Yay! Cordless mice!

J · Post by J » 2005-03-17 02:35pm

Today we left the stone age of computing along with our worn out corded mice. We are now the owners of spiffy new Logitech optical cordless mice, and I can't believe what I've been missing. No longer am I confined by a cord, no longer do I have to use a mousepad, and no longer do I have to clean the stupid things out ever few months to keep them working. I'm still getting used to the extra buttons but I'm already in love. Why did we wait so long?

ps. For the Canadians, they're on sale at BestBuy for $34.99 till the end of today. 6 more hours to get yourself a spiffy new mouse!

Ma Deuce · Post by **Ma Deuce** » 2005-03-17 02:49pm

I've had a Logitech optical mouse (no, not cordless) since 2000, back when optical mice were still relativly new and that one set me back $60. It was a good investment, as it has lasted through 2 computers and has never given me even the slightest trouble. I'd probably have gone through 3 or so ball mice in the same amount of time, because no matter how clean I kept them, they always went eventually...

Clone Sergeant · Post by **Clone Sergeant** » 2005-03-17 02:51pm

I know what you mean. I can never go back to corded mice. They'll get my Logitech MX700 once they pry it from my cold, dead, fingers.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2005-03-17 03:05pm

I didn't like my cordless mouse. Batteries always ran out at the worst times. I've got a Razer Diamondback at the moment and it does me fine.

J · Post by J » 2005-03-17 03:22pm

The forward and back buttons for web browsing...they rock!
It's the best invention since the scroll wheel. Of course this is leading to new levels of laziness, I don't even have to move the mouse to click on the forward & back buttons in the browser window.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2005-03-17 03:24pm

I have an optical mouse, but I still need a mousepad since my table is bright glossy white.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » 2005-03-17 04:22pm

Slartibartfast wrote:I have an optical mouse, but I still need a mousepad since my table is bright glossy white.

Odd, that ought to be the best surface for an optical mouse to work on?
Personally I use a simple sheet of white paper.
Optical and cordless just rock.
As for the batteries running out problem, that's what rechargeables and mice that come with recharging base stations are for

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2005-03-17 04:33pm

Batman wrote:
Slartibartfast wrote:I have an optical mouse, but I still need a mousepad since my table is bright glossy white.
Odd, that ought to be the best surface for an optical mouse to work on?
Personally I use a simple sheet of white paper.

Since the optical trick relies on a tiny "camera" that sees microscopic differences in the "terrain" to detect movement, a completely even, glossy surface would pose problems.

Odd thing is, when I first bought the mouse, I tried the white table table/piece of paper thing, the pointer wouldn't move at all. But now it does, maybe it's a learning mouse

Still I feel that the "feedback" that the rubbery pad surface gives me makes me feel more comfortable.

Optical and cordless just rock.
As for the batteries running out problem, that's what rechargeables and mice that come with recharging base stations are for

My father always opens his mouse and partially removes one of the batteries when he's not using his computer, that REALLY saves on power (instead of a week it lasts for 2-3 months

). And yes, definitely rechargeable is the way to go, same with digital cameras.

I don't mind the cord, tho, I can't afford cordless and other gimmicks.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » 2005-03-17 05:06pm

Slartibartfast wrote: Odd, that ought to be the best surface for an optical mouse to work on?
Personally I use a simple sheet of white paper.

Since the optical trick relies on a tiny "camera" that sees microscopic differences in the "terrain" to detect movement, a completely even, glossy surface would pose problems.[/quote]
Err no they don't. They rely on a reflected laser beam. Differences in the 'terrain' actually mean trouble for optical mice due to the differences in reflectability.

Odd thing is, when I first bought the mouse, I tried the white table table/piece of paper thing, the pointer wouldn't move at all. But now it does, maybe it's a learning mouse

Survival instinct. Would you have kept the mouse if it had continued to refuse working? No? There you have it

Still I feel that the "feedback" that the rubbery pad surface gives me makes me feel more comfortable.

Whatever hovers your starship. I was just pointing out that the white surface ought not to be a problem.

I don't mind the cord, tho, I can't afford cordless and other gimmicks.

Cordless mice aren't exactly expensive these days. Mine cost a grand total of 25 € and works like a charm.
Hell, if you can work with the cord, by all means do it. freely admit that the advantages of cordless mice are purely situational. It's just that as a southpaw I run into such situation a lot...

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-03-17 05:17pm

Hey, Bats is a lefty too. Cool.

With the Logitechs the battery issue isn't a problem. Just plop it in the recharger when not in use, and it'll give you a good long run of usage. The most notable time for running it down was a twenty hour binge of KotoR, and that's a power intensive game because moving requires holding down both mouse buttons continuously and aiming your character. In the intervening time it's gotten a little weaker as the batteries fade, but it's still good for ten to twelve hours of usage, as determined from those times when I forget to plop it back into the charger.

Furthermore, as Jmac said the forward and back buttons are incredibly useful. Even without the issue of cords, those buttons have spoiled me for all other mice.

I still use a mousepad, though. More comfortable to rest my wrist on than bare desktop.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2005-03-17 05:25pm

Batman wrote:Err no they don't. They rely on a reflected laser beam. Differences in the 'terrain' actually mean trouble for optical mice due to the differences in reflectability.

Developed by Agilent Technologies and introduced to the world in late 1999, the optical mouse actually uses a tiny camera to take 1,500 pictures every second. Able to work on almost any surface, the mouse has a small, red light-emitting diode (LED) that bounces light off that surface onto a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The CMOS sensor sends each image to a digital signal processor (DSP) for analysis. The DSP, operating at 18 MIPS (million instructions per second), is able to detect patterns in the images and see how those patterns have moved since the previous image. Based on the change in patterns over a sequence of images, the DSP determines how far the mouse has moved and sends the corresponding coordinates to the computer. The computer moves the cursor on the screen based on the coordinates received from the mouse. This happens hundreds of times each second, making the cursor appear to move very smoothly.

Don't argue with me, I do this stuff for a living

There's no LASER (if there was, it would be the most unfocused and spreaded-out LASER in history, which is a contradiction) Actual laser mice are a novelty, they haven't been in the market for very long, and they can cost over a hundred bucks.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2005-03-17 05:25pm

I've taken laziness to a new level with my mouse & computer. I've moved a couch in front of my computer and I'm typing with the keyboard on my lap and the mouse resting on a textbood balanced on the armrest. Next up, re-programming the buttons for minimum work, the goal is full web browsing without moving the mouse more than 5mm in any direction.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2005-03-17 05:27pm

Batman wrote:Cordless mice aren't exactly expensive these days. Mine cost a grand total of 25 € and works like a charm.

Well what's cheap for you is damn expensive for me

Batman · Post by **Batman** » 2005-03-17 05:54pm

I'll happily conceed the laser bit. So it's a LED.
What DOES irritate me is that optical mice consistently react erratically on not-uniformly colored surfaces. Shouldn't that if anything IMPROVE performance? I mean if that camera detects changes in patterns wouldn't the presence of patterns aid that?

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2005-03-17 06:13pm

Batman wrote:I'll happily conceed the laser bit. So it's a LED.
What DOES irritate me is that optical mice consistently react erratically on not-uniformly colored surfaces. Shouldn't that if anything IMPROVE performance? I mean if that camera detects changes in patterns wouldn't the presence of patterns aid that?

I've noted that it's red spots in surfaces what messes my mouse. Also the camera is really really tiny so I suppose the patterns it detects are close to microscopic. I've noticed that really-bright colors is mostly what messes it up, usually if there's a big red spot somewhere, sometimes the mouse jumps in an odd way.

It all comes down to experimentation and finding the right surface. Probably there's no hard rule about which ones work and which ones don't. There are special pads, that are optimized for optical mouse use. Nothing special, merely the patterns they have printed are more optical-friendly, or something.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2005-03-17 07:25pm

In other mouse related news, my b00bie mouspad arrived yesterday. You can order those from chestrest.com. When I'm not using the mouse, I can rest my hand on the boobies.

Hobot · Post by **Hobot** » 2005-03-17 07:55pm

aerius wrote:I've taken laziness to a new level with my mouse & computer. I've moved a couch in front of my computer and I'm typing with the keyboard on my lap and the mouse resting on a textbood balanced on the armrest. Next up, re-programming the buttons for minimum work, the goal is full web browsing without moving the mouse more than 5mm in any direction.

I got the Logitech cordless MX duo a year and a half ago, and I've been using a nice old armchair with your same setup, it's great. The problem is, I get so comfortable that I never want to get up and do something productive...

YT300000 · Post by **YT300000** » 2005-03-17 08:42pm

I like my mice optical, but still corded. Way more reliable, won't have random battery flutters, and the like. All my previous cordless mice got fubared, so I'm a bit against them.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2005-03-18 08:15pm

I personally prefer trackballs (I have a nice Microsoft one) but you still have to clean out the ball bearings every so often even with an optical one.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2005-03-20 12:28pm

As my Industry Standards prof used to say, my new mouse was an infant mortality victim on the bathtub curve.

It was working fine last night, but this morning it refused to turn on. Changed to fresh batteries and verified that the contacts were good with a multimeter but still no dice. Damn thing went to sleep and wouldn't wake up.

Alyeska · Post by **Alyeska** » 2005-03-20 01:42pm

I can't stand cordless mice. The battery makes them way to heavy for my tastes. A good corded optical mouse with just the right slack in the cord and its light at a feather.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2005-03-20 03:58pm

Ended up exchanging the defective mouse for a corded MX-510 and some money back. Having the cocksucking thing die on me after 3 days does not inspire confidence in long term durability. I miss my couch, but I can live without the cordless convenience as long as this one last a few years.

General Brock · Post by **General Brock** » 2005-03-20 04:14pm

Aerius wrote:

[ In other mouse related news, my b00bie mouspad arrived yesterday. You can order those from chestrest.com. When I'm not using the mouse, I can rest my hand on the boobies ]

What, no n*pples?

I prefer a corded optical mouse myself. If the power goes out, I won't be using the computer anyway. But I can see the benefits of cordless if you don't need the security blanket of hard wire.

Zac Naloen · Post by **Zac Naloen** » 2005-03-21 07:46am

i have to the MX700, i have nothing much to add except it works a charm. just recharge during sleep time.

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2005-03-21 08:09am

Just about any cordless mice either suck or are less than spectacular, unless you go with the MX700 or above.

Of course, they're expensive, but you get what you pay for.