OCZ is known for its lightning-fast memory modules first and foremost. However, a weird trend that’s been happening around with brand names lately brings us all kinds of unexpected devices. OCZ is makes no exception here, showing they can manufacture reasonable devices, apart from their top rated memory modules.

Just like Zalman and its gun-mouse, OCZ presents their Equalizer Laser Mouse specially designed for gamers. OCZ claims that their Equalize integrates unique features, high performance engine, and competitive edge, but this mouse reminds me of A4Tech’s X7 series. Well, maybe OCZ got permission to use their patent overseas.

Unlike any X7 mouse we’ve seen, the OCZ Equalizer provides six sensitivity levels between 400 and 2500 DPI, allowing gamers to switch to the desired sensitivity on-the-fly in the midst of a battle with a button conveniently placed under the scroll wheel. When performing this feat, the Equalizer’s scroll wheel displays a different color LED for each DPI setting to provide instant visual confirmation of the chosen sensitivity level. Nothing out of the ordinary here, but hardcore gamers that play the latest First Person Shooter titles will benefit from the lightening fast speed that the 2500 DPI laser sensor provides. Hey OCZ, ever heard of Razer and its Lachesis 4000 DPI mouse? Beat that!

OCZ also claims that the Equalizer features the innovative OCZ “Triple Threat” button (the orange one). Innovative, they say. Heh, I’ve seen this feature on A4Tech’s X7 mice ever since 2006. Gamers can fire three times with just one click making it easier than ever to hit the target. At the same time, the ingenious Triple Threat button turns double-click operations, such as opening files and applications, into just one-touch commands.

As an added bonus, OCZ decided to include the Equalware software which provides a complete keyboard simulation interface for total customization of your favorite gaming commands. And all this for just about $29. Decent enough.

Zalman’s up for some surprising moves these days. Looks like the cooling specialists got tired of designing large-finned rotor blades and tried their hands with some intersting mouse design. We know Zalman is nothing about conventionality so the following mouse design you are about to see is way beyond your everyday digital rodent.

Is that a gun you’re holding? Everybody on the floor, hands where I can see them! Wait… that’s no gun, it’s the new Zalman mouse, the FG1000. It’s a gun type design optimized for FPS gaming. A’it CS and UT dudes, gear up!

The GUN-styled mouse features trigger style buttons just like your trusty M4-A1, and according to Zalman this is supposed to create a more immersive and virtual gaming environment. The mouse implements an ergonomic slant grip to virtually eliminate extended gaming session fatigues.

Zalman figured out that a simple gun-like resemblance wouldn’t be enough to deliver a comfortable experience. Thus, they introduced a wide angle targeting system with minimal movement. In this case, the sensor is located ahead of the grip, allowing large/quick manipulation with small movements. The design also includes 5 programmable buttons: scroll, left/right, forwards, backwards.

The on-the-fly DPI switch couldn’t be missing. It’s located atop the sensor part of the FPS GUN and it allows real-time DPI manipulation. When changing the DPI resolution the scroll wheel changes colors depending on the user selected DPI setting, as well:
- Violet: 100, 600DPI
- Blue: 800, 1000, 1200DPI
- Red: 1400, 1600, 2000DPI

You also get a set of TEFLON for quick and smooth surface interaction. All the buttons are made of tough OMRON material and are guaranteed to last for a minimum of 5 million clicks. Not to mention that the USB connector is gold plated.

You can have one of these for about $65.

Looking around for some ingenious mice, I stumble upon iBall’s presentation device. It might not be that ingenious, but it sure is weird looking. So you could use this instead of your average mouse when you have to make an impressive presentation. iBall has an interesting sense of humor, stating that this would probably be the most powerful tool an executive will ever hold.

As you can see, the device doesn’t look like any remote control you’ve seen. It’s sort of a hybrid between a mouse, a trackball device and a Star Trek phaser gun. It features cordless trackball system and a built-in laser pointer. Due to it’s gun-like ergonomic design, the device fits comfortably in your hand. You might even pull some bank robberies with the aid of this toy, and get away with it. It’s easy to set up thanks to Plug-n-play capabilities, meaning that you don’t have to bother installing special drivers and other additional software.

In case you have an older PC you can connect the trackball presenter via PS2 or you can use a USB slot. It’s got the usual 3-button configuration, but instead of an optical or laser 3G tracking device, you end up with a laser pointer and an effective range of around 10 m, exposing the sniper out of you. The digital RF receiver works with 2 AAA batteries.

I know you gamers are always looking for the supreme mouse when it comes to precision and functions. Microsoft Habu is still going strong, but guess who patented that model? If your answer is Razer, than take a look at their latest gaming-grade mouse.

Razer Lachesis is equipped with the revolutionary 4000dpi Precision 3G Laser sensor, which enables movement speeds of 5 times that of a standard 800dpi optical sensor. There’s a 32KB onboard memory and gamers can store up to five unique gaming profiles, while nine programmable Hyperesponse buttons give plenty of possible configurations. The impressive 1000Hz Ultrapolling with 1ms response time reduces latency and boosts the overall precision.

Other already standard features include on-the-fly sensitivity adjustments combined with variable true DPI settings in increments of 125DPI and just about anything you would expect from a gaming-grade mouse worthy of Razer’s brand name, like the following:

• Always-On mode
• Ultra-large non-slip buttons
• 16-bit ultra-wide data path
• 60-100 inches per second
• Ambidextrous design
• Scroll wheel with 24 individual click positions
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick Teflon feet
• Gold-plated USB connector
• Seven-foot, lightweight, non-tangle cord
• Approximate size: 129mm (length) x 71mm (width) x 40mm (height)

It’s pretty cheap for what it can do, the best deals pricing it for about $66 and you can Buy the Razer Lachesis direct from Razer .

We all know Microsoft tries hard (though keeping a low profile on it) to dictate the trends in the IT&C world, but every once in a while their designing teams come with some interesting looking pieces of hardware that could influence the look and functions of future hardware generations. OK, the natural keyboard wasn’t that much of a hit, but when it comes to mice, there might be some revelation among these.

Speaking of interesting designs, let’s take a look at Microsoft’s Wireless Laser 6000 Mouse. Being the pinnacle of the wireless series, it integrates Microsoft’s High Definition Laser technology for improved precision, responsiveness and smoother tracking.

The advanced 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology enables users to connect in confidence with up to 30-foot range, without interference even in crowded wireless environments. No more “Hey, turn that mouse off, you’re messing with my spreadsheet!” scenarios.

It’s a Vista-ready mouse so it’s got to have the Flip 3D button to cycle through things with a 3D twist. New to these series is the Magnifier button. Point and click to enlarge and edit detail using this shortcut button. The 4-Way Scroll Wheel lets you cover the entire screen with the hybrid scroll/tilt function.

Other features include the snap-in transceiver that can save precious battery life and the possibility to program the additional buttons. Did I mention that natural design?