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

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!

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

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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

+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...

Have you guys seen these mouse benchmarks?

http://www.esreality.com/?a=longpo [...] 679&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.

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?

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!

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.

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.

Well iv got the Razor Death Adder and i think its awsome sure its quite expensive (well i live in South Arfica so it is expensive here i dont know hw expensive it is in the states) but i think its definitly worth the price.
P.S iv got a logitech g15 keyboard thats awsome to

I use

SteelSeries 5H v2 great for hear gun shots and bullets FPS as built for FPS games (has in built mic)

SteelSeries Ikari for FPS games

Razer Lacosa Gaming Keyboard and razer mouse pad

Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

This on Vista 64 like silk the surrond sound with the headsets and deadly aim win all the time, I have heard things I have never heard before.