Best mouse surface

**Banyarola** · 2012-06-10 04:41

What's the best mouse surface to use for a laser mouse that will allow the most accurate cursor movement???

**Medico** · 2012-06-10 06:03

I have a wooden lapdesk that works very nicely. Many lapdesks have artificial surfaces that simulate the old mouse pads. These are quite effective as well.

Many of the laser mice are supposed to work on any surface. I have even used mine on glass, which worked although not as effectively as my lapdesk.

I also do not get as effective use on cloth surfaces although it does work. Curved surfaces do not work as effectively, but do work.

Basically a flat, hard, darker surface seems to work the best for me.

**Banyarola** · 2012-06-10 06:08

Well Ted, I use mine on an old brown clipboard.
Like you, I find the darker surfaces work best.. At least for me they do.

**RetiredGeek** · 2012-06-10 07:56

Bany,

Basically you want a surface that reflects and does not diffuse the light. If it meets that criteria it should work fine.
I have an underdesk keyboard tray with mouse pad circle. This quite old and the rubber surface of the mouse pad deteriorated and had to be trashed. My laser mouse would not work on the pebelbed black plastic surface that was exposed. I simply cut a used piece of printer paper to fit and it works just marvoulsy! Of course I have to replace the paper about once a month as it accumulates dirt and oil from my hand but I always have plenty of discarded printouts to use.

**CLiNT** · 2012-06-10 08:53

Best mouse surface will depend upon the quality and make of the mouse being used.Obviously those old dust collecting rollerballs types are limited to padded surfaces.Some laser mouses will operate fine on just about any.

**Banyarola** · 2012-06-10 09:19

Well RG, I have tried paper in the past and it never worked well for me..
But, from what you say about being 'shiny' then a mirror would be ideal..

I'll try that and see what it does.

Clint, you're right....My old brown clipboard works fine.
Yes, those old roller balls were a pain... I think they were more reliable then the new mice, they seemed to last forever.

I have a couple someplace...Only the Shadow knows where...

**CLiNT** · 2012-06-10 09:39

It was always a hassle to me to have to remove the ball from those roller mice and clean the dust off of it with alcohol.
...Worse yet was trying to get inside to clean the rollers the ball contacted.
The G9 Logitech I've got, I can't even see a laser, I just use it on any/all tabletop surfaces with no issue whatsoever.

**Medico** · 2012-06-10 09:59

I have a Logitech Anywhere MX wireless mouse (has one of those small USB receivers) that does not have the roller ball. I switched to the laser mice quite a few years ago. Much less maintenance and like Clint says, a PITA to clean out.

**Banyarola** · 2012-06-11 05:50

Ted, I also have a Logitech M510 with the small receiver.
If you remember from a previous post of mine, it was just replaced under warranty..

It's a good mouse..

**Doc Brown** · 2012-06-11 09:33

I've tried laser mice on just about every surface that most people might encounter. A good old fashioned mouse pad still seems to be the best surface.

**duncanphilpstate** · 2012-06-14 06:57

Sightly tongue in cheek but my answer is to use a trackball (Logitech M570 highly recommened). Not only is it any surface tolerant, you don't need a footprint bigger than the device itself - which is great for mobile use. M570 is also wireless.

I've been using trackballs since 1997 and would not go back to a mouse if you paid me.

**Banyarola** · 2012-06-14 07:27

Everyone has a preference and mine is that I can't stand trackballs...
I just never liked them.

**aloarjr810** · 2012-06-14 09:07

My sister had a mouse pad made just for a laser mouse, it had a fine grid pattern engraved on it. I made one that did just as good, get a piece of card stock (Plain paper will work, but the card stock lasts longer) and print a fine grid pattern on it. I used a free website that had printable graph paper and did one with the finest grid pattern.

**DrWho** · 2012-06-14 09:11

Originally Posted by Doc Brown

I've tried laser mice on just about every surface that most people might encounter. A good old fashioned mouse pad still seems to be the best surface.

When the "laser" mice first came out, there was the admonishment to never try to use one on glass or a shiny Black surface.
That stands to reason, since the laser sensor needs to read the texture of the surface.

With that thought in mind, I agree with the statement quoted above. But let me add one thing..... All mouse pads are not created equal.
Someone's idea of "A good old fashioned mouse pad" might be one of those pint sized, slick and shiny pads that come with ad's on them, like from Dell.

If a pad is too slick and shiny, it's not good. If the pad is so light weight that it slides around when you're moving your mouse, it's not good.
After trying hundreds, or at least dozens of different mouse pads, I finally settled on one that is full sized, with a synthetic cloth top and a good heavy black foam rubber backing that won't slide. Granted, they are hard to find, but well worth looking for.

My own source for them has dried up, but thank Goodness I bought several while they were still available.

Eventually they will get dirty, from the oil and dirt on the users hands, but..... they can be washed, with liquid detergent and warm water.
They CAN be put through the washer and dryer, but that can cause the foam backing to deteriorate. So, washing at the kitchen sink and air drying is best.

So much can be said, about the simple mouse pad! lol

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor

**Banyarola** · 2012-06-14 09:11

What's the grid spacing ?

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