I really like my 7. Use it for CAD and gaming. I like the extra weight and size over my logitech and razer lachesis.
Coincidentally, the uselessness of my current mouse when CAD modelling is one of my motives for upgrading. Is the 5 much worse than the 7? My wallet prefers it..
I don't think so? I just like the location and feel of the thumb buttons for macros in SolidWorks. If you are someone with small hands I would stay away from the R.A.T. series. It is a big mouse
It's a fairly divided opinion product. I love my RAT 7, I claw grip quite predominantly so having some room to customize was very helpful. Palm rest pushed all of the way forward, grippy pinky/ring finger rest and thumb buttons positioned right where I rest the tip of my thumb. Its low height was also a selling point for me because it accomodates this style well, but be aware that this isn't adjustable save a 2mm taller palm rest. The main buttons, right in click in particular, are also very light. Not sure if this is just mine or typical of them all, but when people use my PC they often accidentally right click resting their middle finger on it. The software is indeed bad. I messed around with it at first but don't have much use for profiles or macros and what not so it's a non-issue for me, but if this is something you're interested in be warned. Keep in mind that it's a mouse. Objective things like build quality, software, dimensions and weight, all of those things you can look up and get reports of but no one can tell you if you're going to actually like it in your hand or not. I can't stand the G700 (or most Logitech mice) despite it being an objectively great mouse. EDIT: On the size of the mouse, it's not so much "large" as it is wide. You can adjust the length from being quite long or on the opposite end it's shorter than most mice. The height again is quite low.
True, its not for everyone. Best thing to do is try and find someone who has the mouse you are looking at or go into an electronics store that has them and try it out. See how it feels and make a judgment from there.
I use the G700 for cad, before that 'twas the mx700! =D With a bit of work with autohotkey and you can make solidworks dance to your drum.
I've had 2 rat 7s great mouse,like the feel and customisation. Unfortunately that only applies when they actually work. They both died mid game (the second was the warranty replacement) . Also the lasers are very picky about surfaces; refuses to work on one side of my exact mat and tracks funny on the other, colour seems to matter too it will track better on a light surface as opposed to a dark even if its the same texture. In the end, I used it either on my desk with no mat or on a piece of white a3 card I had laminated. It's just too much hassle and is overpriced.
The only RAT problem Ive had was some tracking issues. It would only track vertically or horizontally but would befixed by blowing on ther laser. A friend with the same mouse reported some rusting on the screws oddly enough. Its being sent back for replacement soon.
