a MOUSE life follower

[NikonF6]

I use a Mouse more than anything else in my life (cloth and shoes on side), every day c. 9 hour it is in my hand. It is a real life follower. I use it with ug-NX, Catia, Nastran + MathCAD, Word, …, and as an Mechanical-Engineer I make living with that programs, and so with my Mouse too.
I found it difficult to press the wheel all the time working with NX and Catia. It might make me a health problem due to fatigue of my point-finger. To solve such a problem I use my thumb with a side switch re-programed to replace the wheel press-down. Realizing how important is that device in my life, I decided to get 5 the cordless mice Logitech makes at end of 2015.
Here below is my own experience with all of them, and I am writing this to help someone looking for good CAD Mouse.
Note that this relates to my use of side button as wheel-press down button and for use within Mechanical-Engineering with NX, Catia, AutoCAD, Nastran + MathCAD, …
I made some score for each Mouse, and it relates only to use with CAD programs like NX and Catia.

MX-Master
Might be the most nice Mouse to me, among all, and very nicely fits into my hand. I like this one very much because of its Mesh-like side rubbers, its shape and very good switches click, especially MB1 and MB2 and the top switch as well. Side wheel is absolutely useless to Engineers, and it does not make problems only if it set as NON-function. Two side switches are way far behind normal reach and way too close to each other. Often I have to look at them before use to make sure what I am doing, and I have to pool my hand backward to reach them. This draws my attention away from the designing.
It does not have wheel side-switches. Programmable buttons are (five): wheel-press down switch, two at side of the Mouse, secondary wheel at side (useless), switch under the thumb, and top switch. A Mouse is unifying (means can be used with a common USB-transmitter). Use its own non-removable rechargeable Li-battery which last very long time (weeks of use), and it can work on the cord which also charges the battery. It can be used on three different computers and switching is just a press of the button. It will work with one only at the time.
Looks to me it is made with internet in mind. Very nice in appearance, but I have not much use of it in Engineering. Very expensive Mouse.
Score = 3 (1-5)

MX-Anywhere 2
Very small Mouse. Taking in hand, even before any use, one will get an impression that it is a real professional tool. But its size does not says so, mainly because it is so small among other professional Mice.
It has five programmable buttons very easy to manipulate and to work with: two at side, one at top, two as wheel side switch. Long short, all switches clicks are the best among all Mice, MB1 and MB2 included. Wheel is an excellent in fast and ratchet work to. It has own non-replaceable battery charged through USB cable.Like MX-master, iIt can be used on three different computers and switching is just a press of the button. It will work with one only at the time. Work with a USB cable too. Sides are Mesh-like rubber. It will take time to set yourself with it, but the reward is really great. It is full-time with my WorkStation. Expensive but worth it.
Score 5 (1-5)

MX-performance
Much more suitable for Engineering than MX-master. Three buttons at side are very well located and are just excellent, and one at the bottom works well too. Two side switches at wheel does not have click but works well, and press-down-wheel switch cannot be re-programmed. Top switch is not programmable and is for the wheel fast or ratchet turning. The largest Mouse among all.
Use one replaceable AA-NiMh battery which can be re-charged with a Mouse and USB cable, so you can insert your favorable NiMh battery.Battery life is very long. MB1 and MB2 are not as good as for MX-master or Anywhere-2 Mouse. This Mouse has the best feeling in my hand, mostly due to its shape and quality rubber at both sides.
Expensive and very nice. If MB1 and MB2 ringing sound does not bother you, the score is clear 5.
Score 4 (1-5)

G700s – gaming Mouse
As one may expect from such monster, it has eleven (11) programmable buttons. Programing goes far behind the basic (like key-strokes), as with MX Mice is case. One can write whole and lengthy NX/Catia macro for each button. It is made for heavy use in games, 20 million clicks on any switch. Even it is a gaming Mouse it has an excellent use in Engineering.
All 11 buttons are good, but there is one I a little less so. I replaced several times the Mouse but always the same. It is one lower/back among four side buttons. It works perfectly but I just would like to hear the click as it is case with other buttons. Note that it has two excellent side-switches at the wheel.
It uses one replaceable AA-NiMh battery. Life of that battery is typically 2-3 days and need re-charge. It works with a cable too and at the same time recharges the battery. Have 2-3 extra and charged batteries in your bag. Side grips are like a sand-paper, plastic (no rubber). This probably can last longer than rubber before it shows finger trace or wear. I have programed all of buttons for use with NX. The wheel has two modes, fast and ratchet which can be changed with a non-programmable switch just behind the wheel. All switches are well placed around the Mouse. I like it because of its buttons and shape which is similar to MX-performance, and I use it all the time, together with MX-Anywhere2. It is not unifying.
Score 4 (1-5)

G602 – gaming Mouse
All reviews I know for say it is “better” than G700s. I think it is mostly due to its battery life, which is next to “for-ever”. Might be some other things too are better as well but for sure not to consider. Buttons quality are not so consistent, Mouse to Mouse, and you are lucky if all buttons feels and sounds the same. I replaced it several times in Best-Buy, and now the one I have is just perfect. It has six buttons at side, two buttons at top-side, and wheel-press down as programmable which can extends to large macros, the same as with G700s. It does not have wheel side switch. Side grips are like a sand-paper, like in G700s, but a little better made. Works with one or two, user choice, AA-NiMh battery. No USB cable, with only with battery. The only one think is out of my taste, and it is its shape and thumb rest. The one I have is with really superior (to G700s) clicks at MB1 and MB2, but each sample is not the same. I do not know why, but I like G700s better. Later on I might change my mind. This is the latest high quality Mouse from Logitech, at end of 2015.
Score 4 (1-5)

Which Mouse I carry in my 7510/i7 WorkStation backpack?
MX-anywhere2
G700s (+3 battery) and/or
G602

So what is your experience?

 

[JNieman]

I've been pretty keen on the Razer mice I've used. I have stuck to corded mice since an experiment with two popular cordless mice some 7 years ago or so. Since then I just didn't care to revisit the issue. Connectivity issues were minor but present (no tolerance for those) and there was a delay that was very disturbing. I understand they've gotten better since then - I just don't care. So getting a corded mouse with a cord that doesn't bunch or bind is a must - any braided cable works great in my experience.

The Razer mice are all pretty nice, ergonomically speaking, though recently I've wondered if a more pronounced 'arch' in the back/top of the mouse would alleviate some hand fatigue I experience commonly. They are available in similar forms with varying numbers of buttons (all programmable). I'm currently using a DeathAdder though I have often used Diamonbacks. The laser is sensitive enough to never have issues with trying to move the cursor 1-2 pixels to the side, to select objects. Some mice had issues with jumping too-far and not being able to select the object I want without panning or zooming the screen to move the object location around. The Razer mice are also sensitive enough ('DPI' resolution, I suppose) to increase the mouse cursor speeds tremendously. I move my mouse 1.50" sideways to traverse the entire 3-monitor display I have at my desk. 3x 24" LCD monitors (one of them in portrait orientation) @ 1920x1080 each. This cuts down on movements a lot. Others have trouble acclimating to my mouse if they have to use my computer, though they adjust quickly. No one usually has to use my machine other than the IT guy setting something up if doesn't use remote-access.

I've not tried Logitech for over 7 years or so. I've been using Razer for about 10 years. They take a great amount of abuse, as well. During my younger, more impatient and hot headed days, if I got very frustrated with a software crash, or something like that, the mouse was usually the target of my anger, lol. The Razer mice never seemed to care. They last-and-last, as well. The first thing to fail, I notice, is that the plastic/rubber starts to get ugly. At that point (many years of service) I am quite happy to fork over another $50-75 and just get a new one.

I'm about due for a new mouse. I appreciate your experience because I'm curious about trying other-than-Razer brands now. Mostly out of a desire for a more pronounced shape/arch for fear that I'm getting arthritis way-too-young.

 

[mmauldin]

Due to nerve damage, I only have very limited feeling in my right hand. It also fatigues quickly. I have had very good luck using the Contour Mouse (

http://ergo.contour-design.com/ergonomic-mouse/contour-mouse).

It comes in a variety of sizes and in both left and right hand models as well as different options for placement/delete of the scroll wheel.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Back in 2007 I had to have surgery on my Right shoulder (I shredded the supraspinatus tendon and had to have a section of it replaced with cadaver tendon). I was off work for eight weeks since I couldn't drive and besides I was in an immobilization sling for 10 days and then a regular sling for another six weeks. Once I got out of the immobilization sling I realized that I still couldn't use a regular mouse due to being unable to move my hand with any degree of control. Therefore I bought a pair of Logitech Trackman 'mouse' (shown below), one for use with my work laptop and other for my personal Apple MAC-Pro.

When I returned to work I went back you using a conventional mouse with both my work laptop and my secondary desktop system. However, at home I continued to use the Trackman devices since I never really had all that much desktop space for a mouse pad and conventional mouse. I've since upgraded to a pair of newer wireless Logitech Trackman devices (shown below) which also has extra buttons (forward and back) to help when browsing the net.

Personally I can go either way, but it's very convenient to continue to use the Trackman at home both because they're wireless and I still have those messy desks with limited room for a mouse pad.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[asrura1]

Oh!!! A topic on mouse.

I used to use mouse back in high school but saw a friend of mine using Logitech TrackMan Marble FX Trackball to play Duke Nukem with amazing strafing moves, I make the jump to trackball and have never looked back.

I have gone through several Logitech trackball models and I think the best is still the Marble FX...could be a first love is always the best thing.

Right now, I use Logitech M570 trackball. It's pretty good, except I think Logitech cut some corners with M570. Like, there is no covering for the laser detector/sensor and the micro-switches become unresponsive after a few months (a surprisingly common problem if you search on the net).

But as I discovered, the micro-switches are still functional...it's copper oxidation on the clicking mechanism that is causing the unresponsiveness. Fixed three M570 by taking apart the micro-switches and scrapping the oxidations off using a knife. This has never happened on any of my previous Logitech trackballs.

I only wish there are more WIRELESS trackball choices.

 

[NutAce]

I now use the 3D connexion CAD mouse...It has the wheel but also the 3 original Mousebuttons. (middel mouse button Nr1)
I am really pleased with it. One drawback would be the position of the 3 xtra buttons (3 and 5) they could have been positioned better.
But I heard from 3Dconnexion (PLM Europe) that they are changing that on the to be released wireless version.
What I also like is the weight of the mouse..it's a bit heavier than the normal ones.

Ronald van den Broek
Senior Application Engineer
Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd
NX8.5.3 / TC9.1.2
HPZ420 Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-1620 0 @ 3.60GHz, 32 Gb Win7 64B
Nvidea Quadro4000 2048MB DDR5

HP Zbook15
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ
CPU @ 2.70 GHz Win7 64b
Nvidia K1100M 2048 MB DDR5

 

[SDETERS]

mmauldin X2 We use that same mouse. Different sizes for different hand sizes. Works well for us.

 

[NikonF6]

i also bought 2 razor mice, mamba and mamba turnamemt. Mamba is supose to be wireless and cable, but turnamemt only a cable. For CAD users mamba is much better choice and it has wheel side buttons plus two buttond at side and two buttons at top. Mamba turnament does not have wheel side buttons. To avoid finger fatigue, button press-force can be adjusted on mamba.
Mamba wireless system is so bulky and complicated that it absolutelly usless for lap-top work station. Another problem with both is programing mouse buttons. It can be done only over internet connevtion, but who buy work station to conectet it on virus source that can distroy living source.
Razor, both mambas are nice mice but not a good choice for work station as a living source.

 

[JNieman]

You have to connect to the internet to program the buttons of the Mamba? Is this specific to the Mamba for some reason? I've never had to do any such thing. I noticed that newer Razer mice require the "Razer Synapse" software to be installed, which helps program them. I initially programmed the buttons on this mouse when it was not connected to the internet. I had just started at this company and my workstation was not set up, and I was using my laptop with an air gap to the company network.

I'm not keen on mandatory internet connections for many things.

 

[Rob_N]

I really like my MX Master, I use it 8-14hours a day at work on NX,Autoform and various winds apps

 

[NikonF6]

Logitech MX-Master is just so beautiful Mouse. I just found out use of the side wheel: set it to horizontal scroll, and it will move *.PDF drawing left and right very fast.
I just have so nice experience with Logitech Mice.