IME the thing that tends to fail with mice/trackballs is the snap switches used to actuate the mouse buttons. They have a lifetime, and once they do they start to glitch.
But if you know how to solder sometimes you can replace them with better ones. I've been a heavy user of the Logitech M570 trackballs that are notorious for the poor switches they used that would fail after 2-3 years' of use. For the last batch I bought, I replaced all the switches with some high quality Cherry switches before putting them into use and had them last about 10 years before the electronics started to fail.
Once they died I replaced them with some cheapo Chinese wired trackballs since Logitech doesn't make wired ergonomic trackballs anymore: we'll see how they do and if/when they fail whether the switches can be easily replaced.
I do like my high DPI Logitech gaming mouse, though I don't like how hair-trigger the buttons on it are. I suspect the switches on that thing won't last very long, but I don't use it much since I tend to play games on Controller.
All logitech mice I bought started failing after a year or two and would randomly double click afterwards. After that I bought a steelseries mouse and it works great.
Indeed. Not exactly my most ideal solution, but I just go for Logitech's "Pro Gaming Mouse", which works for me. Usually lasts 2-3 years at least and only costs me 50-60 bucks each time.
If you want more buttons or features though while having longevity you'll have to probably put a little more research and effort into narrowing your options down.
Yeah unfortunately Logitech were the only company that made the ergonomic (thumb-controlled) trackballs I've been using for 20 years, so until recently I had little choice but to mod them myself.
I was very happy when I discovered you could get cheap Chinese knock-offs. I ended up buying 3 for the price of one M570. I don't know how long they'll last, but I feel a lot better about replacing a $17 trackball every 3 years then a $50 one.
Aye. That's one tricky thing with these kinds of products. Quite often you might find something that just works for you. And then that product either gets discontinued or redone in such a way that it's totally unusable or insanely expensive.
Which is even more annoying given how often market trends slide towards insane and often flawed or inferior designs. Like gaming chairs and, at least imo, keyboards without a numpad.
There's also a particular mouse model I came across a few years ago that's designed to have a setup for super easy Omron switch replacement. I think it was Asus. Here's one model that has what I'm remembering.
I can second the sentiment. I bought a Razer wireless keyboard and mouse a couple years ago, not cheap at all, the Pro Type and Pro Click I believe is the correct name. This is for a desk where I do work not a gaming station, and I generally don't care about RGB Gamerzzz Pro B1g Bon3r edition items anyway.
It sucked, the battery on the keyboard requires so much charging it might as well be wired, even with the backlight fully off. It double types constantly also. The mouse is okay, but if you want to use the USB wireless dongle it often cuts out at a distance of no more than 2 feet. The mouse also uses a proprietary micro USB charging cable. You'd likely have to trim down the plastic on any generic cable to fit it. I relegated the keyboard to an extra computer in an extra room and the mouse lives in my laptop bag now where it gets light use.
My favorites, Logitech G613, inexpensive wireless mechanical keyboard that uses regular replaceable batteries. I have two of them. I also have two Steelseries Rival 3 wireless, also simple mouse with simple buttons and regular replaceable batteries.
My favorites, Logitech G613, inexpensive wireless mechanical keyboard that uses regular replaceable batteries.
I'm a big proponent of electronics that just use standard batteries. I used to love rechargeable devices, but I've lost a couple of devices to proprietary batteries that either stopped holding a charge or swelled and were not replaceable because they're no longer being made. Not to mention everything now that comes with an internal battery that can't be replaced.
Rechargeable AA or AAA batteries are the best because they can be swapped instantly, are not proprietary, are available at any store and you still get the benefits of not having to buy disposable batteries.
Everyone makes fun of Microsoft still having their controllers run on AA's, but all my original Xbox 360 controllers work fine, the original PS3 controllers, not so much.
Sony was gay even back then with their controllers needing a USB data handshake just to charge. Your basic charger wasn't good enough; it had to be charged using the PS3's USB ports, your PC, or Sony's proprietary charger.
I hate wires, so there's that bit. My gaming PC is HTPC form factor on a big TV and if I strung wires across the floor they'd just get tripped over. I do generally hate my wireless headset though (Logitech, idk we will call it POS edition wireless headset). It was cheap, so well I got what I paid for. I don't use it that much. If I ever do care, I may try a Bluetooth setup with some nice headphones. Any of that whole needing a fancy headset so my friends wear hear important callouts in a competitive game is far, far in my past, so I don't really need a gaming headset.
But yeah, those Razer peripherals were a serious splurge for me trying to fix up my desk. They were not inexpensive. Yet both of them were relegated to backup use in a little over a year.
I like the Das Keyboard Pro series. Not cheap, but solid build without any bullshit. They do have some RGB models now if you're into that. Seems you can do things like "flash M when I have mail" or "make the F12 key colored based on CPU temp." Not my thing, but at least more useful than the usual rainbow puke.
Edit: I haven't shopped for keyboards in a decade so I don't know what is out there now. But also I haven't had to buy a new keyboard in a decade.
Razer mice are alright. I currently use the wired Basilisk V3. Razer's been moving to optical switches for the main clicks, which in theory mitigate random double-clicking inherent to contact switches like Omrons.
As for keyboards, it's a Ducky with Cherry MX Brown switches. I used to type on a Model M, but it takes up too much desk space, on top of being loud. I wouldn't buy a keyboard from the GAYMAN brands; they're overpriced for what you get.
IME the thing that tends to fail with mice/trackballs is the snap switches used to actuate the mouse buttons. They have a lifetime, and once they do they start to glitch.
But if you know how to solder sometimes you can replace them with better ones. I've been a heavy user of the Logitech M570 trackballs that are notorious for the poor switches they used that would fail after 2-3 years' of use. For the last batch I bought, I replaced all the switches with some high quality Cherry switches before putting them into use and had them last about 10 years before the electronics started to fail.
Once they died I replaced them with some cheapo Chinese wired trackballs since Logitech doesn't make wired ergonomic trackballs anymore: we'll see how they do and if/when they fail whether the switches can be easily replaced.
I do like my high DPI Logitech gaming mouse, though I don't like how hair-trigger the buttons on it are. I suspect the switches on that thing won't last very long, but I don't use it much since I tend to play games on Controller.
All logitech mice I bought started failing after a year or two and would randomly double click afterwards. After that I bought a steelseries mouse and it works great.
Yep, that's the failure mode when the snap switches wear out.
Indeed. Not exactly my most ideal solution, but I just go for Logitech's "Pro Gaming Mouse", which works for me. Usually lasts 2-3 years at least and only costs me 50-60 bucks each time.
If you want more buttons or features though while having longevity you'll have to probably put a little more research and effort into narrowing your options down.
Yeah unfortunately Logitech were the only company that made the ergonomic (thumb-controlled) trackballs I've been using for 20 years, so until recently I had little choice but to mod them myself.
I was very happy when I discovered you could get cheap Chinese knock-offs. I ended up buying 3 for the price of one M570. I don't know how long they'll last, but I feel a lot better about replacing a $17 trackball every 3 years then a $50 one.
Aye. That's one tricky thing with these kinds of products. Quite often you might find something that just works for you. And then that product either gets discontinued or redone in such a way that it's totally unusable or insanely expensive.
Which is even more annoying given how often market trends slide towards insane and often flawed or inferior designs. Like gaming chairs and, at least imo, keyboards without a numpad.
There's also a particular mouse model I came across a few years ago that's designed to have a setup for super easy Omron switch replacement. I think it was Asus. Here's one model that has what I'm remembering.
Technically they're still wired, if you don't mind the fact that it's not permanent.
I can second the sentiment. I bought a Razer wireless keyboard and mouse a couple years ago, not cheap at all, the Pro Type and Pro Click I believe is the correct name. This is for a desk where I do work not a gaming station, and I generally don't care about RGB Gamerzzz Pro B1g Bon3r edition items anyway.
It sucked, the battery on the keyboard requires so much charging it might as well be wired, even with the backlight fully off. It double types constantly also. The mouse is okay, but if you want to use the USB wireless dongle it often cuts out at a distance of no more than 2 feet. The mouse also uses a proprietary micro USB charging cable. You'd likely have to trim down the plastic on any generic cable to fit it. I relegated the keyboard to an extra computer in an extra room and the mouse lives in my laptop bag now where it gets light use.
My favorites, Logitech G613, inexpensive wireless mechanical keyboard that uses regular replaceable batteries. I have two of them. I also have two Steelseries Rival 3 wireless, also simple mouse with simple buttons and regular replaceable batteries.
I'm a big proponent of electronics that just use standard batteries. I used to love rechargeable devices, but I've lost a couple of devices to proprietary batteries that either stopped holding a charge or swelled and were not replaceable because they're no longer being made. Not to mention everything now that comes with an internal battery that can't be replaced.
Rechargeable AA or AAA batteries are the best because they can be swapped instantly, are not proprietary, are available at any store and you still get the benefits of not having to buy disposable batteries.
I love my Eneloops.
Everyone makes fun of Microsoft still having their controllers run on AA's, but all my original Xbox 360 controllers work fine, the original PS3 controllers, not so much.
Sony was gay even back then with their controllers needing a USB data handshake just to charge. Your basic charger wasn't good enough; it had to be charged using the PS3's USB ports, your PC, or Sony's proprietary charger.
I hate wires, so there's that bit. My gaming PC is HTPC form factor on a big TV and if I strung wires across the floor they'd just get tripped over. I do generally hate my wireless headset though (Logitech, idk we will call it POS edition wireless headset). It was cheap, so well I got what I paid for. I don't use it that much. If I ever do care, I may try a Bluetooth setup with some nice headphones. Any of that whole needing a fancy headset so my friends wear hear important callouts in a competitive game is far, far in my past, so I don't really need a gaming headset.
But yeah, those Razer peripherals were a serious splurge for me trying to fix up my desk. They were not inexpensive. Yet both of them were relegated to backup use in a little over a year.
I like the Das Keyboard Pro series. Not cheap, but solid build without any bullshit. They do have some RGB models now if you're into that. Seems you can do things like "flash M when I have mail" or "make the F12 key colored based on CPU temp." Not my thing, but at least more useful than the usual rainbow puke.
Edit: I haven't shopped for keyboards in a decade so I don't know what is out there now. But also I haven't had to buy a new keyboard in a decade.
I use some basic wireless Logitech. You can just replace them every two years or so when the buttons start failing.
Mice are the kind of thing that aren't worth the premiums.
Razer mice are alright. I currently use the wired Basilisk V3. Razer's been moving to optical switches for the main clicks, which in theory mitigate random double-clicking inherent to contact switches like Omrons.
As for keyboards, it's a Ducky with Cherry MX Brown switches. I used to type on a Model M, but it takes up too much desk space, on top of being loud. I wouldn't buy a keyboard from the GAYMAN brands; they're overpriced for what you get.