Wireless Mice

[Andrew]

Have you noticed that since the computing and technlogy forums or whatever they were called were absorbed, it was said it was so there would be more posts in the main forum but instead it seems to have almost stopped this sort of thread.

Anyway, what's everyone opinion of wireless mice?

Are they any good, I've heard there can often be problems with the battery running out fairly quickly and/or the signal to the transmitter being interupted by the smallest of obstruction?

[marksi]

I have a very nice (and cheap) wireless optical mouse that works very well. The receiver also acts as a recharger for the 2 AA batteries that it takes. I have two sets of batteries and so when one set runs out I just swap them for the ones in the charger. Under heavy use the batteries last about a week. My keyboard is also wireless and also uses 2 AA batteries. They last about 6 months before needing charged.

They're both made by A4Tech and were bought cheaply from Maplin.

[Pete]

I have a Microsoft Wireless Optical one. The batteries (normal AA - I use duacell as they last far longer than other types) last around 4 months under heavy use.

It's a lovely mouse although the batteries add a bit of weight to it. mind the lack of ball means it's very smooth and pleasant to move around.

[Nick Harvey]

(and cheap)

Can you remember roughly how much?

I keep on considering it, mainly because I'm left handed and 'er indoors is right.

It would be so much easier to keep swapping sides without the bloomin' wire.

[marksi]

Er... it was on offer... I think the mouse and keyboard together was £29.99.

[Nick Harvey]

Thanks for that.

I might just go out on one of those mad, uncontrollable buying sprees.

[Neil Jones]

Anyway, what's everyone opinion of wireless mice?

Are they any good, I've heard there can often be problems with the battery running out fairly quickly and/or the signal to the transmitter being interupted by the smallest of obstruction?

Depends entirely on usage and the quality of the components and the quality of the batteries. How long is a piece of string?

[cwathen]

I've got a wireless keyboard and mouse set. They're both pretty good bits of kit (the mouse isn't optical though) with a fairly sizeable range. However, the mouse chews through batteries at an alarming rate. Even if I put duracells in, they'll be dead within 6-7 weeks. Wheras the keyboard is completely the opposite - the el cheapo batteries that came with it lasted almost a year, whilst the duracells in it now have been going for just over 2.