Optical vs Laser

gropingmantis · 24 Nov 2011 at 07:40

For competitive gaming, mainly FPS (Quake, UT, CS/CSS) but some RTS (SupCom, SC2). Which is better?

I just ordered a Steelseries Xai which is a laser mouse and I have no doubt it will be lovely going on other people's reviews.
However looking around on the internet it seems that Steelseries' next mouse, the Kana, which is supposed to be the ultimate mouse and the culmination of all they have done is going to have an optical sensor.

Now I thought optical sensors were old news and everything was moving towards laser sensors. I am pretty sure SS know what they are doing so what advantages does optical have over laser?

gropingmantis · 24 Nov 2011 at 17:17

Nobody?

EGuitarStar · 24 Nov 2011 at 17:20

I don't have the answer but a quick Google regarding the differences between laser and optical mice turned up quite a number of results, might be worth taking a look whilst you wait on someone to give you an answer.

gropingmantis · 24 Nov 2011 at 17:37

I know I have googled it but all the hits seem to be from years ago when laser mice were new or completely subjective views from self professed internet "pros". I want someone to give me cold hard facts as to why SS believe new optical sensors to be superior to new laser sensors.

[WU-TANG]GZA · 24 Nov 2011 at 18:00

I've heard that loads of QL pros all love the Microsoft Intelli 1.0 and the 3.0.

Tbh, reading over the internet, reading the "cold hard facts" are just a load of bs.....

Get a quality mouse that your hand feels comfortable with and that's all you need.

As I understand the 'best' mice for gaming atm are:

Intelli 1.0 & 3.0, Razer Deathadder, MX518, G500 - and more.......

No-one can really tell anyone what is the best mouse for xyz but having listed the games you have I know a lot of pros all love the Intelli Mouse as previously mentioned.

gropingmantis · 24 Nov 2011 at 18:10

Oh I wasn't planning on changing mouse. My Xai arrived today and I love it so far.

I was just interested to find out why SS is going for the optical but perhaps they are just emulating the Intelli 1.1.

overclick · 24 Nov 2011 at 18:42

A few months back my trusty razer copperhead (optical) died and i replaced it with a death adder (laser).

I used to use my copperhead direct on my wood grain desk. The new deathadder laser system did not like the desk and would in some particular places of the desk dance around. Luckily my deathadder order from here came with a free Boogie Bug AimB pad and it works fine.

I can not tell any difference between the precision of the two other than the old optical read table wood grain better!