Can you recommend: a new gaming mouse, mouse pad & headphones for me?

[i_hate_flying]

I'm looking to buy three new things for PC gaming.

1. A new mouse
2. A mouse pad
3. A headset or set of headphones

1. I have been the proud owner of a Logitech MX500 for the last 4.5 years. It has never given me trouble, except when the left button stopped responding. I opened the mouse up and was able to fix that, however, without much problem. It freaked me out, though, so I want to buy something now and keep the MX500 as my backup (or vice versa). I would buy another MX500 in a second, but they don't sell them any more. Plus, I'm thinking they must have something better by now...?

2. I haven't owned a mouse pad since optical mice came out so I don't know what's good. It should be for gaming. I was thinking the XTRAC Ripper Optical Mouse pad I saw at newegg? The Icemat, the one with glass, also looks good, but I'm afraid it would break. I travel and move a lot.

3. As for the headphones, I've done extensive research on this. To the point that it's about to drive me nuts. I want to use the headphones for both gaming (especially something that's good for Counter-Strike) and for listening to music. Someone who has used just about every headset out there recommends the Turtle Beach X52 5.1. Some audiophiles who also play CS recommend either the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro or the HD-555. They say that 5.1 headsets are gimmicky/unworthy. PS: I don't need a microphone so we can disregard that potential variable.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[xplice]

Habu is the best mouse around at the moment. Produced by MS in conjunction with Razer. 2000dpi feels great, 2 side buttons - cant go wrong!

 

[mi1ez]

I also highly recommend the Logitech G5 which I recently purchased.

Accurate, adjustable weights (I love a weighty mouse), and glides like a dream.

 

[mi1ez]

for mouse mats, check out the bright mat, or those steel ones i've heard good things about, in a hurry so no links. sorry!

 

[quantumsheep]

Sennheiser headphones are bloody fantastic. I have a pair of HD-595 myself and they're the best 'phones i've ever heard. I've listened to the 555s as well and for the price i'd thoroughly recommend them.

If you're really into your music i'd look at getting a dedicated stereo system. A good starter system would be Cambridge Audio 540A amplifier with Cambridge Audio 540C CD player and some Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers. However that's going to come to around £600, so unless you're really into stereo i wouldn't bother. I myself am what i'd call an "Audiophile", although i now think i have my perfect setup. Audionet SAM V2, Audionet CD player, Nordost cabling, Wilson Benesch ARCs and an REL Subwoofer. All in it's come to around £14k, but it's well worth it. Money is nothing in pursuit of audio perfection

On the mouse front if i were you i'd stick with Logitech - the new G5 is a brilliant piece of engineering.

Mousepads i'm not too good with, whenever i've used them i've never noticed any difference!

 

[GrandAdmiralThrawn]

I second the Logitech G5, it works great for me

 

[Oh Snap]

func surface1030. I've had for 5+ years and it still works great, easy to clean, has 2 different surfaces depending on your tastes, rubber grip. I bought a 2nd one about a year ago for my work as well. Best mousepad I've ever had.
http://www.func.net/products/1030/index.html

Also haven't tried the G5, but I use my old MX500 at work (awesome mouse), and I use a G3 at home, and I love it.

 

[Kwyx]

I recently upgraded to the Logitech G5 (love it) and a rocketfish mousepad. The pad is double sided so you can choose between control and speed surfaces. Its a good sized pad and works well with the G5. They sell em at best buy so you can run in and take a look before deciding.

http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/pc-67-3-rocketfish-gaming-mouse-pad-black.aspx

 

[Flakes]

mouse - G9 the price difference between the G5 and G9 is almost none existent, get the G9.
pad - razer speed/control - control or speed depending on your preferences i have the speed.
headset - 5.1 medusa - build quality isnt brilliant but they sound better than most and can be found for about 30-40 pound

 

[rtfm]

Mouse pad for optical mice? WTF? Oh well whatever floats your boat.

Try not to get a shiny one, my bro got a steel mousepad for his optical mouse and it scattered the light from the mouse - the only place it wouldn't work was on the pad lol

 

[cafuddled]

I’ve got a Logitech G9, and it’s the best mouse I have used so far in my 15 years of gaming. As for mats, I once had one of those ice mats. It was very good on laser mice, not so good with red light optical mice… well it was good until someone sat on it as it was made of textured glass.

 

[mi1ez]

mouse - G9 the price difference between the G5 and G9 is almost none existent, get the G9.
pad - razer speed/control - control or speed depending on your preferences i have the speed.
headset - 5.1 medusa - build quality isnt brilliant but they sound better than most and can be found for about 30-40 pound

My mouse gave up and I needed one on the day so went to my local computer shop and it was this or a laptop mouse (or cordless- eugh!)

I have to say though, I do prefer the look of the G5...

 

[db4s]

id get the g5 because the g9 is ugly if u want something else the razer mice are pretty good to

 

[cafuddled]

Ugly it may be, but very good it is.

 

[ph33rgear]

+1 for the G5 here... awesome mouse with some good weight/feel to it..

Razor's are good to but they tend to be suppper light... too light for my liking anyways...

 

[Nyar]

got a razor copperhead and have to say its going strong, tried to use my mates G5 for a while but it felt too big, razors are nicer for gamers that like to use the fingers to guide the mouse not the palm. so depends on what ur used too...

 

[i_hate_flying]

Have you guys seen these mouse benchmarks?

http://www.esreality.com/?a=longpost&id=1265679&page=1

The first page, and the last two (21 and 22) are the most interesting. Seems the MX500 beats all the newer mice.....but you have to overclock it!

2. I like how the G5 looks; the G9 is as ugly as sin. Also can't figure out what the G9 does better than the G5. Anyone? Plus, the price difference is more than 25$. Spending 75$ on a mouse is not what I had in mind, unless it's going to bring me extra luck at the casinos I'll need to visit to buy it.

1. I need a mouse pad now. I had a nice Ikea desk for four years, but now, like many people in this country in my line of work, I have to move around. The housing is provided by my employer, and the desks in these flats are the **** you've never seen. I need to take a picture of this and post it.

3. Quantumsheep, I would love some dedicated hi-fi, but I don't have a place to call home yet. In a couple of years that will change. See above. At that point, like you have, I'll be pursuing such audio pleasures. For now, headphones are a must because I'll admit it. I suck at Counter-Strike, but I really like to play it. I need some positioning help in CS:S whilst fending off the baddies. Plus, the girlfriend doesn't like to hear constant gun blasts, it bothers her. We have what's considered a small-sized flat; the provided housing I get is never any bigger than this. As for the music, I also don't like to disturb others with my musical mood swings, and I like to take my music with me. Hence the additional need for headphones.

 

[gridener]

Razer has a new entry mouse coming out soon called the Salmosa. Its the same speed as the Razer Deathadder (which I use) but much smaller if thats what you like. On the other hand the DeathAdder is a very good mouse also.

I also use the Razer Lycosa Keyboard which is also good.

 

[i_hate_flying]

for mouse mats, check out the bright mat, or those steel ones i've heard good things about, in a hurry so no links. sorry!

What mouse pad do you use, mi1ez? The G5 looks good so far. I'm leaning toward that one as I'm a Logitech man and I also prefer a weighty mouse. Still can't figure out what the difference is between the G9 and the G5, except for the ugliness, different grips and 25 bucks.


So far I've gotten one Sennheiser recommendation and one for the Medusa. I'm definitely not buying a medusa, I've heard that those things break all the time and I wouldn't listen to music on them if I was deaf. Any other recommendations for HEADPHONES?

 

[bushmastertd]

I just picked up the Creative Labs Fatal1ty headset. Sounds great to me and are very comfortable. The detachable mic is a plus, just be sure not to lose it. Here is a link to them on Newegg....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826158051

 

[vochtige]

I'm looking to buy three new things for PC gaming.

1. A new mouse
2. A mouse pad
3. A headset or set of headphones

1. I have been the proud owner of a Logitech MX500 for the last 4.5 years. It has never given me trouble, except when the left button stopped responding. I opened the mouse up and was able to fix that, however, without much problem. It freaked me out, though, so I want to buy something now and keep the MX500 as my backup (or vice versa). I would buy another MX500 in a second, but they don't sell them any more. Plus, I'm thinking they must have something better by now...?

2. I haven't owned a mouse pad since optical mice came out so I don't know what's good. It should be for gaming. I was thinking the XTRAC Ripper Optical Mouse pad I saw at newegg? The Icemat, the one with glass, also looks good, but I'm afraid it would break. I travel and move a lot.

3. As for the headphones, I've done extensive research on this. To the point that it's about to drive me nuts. I want to use the headphones for both gaming (especially something that's good for Counter-Strike) and for listening to music. Someone who has used just about every headset out there recommends the Turtle Beach X52 5.1. Some audiophiles who also play CS recommend either the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro or the HD-555. They say that 5.1 headsets are gimmicky/unworthy. PS: I don't need a microphone so we can disregard that potential variable.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated!

best budget laser mouse, G5, best laser non-wireless mouse G9 (because i've got that one!)

it's maybe ugly, but it fits good in your hand!

 

[dtq]

I went for the G5 after reading a few reviews on the G9 from people who had had the G5 before it and said they didnt find the G9 as comfortable as the G5. The G9 didnt "look" comfortable to me so I was prepared to believe them and took the G5.

Mousepad I have no idea on, my wife uses one with a gel wrist support which she swears by, I use a fairly basic one that "does the job", no specific brands to recommend there.

Headphones personally I like full over the hear headphones that block out external sound they seem to produce a far more immersive audio environment I was going to buy the creative fatality ones but they were out of stock at the time I was buying, so I took a chance on a set that got good reviews despite being cheap.

They seem WAY to good for the money I paid for them, very good sound quality and build quality. I brought them as a cheap stop gap till the creatives came back in stock, But as soon as I tried them I decided I wasnt going to bother buying replacements... These ones are cosonic CD-828 headphones I paid about £5 for them which put them distinctly in the "throw away if their no good" category but to be honest I struggled to see how they turned them out for that money...

 

[memoryguy]

I'm using Razer's Deathadder at the moment, and it probably the most comfortable mouse I've used yet.

I've also got one of those 7 dollar generic, huge mouse pads. The thing provides ample room for gaming.

 

[i_hate_flying]

I finally ended up going with the Logitech G5, the XTrac Ripper, and the SteelSeries Glide G (special slick feet for the G5 mouse). I have to say, I have never been happier with a setup. This mouse is spectacular! I love how you can switch between sensitivities on-the-fly. Great for games. As for the weight, I have the mouse full of the 4.5g weights right now. It's excellent! The mouse feet come pre-cut for the G5 and were a breeze to put on. Really makes the difference on this mouse pad. By the way, this mouse pad is ridiculously huge. And they even had a larger size!

As for the headphones, I'm still working on that. I think I'm going with the Sennheiser HD595, but I want to visit a shop that sells them and try them on first. Do you guys know any shops that sell really good headphones? I've been away from the States for so long, I'm just not sure where to go.

 

[bushmastertd]

dont know of any shops that would have models just laying around for you to try, but your might be able to try best buy or a similar store.