Balls!
 

NOT what you're thinking, I'll bet!!

Mouse balls, I mean! I know lots of you guys use laptops, but I have a regular desktop/mouse, and the mouse keeps getting clogged , which then needs to be cleaned! SO-O tedious! :(

My question is (at last, I hear you cry); has anyone tried/got/didn't like an optical or other "ball-free" type mouse that they could recommend? (Bearing in mind, the budget at present is a WEE bit stretched!!!)

Thanks for your input!! :)

DM

Optial Mouse works excellent, was concidering an infared type optical but have been told by friends who have had them that they went back to the corded optical version.

you can get an optical mouse for less than a tenner at SavaStore

Got a cordless keyboard mouse set a bit back and wouldn't go back to being tied up

Cheers for the link T-S..... I'll check it out! And thanks to Sharni & Bilbo too.... I've looked at them before, but wasn't sure if they'd be worth the £££ ..... seems like it's worth another look!

DM

I had a pair of MS optical wireless mice , one of them just does not seem to behave right (the one at work) so I am back to a corded mouse there (though still optical).

I really like the no fussing with hairy mouse balls.

However, a few people at work are heavy into action gaming (specifically Quake 3 and Urban Terror) and none of them have taken to the optical mice. Something about the motion not being right... they have all gone back to "old school" mice for the game.

Since I do not do a lot of that I really like the opticals.

EDIT: I see a reference above to infra red cordless mice, the one that I have is an MS mouse and it is not infrared. It does not have the be able to "see" the receiver to work. And that is nice since my desk is rather cluttered and the receiver is usually under some pieces of paper or the like.

I have a mouse "pen" - it's Tyler's and he probably spent a lot on it cuz he's a tech addict but it's a cool thing . . . sorry I don't have more details.

I use the corded Microsoft Optical... works really well... would never go back to a non-optical at home. I still suffer with a ball one at work tho :(

I know that at Walmart here, you can buy an optical mouse for as little as 15 bucks.. and they do the job just fine. :)

I'm a heavy gamer....and truely find the optical mouse more responsive....cant understand their problem at all

am also a heavy gamer and just love the optical mouse(corded)

We use corded optical mice on all our computers, Logitech, Make some really good products and are reasonable priced.

Not sure if there's any comparison, but I'm on a Crappintosh with an Apple corded optical mouse.... works just fine, I can't really tell the difference between a ball mouse or an optical.

And I play the odd game, the motion's just the same for me..

CasperTG

I've thought about getting one of those optical mice. Glad for the input. Thanks from me as well! :)

On my PC I use an old 3-button Logitech corded mouse, non-optical. It's done just fine for me for years (but then, I don't game much, or don't do things that require the mouse a lot, use the joystick instead).
When I got my first laptop I had a heck of a time using the touchpad, so I got a MacAlly 2 button with scrollwheel optical corded USB mouse. The big advantage was being able to use practically any surface for 'mousing.'
In terms of wireless, my parents had a wireless logitech (non-optical, RF) for a few years before it finally went bad. I gave them an old 2-button mouse of mine. They've considered optical mice now, and haven't decided on regular RF or BlueTooth. But as they're still running Win98SE, I think BlueTooth is going to be out of the question.

Heavey gamers here (my hubby and I) and opticals are worth the extra cash..

I am a heavy gamer as well, and have just recently switched to the logitech corded optical mouse. I can't see any of the lag that some have complained about, if your not a gamer the optical mouse which seems to go for like $15 and up is great and you will never go back. I don't miss cleaning hairy mouse balls at all.

I recently switched back from optical to my old trusty microsoft ball mouse..............my fault really for buying a cheap cordless keyboard and mouse. I'd would buy an optical mouse if/when this one dies. As far as gaming goes...............a bad gamer always blames his/her tools ;):D

Right I'm outa here I have work to do.............maybe hehehe

Trackball?
 

It takes up little space, it's inexpensive, and stationary. You just use your thumb to move the ball around and click with your (fore)finger. I use it for my little one, since she doesn't quite know how to move a regular mouse around effectively.

Welcome back Nubian!

Blimey trackballs are odd little devices it takes me ages to get used to them if I'm working a PC with one attached. That said though the people who use them swear by them (I just swear at them) It's certainly another option to look at if you just need the mouse for pottering about in windows.

I got a Logitec Optical about a year ago when office max was offering rebates on them. I love it, no more cleaning or anything. My girlfriend actualy complains that its too sensative, but then again, she's a pretty sensative girl. ;) Go for the optical, its worth the extra expense in the begining.

I love my trackball!!!

I figured I'd insert another question here that is somewhat relevant .... anyone run into a good mouse for lefties? I have an Logitech corded optical mouse right now & its pretty good stuff but anytime I use anyone elses ... especially ones at school .... they're curved for a "comfortable" grip which really sucks for the lefties out there cuz i still can't seem to function with a mouse in my right hand.