and experimenting with wireless technologies…but we will not release such a product until we feel it can deal with the busy wireless households and LAN situations gamers face.”

But while we commend high-end mice-makers for sticking to their guns in the corded versus cordless debate, the truth is that many gamers do quite nicely with the latter. This writer, for instance, has survived many a deathmatch during the past few years with his trusty, yet wireless, Logitech MX1000 Laser Mouse. Your mileage may vary.

Another similarity between the top contenders is their method of tracking. Today, entry-level and midrange mice utilize “optical” sensors and tiny LEDs that capture images hundreds or thousands of times every second. High-end mice, on the other hand, substitute those LEDs with laser-produced light.

Why? Logitech tells us that “the superiority of a laser mouse comes from the highly concentrated light it produces. The shorter wavelength of laser light illuminates surfaces in far greater detail, revealing features that don’t show up in LED light. Compared to optical, a laser engine sees much greater surface detail, which gives laser mice greater accuracy and allows them to track better on more kinds of surfaces.”

Next: The Mice

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