Optical sensor technology has changed the feel of cursor forever. But is that the only thing that sets these pointing devices apart? We look at the latest batch of mice and trackballs to find the top performers.
In this feature, we looked at mice that use optical technology and we also looked at a games controller. Optical technology delivers superior precision and smoother tracking than conventional mice that have mechanical moving parts--namely the mouse ball--which gets dirty quite easily and requires regular cleaning. The way an optical mouse works is through light--an oblique beam illuminates the surface on which the mouse is moving. Then, a built-in sensor observes movements of the surface through a lens and captures a picture every 1/1500th of a second. This provides smooth and precise tracking without the use of moving mechanical parts.
We looked at eleven mice in total, with prices ranging from AU$59 to AU$139.
- A4 Tech Optical GreatEye
- Kensington Mouse in a Box Optical Pro
- Kensington TurboBall
- Logitech Cordless Trackman FX
- Logitech iFeel MouseMan
- Logitech Wheel Mouse/Logitech iFeel Mouse
- Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer
- Microsoft Trackball Optical
- Microsoft WheelMouse Optical
- Saitek GM2 Action Pad and Game Mouse
- The Tablet Method
2%
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