CS-Nation

Covering the future of Counter-Strike
logitech mouseman dual optical
review: logitech mouseman dual optical
In hardware terms, my Counter-Strike PC was set: 19" monitor, AthlonXP 1700+, 256DDR, GeForce2 Ti, SoundBlaster Live! and a $9 (USD) mouse. Wait.

At some point I realized that the benefits of my computer having constant 99FPS in CS were being outweighed by my inability to move the crosshair across the screen in any aim-able fashion. It was time to say goodbye to what I can only describe as the worst mouse I have ever laid my right hand upon.

It was at that point that I purchased the Logitech MouseMan Dual Optical (MDO). At $50, you would expect a lot out of this mouse and I am happy to say that it has been well worth the money.

hardware
If you are serious about getting a new mouse then, obviously, optical is the only way to go. As with all optical mice, there is no ball to get dirty. As far as compatibility goes, the MDO plugs quite comfortably into either your USB (via a small adapter) or PS/2 port.


Logitech Mouseman Dual Optical
The shape of the MDO is basically the same as Logitech's cordless optical mouse, the MouseMan. The small differences being that it is slightly more rounded at the front and has a slick new gray/silver colour scheme. It has three buttons (four if you include the scrollwheel, which can be depressed): the two standard top ones and one on the left for the thumb. This "thumb button" will be too small and placed too low for some but I liked the fact that you actually have to intentionally press it. I have used too many mice where, in the heat of intense combat, I would accidentally nudge the side button.

This MouseMan design is for right-handed users only, sorry lefties. The up-side of this is that for most right-handers the mouse will fit nicely under the hand, as the curves of the mouse fit quite naturally to the average-sized hand.

features
What makes the MDO different from other optical mice? As stated in its title -- the MDO has two optical sensors. The two sensors sit 3cm apart, one at forty-five degrees to the other. This latest innovation definitely sounds cool, but does it really make a difference?