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A DIY gaming mouse can be a worthwhile maker project, but the available evidence does not show that it beats dedicated gaming mice or that it costs less today. The 2022 headline refers to a particular build compared with Logitech’s MX Master 3—not a controlled contest against gaming-focused models. A separate open-source design documents a light, 1,000 Hz mouse, but its specifications are project claims, not independent test results.
What the headline actually compares
Hackaday’s August 15, 2022 article describes Tyler Richard’s customizable mouse and reports his claim that it was roughly ten times as responsive as Logitech’s MX Master 3, citing a 1,000 Hz refresh rate. The article also used $100 as the MX Master 3’s price reference at the time. That is a historical figure, not a current price, and the comparison is not a controlled test against gaming mice. Read the Hackaday article.
A polling or refresh rate alone cannot establish tracking quality, click performance, latency in actual use, or overall gaming superiority. The available sources provide no independent head-to-head results against contemporary gaming mice, and no complete current cost calculation. Treat “beats the competition” and “costs less” as the framing of a historical project story, not verified general findings.
There are two different DIY projects in the sources
The Hackaday feature and the public open-source repository describe distinct builds. Their sensors and constraints should not be conflated.
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#1 Best Overall
- 【Original BambooLab Makerworld Components】Wireless mouse model kit includes Mainboard,Mouse Scroll Wheel,Optical Lens ,Receiver,Battery Holder with Leads,Toggle Switch,Screw,Mouse Skate.Batteries are NOT included,please use your own AA battery to power the mouse model
- 【Easy Assembly】Plug the receiver into the USB port of your device after installing the motherboard.No need for complex software or drivers.
- 【Operation System】Suitable for Windows,Linux and Mac OS,fits desktops,laptops,Macbooks
- 【Compatibility】Wireless Mouse Model kit is compatible with bambulab P1P/P1S,A1/A1 Mini,X1/X1C/X1E 3D printers.The printed part is not included,please download the model file and print the part from Makerworld website,search:Wireless Mouse 002.
- 【Attention】It is recommended to use this product indoors at room temperature and avoid using it on glass or reflective surfaces.Wipe with a clean cloth and avoid splashing or immersing in water.
| Project | What its source says | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Richard’s project featured by Hackaday | Uses a PMW3389 sensor; the article reports difficulty obtaining the sensor in single quantities. It describes code-based button changes without a friendly configuration GUI and replacement electronics that were wired-only at the time. | These details describe that project as reported in 2022, not all DIY mice or the current state of every design. Source: Hackaday. |
| epem’s open-source DIY Gaming Mouse | Uses a PixArt PMW3360, RP2040, custom PCB and 3D-printed shell. Its README lists 55 g total assembly weight, 1,000 Hz tracking and a hardcoded 1,200 DPI configuration. | These are repository specifications, not independent measurements. The README describes configurable DPI and button rebinding as incomplete or code-dependent. Source: project repository. |
The repository’s 55 g figure is the total assembly weight it documents; it should not be treated as a measured weight for the separate PMW3389 project. The same distinction applies to polling rate, DPI and component availability.
What the open-source reference build requires
The PMW3360 design is an advanced electronics and fabrication undertaking, not a quick way to save money. The repository lists these parts and considerations:
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- Please note: The set does not include a 3d printing model, only provides all the basic hardware to build a custom mouse model and tools. To complete the entire assembly, please visit Makerrworld to download the model file and print the remaining components, search keywords: Mouse 002
- Package Include: 1* Mainboard,1* Mouse scroll wheel, 1* Optical lens , 1* Receiver ,2 * power supply holder with leads(You will need your own power-supply) , 1* Toggle switch ,6*screw ,4 * Mouse skate and 1* Screwdriver
- Easy to install and use, plug the receiver into the USB-port of your device after installing the motherboard. No need for complex softwaree or drivers
- Wide Compatibility: Suitable for Winddows,Linuxx and Macc-OS,fits desktoops,laptoops,macboooks or daily use of office
- If you need another spare accessory: 184×184mm print bed 257×257mm smooth pei h1h build plate - upgrade cleaning nozzle wiper brush - 2510 or hot end motor cooling fan and control board fan - extruder motor - x y z axis belt - gear assembly - AMS heated board - Hall switch board - ceramic heater or thermistor - 0.4mm nozzle - LED backlight board or LED DIY multi color light- screw kit etc, please welcome
- A salvaged PMW3360 sensor and its lens; the README says the sensor is not commercially sold to hobbyists or small repair shops, so sourcing may mean salvage or a specialist source.
- Six Omron D2F-01F switches or compatible parts, and an 11 mm Alps-compatible scroll-wheel encoder.
- Mouse feet around 0.6 mm thick, a USB cable, screws and components for the custom PCB.
- Multiple 3D-printed shell, button and scroll-wheel parts. The README warns that feet thickness and sensor height affect tracking.
Expect work in several areas:
- Fabrication: 3D printing, slicer use, repeated test prints, fit adjustments and cleanup.
- Electronics: PCB fabrication and assembly, soldering, firmware debugging, and potentially hot-air rework to recover a sensor. The repository cautions that delicate components make hand assembly difficult for non-experts.
- Tools: Access to a 3D printer, a temperature-controlled soldering iron, a controlled hot-air rework station and small tools such as tweezers and deburring tools.
- Firmware: Embedded C/C++ familiarity and willingness to work through unfinished or code-dependent configuration features.
For the original PMW3389 project, Hackaday separately reported that sourcing the sensor singly was difficult, button changes required code, and the replacement electronics operated over a wire despite the wireless donor mouse. Those are project-specific observations from 2022, not universal limitations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to judge whether building one is worthwhile
Compare a DIY build with a retail gaming mouse using the costs and outcomes that matter in practice, rather than relying on polling rate or a headline:
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- High-Quality Components: Each kit features premium 3D printer parts and mouse hardware accessories, ensuring a smooth assembly process and reliable performance.
- Comprehensive DIY Kit: Dive into the world of 3D printing with our for Bamboo Lab DIY 3D Printing Wireless Mouse Kit. Perfect for hobbyists and tech enthusiasts, this kit includes everything you need to assemble your own wireless mouse.
- and Functional: Not only does this kit allow you to build a functional wireless mouse, but it also encourages creativity and learning about 3D printing technology.
- Model 002: This specific model kit is designed for easy assembly, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced users looking to expand their 3D printing skills.
- Total cost: Add components, sensor sourcing, PCB fabrication, failed or revised prints, and any tools you must buy. Neither source supplies a complete reproducible bill of materials or labor estimate, so a current savings figure is not established.
- Performance evidence: Look for measured tracking, click behavior and latency under comparable conditions. The cited figures are project claims or specifications, not independent comparative testing.
- Availability and provenance: Verify the exact sensor part number and where it came from. A generic listing should not be assumed to supply a compatible PMW3360 or PMW3389.
- Fit and operation: Consider shell comfort, sensor height, mouse-feet thickness, and whether the design you choose is wired or wireless.
- Customization and maintenance: A custom design may offer repairability and control over parts, but firmware-dependent button or DPI changes can require technical work.
- Time and skill: Include design iteration, assembly, rework and debugging. Even if the parts bill is low, those demands can make a build poor value for someone who simply needs a dependable gaming mouse.
For the repository design’s own documented baseline, see the DIY Gaming Mouse README; it is useful for understanding the build, but it does not substitute for a complete budget or independent performance test.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- and Functional: Not only does this kit allow you to build a functional wireless mouse, but it also encourages creativity and learning about 3D printing technology.
- Comprehensive DIY Kit: Dive into the world of 3D printing with our for Bamboo Lab DIY 3D Printing Wireless Mouse Kit. Perfect for hobbyists and tech enthusiasts, this kit includes everything you need to assemble your own wireless mouse.
- High-Quality Components: Each kit features premium 3D printer parts and mouse hardware accessories, ensuring a smooth assembly process and reliable performance.
- Model 002: This specific model kit is designed for easy assembly, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced users looking to expand their 3D printing skills.
Rank #4
- and Functional: Not only does this kit allow you to build a functional wireless mouse, but it also encourages creativity and learning about 3D printing technology.
- Comprehensive DIY Kit: Dive into the world of 3D printing with our for Bamboo Lab DIY 3D Printing Wireless Mouse Kit. Perfect for hobbyists and tech enthusiasts, this kit includes everything you need to assemble your own wireless mouse.
- High-Quality Components: Each kit features premium 3D printer parts and mouse hardware accessories, ensuring a smooth assembly process and reliable performance.
- Model 002: This specific model kit is designed for easy assembly, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced users looking to expand their 3D printing skills.
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