Optical Mice

How does an optical mouse work?

Optical mice use a small camera in conjunction with an infrared or red LED light to view and track its location. Essentially, they bounce light from the work surface, and then capture and map the reflection data. Optical mice typically have lower sensitivity than laser mice, which allows for accurate moving without any jittering.

What is the difference between a ball mouse and an optical mouse?

While a ball mouse uses a trackball to monitor its location, an optical mouse uses a sensor. There are different reasons to choose each of these mice. If you are looking for increased precision and accuracy, an optical mouse could be a great choice. Alternatively, if you need a comfortable mouse that will help you reduce unnecessary wrist movements, a trackball mouse could be the way forward.

Do optical mice need mousepads?

Optical mice will function on most work surfaces without the need for a mouse pad. However, optical mice can struggle with surfaces that are particularly reflective. So, if your workstation or desk is made of glass or another reflective material, you may find a mousepad useful.