Comparison Razer DeathAdder Elite vs Razer Mamba Tournament Edition

The length of the cable that is equipped with a mouse with the possibility of a wired connection (see "Type of connection").

When choosing this parameter, you should first of all take into account the distance from the manipulator to the connection port: a cable that is too short may simply not reach the connector, and a cable that is too long may get tangled at hand and create inconvenience. As for specific values, the most modest wire length in modern mice is 1 m or less ; such devices are intended mainly for laptops. Most desktop manipulators come with cables that are 1.1-1.5m or 1.6-2m long, with some models running longer than 2m.

— Optical. The working element of an optical mouse consists of an LED that illuminates the underlying surface and an optical sensor that photographs this surface at high frequency. On the basis of a number of received images, the mouse electronics concludes about the direction and speed of movement of the manipulator and outputs the corresponding data to the computer. Optical mice are inexpensive, reliable enough and not too demanding on the working surface. Initially, they were poorly compatible with certain types of surfaces — mirror, fur, leather, etc.; however, in most modern optical sensors, this drawback is eliminated, and mice of this type are often quite "omnivorous".

— Laser. According to the principle of operation, laser mice are similar to optical ones (see above). The main difference is that they do not use an LED, but a laser, to illuminate the image. Thus, a narrower beam directivity is provided, and as a result, more accurate cursor positioning, which is especially important when working with complex detailed graphics, in games, etc. Theoretically, the laser is less versatile and not compatible with such an abundance of surfaces as optics, but this difference is noticeable only on specific surfaces like fur, polished metal, etc. But the unequivocal disadvantage of this technology is the higher cost.

— Optical, Bluetrack. Optical models (see a...bove) using a sensor with BlueTrack technology. This technology was originally developed by Microsoft, but nowadays it is also found in other manufacturers. The most noticeable difference between such sensors and conventional optical ones is the blue colour of the LED (hence the name). In addition, the design provides for a number of improvements: an increased area of illumination of the surface under the mouse, high resolution of the matrix, coated optics. Thanks to this, BlueTrack mice have high accuracy and are able to function even on “difficult” surfaces such as glass, polished stone, carpet pile, etc.

— Optical, V-Track. Optical sensor using V-Track technology. This technology was developed by A4Tech and is used primarily in mice of this brand. One of the key features of V-Track is that the beam of light in such sensors falls on the work surface vertically (rather than obliquely, as in conventional optics). In addition, the light spot size is very small, the light density is high, and the photodetector lens has a very narrow aperture, which gives a large depth of field. Thanks to these improvements, V-Track provides very high accuracy and (according to the creators) is able to work even on volumetric mechs, where other types of sensors are useless. However, mice with this feature are not cheap.

— Laser, V-Track. Laser sensor using V-Track technology. For more information about this technology, see above, but here we note that the use of V-Track in laser mice allows you to get rid of the main drawback of such devices — sensitivity to non-standard surfaces. At the same time, the positioning accuracy characteristic of laser sensors is further increased by V-Track. On the other hand, the price of such devices is high. Therefore, the combination of a laser sensor and V-Track is extremely rare, mainly in premium gaming mice from the same A4Tech.

— Hybrid. The combination of two sensors in the mouse at once — optical and laser. Such a combination allows you to combine the advantages of both technologies and partially compensate for the shortcomings: in terms of accuracy, hybrid mice are not inferior to laser ones, while they are not so sensitive to non-standard surfaces. At the same time, the presence of two sensors significantly affects the price of the device, while it is possible to achieve similar characteristics with one sensor — due to the BlueTrack or V-Track technologies described above. Therefore, hybrid systems have not received distribution.

The greatest acceleration during movement, at which the mouse maintains normal performance; if this indicator is exceeded, the cursor may “break down” (moving to an unexpected place due to incorrect processing of data from the sensor).

The faster the mouse moves, the greater the acceleration acting on it. Accordingly, this parameter determines the sensitivity to sudden movements, the extent to which this model is able to normally perceive and process such movements. High values of maximum acceleration ( 40 G, 50 G) are important first of all in dynamic games, especially for professional e-sportsmen and advanced enthusiasts. If the mouse is bought for relatively simple tasks (working with documents, surfing the web, etc.), you can ignore this indicator.

The ips (inches per second) parameter is the linear speed of mouse movement, expressed in inches per second, at which the manipulator's sensor is able to read the surface. In top models, the maximum mouse movement speed often reaches 400-600 ips, but devices with ips in the region of 200 are more common.

The brand of switches (switches) installed in the mouse. Also, these parts are often called "mikriki" — from the term "microswitches". Usually, the characteristics indicate the brand of switches used in the main buttons (left and right); additional buttons, usually, are equipped with other switches, often simpler and cheaper.

The mics are directly responsible for the operation of the keys when pressed. Accordingly, the quality of the mouse, as well as the feel and comfort of the user, depend on the quality of these parts: different switches can vary in stiffness, ease of operation and the sound of pressing. And the brand of switches is not specified for all mice, but only for models equipped with advanced elements. In other words, this parameter is indicated in cases where the brand of the microswitch is a sign of the high quality of the "rodent". Typical examples include mics under the brands Omron(considered premium) and Huano(Chinese counterparts of quite comparable quality). Light Strike and Razer switches are also pulled up to them.

We emphasize that in this case, not a specific model is indicated, but a general brand under which mikriks are released (sometimes also their type, opto-mechanical or mechanical). At the same time, the same brand may include different models of switche...s that differ in features: some are “quiet”, others with a normal sound, some with increased accuracy, others with an extended service life, etc. So the features of these parts should be clarified separately. However, the detailed characteristics of mikriks are important mainly for demanding users, in particular professional cybersportsmen.

Grip — a way of holding in the hand — for which this model is best suited.

Grip types are divided according to the position of the hand on the mouse. This parameter is relevant primarily in games: for maximum efficiency, the player needs a mouse that matches the usual type of grip. This is especially important for professional eSports, where any little thing can be the key to victory or defeat. Therefore, the types of grip are indicated mainly for gaming mice (see "By Direction"). At the same time, one can come across statements that certain types of grip are best suited for certain genres of games, but this is not entirely true: the main selection criterion is the user's personal preferences and characteristics. For example, some players quite successfully use a "slow" palm grip in dynamic shooters, compensating for the reduced speed with a good reaction; and others, even in quests, prefer a "quick" claw or finger hold.

Here is a more detailed description of the most popular grip options:

— Palmar. A holding method in which the mice touch both the entire fingers and most of the palm. In other words, with such a grip, the palm with fingers rests on the mouse, making maximum contact with it. It is under this option that most of the "rodents" are initially made, it is also popular in gaming models. Most models, specialized specifically for the palm grip, have a large length, as well as a characteristic asymmetrical design with protrusions...and depressions on the body — for maximum ergonomics; although there are exceptions. Anyway, the main advantages of this method of holding the mouse are the minimum strain on the wrist, as well as good smoothness and accuracy of movements. On the other hand, the speed of moving the mouse may be somewhat slower than with other types of grip.

— Claw. A claw grip is a grip in which the user's hand forms an arc and touches the mouse only with the lower part of the palm and fingertips. At the same time, the classic claw grip assumes an almost perpendicular arrangement of the fingertips relative to the buttons, but this requirement is not strictly necessary — the fingers can also lie at a slight angle. Anyway, due to the reduction of the contact area and the greater degree of freedom for the hand, such a hold provides more speed than the palm hold, and at the same time it is easier to master than the finger hold. Therefore, many gamers consider the claw grip to be the best option for shooters, action games and real-time strategies where reaction speed is important. Specialized mice for this method of holding are usually somewhat shorter than traditional "palm mice", and they often have a characteristic "hump" in the back of the case.

— Finger. A grip where the user only touches the mouse with their fingertips, with no hand contact with the mouse (but the wrist remains stationary). This type of grip allows you to achieve a high reaction rate, but it is quite difficult to master and does not differ in accuracy, especially if you are not used to it. However, many users use this method of retention intuitively, without thinking; the finger grip is specially mastered mainly by professional players and enthusiastic enthusiasts. Mice of this format usually have a small weight with a centre of gravity shifted closer to the front, and the body is made relatively short, most often symmetrical, and the “hump” (protrusion) is located closer to the centre of the body, or even absent (based on the fact that the palm still does not touch the mouse).

Note that there are models that combine several grip options — up to all three at once. The design of such mice may provide adjustment for one or another method of retention, however, the presence of such an adjustment does not interfere with clarifying separately.

The presence of illumination in the design of the mouse.

This illumination can be provided by the same LED that illuminates the surface below the sensor, or by separate light sources. It can have a different colour, and the most advanced systems — RGB backlighting — allow you to adjust the shade to your liking. Anyway, the backlight gives the mouse an unusual and stylish appearance, besides, it can also have special effects (see below). However, this function has not only an aesthetic, but also quite a practical meaning: for example, a colour change can be used as a DPI level indicator (see above) or as a low battery signal. On the other hand, the backlight affects the cost of the device, and the real need for it is not so often — moreover, in many cases (for example, in the office) an extra “illumination” is completely useless. Therefore, most modern mice still do not have a backlight.

The mouse has additional lighting effects. For more information about the backlight itself, see above, and its effects can be different — ranging from a smooth change in brightness and/or colour to colour and light signals, as well as backlight synchronization(for models with synchronization, this paragraph indicates the supported synchronization technology).

The last function is worth dwelling on separately. Synchronization itself allows you to "match" the mouse backlight with the backlight of other system components — the case, graphics card, keyboard, monitor, etc. Thanks to this matching, you can create various unusual effects: synchronous colour and brightness changes, "colour waves", "running lights" etc. However, for such work, all components of the system must support the same synchronization technology — and such a technology, usually, each manufacturer has its own. So before buying it's ok to check compatibility. However, some mice are able to work with several options at once — for example, iCUE from Corsair and MLS (Mystic Light Sync) from MSI.

Additional features of the cable that the mouse is equipped with.

These features may include a winding system, a detachable wire, and a braided wire(however, most modern mice still have a cable without a braid). Here is a more detailed description of all these features.

— Retractable. Wire equipped with a special coil for winding. This feature greatly simplifies transportation: during off-hours, the wire is as compact as possible and does not get tangled, and when used, it can be unwound to the desired length (usually the coil allows this possibility). All this is especially important for laptop mice (see "In direction") — in fact, most models with a wire reel fall into this category.

— Removable. Wire that can be detached from the mouse. Almost all mice with two connection options have this feature — wired and wireless: when working in a wireless format, the cable can be removed so that it does not interfere. However, there are also purely wired devices with such a cable — mostly laptop devices, where the wire is removed for ease of transportation. Also note that most often a universal connector like microUSB is used to connect the cable, so if necessary, the wire can be replaced with another one — for example, a longer one.

— In a braid. The presence of an additional braid on the mouse cable. This feature makes the wire more d...urable, reliable and resistant to bending. On the other hand, braid tends to accumulate dirt and fray when worn; because of this, the wire sheath loses its presentation faster than in mice without a braid. Yes, and such a wire is more expensive than a regular smooth one.