Gaming Mouse guide

Buying a gaming mouse is always a tough task for budding gamer.The market is filled with different products boasting their advantages over others. So I present here simple guideline of what a gamer must search in his new mouse.

• Acceleration : This is a limitation to the mouse's rate of change of velocity, or how quickly it accelerates from one point to another. Once the mouse is moved from one point to another, at a rate faster than its specified Acceleration, the mouse may fail and the cursor movements on the screen will no longer correspond to the mouse movements by the user.
  Acceleration is measured in a unit of "g" (aka acceleration of gravity), where one g is equivalent to a rate of change of 9.8 m/s/s (meters per second each second). Exceeding a sensor's g rating may cause the sensor to lose tracking.
  A high Acceleration rating will ensure that your cursor never moves erratically in-game at crucial times when you need to make a quick swipe to turn and focus on a new target.
  Acceleration is largely dependent on your playstyle and whether or not you are a low sensitivity gamer. If you are a low sens gamer, you will often make very fast and large swipes across a mousing surface in order to quickly reorient yourself to a new target in-game. If a mouse's acceleration rating cannot handle how quickly your hand moves the mouse each second, at any part of that second, the sensor will fail and the cursor will move around erratically.
  


• Dots per Inches : DPI (or CPI or Counts per Inch) is the number of "counts" recorded by the sensor over 1 inch of physical movement of the mouse. "Counts" are considered to be movement data by a computer and is interpreted by the computer to either move a certain amount of pixels on the OS desktop and in games with cursors (usually one count per pixel), or a certain change in degrees of the orientation of the player's avatar in-game. The way these counts are calculated is by the size of the array in a sensor, the number of frames the sensor captures per second and how quickly the sensor can process this information.
  By having a high DPI, more movement data is generated by the sensor and the on-screen cursor will move greater distances without requiring the gamer to move his or hand more on the mousing surface. This can be vital for High sens gamers or RTS players that need pin point precision in order to play at the best of their abilities.
  Anyone who likes playing at high sensitivities can appreciate having more DPI. If you find yourself using only a small portion of your mousing surface to make most of your movements, you will find using a mouse with a high DPI to be very pleasant experience.
  The traditional mouses like Microsoft Optical mouse has a DPI of 400 on the contrary Logitech Optical mouse is marked 800 DPI.
  A DPI of 1600 to 1800 is regarded as good .
  


• Actions per minute : APM measures the number of actions performed by a gamer in one minute of gameplay. For mice, this specifically means the number of clicks actuated within one minute of gameplay time.
  Having a high APM rating usually means that you are able to navigate the User Interface faster and more efficiently than a user with a low APM rating. It also tends to mean that you will issue your units more commands, and micromanage units better than a user who will rely on a unit's own AI to give it commands.
  For non CS guys : Although having a high APM rating alone does not mean you will perform better in RTS games, there is a definite correlation as all progaming Warcraft III and StarCraft gamers have APM ratings exceeding 200 Actions per Minute.
  


• Drivers : A driver is a computer program that interfaces between higher level computer applications (such as an operating system) and a hardware device.
  Drivers are useful because they allow gamers to customize certain functions of the device. Without a driver, mice and keyboards are limited to simple functions like, clicking, typing and normal mouse movements. With a driver, sensitivity, macros, profiles and many other customizations can be made to the device.
  Drivers allow gamers to run macros, binding certain commands to a single button, automating simple repetitive commands that are used multiple times throughout a game.
  The driver allows for macros to be stored on the computer so repetitive functions like purchasing a gun, body armor and ammo in CounterStrike and automatically issuing a series of commands can be done quickly and efficiently.
  


• Ergonomic : An ergonomic device is made with the contours of the human body in mind. These devices are designed to make their use comfortable and intuituive. In the case of a mouse, this often means the mouse is designed to be used with either a person's right or left hand (depending on the design).
  The majority of palm grip gamers prefer ergonomic mice as they attest that the mouse can be used for longer periods of time without experiencing fatigue.
  Right-handed palm grip gamers that prefer a mouse which is contoured to the shape of their hand have a definite preference for ergonomic mice.
  * DeathAdder is a preferred mouse by palm grip gamers.
  


• Firmware : Firmware is a computer program that is embedded in the microcontroller of a gaming hardware device. The firmware controls the basic and advance functions of the gaming hardware device. For instance, in a mouse, the firmware will control the sensor.
  Having the firmware located on the microcontroller allows a gaming device to perform advanced functions, such as allowing for an improved lift-off distance, jitter correction, etc.
  


• Frames per second : To detect movement, optical and laser mice emit a beam of light which is reflected off the mousing surface, back into the sensor. This will create an image that is stored in the sensor. The frames per second specification indicates how many images a sensor will take per second, which the sensor will then use to calculate the mouse's precise location, speed and direction.
  A basic rule of thumb for a Frames per Second rating is that the higher it is, the more accurate the tracking for the mouse is.
  Optical and Laser mice all perform better with a higher FPS rating. The more frames (or images) a sensor captures, the more infromation it can capture and subsequently report to the computer.
  High sensitivity gamers or FPS gamers that prefer using a sniper rifle will benefit from a mouse with a high FPS rating. The additional frames taken every second can spell the difference between a headshot and a miss, especially with the highest levels of screen resolutions.
  NOTE: The Razer 3G Laser Sensor engine does not use the same technology as traditional laser and optical sensors and does not have a FPS rating.
  


• Hyperesponse : This term refers to the buttons, mechanical action and click speed of our mice. Most mice have a small "sweet spot" where each button can be actuated. With a Hyperesponse button, there are two stages that go into the development of the button to ensure that it can always be actuated no matter where it is pressed, and how quickly it is pressed.
  The click of the mouse is just as important as the movement. Our buttons are designed to accommodate a wide range of grips and play styles while maximizing both speed and responsiveness. Often times, a player will shift their grip, affecting where on the button the mouse is clicked. Consistency in how the click feels allows for the mouse become less of an object and more of extension of your hand. Increased response time, consistent tactile feel and the highest quality mechanicals all encompass our exclusive hyperesponse buttons.
  Gamers who demand precise, reliable, and fast actuation will benefit from this feature. Hyperesponse is good for high actions per minute game play. With improved response, Hyperesponse imbued mice FPS players are given a hair trigger with reliable consistency in their shots.
  


• Interpolated DPI : Interpolated DPI is the use of software (usually found within the device driver) to artificially increase the DPI of the mouse. This inherently decreases accuracy of the mouse.
  Interpolation is usually done by the device driver, but can also be achieved by lens magnification and software installed on the firmware of the mouse to alter the information given by the sensor.
  Interpolated DPI is extraneous movement data that is used to "fool" the computer in believing a sensor is generating more counts than it actually is. This is done by generating counts in between existing counts but it reduces accuracy.
  Manufacturers who implement Interpolated DPI are the main beneficiaries. By using interpolation, these manufacturers do not need to use high quality sensors to transmit movement data as the driver will use algorithms to adjust the movement data accordingly.
  So overall dont run for this lucrative feature and just stick with normal dpi.
  


• True DPI : True DPI describes the use of the native capabilities of the mousing sensor and its algorithms to determine how a sensor is being moved. A sensor certified with True DPI is a sensor that does not use interpolation to generate movement data to be given to the computer.
  True DPI does not use algorithms, lens magnification or any other types of "tricks" to calculate your movement data. True DPI relys solely on what your sensor reports to generate movement data.
  Using True DPI ensures that no "junk" movement data is used to determine how your mouse is moving. Interpolated data will make assumptions and "guess" where your mouse was in between actual reports received from the sensor and could position your cursor incorrectly.
  If positioning your cursor to exactly where you intended to move it to is important to you, then True DPI is a feature that you will definitely appreciate when playing FPS, RTS or any type of game that requires tracking precision.
  


• Inches per seconds : IPS measures the maximum speed at which the mouse can be physically moved across the mousing surface before it loses tracking accuracy and "fails." Once the mouse is moved faster than its IPS rating and fails, the cursor movements on the screen will no longer correspond to the mouse movements by the user.
  A higher IPS rating ensures that your hand movements will be picked up, no matter how quickly you move your mouse.
  Low sensitivity gamers and palm grip gamers appreciate higher IPS sensors the most. Whenever they make a large and fast swipe of six inches or more, a high IPS (and high Acceleration) rating will ensure that the sensor does not lose tracking in the middle of a firefight.
  


• Lift off distance : It that measures the height an optical or laser sensor will continue to process images up until, after the mouse has been lifted off the mousing surface.
  Lift-Off is a phenomenon that occurs because traditional optical and laser sensors require light in order to function properly. As long as light from the diode can be detected, the sensor will continue tracking.
  Many non-gaming mice have excessive lift-off distances that will allow a sensor to continue tracking up to two centimeters off the top of a mousing surface. Many gamers find this unacceptable, especially when they have to frequently reposition their mouse to ensure that they do not move their mouse off of their mousing surface.
  Any gamer that lifts their mouse up and repositions their mouse to the center of their mousing surface. Although some gamers are comfortable with moving their mouse back to the center of their mousing surface without lifting the mouse, many gamers cannot tolerate the slightest deviation that repositioning their mouse can cause on their crosshairs in-game as it can often result in a missed shot.
  


• Macros : Macros enable a user to program one button on a peripheral to perform a string of commands, whenever the button is pressed. A simple example of a macro is binding the forward thumb button on your mouse to mimic pressing "Ctrl" and "X" on your keyboard, to perform the "Cut" option in programs such as Microsoft Office.
  Macros are designed to emulate choices made by a user and to simplify these commands so they can be repeated quickly and continuously if desired. They are very useful tools for achieving efficiency in games and other applications.
  Simple macros to purchase weapons allow gamers to focus on playing a game rather than "working" in a game. Additionally, complex macros that perform special maneuvers in-game can also open up new gameplay techniques and playstyles .
  It depends on the individual user. Macros are useful, but since they are incredibly customizable, one person's macros may not necessarily work for another person. The best way to see how you can best benefit from macros is to begin using simple macros such as programming a button to automatically reload your weapon while crouching behind cover .
  


• On-The-fly Sensitivity : On-The-Fly Sensitivity allows you to fine tune the speed of the mouse in game without ever having to pull up driver menus or minimizing the game.
  The right sensitivity is extremely important to perfecting your play style. By placing the sensitivity adjustment on the mouse itself, it allows players to fine tune their mouse speed with instantaneous feedback. This allows players to test out multiple sensitivity levels, finding the right one for them, without ever leaving the game.
  On-The-Fly Sensitivity can prove beneficial when switching weapons. You may prefer a lower sensitivity with snipers than you would with an assault rifle .
  


• Polling Rate : While tracking, a typical mouse will send its X and Y movement calculations, as well as which buttons are pressed, to the computer 125 times a second (meaning once every 8ms). This is known as a polling rate and is expressed in Hertz. Most mice often have a polling rate of 125Hz.
  Polling can be seen as how many times a device "reports" information to a computer. Each time a device, like a mouse, reports information to a computer each second, it is considered to be 1 Hertz. So if a mouse or keyboard says that it has a polling rate of 125 Hertz, this means that the device is reporting information 125 times in one second. The more times a device reports to the computer, the faster the computer will process this information for use in applications or games
  The higher a polling rate, the more often the computer receives information about the status of your mouse and the faster the computer can update what you want to do in a game. For instance, if you were to use a mouse with a polling rate of 1 Hz for a FPS, your computer would receive movement date once every second, which would result in moving once a second.
  A standard polling rate of 125Hz is seen to be adequate for use in normal computer applications as an eight millisecond delay is imperceptible when making selections on a desktop. Howeverwhile playing in a FPS, an eight millisecond delay can cause slightly delayed reactions, resulting in pulling a trigger too late and being headshot before you can dole one out yourself.
  


• Ultrapolling : Ultrapolling increases the amount of times the firmware on the mouse reports its tracking data to the computer to 1ms (or 1000hz). This reduces the dead time between each transmission of movement calculations, giving the cursor on -screen a smoother and more precise feel and increased responsiveness. This means that once Ultrapolling is set, the mouse can be used on other computers and the computer will always receive 1000 reports every second.
  Increased polling rate translates to smoother and more true to movement tracking. One second of mouse movement is communicated to the computer through 1000 different reports of location and tracking data. If you took one second to draw a circle, traditional polling would have that circle made up of 125 position points .
  Once the driver is used to switch the firmware to ultrapolling, the mouse will permanently poll at 1000hz, regardless if drivers are installed on the computer or not. This means that once ultrapolling is set, the mouse can be used on other computers and the computer will always receive 1000 reports every second. Ultrapolling increases accuracy and quickens response time giving increasing the effectiveness of the mouse in game.
  


• Ambidextrous : (for left handed gamers) An ambidextrous device is designed to be used with either hand. For mice, this means the symmetrical shape is designed to allow gamers to use either their left or right hand when handling the peripheral.
  Ambidextrous mice are symmetrical, meaning that the mouse can be used by a larger variety of gamers than who can use an ergonomic mouse.
  Left-handed gamers and gamers that utilize a claw or fingertip grip tend to prefer ambidextrous mice, as these mice are able to accommodate playstyles outside of the "normal" right-handed palm grip.
  

Hope After reading this you will be able to find a right mouse to yourself. Do mail me in case of any queries.