Armed with a full supply of antivenom and a determination not to make any(more) tasteless Croc Hunter jokes, I spent a few solid weeks fragging my way through BioShock and The Orange Box, alternating between the Razer Diamondback 3G and Microsoft SideWinder gaming mice. I came away from the experience with a renewed appreciation for just how good PC gaming can be, and some strong opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of both mice.

Neither mouse is perfect, and my experience and testing was completely subjective, so your mousing may vary. But if you're in the market for a mouse that looks good and might give you an edge in Team Fortress Two or Quake Wars, keep reading for my thoughts about which mouse might be best for you.

The Razer Diamondback 3G is based on an older design that's been out for a while, but the company stuffed its new 3G infrared sensor into an old, reliable shell. The result is a fine piece of gaming equipment that feels good in the hand and packs variable DPI, up to 1,800, for all the precision-clicking you're likely to need.

Microsoft, however, brings a different aesthetic and a number of customization options to the LAN party with its SideWinder gaming mouse. Aside from a killer steam-punk look, it has a tiny LCD screen to display its own variable DPI, which goes up to eleven 2,000. Although if you think you can notice the difference between 1,800 and 2,000 DPI, you should probably put down that bottle of Bawls and step away from the PC. Both mice are about as precise as can be--probably more precise than they need to be--so I'll focus my observations on other issues.

I tend to prefer smaller, sleeker mice. So while the Copperhead felt comfortable in my hand, the Sidewinder, which is taller, and has a stubby back end, took some getting used to. The angular design of the SideWinder also felt odd at first. It's part of the mouse's aesthetic but adds to the initial awkwardness when you first hold the mouse in your hand. On the plus side, the round buttons on the thumb-side of the mouse stick out in a way that makes them almost impossible to press accidentally. That isn't the case with the Diamondback's side buttons: They're so recessed into the smooth, glowing sides of the mouse that in the heat of battle, I found myself making a lot of accidental clicks.

There's no doubt about which mouse glided more smoothly over my mouse pad. The Diamondback felt like it was on ice, while the SideWinder's feet made movement feel decidedly less smooth. Of course, one could argue that a slight resistance might lead to more precision; personally, I prefer smooth sailing while I'm blasting away the Combine. The SideWinder comes with a number of replacement feet, but that's something I don't want to have to think about.

Speaking of things I'd rather not bother with, Microsoft's mouse comes with a box that holds the weights and extra mouse feet, which also is supposed to function as a cable anchor by clamping down on and holding your cable in place. It's a good idea in theory, but in practice, it was a pain. The cable sometimes slipped out of the groove in the box and was hard to get back in place, particularly in the dark--which, as every gamer knows, is the only way to frag.

Considering that the SideWinder lists for $30 more than the Copperhead, there's no clear winner. The former certainly offers more features and arguably looks cooler. But the Diamondback just felt more comfortable to me. If you're not one to spend time adjusting the weight of your mouse or obsessing over being able to see the current DPI you're mousing at, you might want to go with the cheaper, sleeker Razer model, particularly if you have small hands.

But if you value cool looks and customization over a few extra dollars to spend on the next gotta-have-it game, the SideWinder is the obvious choice. I mean come on: It looks crazy cool and has a screen! A screen!

Both mice are solid performers that should give you an edge over any n00b using a boring old utilitarian mouse, so it's really a matter of personal preference, and the money you're willing to spend. The Razer Diamondback lists for $49, and the Microsoft SideWinder retails for $79. But if you do the smart thing and shop around, they both can be had for a fair bit less. Happy fragging.

Post by Matt Safford