Is a gaming mouse useful in a flight sim?

[Ramstein]

I just won a Sentinel Advance gaming mouse

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2951

 

here's a review on youtube ,, plus there are more reviews on Newegg.com:

 

I am trying to figure out what to use it for.. any ideas on using it in Black Shark and FC?

:joystick:

thanx..

[Legolasindar]

Mouse of 90€ or mouse of 10€ is the same for air simulators. The 99% of the times you only use mouse in the simulators for the menus. And in cases of Falcon, BS and others where you have interactive cockpit, not need extra precision, extra buttons, or extra nothing.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Legolasindar

[JLZ]

Looks like you are searching a way to spend money :)

 

You don't need 5600dpi mouse for flying - definitely

[Ramstein]

Looks like you are searching a way to spend money :)

 

You don't need 5600dpi mouse for flying - definitely

 

I won it,,, as I already said, I just wanted to know how useful it is for flight sims (especially clickable cockpits).. I know it would probably help if I played a sim like Stalker...

 

I also was thinking maybe since it is programmable and can program the x-y axis and have more buttons it might be useful..

 

in any case, I won it in a contest (free) it's still cool,,, I have never opened up the package, in case I decided to sell it.. (it sells for about $70 USD new).

[topdog]

Only time I could think you might want to use a "gaming mouse" would be if you didn't have a separate throttle unit (so instead of a HOTAS you could have a.... HOMAS? instead, hehe).

 

In that situation I could see it bringing some relief, otherwise (and I have a moderate gaming mouse in a razer copperhead) I'd feel there's not really a purpose for it. I still only really wind up using basic mouse features in the end and leaving the bells and whistles alone.

[JLZ]

These would be more helpful then...

 

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-000946-G13-Advanced-Gameboard/dp/B001NEK2GE/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1

 

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-PZ31A-Cyborg-Command-Unit/dp/B000BU0F5Y/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_0

 

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-E06-00001-Sidewinder-Strategic-Commander/dp/B00005U21V

 

This M$ would be my choice if you could find it.

[JLZ]

Only time I could think you might want to use a "gaming mouse" would be if you didn't have a separate throttle unit (so instead of a HOTAS you could have a.... HOMAS? instead, hehe).

 

In that situation I could see it bringing some relief, otherwise (and I have a moderate gaming mouse in a razer copperhead) I'd feel there's not really a purpose for it. I still only really wind up using basic mouse features in the end and leaving the bells and whistles alone.

 

 

I have game in which you can utilize that copperhead ;)

 

http://www.itsnotbadatall.com/games_content/other-fun/guide-the-drunk.html

[Ramstein]

yes, I see that people use Game pads, and that might be useful... but I didn't win one of those, but may consider a Nostromo (or other brand) Game pad someday.

:joystick:

[Boberro]

I bought for ~10E that mouse:

 

 

it is not best looking mouse ever, however it has 12 buttons. I needed this mouse, you can do your key combinations in various games and use them nicely :D

In Windows you have media controller (or something else if you assign in AutoHotkey), in games something else.

 

Via this mouse I use my radar elevation, azimuth, target lock, radar on\off, termo on\off, ect :D

[313_Nevo]

Hey, I use also mouse for simming, as mentioned as HOMAS :)

It works perfect in IL2 1946 & ROF for example. But I have encountered problems in DCS.

 

Am I able to map somehow throttle on mouse wheel, or on mouse L/R buttons? Can anyone help me out with this? (P51)

thx

[MTFDarkEagle]

Not necessary I'd say, but if you want serious customizability, precision and/or other fancy features then you may have to :)

At the moment I've got the Razer Mamba. Most important reasons for my choosing this mouse:

- Ability to run wireless AND wired

- Great accuracy

- Comfortable (to me at least, not for everyone..)

[313_Nevo]

Hey, I use also mouse for simming, as mentioned as HOMAS :)

It works perfect in IL2 1946 & ROF for example. But I have encountered problems in DCS.

 

Am I able to map somehow throttle on mouse wheel, or on mouse L/R buttons? Can anyone help me out with this? (P51)

thx

Anyone pls?

[cichlidfan]

Anyone pls?

 

AFAIK, the sim is not set up to do that.

[Mathis james]

Some flight sim users have been mapping additional mouse buttons to manage cockpit views or frequently used commands. The Sentinel Advance, with its customizable DPI and extra buttons, might help streamline those controls. Worth checking sensitivity and responsiveness using a tool like CPS Test to make sure it's dialed in correctly.

[Mr_sukebe]

Just a quick point that using high polling rate on mice can result in stutters in DCS with some systems.  I dropped the polling rate to 125hz on my Logitech unit and I’m sure that it helps.

[BitMaster]

Reminds me of better times....

 

R.I.P. cichlidfan

Edited June 29 by BitMaster

[Rudel_chw]

29 minutes ago, BitMaster said:

Reminds me of better times....

 

R.I.P. cichlidfan

 

didn't knew 

 I get sad whenever I'm reminded that everyone of us is running on borrowed time, I will try to not lose time on futile debates 

[EbonySeraphim]

tldr: gaming mouse for DCS isn't a good investment.

DCS does not benefit much a gaming mouse compared to standard cockpit/sim. Get a trackball or two (one for each side), and it doesn't have to be fancy -- more so if you're in VR without PointCTRL. Being able to cockpit click from either side (hand on either throttle of stick while you operate something else in the cockpit) is far more useful and to always have it findable in the same spot. While you could put random mappings on a mouse with extra buttons, whatever those mappings are, are better served on whatever other devices you have. I say this having a mouse with extremely high productivity/gaming functionality too: SwiftpointZ. I use it for every other variety of PC gaming from MMOs and FPS, but for DCS or any flight sim that mouse is parked away in favor of double track balls. If you're already clicking around for cockpit controls, why are you further mapping in-depth buttons to your mouse? Using mouse buttons is an extremely marginal gain in those scenarios compared to what I have from Virpil panels, MFDs, and VoiceAttack. I used to use StreamDecks, and those can take up a bunch of functionality too.

And like others have said, high polling rate mice can be a problem. I imagine it has to do with the actual rate being dynamic or not -- most high polling rate mice aren't actually polling at their highest advertised rate if the mouse is sitting still. It will increase when there is a lot of movement and high amounts of it. If for some reason it's always going 100% polling rate, I can see how that's a bog for systems. Definitely cut that out.

[Dragon1-1]

There's actually one feature that's really handy to have in a sim: free spinning scroll wheel. Great for quickly turning dials. You won't find that in most gaming mice, though. I use a Razer Basilisk because it's the only non-Logitech mouse that combines free scroll with wireless. This makes for a mouse that's very handy in a sim. It was expensive, but not excessively so. So I say, get any mouse that has an unlockable scroll wheel. Useful for work, too (scrolling through a large document, for instance).

[BitMaster]

Am 30.6.2025 um 12:11 schrieb Dragon1-1:

There's actually one feature that's really handy to have in a sim: free spinning scroll wheel. Great for quickly turning dials. You won't find that in most gaming mice, though. I use a Razer Basilisk because it's the only non-Logitech mouse that combines free scroll with wireless. This makes for a mouse that's very handy in a sim. It was expensive, but not excessively so. So I say, get any mouse that has an unlockable scroll wheel. Useful for work, too (scrolling through a large document, for instance).

Yes, it's one of the stand-out features, free flying wheeeeeeeel

When I come to my desk and any of my kids clicked my G502 into non-free-wheel I get GRHHHHHHHH !   honestly, I hate mice with locked/rastered wheels, using Logitech with free-wheel for over a decade, no way back....that or a Mac mouse, that is equally easy to scroll.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

I use a trackball with a scroll ring: it works well for me and is immersive: turning the scroll ring is similar enough to turning a dial in the cockpit

[Dragon1-1]

13 hours ago, BitMaster said:

 honestly, I hate mice with locked/rastered wheels, using Logitech with free-wheel for over a decade, no way back....that or a Mac mouse, that is equally easy to scroll.

I mostly use it with the ratchet engaged for precision, but the ability to unlock is a must for me. It's a shame that so few manufacturers have that feature, I used a Logitech G500 for a long time, but a fiddly plug for the side buttons broke during a microswitch repair attempt. Hence I got a Razer, which doesn't have a cable (meaning no need to open it up to replace it) and in which the internals are far easier to replace.

In fact, IMO it's fully worth checking out the repair videos on YouTube before buying a mouse. Cables tend to wear out after a while, depending on desk layout, and even if that doesn't happen, microswitches do.