Sensor
The model of the sensor installed in the mouse. This information is indicated mainly for models equipped with high-end sensors, which are significantly superior in their capabilities to simpler solutions. Such characteristics are important primarily for gaming mice, so most of the devices for which the sensor model is specified belong to this category.
Knowing the name, you can find detailed data on the sensor and evaluate its capabilities. Note that one of the most popular brands nowadays, under which advanced sensors are produced, is
PixArt ; on the market are often found, in particular, sensors
PixArt 3212,
PixArt 3325,
PixArt 3327,
PixArt 3335,
PixArt 3360,
PixArt 3389,
PixArt 3395. The second common brand is
Avago (recently owned by the same PixArt); the most popular model of this brand is
Avago 3050, the simplest and most affordable representative of gaming sensors.
Sensor resolution
Resolution of the sensor responsible for tracking mouse movements on the work surface. Specified in DPI — dots per inch.
The physical meaning of DPI as a whole is as follows. The sensor of a modern mouse works on the same principle as the camera matrix, and consists of pixels. And DPI is the number of pixels that fall on 1 inch of the underlying surface (length or width), "visible" by the sensor.
It is believed that more DPI means a more advanced sensor and mouse in general; nowadays, models for
3500 – 5000 DPI,
12000 DPI,
16000 DPI even
more are not uncommon. In a way, it is — high resolution contributes to accuracy. However, the only thing that is directly determined by this indicator is the speed at which the cursor moves across the screen: the higher the resolution of the sensor, the greater the number of pixels that the cursor will move when the mouse itself moves a certain distance. At the same time, it is worth recalling that too high a speed is even more undesirable than too low. So the real need for high DPI (
1000 and above) arises mainly when working on large screens (4K resolution and more); for more modest displays (HD and Full HD), smaller values are often enough.
Max. speed
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.
Polling rate
The polling rate shows how often the mouse sensor communicates with the computer about cursor movement. The parameter is measured in hertz (Hz), and one second is taken as a unit of time when evaluating it. The smoothness and speed of cursor movement directly depends on the sensor polling frequency. Directly related to this is the mouse response time - this is the time period during which the signal about the movement of the manipulator will reach the display of a change in the cursor position on the screen. Response time is measured in milliseconds (ms). The more hertz the mouse has, the shorter the response time it demonstrates.
Switches
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.Feet material
- Teflon (PTFE). Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) glides - also known as Teflon - are characterized by an extremely low coefficient of friction. As a result, mice with Teflon feet boast excellent glide and high cursor speed on any type of surface. The minimum level of friction allows you to easily control the movements of the mouse. Manipulators with Teflon gliders perform well in dynamic games and reduce wrist strain during prolonged work at the computer.
— Metal. When properly sanded, the metal feet provide excellent glide for the mouse, and they also have a long service life before abrasion. Note that manipulators with metal gliders are best used on plastic or other hard-wearing playing surfaces. Using a mouse without a mouse pad runs the risk of scratching the surface.
Optimal grip
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.
Lighting
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.
Lighting effects
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.