Looking to get a new mouse.

[Invader Bugs]

Like the topic says, im looking to get a new mouse, i have something in mind, but i cant seem to find it. im looking for something along the lines of the Logitech® MX610 Laser Cordless Mouse, but i really dont need all of that stuff on there. Wireless is nice, it could come in handy since i watch my back-up dvds on my computer, since my dvd player wont play them, so it would be nice to control it from my bed, but not necessary at all. Email and IM notification buttons, not necessary at all. Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom, whatever, as long as theres a scroll wheel. Forward, Back and Volume controls, i would only want it if it has wireless, cause my keyboard has built in volume control, since the speakers that came with the pc doesnt have volume control.

So, does something along these lines exist? or am i just better off saving up a little bit more and just getting the MX610.

also, was the MX610 made for USB 1.1? i dont have USB 2.0, so i was just wondering.

thanks

[rallynavvie]

I picked up one of these for my HTPC and then ended up moving it to my main video workstation because I liked it so much:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104168

It has all your media buttons on it (volume, track skip, seek, pause/play, media app shortcut) and it has the cool new tilt wheel. It also has a better range than most cordless mice and uses an invisible optical eye light so no annoying red light flashing underneath your mouse when you're trying to use it as a remote control.

However I'm also highly intrigued by Apple's latest mouse with the mini-trackball instead of a scroll wheel but AFAIK it isn't as customizeable on a PC as it is in its native Tiger environs. And it isn't quite as media-oriented as the Logitech above which fits your needs enormously. I'd stay away from that gyro mouse though. It's great for a dedicated HTPC but this one I posted doubles as a regular mouse far easier.

[Invader Bugs]

hmm. i like the design, looks nice. but is it comfortable to hold? because the MX610 looks very comfortable, but if this one is, then ill get it, its great.

will i need USB 2.0 to use it though?

also, i do a lot of drawing on my pc too, so, is the tracking good on this? like, right now, i cant really draw until i get a new mouse, i got a cheap little optical mouse from a local CVS, not my number one choice, but i didnt have a mouse, and CVS is the only place near me that had them. but the mouse is horrible for drawing, if you want to slowly move the mouse in a straight line, you cant. it just isnt possible. so is this a problem on this one?

one more thing, will i have to put the mouse down on a surface, if, say, im watching a dvd, and want to select something on the menu? or would the scroll work as the arrows to select something? i mean, this isnt a problem, just wondering.

[rallynavvie]

It's more comfortablet to hold as a remote than a mouse I guess. I have big hands though so not many mice really fit my hand very well anyway. However I have one of the larger Logitech wireless mice at work and even that one I probably don't hold right so maybe it's just me.

You don't need USB 2.0 for mice. I think there are a couple that claim USB 2.0 connectivity but I can't possibly see why you'd want a mouse that thinks it can use that much bandwidth.

For drawing you should really invest in a tablet. No mouse can beat a tablet for ease of use with drawing/painting apps as well as its precision. Get a good Wacom and you'll wonder why you never used one before.

As for using the mouse as a pointer you'll still have to have it on a surface to do that. If you want that much more remote control functionality you'd probably just want to go to a USB remote control for your PC.

[ozymango]

For drawing you should really invest in a tablet. No mouse can beat a tablet for ease of use with drawing/painting apps as well as its precision. Get a good Wacom and you'll wonder why you never used one before.

I'll strongly second that recommendation -- if you're serious about drawing (easily!) or graphics work on your computer that requires you to use some kind of pointing device, a tablet will make your life so much easier -- and accurate! -- that you'll never wanna go back to a mouse for drawing again.

The "drawback" is that a tablet can be kinda pricey ($200 or more new, but you can find used Wacom's on ebay for ... well, at least a bit cheaper!), but your wrist will love you for the investment!!!

[thecoalman]

will i need USB 2.0 to use it though?

Don't know about that particular model but my Logitech cordless mouse receiver has a USB connection. It does come with a PS2 adapter which they reccomend you use instead of the USB.

[Conquest10]

For drawing you should really invest in a tablet. No mouse can beat a tablet for ease of use with drawing/painting apps as well as its precision. Get a good Wacom and you'll wonder why you never used one before.

I'll strongly second that recommendation -- if you're serious about drawing (easily!) or graphics work on your computer that requires you to use some kind of pointing device, a tablet will make your life so much easier -- and accurate! -- that you'll never wanna go back to a mouse for drawing again.

The "drawback" is that a tablet can be kinda pricey ($200 or more new, but you can find used Wacom's on ebay for ... well, at least a bit cheaper!), but your wrist will love you for the investment!!!

I third it. Tablets are great. That is all.

Wait, the new mighty mouse by Apple® is also pretty good. Don't know if it will work on a PC but that trackball scrolling is realling nice. Better than the smooth scrolling on my Microsoft® ... mouse (I forgot the name of it).

[rallynavvie]

I read up on the Mighty Mouse and I think I'll hold off until the next generation. I don't so much mind that it's cordless but I read a lot of the reviews and the faults on it are a little more annoying than I'd care to deal with. And it does work with Win 2k and XP, just not all of the features carry over.