Suggestions for a plain, but heavy-duty mouse ?

[Reflotron]

So here's the story: I am writing this on a mechanical Keyboard from the 1990s that has outlived maybe 5-6 mice since its stay with me so far. Now my mouse seems to be dying again and I just can't stand to get another cheap device that would leave me in two winter's time. Why is it so relatively easy to get an excellent keyboard, but - at least for the uninitiated - so difficult to get a well-built pointing device?

I desire nothing more than a classic mouse: usb-cable connection, two buttons and a clickable scrollwheel, wireless is not an option. The thing is, I neither need nor want a gaming mouse with a gazillion of buttons, lighting or an extra-tiny 'portable' unit. (My boss: "This is an office, not a travelling circus!") The only important feature would be a build quality that makes it a mouse can be passed on to coming generations (maybe that's a little too much, considering a Model F though ...).

So, fellow Deskthoritians - does such a wondrous thing exist? I know this is a pretty basic question I am asking, but I could really use the help .

[Wodan]

Ducky Secret

Full PBT mouse. Nuff said

[Reflotron]

Thanks for the suggestion. It has 5 buttons though, so it does not really fit the "plainness" required.

The thing is I am using a lot of different systems and I just can't manage to configure correct button behavior for each of them. The main problem is accidentally hitting an additional button with some weird function the OS chose to assign to it (somehow segfaulted a linux system once that way).

[sdothum]

Not exactly a traditional mouse, but I much prefer and have attached to all my computers a track ball. Doesn't require desk space for moving the device and is quite precise without the inherent wrist strain that traditional mice are associated with.

[wobbled]

If you want a solid mouse that will serve you well then look in to a Microsoft wheel mouse optical, if you can live with a few extra buttons then get a custom Microsoft intellimouse optical from aliexpress, those things look and feel wonderful!

I personally traded them in for a Logitech MX master which is one of the best I have ever used, you can keep them plugged in as well and use them as a wired mouse so it may be worth considering that too! All these mice look professional too, so they shouldn't attract your boss's attention.

[davkol]

It has 5 buttons though, so it does not really fit the "plainness" required.

The thing is I am using a lot of different systems and I just can't manage to configure correct button behavior for each of them. The main problem is accidentally hitting an additional button with some weird function the OS chose to assign to it (somehow segfaulted a linux system once that way).

5 buttons (primary, secondary, middle/wheel click, two side buttons) and scrolling in 2-4 directions are completely standard and generally work the same under every modern system.

If you want the exact same behavior everywhere, the obvious problem is middle/wheel click used for pasting selection in X.Org versus autoscroll in MS Windows and some toolkits.

Behavior of the pair of extra buttons is more consistent across platforms: it's back/forward everywhere (worst case: it's not recognized at all).

Every other button is (a) unknown to the host system (e.g., changes settings directly in the mouse), (b) unconfigured on any system (standard mouse buttons 10-12 either aren't recognized by the OS, or have to be explicitly configured by hand), or (c) a standard virtual keyboard key, in which case it can usually be disabled or configured with settings stored in the mouse (but you might want to avoid mice/trackpads "designed for MS Windows 7/8/10", because they have hardcoded keyboard shortcuts set to certain gestures, capacitive buttons etc.).

[Reflotron]

All the options you pointed out surely are nice and get the job done. But after a lot of googling and reading through reddit/forum posts it seems the mouse I imagined really does not exist. Even a $5 mouse is not completely useless, as is a rubber-dome keyboard. They move the cursor, even if they don't feel very good or withstand a lot of work. More than three buttons just don't work for me, call me a conservative then. Those back and forward buttons are interpreted differently in different apps. I'm accessing a lot of databases through citrix etc. and relying on age-old (but irreplaceable) software for classic Mac OS through emulation. When I had back/forward buttons I kept hitting them accidentally and produced all sorts of undesired results. Maybe I'll try the ducky secret, as people have suggested you can easily swap/deactivate the switches. So thanks to Wodan.

/begin{rant}
Maybe the target demographic for the mouse I imagined is just not there: a quality mouse built like a good mechanical keyboard made of solid materials like a model m (heck, even like a 'das keyboard') with all the basic features and none of the others. Those keyboards become more than a device over time: they are part of your office furniture, they share a story with you, like a well-used desk that is just right for getting the right kind of work done. My mice have always just been cheap pointing devices, even supposedly higher-grade microsoft* ones.
/end{rant}

*)I used to have a $70 Microsoft "Intellimouse Mac" (can't recall the exact type though) that I had bought in a Chicago Apple store back in 2003. It was a custom version of the standard wireless Intellimouse optical, but with a sort of lacquered surface instead of the standard plastic one. Couldn't find a spec sheet online. Handling and feel came pretty close to that perfect mouse, but alas it died after a year or so, as did two other standard intellimice (made of cheaper materials) I bought as a replacement.

[Elrick]

Ducky Secret

Full PBT mouse. Nuff said

Have to agree, have dropped mine all over the place onto the concrete floor and it still works perfectly.

I know the OP starts remembering of what has passed him by, I do that as well, on nearly everything in my Life but I deal with the here and now and the Ducky Secret, is currently available and it works for those who need a bullet-proof mouse.

For me the Ducky remains my current 24/7 day a week device that never gets boring. Once you clasp your right hand onto that PBT surface, the OP will love it as well.

[cml]

[...] My boss: "This is an office, not a travelling circus!" [...]

[DerpyDash_xAD]

All the options you pointed out surely are nice and get the job done. But after a lot of googling and reading through reddit/forum posts it seems the mouse I imagined really does not exist. Even a $5 mouse is not completely useless, as is a rubber-dome keyboard. They move the cursor, even if they don't feel very good or withstand a lot of work. More than three buttons just don't work for me, call me a conservative then. Those back and forward buttons are interpreted differently in different apps. I'm accessing a lot of databases through citrix etc. and relying on age-old (but irreplaceable) software for classic Mac OS through emulation. When I had back/forward buttons I kept hitting them accidentally and produced all sorts of undesired results. Maybe I'll try the ducky secret, as people have suggested you can easily swap/deactivate the switches. So thanks to Wodan.

/begin{rant}
Maybe the target demographic for the mouse I imagined is just not there: a quality mouse built like a good mechanical keyboard made of solid materials like a model m (heck, even like a 'das keyboard') with all the basic features and none of the others. Those keyboards become more than a device over time: they are part of your office furniture, they share a story with you, like a well-used desk that is just right for getting the right kind of work done. My mice have always just been cheap pointing devices, even supposedly higher-grade microsoft* ones.
/end{rant}

*)I used to have a $70 Microsoft "Intellimouse Mac" (can't recall the exact type though) that I had bought in a Chicago Apple store back in 2003. It was a custom version of the standard wireless Intellimouse optical, but with a sort of lacquered surface instead of the standard plastic one. Couldn't find a spec sheet online. Handling and feel came pretty close to that perfect mouse, but alas it died after a year or so, as did two other standard intellimice (made of cheaper materials) I bought as a replacement.

How do you treat your mice, man? I've had the same intellimouse for 9 years, and I've carried it in the bottom of a 10kilo bag, I've mistreated it and beat it up and it's still in perfect nick.

[Reflotron]

I only had wireless MS-mice and they all died the same way: the cursor movement became more and more jittery, then the mouse would intermittently disconnect until it happened so often that it was basically unusable. Haven't had that experience with any other mouse. I'm actually using a cheapo "Speedlink" mouse right now that I have had as my backup mouse for ten years now. Maybe, as a Linux user, I'm only prone to mistreat MS-rodents ?

[snarfbot]

i got a kensington pro fit full size, its very good 15 bucks on amazon. its big and comfortable.

https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Pro-F ... B004P1IU5C

[zzuper]

https://www.3dconnexion.eu/products/cadmouse.html

This ones probably pretty sturdy. : ] Ashame about the sensor tho.

[pr0ximity]

There's nothing quite like a classic Windows Mouse Optical https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product. ... 4RE3038710

I have one proudly going strong after around 12 years with no real maintenance. I should probably open and clean it one of these days, but I'd be worried about removing some of the grime that surely makes up its nostalgic feeling.

[Phenix]

There's nothing quite like a classic Windows Mouse Optical https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product. ... 4RE3038710

I have one proudly going strong after around 12 years with no real maintenance. I should probably open and clean it one of these days, but I'd be worried about removing some of the grime that surely makes up its nostalgic feeling.

Good idea. Keep the structural integrity intact.

[DerpyDash_xAD]

The reason you aren't finding anything is not because of the lack of strong mice, it's because you don't consider a 5 button mouse plain. All the manufacturers classify a 5 button as minimal, and as such that is the least they make. If you don't want 5 buttons and you want quality, your only option is the wmo. Now, if you are willing to conceded the side buttons, which can always be removed with a bit of desoldering, the world is your oyster. All of zowies models are plain 5 buttons with great build quality, ducky has one, steelseries has good mice if you don't install drivers.

Anyway, mice specialists live on overclock.net.

[andrewjoy]

Ducky Secret

Full PBT mouse. Nuff said

Dam you , now i had to spend money on one !!!!

[Wodan]

Dam you , now i had to spend money on one !!!!

Pretty sure you weren't disapointed.

It's pretty much exactly what I was hoping for!

[BPX-926]

Ducky Secret

Full PBT mouse. Nuff said

I like very much the look of this mouse. Unfortunately it is sculpted to be usable by a right hand. I injured my right hand and now have to use an vertical mouse or use a regular mouse in my left hand.

If they made a left hand version of this Ducky Secret I would buy it as long as it wasn't a lot more expensive than this one. I would also like it if they made one without the LED lights.

[andrewjoy]

Dam you , now i had to spend money on one !!!!

Pretty sure you weren't disapointed.

It's pretty much exactly what I was hoping for!

You are correct

Side buttons are a bit stuff but still ok.

Love the rest of it, just feels good in the hand, stiff and firm .

And the LEDs have the best setting ...... off.

[hoaryhag]

Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0. Mine has been in use for over 10 years. The ducky does look interesting, but expensive.

[Wodan]

Dam you , now i had to spend money on one !!!!

Pretty sure you weren't disapointed.

It's pretty much exactly what I was hoping for!

You are correct

Side buttons are a bit stuff but still ok.

Love the rest of it, just feels good in the hand, stiff and firm .

And the LEDs have the best setting ...... off.

Funny how simple it can be to make a pretty decent mouse. Glad you like it!

[Reflotron]

Hello everyone, I ultimately got an IBM Scrollpoint Pro (rev. 2), new old stock for ten bucks off of Ebay, as suggested in another thread here in the forum. The Ducky sure is a lovely animal (duck or mouse?) but I just couldn't justify the purchase when there was a nice clicky piece of IBM history waiting around the corner. The mouse (post368214.html#p368214) has already been discussed so I won't bother with a full review here. After several months of use the switches are still crisp like on day 1 and I like the bulky/sculpted nature of the beast. It is a traditional ball mouse but it feels much more precise to me than the cheap optical mice I have used before, though that might just be my skewed perception.

[Wodan]

My issue with "vintage" or even slightly older computer mice is their low DPI. The past 5-10 years have seen an explosion in the size and DPI of desktop monitors resulting in distances on my screen that input devices 10+ years ago were never expected to cover unless you are looking at the high end gaming mice back then.

It's a shame because some of these older mice have very nice ergonomics ...

[Reflotron]

My issue with "vintage" or even slightly older computer mice is their low DPI. The past 5-10 years have seen an explosion in the size and DPI of desktop monitors resulting in distances on my screen that input devices 10+ years ago were never expected to cover unless you are looking at the high end gaming mice back then.

It's a shame because some of these older mice have very nice ergonomics ...

True. I once tried one of the first Logitech mice on a modern screen. It was hilarious to watch but nothing more. For my office pc (mostly text and emacs) the resolution of the IBM mouse is quite enough, but I wouldn't dare to do precise engineering or graphics work with it.