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.

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 .

Not sure which laser mouse could be satisfying your gaming needs these days? You might want to look for Logitech’s G9 laser mouse. When it comes to high performance gaming-grade mice, you wouldn’t overlook Logitech’s offer, right?

I mean you totally have to try the interchangeable grips. Choose between Wide Load and Precision grips to get a fit and feel that’s best for your playing style. The Wide Load option features a satin texture and fuller shape, offering extra comfort when using the mouse for a long period of time. On the other hand, the Precision option comes with integrated DryGrip technology and a compact shape in order to ensure total control.

You’ll certainly like the 3200 dpi laser engine with full-speed USB that is capable of 1000 reports/second. The mouse even has an onboard memory, allowing users to store their preferred settings.

As far as control is concerned, you can rely on the exclusive MicroGear system that can be set to click-to-click scrolling (perfect for weapon selection in FPS games) or frictionless scrolling (best for internet browsing). G9 also incorporates the now standard on-the-fly resolution selection, giving you instant access to resolution levels between 200 and 3200 DPI. Not to mention the wight system and the all-new polytetrafluoroethylene super-slick feet that glide effortlessly across almost any surface.

The MSRP price is somewhere around $100, but that shouldn’t intimidate a hardcore gamer.

I keep having problems with my mouse in UT3. It could be a bug in the game or could be the mouse itself. What’s this I see? A mouse specially designed for UT3… It’s the new and improved Sidewinder mouse from Microsoft.

Microsoft decided to revive their Sidewinder series with this ultimate gaming-grade mouse. How does it compare to other important players on this market, say Logitech’s G9 laser mouse? Microsoft claims that the Sidewinder mouse has a unique shape and its buttons are positioned for fast, comfortable, precise gaming action. You got the standard on-the-fly switch buttons to choose between 400, 800, and 2000 DPI. Well, the usual stuff, you’d say. Wait on it… Sidewinder features the first-ever LCD display in a mouse. Not your average mouse anymore, right? This feature displays DPI settings and macro recording icons on the mouse to reduce on-screen interference. I remember the flack cannon in the original UT had something like this. Now you can see the ammunition meter of your favorite guns displayed on your mouse. And the unique adjustable weight system even gives the mouse something of a dangerous weapon look.

Here are some other cool features:

• IMAGE PROCESSING: 7080 frames per second
• MAX ACCELERATION: 20 G
• MAX SPEED: 45 inches per second
• USB REPORTING: 500 Hz
• GLIDE options: 3 sets of different mouse feet (for glide preference)
• BUTTONS (Left/Right): 9 million clicks

Now I know what to get for my UT3 sessions and it’s a pretty good deal too, at around $60.