19
votes
Looking for a new mouse (maybe)
I currently have a Corsair Dark Core Pro SE that I like a lot. My scroll wheel is messed up though. I am kind of in the trenches (who isn't these days), and am looking for some good old retail therapy.
My big ticket items:
- works well on linux (openRGB if possible)
- has forward and back thumb buttons
- scroll wheel works (lol)
- has nice support for pinky (I really like this feature on my current mouse)(as I have big hands)
I am not opposed to just buying another of my current mouse, I can't tell if there is anything really comparable. I also don't really understand/care for my mouse being lightweight.
Deep cut question though is if anyone has any experience with trackballs, I kind of want to try it out but ultimately I don't really know what I am doing. I really just use my computer casually, and I don't play any competitive games just casual.
Any recs? Thanks, happy to answer any questions too.
I have the Logitech MX Master 3s, actually have a few of them for different computers. One of the more comfortable mice I've used and has great functionality. Some cursory googling about compatibility with Linux, looks like you can get most of the gestures to work as well through Solaar. Highly recommend. I especially love the thumb scroll wheel, I have it set to navigate between tabs when in browsers, and also scroll horizontally in spreadsheets.
I absolutely love my MX Master 3s. The only think I dislike about it is the silent clicks. Otherwise, unlike others in this thread, I think it's strictly an improvement in every way over the 2s: better and more tactile forward/backward buttons, gestures with the weird extra hidden button, metal scroll wheels.... usb c. I'm in the market to pick up another one myself so that I can have one at home and at the office but that $100 price tag is just a little steep. They go on sale (or up on Woot) fairly regularly though.
Edit: thought about it for a single second longer (the 'post' button somehow always brings an extra thought!). Another dislike I have is that any of the customization has to happen through software and none of it is stored on-device. The logi software is pretty good but having to install it on EVERY device is a drawback, especially when dealing with IT through large organizations. Also there's nowhere to store the usb receiver, which seems to be an overall problem with higher end mouses because the Corsair OP has also doesn't have storage.
Edited because I totally screwed up. I have the MX Master ERGO. Derr, sorry. I use it with Solaar on linux. I have joint issues and this mouse is by far the most comfortable I've tried. Another bonus is you can use it anywhere, you don't need a flat desk or extra space to move it around. I put it on the arm or my chair or my lap most of the time so I can kick my feet up and lean back.
I've got a MX Master 3 and it's amazing. Stock out of the boxes the best mouse I've ever had. With the customizations through the Logitech app and you can potentially fine-tune your workflow for most tasks.
Razer Basilisk V3 (wired) or V3 Pro (wireless).
I have and use both on Linux.
There are also newer "35K" versions of these mice, but they're such minor upgrades that I would recommend enjoying the discount on the older non-35K models.
What I like about these mice:
If I had to summarize: I find these mice very comfortable and nice to use, while having a wide array of features that are equally useful for "productivity" and playing video games. Despite its gamer marketing, these are excellent all-rounder mice.
Just wanted to say thanks for this writeup. I finally picked one up to replace my Steel Series mouse with a busted scroll wheel, and I wonder now why I waited so long. I had no idea how much I needed the automagic free scrolling and DPI clutch in my life.
Oh cool, glad you like it!
Oh wow, that all sounds very nice! My father had a mouse which could switch between the free scrolling and tactile scrolling, and whenever I got to use it I really enjoyed that feature a lot, I agree it made scrolling through things much easier!
I like the MX Master 2S. It lacks RGB, yes, but it's just a great mouse. Two wheels, horizontal and vertical, back and forward buttons, another customisable thumb button, nice and round, and a great scroll wheel they unfortunately ruined with the 3 and 3S model.
What did they do to ruin the click wheel? I've heard a lot of people say they prefer the 3(s), but my 2s works so well I haven't bothered looking into it at all.
It's very... mushy now. Not as defined. Much less resistance. I think they changed it from being mechanical to being only held at the ratchet points through magnets, and I really dislike how that feels. There's too much give between two distinct scroll ratchets for me
In exchange, it's now fully metal, which solves the problem with the rubberized grip section in the center degrading and flaking away (happened to my 2s)
I could take or leave rgb truthfully, this looks quite nice! I like having the two scroll wheels, this looks very nice! Stay away from the 3 and 3S if I am hearing you correctly?
I haven’t used the 2s, but I did have the original, and I currently have the 3s. I really didn’t need to upgrade except for the USB C port. In my opinion, the 3s is an improvement in every way from the original. It isn’t very much of an improvement, but that is only because the original was already fantastic.
I don't like them, and that aversion is strong enough for me to deal with the shortcomings of the 2S (mainly the Micro-USB charging port). You should try both though, see which one you like. Most electronics retailers have the 3S on display.
I have the 2S currently and while, yes, it has forward/back side buttons, I personally find them difficult to individually hit accurately when gaming. They’re two long thin triangles stacked; think a rectangle divided diagonally. It’s annoying enough that I’ve considered upgrading to the 3S, which looks like a much better layout.
I love trackballs, but not the kind that uses your thumb for everything, I like the whole-hand/index finger kind.
Logitech used to make a fantastic trackball that I grew up with, but they've long since discontinued it.
These days it seems like Elecom is the only one making the style I like. Their "HUGE" model is the one I use now. Unfortunately I just had to replace mine because the old one started double-clicking a little too often. Build quality isn't the greatest, but the design and extra buttons are great. Some people complain about the bearings being stiff. I kind of see what they mean, but for me it's not a big enough issue to go and replace the bearings myself (which is apparently doable, just fiddly).
The Elecom works great on Linux, although I do use Input Remapper (on KWin/Wayland) to rebind the middle click off of the scroll wheel and onto one of the easier-to-click extra buttons.
I really wish there was more competition in this space.
All that said, as much as I love my trackball, I still keep around an old Logitech mx518 for Dota 2 and the occasional other game.
For trackballs, the I’ve had good luck out of two models:
The various Elecom models have been on my radar a few times over the years but I never pulled the trigger.
Thanks, those look decent! I tend to prefer the slight off-center design of the Logitech and Elecom I linked, having never used a dead-center design like what you shared.
I'll keep them in mind for my next purchase though, maybe I'll branch out and try one.
I swear by my L-Trac! I have a 3D-printed riser and module for additional buttons (Cherry MX-like from mech. keyboards) and my wrist loves it
That sounds very interesting, can you share a picture
For those prices, I'll stick with my Kensington Expert Trackball.
Love me some trackballs but between my M570s and my Expert, I can't justify another $50 for RGB lights.
Ploopy sells both kits and fully assembled trackballs that I'd recommend any trackball aficionados look into. They run on open-source QMK firmware (and I believe the hardware is also fully open-sourced) so can be customized to a ridiculous extent. Personally I use a Ploopy Nano (which is an ultra-tiny trackball with no buttons) and mapped a layer on my split keyboard with keys for left/right/middle clicking, as well as a toggle between normal trackball mode and scroll-ball mode. I know that kind of setup wouldn't be for everyone, but they sell models in a variety of other form factors.
I'm not affiliated or anything, just a huge fan.
Trackball loyalist here, also have two HUGE that I use as my daily drivers for personal and work computers, a Deft Pro for portability. As Elecom has expanded over the years I've tried every one of their finger-ball models except the Bitra (it's the anti-thesis to the HUGE and I have big hands). Worth noting that the bearing replacement on the HUGE isn't difficult in the slightest and certainly helps with initial friction.
Used an Optical TrackMan for years (decade+) before an upgrade was necessary as the dongle started acting up and replacements for the cult classic were prohibitively expensive for what they are.
I do prefer off-center finger-balls, so I haven't tried the GameBall and the L-Trac simply doesn't have enough buttons. That said Nulea has an evolution of the Slimblade Pro in the M512 that I might give a go at some point and is something that someone eyeing the Kensington Expert might want to look into.
I remember walking past those Logitech trackballs at like best buy or target and just being so enraptured by the ball haha, I would make my dad explain how it worked over and over again! I am liking the Elecom model you linked quite bit! It's between that one, and the Kensington Expert mentioned above at this point!
I have an Elecom Deft Pro and it's mostly great but the tracking fails when making relatively fast movements like in games. Is the sensor in the HUGE better than the Deft Pro?
If I knew which sensors are compatible I'd solder in a new one, but I don't so I'm tempted to get a Gameball...
I haven't noticed that kind of failure, but I also don't typically use the trackball for gaming in any case.
I know some people aren't satisfied with the rolling/feel of the HUGE (possibly other Elecoms too) and will replace the bearings with ceramics (iirc), but I don't know if that would also affect the tracking too.
Whatever you do, avoid buying a SteelSeries mouse. They seem to all have a critical design flaw in the scroll wheel which causes an up or down scroll to register one or two scrolls in the opposite direction erratically. It's unbelievably frustrating, and I've now experienced it on 2 of the 2 SteelSeries mice I have owned (models a couple of years apart). There are lots of theories as to what causes it, but no real acknowledgment from SteelSeries, and apparently no movement to fix it. It's a shame, because I really like the feel of their mice in hand.
I have a Prime Mini that I use daily and a Rival 3 wireless in my laptop bag. The Prime is 2 years old and has no issues. It also works with rivalcli on Linux to configure it.
My previous mouses were Logitech MX Master 2S and several Microsoft mouses all which the plastic slowly broke down until I have to replace them every 2 years
I only owned the 2 models (aerox wireless and rival 5 wired) but both failed in exactly the same way. I honestly thought it was a fluke when it happened to the aerox, but then my rival started showing the signs.
Pretty frustrating considering I have a perfectly
functional Logitech as my work mouse that predates every other piece of tech on my desk.
What's gone wrong with your scroll wheel?
It is hard to describe, and probably ultimately something I can solve, but basically it is unresponsive every so often, and then when it does work it likes to bounce up a little bit, makes scrolling a pita! Someone above linked a a tear down video though so i might have to try that
A couple of months ago I would have recommended the Razer Basilisk V3. I purchased it like a year and a half ago on sale and it has been wonderful right up until last December or so when the scroll wheel gave out. Everything else about it is great, but scrolling is inconsistent unfortunately. I'd still consider getting another one in the future though, given that everything else about it has been perfect (that programmable button on the side is so much more useful than I thought it would be).
You may also want to look at Rtings' website, they have some great in-depth mouse reviews.
Oooh Thanks for the link!
This is my place to shine - huge fan of trackballs, especially those made by Kensington.
At home, for gaming, I use the Kensington Expert and at work I use the Kensington Orbit. The Kensington software is great, limited, but great and let's you reprogram any of the buttons to virtually any combo you need.
The expert looks like it belong in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the Orbit saves my hands at work. I can not use any other mouse these days, and have converted about half the people in my office to using them, reduced pain, and have incredibly higher DPI and control. Plus, it has a scroll wheel around the trackball, which is vital.
Takes about 3 days to get used to, and a week to prefer them in general.
I would highly suggest staying away from any 'thumb balls', as for most people it's a hard switch and their thumb starts hurting.
Edit: I've used a lot of Trackballs, including the HUGE, which is great, but not my thing. I passed mine on to my younger sister (21?) and she adores it.
I have an Expert that’s somewhere in the ballpark of 15 years old now in the closet. Works fine, except during a move a couple of its buttons got pushed in too far which broke something and so now they don’t click. Been meaning to open it up and see if I can fix it but never have gotten around to it.
One issue I remember it having was that its scroll wheel felt like it wasn’t lubricated at all and was difficult to use. Does yours share this problem?
It's certainly not as slick as my Orbital, but its not horrific. Still rather satisfying.
I am really liking the expert from what I see online! Especially that scroll wheel around the ball, I will probably pick it up!! Thanks for the rec, exactly what I was looking for! Do you know if it works well with linux? The Kensington software that is
Did your scroll wheel work to your satisfaction at any point before now?
Are you willing to / comfortable with attempting to repair or service it?
If yes to both, here is a video showing the disassembly and reassembly of your mouse. With most mice these days the wheel scrolling is sensed by an optical sensor, which can have issues if lint or dust or cat hair works its way into the scroll wheel internals. I have this exact issue happen with my Logitech M590 mouse and need to open it up and clean out the lint about twice a year or so (I have cats and one loves to nuzzle my hand... while I'm trying to use the mouse).
If the issue is something else, I do electronics repair of all sorts and am willing to help talk you through stuff if you want.
This is super helpful! Thanks for posting, I was thinking about attempting to service it so this might be the push! I will keep you posted! Appreciate it!!!
As a few other people suggested, Logitech MX Master is usually the mouse. It doesn't have RGB, but you can configure the buttons on Linux with Piper
I have a Kensington SlimBlade trackball and I'm reasonably happy with it. I would certainly not go back to a traditional mouse, the trackball is just so much more comfortable for me. And when comparing the SlimBlade with other similar products, I particularly like how turning the ball functions as a scrollwheel, rather than there being a separate ring or other element.
My main complaint would probably be that the buttons are fairly loud. I hear it's possible to change the switches if I'm ok with soldering (I'm not). Some might find it tedious that I also need to clean the thing every couple of days as fluff gets in and makes the ball less responsive, but it only takes a couple of seconds. And it actually makes me happy: I grew up with computer mouses that had to be cleaned regularly.
If I were to buy something today, I would probably buy the wireless version, but that's just for aesthetics.
I think I will really enjoy cleaning it every few days! It sound so personable! How do you clean it? Just with a dust rag, or some alcohol?
Oh, I suppose I could do that but it sounds very fancy. I just lift the ball and rub it gently on my shirt as if polishing an apple, then swipe a finger across the sensors to pull out fluff that has accumulated there.
I have the suspicion that the amount that this produces corresponds to how much time the cats that own us have spent in the room, and in particular how much time they have spent monitoring my productivity from my lap.
If the swipe doesn't help, I take a more drastic action and blow in each of the sensor cavities and then repeat the finger swipe. Blowing used to help with Commodore 64 cassette decks and if you ask me if it's good enough for a C64 it's good enough for anything.
If you decide to pick up a trackball, consider a split ergonomic keyboard as well. My Kensington, paired with my Dygma Defy, makes me feel like I'm working in a cool space station somewhere in the distant future of year 2001. The Kensington even looks pretty much like HAL 9000.
That keyboard looks sooooo nice!!! I have been feeling the urge to get a split keyboard but was daunted by the process of making my own. I mightttttt have to do some more therapy shopping to get myself this keyboard!
I think your suspicions are probably very accurate but I am happy to hear it doesn't take that much effort to clean! Thanks!!!
If you are looking into a split keyboard, also check out ZSA Moonlander and MoErgo Glove 80. For me, it was between these two and the Dygma Defy when I bought mine last year. There are many others as well, of course. Dygma themselves also released a little more traditionally set up Dygma Raise 2 last year.
I bought the Defy because I liked its thumb clusters, key modularity and tenting/tilting solution, and as a European company there was no import tax hassle for me. I had also read a lot of positive about their support, and I can report that my support experience has also been excellent so far. As has the keyboard, although they still have quite a few quirks with the software side of things to iron out. But nothing that affects my day-to-day use, and they seem to be working to improve things and have been very open about their shortcomings and where they need to improve.
Ohhh interesting, I will look into them! The defy is quite the price haha, but it does look very much worth it. Honestly the biggest concern for me though is that it would be hard to use and get used to. I can touch type but I don't know if I am at that level yet! Gotta keep practicing I suppose
Yes, it's not cheap. The quality of the hardware is great but whether a keyboard is ever worth that asking price is a question that everyone has their own answer to. Especially since a young company like them could go down and then you are left without support.
I came from a Logitech ergonomic keyboard which, while not a true split keyboard, had the two halves somewhat separated. It took me about a month to get to a point where typing felt natural with the Defy. A big part of the sometimes slow progress was because of my tinkering with the layout. You can quickly drive yourself insane by moving things like shift, space and enter to new positions in the thumb cluster every couple of days, in an attempt to find the Perfect Layout.
Right now, I can honestly say that it's the best keyboard that I have ever had. It's just so comfortable to type on, my hands don't really need to move to reach any of the keys, and the true split ergonomics have completely done away with any wrist and shoulder pains that I used to have after long days of typing. Worth every penny for me. But might not be for you.
If you do consider the Defy, I would suggest getting the wireless version. Although the battery life is not stellar (a couple of days), the wired mode (which you can use to charge without having to stop working) is a little cluttery. I would also highly recommend getting the tenting, it's quite a good design and allows good ergonomics. The underglow is fun and actually surprisingly good looking, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. Then again, I don't generally like rgb in my devices anyway. But since I have it, I do keep it on.
I came in here to recommend ZOWIE, specifically the FK2 which I've used since 2017 and have had no issues with save for a slightly fucky right click. It's got a great sensor, great form factor, no RGB, a great cable and just generally everything you need, without any extra software needed.
Small issue, though. It used to be at a very good price; like, 60€ or so. Nowadays, it's gone up to almost 80-100€ for some reason, which is a lot more than I'd pay for it.
Still, ZOWIEe's a great brand that I know arena FPS players swear by, so you might want to look that way for an option in your price range.