Gaming mouse build quality?

roadie

roadie

roadie

Soldato
Joined
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Wiltshire
I'm considering a new mouse, as after many years of use the soft touch coating on my Logitech MX400 is wearing away where I rest my pinkie. I like the design, which is ergonomic and very similar to the Logitech M500.

I have done a few hours research on what there is out there up to ~£50 that whilst sharing a similar shape has more gaming specific features. I was wondering whether anyone can comment on the build quality and long term durability of the below models? I want something that feels solid, doesn't creak or make any odd noises, and has a coating that won't wear like a pair of cheap shoes. Oh and has a light that can either match the blue LEDs upon my Corsair K70 keyboard or can be disabled completely.

Any feedback on the above issues would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
 
I bought the Steelseries WoW mouse.

It lasted one raid and all the coating had worn through.

Would never touch a Steelseries product again as there customer service was terrible.

Got my money back eventually and bought a Razer Deathadder been using that for last few years with no problems at all.

Has a nice blue LED as well
 
Recently just tried the Rival, really liked the shape, but it just felt cheap/hollow, and didn't like the grip on the side. The customization of the LED was cool though.

I had the previous EC2 and yes the colour of the LED is set with the DPI, no software to change it. Guessing the same applies to new models as there is no software still.

Am waiting for the G303 to be sold in the UK. Looks good.

Currently using FK1, really like the mouse (has no LEDs on it if thats a problem for you).

Never tried the Deathadder but lots of people swear by it.
 
I will rule out the Steelseries, Zowie and Logitech mice. The Razer Deathadder Chroma looks interesting, although the online software seems like a bit of a faff.

The Mionix is intriguing with the extreme ergonomic shape. Has anyone moved to this from a more regular mouse? How was the adjustment?
 
roadie said:
Also does anyone have any experience with the Roccat Kone XTD? How solid does that feel in the hand?
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If it's anything like the original Kone's, I had 2: They were prone to having the mouse wheel not work properly (by properly I mean there's literally no point in trying to use it; scroll down 1 notch, the page would go up 4...) - might have to look into the newer ones to see if they've fixed that yet.

The mouse itself for feel though, I absolutely loved it, Completely natural feel in the hand, and (guessing it still does) had interchangeable weights of 5g, in 5g increments to 20g; I played with the 5g (prefer it being light). Great mouse, easy software to use with loads of customisation - I now have a Roccat Kone Pure HellFire Red and I love it, even more so; I think being a bit smaller than the standard Kone it just fits better in my not-so-breadloafed hands (although there are benefits to smaller hands, so they say :p).

If someone asked would I buy the mouse you've questioned, I'd answer 100% yes.

EDIT: Can I ask what you're using the mouse for (FPS, MMO, etc.)? If FPS then yeah I'd recommend the Roccat as that's primarily what I've always played and am considered a pretty decent player (in CS at least) - also definitely consider the Zowie if so as they're designed more for FPS players.
 
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I had an mx1000 which is a similar shape to the mx400. I tried a rat for a few years which is more of a flat mouse like the zowie, rivel etc, could not get on with it, im now using a naos 7000 best mouse ive used.

IMO coming from a palm grip mouse like you are going to something thats either claw or supposedly both will feel uncomfortable so get the naos and you wont be dissapointed. A lot of people will recommend the others as they are proven in the gaming community and tbh I'm sure they are good mice, but if your used to the 400 and love it like i loved the 1000 then stick with the shape you like. Im even considering buying another in case they stop making them :D
 
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Thanks for the replies guys. I predominantly play FPS games, although not ultra high twitch ones. The usual day-to-day computer activities outweigh the amount of time I game though.

I have been looking at a greater number mice over the past few days whilst discounting several from the original list. The Roccat and Mionix are still very much under consideration:
I'm probably leaning toward the Gladius or Deathadder at present.
 
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I stopped off at a well known high street PC retailer to test some mice today and took my MX400 along for comparison purposes. Those that I was able to play around with were the:
The Rival's shape was lovely, as was the scroll wheel and the rubber side grips. My hand seemed to fit really well upon it. The one exception that made me question the mouse was that the tips of mouse button 1 and 2 were a bit loose and could move side to side a bit. I would have also preferred a braided cable.

The Deathadder Chroma was not quite as comfortable in hand as the Rival. The rubber grips and button placement were also not quite right for me and it too suffered from slightly wobbly tips. I don't think this would be an issue in day-to-day use, but it would be good to see some more stiffness in this area.

Finally the Logitech G402. The design is a bit more 'gamer' than the others which I am not a massive fan of. Compared to the MX400 it seemed a bit lower and a bit longer, but overall the shape was very similar despite the different visual design. The button presses seemed lighter and crisper and the scroll wheel was an improvement, although it was no way near the same quality as the Rival. Mouse 1 and 2 are buttons independent of the main body and seemed stiffer than Steelseries and Razer. It too has a rubber cable and I would like to see a braided one used.

Testing the mice has given me food for thought, as I had discounted the Rival yet it was my favourite.
 
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I've had my steel series rival for a while now and its amazing. Had no fading or wear down on any buttons. The dpi switch button has to be my favorite feature purely cause I use max DPI, when friends, family or girlfriend use the computer I give it a quick hit so I don't have to suffer the pain of them flinging the cursor across the screen :) I couldn't recommend it enough. I used to have a naga and in my opinion this doesn't come close, the build quality alone is amazing.
 
roadie said:
The Rival's shape was lovely, as was the scroll wheel and the rubber side grips. My hand seemed to fit really well upon it. The one exception that made me question the mouse was that the tips of mouse button 1 and 2 were a bit loose and could move side to side a bit. I would have also preferred a braided cable.

QUOTE]

I really like my new model Rival. Buttons are firm with no play in them. Perhaps the display model had been mashed? I wish cable was braided too
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Nah I got the guy to open a sealed box for each mouse. It's not that the buttons were mushy, but that perhaps the design with such a long piece of plastic with limited support is more flexible than buttons separate from the shell?

I'm still interested in the Rival...
 
Super happy with the build quality of my Tt esports Theron mouse, really nice feel to it and the rubber coating is still holding strong with no signs of wear. Light function is still perfect, the braided cable is nice and durable so no signs of dodgey cable and the clicks are still as perfect as when I bought it

think it was £40 at the time and I simply recommend it highly
 
Is there a modern day version of the Logitech mx518?? I love this mouse, had it for around 10 years!
Though it's pretty knackard now and would love another, but looking at online prices it seems to be a rare (read expensive) commodity!
 
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Not sure if Razer have improved, they used to be of horrible build quality, cheap and just ****. Always wondered how they became so popular.

I can vouch for Steelseries Xai and Sensei, haven't used anything else in a long while.
 
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I had a razer mouse and it litrally fell apart. I couldn't afford a new premium mouse right away so purchased a perixx MX2000 to tide me over. That was 18 months ago and I'm still using it, all be it with new teflon feet. It's just better than my razor , logitech MX500, and microsoft sidewinder. It suprised the heck out of me.
 
Corsair actually look to do some decent mice. I'm quite happy with the logitech G700 at the moment but if that ever packs in I think I'd consider a Corsair one next.

Would pretty much agree on the steelseries, sadly. Had one of the WoW mice as well and it wore through the paint eventually (I'm... not as greasy/sweaty as most on the mouse hand from observation) but the buttons were sticky and a took a bit of faffing to sort. Bought one for the brother in law and his was worn through in about a month.
 
Rossi~ said:
Not sure if Razer have improved, they used to be of horrible build quality, cheap and just ****. Always wondered how they became so popular.

I can vouch for Steelseries Xai and Sensei, haven't used anything else in a long while.
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Zowie is one of the few brands I've found lately that even qualify as having build quality :S (ok slightly overstated for effect).

Having spent a bit of time trying to replace the WMO 1.1a (which last a pretty decent amount of time) with something more upto date I've acquired quite a lot of similar shaped mice - deathadders, kinzu, various logitechs, etc. and most of them only get used to see if I like them or not and then kept in the spare parts draw until used on random builds to test stuff, etc. and none of them have lasted well under far less use and abuse than my FKs - one of the deathadders was just sitting on a shelf attached to a system being used as a server and didn't make 6 months of occasional use :S
 
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