Some mouse questions

Howdy all

I'm currently using a Logitech G5 (first generation), but after 4 years, its slowly nearing its end (buttons are getting gunked up, feet have just about worn off, stuff like that). So I'm in the market for a new one. I had never really researched mice before, and now find there's plenty to know when buying a mouse (for the G5, I went to Best Buy, looked at different mice, saw cool labels like "LASER" "9,0470,934,570,943,875 DPI" "G5" etc etc), and there is apparently different mice for different needs. So here I am, hoping I might get steered in the right direction

That said, my first question would be laser vs optical? Obviously laser sounds cooler, but what really is the difference (aside from the obvious of course)? I have used both, and honestly, can't really tell during normal usage. I am a gamer, not hardcore or anything, but some degree of precision is important to me. Is one more reliable over the other (in terms of needing a consistent surface, or being able to use it on a variety of different surfaces)?

My second point is ergonomics. Apparently I finger grip my mouse (in that the only part of my hand touching the mouse is my fingertips). My wrist sits on a gel pad and does most of the work (is this bad?). This is comfortable to me (and provides the greatest amount of movement I find), so a mouse that allows me to do this is important.

Buttons. My G5 has 4, 5 would be nice, 7 would be fantastic. Anything more would be a pain in the butt. One of things that does bother me about the G5 is the middle mouse button. Sometimes it sticks and you have to pull it out with your fingernails. I also despise free scroll wheels. The G5 also has buttons that change the DPI, I find these to be pretty useless, but they're out of the way, so they don't really bother me.

Some of the mice I've come across are the second generation G5, the razer deathadder and lachesis, and microsoft's sidewinder.

I've been using Logitech products for a long time now, and trust their quality and support. Based on past experiences, I'd probably go with the G5 (aside from the scroll wheel button, is this an issue in the new version?)

I've seen the Razer brand a lot, mostly in gaming hardware. Since I am primarily a gamer (as far as mouse usage goes), I would probably tend to lean towards something designed for gaming. I have never owned a Razer product before though, so am weary on switching (although im always willing to try new things).

I still have a microsoft sidewinder joystick that I bought about 10 years ago, works perfectly. Based on that, I can expect the sidewinder mouse to provide similar lasting performance, or can I? I do like the vertical thumb buttons (a lot) and ability to add/remove weight (although dimension wise it seems pretty big).

Obviously everyone has their favorite, so I can't expect responses to have zero bias, but I figured I'd pose the question anyway, what do you think? I'm leaning towards the sidewinder right now, but would like to get some second opinions before I actually drop any dough on it.


Also, a sort of post script, mousepads. Do I really need a titanium mousepad coated in diamond crystalline laser precision cut tetrahedral patterns laying under 0.0004mm of nasa certified high tempered glass that can go 0-60 in a second and a half? Right now I have a solid pad thats a metal frame with a plastic, slightly textured surface, but I must've dropped something on it, becuase there's a big dent near the center (which sort of halts pointer movement if I happen to move over it). Are gaming pads worth it? Which ones would you recommend?

Thanks SO MUCH for the responses!

I don't use a mouse.
I use a Logitech wireless track ball.