Thoughts on selecting a mouse to navigate the diverse software environments that engineers interact with on a daily basis.
There is an ever-growing list of software tools that engineers need to use regularly in their daily practice, and many of these aplications work better with easy access to additional input modalities beyond what can be easily encoded in gestures on a touchpad.
While touchpads have become more precise and responsive, and the computational efficiency of discerning gestures has improved markedly, it still remains justifiable to call upon external input devices to speed-up interactions and decouple complex actions from the singular surface of the touchpad.
Specifically, in engineering software environments, there is often a need for right-button-clicking, middle-button-clicking, scroll-wheel-clicking, or scrolling, all while potentially needing to simultaneously move the cursor.
These types of carefully-choreographed maneuvers can sometimes be accomplished on an touchpad by holding a modifier key on the keyboard while gesturing, but, they are generally easier to accomplish with an external 3-button mouse.
If money is no issue and you have medium-to-large hands, the 3DConnexion CadMouse Pro Wireless is the best. 7200dpi. 1000Hz (via cable) update rate, Bluetooth + 2.4GHz Dongle + USB-C Cable. 3 main buttons. Clickable Scroll wheel. 3 additional buttons. On-Off Switch. Internal Rechargeable LiPo Battery. 140 grams (4.94 oz). Approximately 437 AED ($119+tax) (Student Discount Available, Approximately 386 AED ($105+tax)).
If money is no issue and you have smaller hands, the 3DConnexion CadMouse Compact Wireless is smaller but also the best. 7200dpi. 1000Hz (via cable) update rate, Bluetooth + 2.4GHz Dongle + USB-C Cable. 3 main buttons. Clickable Scroll wheel. 3 additional buttons. On-Off Switch. Internal Rechargeable LiPo Battery. 110 grams (3.88 oz). Approximately 364 AED ($99+tax) (Student Discount Available, Approximately 331 AED ($90+tax)).
If budget is tight and you need a mouse immediately that looks and feels similar to the CadMouse, the RAPOO MT550 Bluetooth Mouse is a good finance-friendly clone of the CadMouse. It is significantly smaller than the CadMouse, but its shape fits well in many hands. 1600dpi. Bluetooth + 2.4GHz Dongle. 2 main buttons. Clickable Scroll wheel. 2 side buttons. DPI Button. On-Off Switch. NOT Silent Clicks. Pairs with up to 3 devices via Bluetooth. 2xAA Batteries. 105g (3.70 oz) Approximately 85 AED ($23) from Amazon UAE. fair warning: reconnecting Bluetooth sometimes requires toggling power off and on.
If budget is tight and you need a mouse immediately, the UGREEN Ergonomic Wireless Mouse (90855) is a good option. 4000dpi. Bluetooth + 2.4GHz Dongle. 2 main buttons. Clickable Scroll wheel. 2 side buttons. DPI Button. On-Off Switch. Silent Clicks. 1xAA Battery. 85 grams (3.00 oz) Approximately 99 AED ($27) from Amazon UAE. fair warning: it has a strange top button that toggles wireless connectivity modes with a short press and cycles through different DPI settings with a long press – you'll end up disconnecting more than you expect.
If budget is middle-of-the-road, you have larger hands, and need a mouse immediately, the UGREEN Upgraded Ergonomic Bluetooth Mouse Comfortable for Large Sized Hands is a good option; though, fair warning: it has a strange top button that toggles wireless connectivity modes rather than cycling through different DPI settings. 4000dpi. Bluetooth + 2.4GHz Dongle. 2 main buttons. Clickable Scroll Wheel. 2 side buttons. On-Off Switch. Silent Clicks. 1xAA Battery. 95 grams (3.35 oz). Approximately 118 AED ($32) from Amazon UAE.
If budget is tight and you DO NOT need a mouse immediately, the Tecknet BM308 is a solid option. 3200dpi. Bluetooth ONLY. 2 main buttons. Clickable Scroll Wheel. 2 side buttons. ON-OFF Switch. NOT Silent Clicks. 2xAA Batteries. 109 grams (3.84 oz). Approximately 87 AED ($23) from Amazon UAE (with International Delivery). (Note: the BM307 is similar with the main differences being that the BM307 is slightly smaller (94g / 3.32 oz) and uses AAA batteries instead of AA).
If budget is tight and you're looking for a rechargeable wireless mouse that will arrive by tomorrow, options are limited. International delivery opens up access to devices like the Arteck Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Mouse. NOTE: This device has not be tested in the EDS. 2400dpi. Bluetooth + 2.4GHz Dongle. 2 main buttons. Clickable Scroll Wheel. 3 side buttons. ON-OFF Switch. Internal Rechargeable LiPo Battery. Approximately 77 AED ($21) from Amazon UAE (with international delivery).
Note: a number of the mice mentioned above are available for testing in the Engineering Design Studio
Some key features to consider when selecting a mouse are:
The mice below have been tested in the Engineering Design Studio, and they are generally regarded as not suitable for long-term use in intensive engineering applications and environments.
The Rii Rechargeable Bluetooth Mouse (RM301) is affordable and appears to have many desireable features (Bluetooth + 2.4GHz dongle with USB-C, Internal Rechargeable Battery, USB-C charging, 1600dpi, adjustable DPI), but it's VERY flat, too lightweight for comfortable use as an engineering tool (74 grams / 2.61 oz), and has unholy RGB lighting that cannot be disabled.
The TenSteed Bluetooth Gaming Mouse is affordable and appears to have many desireable features (Bluetooth + 2.4GHz dongle, Internal Rechargeable Battery, USB-C charging, 1600dpi, adjustable DPI), but it's VERY small, too lightweight for comfortable use as an engineering tool (59 grams / 2.08 oz), and has low quality switches all around.
The Logitech M170 Wireless Mouse is super affordable, but it is also super lightweight (71 grams / 2.50 oz), super low volume, and has quite limited functionality (1000dpi, No Bluetooth – requires USB dongle). It will not be a comfortable mouse for day-long usage as an engineering tool.
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