Technical > PC Hardware Discussion/Reviews > Optical mouse vs. laser mouse

Optical mouse vs. laser mouse

A Laser mouse does not need a light source... So if the mouse does not have a bright light on the bottom of it is most likely a laser mouse..

reply to someperson
Youre correct on what a optical mouse and laser mouse is. You state that it says both on the description? What kind of mouse is this and maybe we can check for sure which type it is.

reply to someperson
A LASER mouse *IS* an Optical mouse, but not all Optical mice have LASERs, some have NON LASER LEDs for a light source. A LASER *IS* a light source, in fact, technically, it is considered what we call a "point source" in physics.

Most DIODE LASERS are in the infrared, I don't know about mice, but with other devices they are, and as such, appear invisible to the human eye.

A LASER, if not run through special optics first, will look like a point beam, very rectilinear, whereas an LED will be highly divergent (have a cone shaped light output).

HTH.
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You know your life has gotten "DICEY" when it turns into an episode of LOST, like my ex wife, who I swear is one of "The Others". Do something useful with your computer, join Teams Helix and Discovery and help find a cure, you could be the ONE that does!

reply to someperson
Optical is a generic term for any mouse that uses optical tracking vs a ball. a Laser Mouse is nowdays a generic term for any of the optical mice on the market that do not require a special mousing surface like the older optical mice.

technicly both are optical and most modern "Laser Mice" are just a red LED.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports

reply to signmeuptoo

reply to someperson
actually, the cost doesn't concern me so much. i'm a bit more worried about the damage that a laser mouse might cause to the eyes when i clean it out and such. any suggestions?

reply to Ryan
Ryan, you ARE wrong. Do you know what "optical" means? First of all, a diode LASER **IS** a type of LED!!! DIODE LASERs are Heterojunction DIODE LASERS. The mouse might or might not use some of the same interferometric or other principles, but if it uses light, it IS optical. Period.

I am a photonics technician you are arguing with, BTW, are you an optics specialist? I am.

The reason the DPI is greater with LASER mice is because of the rectilinear quality of a LASER beam compared to the highly divergent nature of all other types of light sources, including non LASER LEDs.

LASER mice do NOT necessarily get better battery life. LASER DIODES consume much more electricity, depending upon the given diode. My MS Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 lasts 3 months or even more of HEAVY use on one set of batteries. I know that many LASER mice's batteries go dead and must be recharged within mere days or even hours.

Furthermore, if you knew what you were talking about, you wouldn't have types the term "Laser". They are "LASERs". LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

You are wrong sir.
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You know your life has gotten "DICEY" when it turns into an episode of LOST, like my ex wife, who I swear is one of "The Others". Do something useful with your computer, join Teams Helix and Discovery and help find a cure, you could be the ONE that does!

reply to someperson
No need to get technical or argue... The obvious difference between Optical and Laser mice is there is no visible light with laser mice.. Laser mice should also use less power and be more precise on difference surfaces as well.

I can only guess the term "laser" used on mice only refers to the beam shape, if you look at the bottom of a laser mouse through a (video)camera sensor at the right angle you should see a very directed beam.

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reply to someperson

reply to signmeuptoo

I do apologize however for saying "A laser mouse is not an optical" when I really meant to say LED, but being at work I sometimes get interrupted and don't have time to proof read. This might have caused the confusion of what I was trying to get out to the original poster. I refer to an optical led mouse as an optical mouse because of the fact thats how they are advertised and usually laser mice are referred to as laser mice.

reply to someperson
they are advertised and are technicly different but its funny most people will call even the LED ones laser mice. probally because they see the red light and think laser beam(like the pointers).
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports

Thank you kearnstd that is EXACTLY what I was trying to get across to the op and made sure he knew there was a difference.

reply to someperson
I have also found that optical mice and laser mice will "track" differently on a given surface.

I had purchased several mouse pads a couple months ago that were specifically for "optical" mice and when I attempted to use a laser mouse on them the cursor would not track smoothly; it was very jumpy and jittery.

reply to someperson
Actually, DIODE LASERs *are* LEDs, but of a sort. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, and Heterojunction LASERs, such as those used in electronics such as mice, are semiconductor, DIODIC devices.

In fact, what it took to make them work is nothing short of a scientific miracle. Scientists went through countless iterations until they found that the hetero junction, with the right level of dopant, and cleaved the right way, and on and on, well, you get the picture. And what is even a more remarkable miracle are the new "blue" diodes, Some 15 years ago people even wondered if we would ever be able to make such Diode LASERs work without blowing within seconds. Science has come an incredibly LONG way. When I was in college for Photonics, we talked about Blue Diode LASERs like they were the Holy Grail.
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You know your life has gotten "DICEY" when it turns into an episode of LOST, like my ex wife, who I swear is one of "The Others". Do something useful with your computer, join Teams Helix and Discovery and help find a cure, you could be the ONE that does!

reply to someperson
ok i'm a bit confused now by the level of technicality that's in this thread. i'm sure it's correct, but what it comes down to for me is whether this mouse will damage my eyes as a laser would if i pointed it at my eyes inadvertently. so i'll let you all decide since i don't know anything about mice at all. is this mouse a laser mouse that can cause damage to my eyes or is it just an optical mouse? what do you think?

»www.upgradeadvisor.com/content/m873u.aspx

I apologize someperson there are two types of mice availible on the market laser and then optical. The mouse you posted looks to me like standard optical mouse which is lighted by LED. It will not harm your eyes. If your not a serious gamer or not working a a groved surface usually an optical mouse is fine and will save you a little cash. I personaly use an optical and have found no reason to switch to the laser mice now availible.

Also the mouse you posted you might want to be concerned about this "The M873U to me is one of the most uncomfortable mice I have ever used. The minute I laid my hand on it and started to use it my hand started to hurt and after a while it started cramping"

To me comfort in a mouse is one of the most important factors. What good is a mouse if it hurts your hand while using it.

reply to someperson
Any mouse LASER is of a classification that is considered safe for intrabeam viewing, plus the human aversion response would kick in on top of that (you would avert your eyes from pain).

Lasers are rated in safety classes from:

I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IV

OSHA and other organizations would never allow a LASER product that was damaging to eyes to market as used from the bottom of a mouse. I studied LASER safety because I wanted to be a hospital LSO and believe me, you have nothing to worry about.

But with that said, don't go staring into it, even if it is safe, that's just goofy, heh...

Also, they make some Diode LASERs somewhat divergent which makes them less dangerous except in the case of Specular reflections, which is something we need not get into.

There is nothing to see here people, please move along.

reply to someperson
someperson, the best thing to do is find a mouse that you like, that is comfortable and is at a price you are willing to pay and disregard all this overly technical bulls**t that is being thown out.

It's kind of like buying a television; you don't need to know the history of the television, the specific technical aspects of how it's made or the resume of the salesperson in order to make an informed decision; you find one that you like and has the features that are important to you and is within your budget.

Put aside all your concerns about optical vs laser because when you get down to basics they will both perform well and they both will be safe to use.

My only caveat would be that if you are looking specifically for a "gaming" mouse. If that is the case then I would suggest you read some online reviews of your choices to help with your decision.

I'm not familiar with that particular mouse you linked to but you may want to check online for some more reviews as that one is over a year old. Personally I would go with something from an established and well known company such as Logitech. They make excellent general purpose and gaming products. IMO

Good luck