mice - not everything should be wireless

ytoledano · Jul 28, 2003

A wired mouse is a lot better than a wireless one:
1. Wireless use bataries.
2. they are heavier so cause more friction with the surface and so are harder to move short distances.
3. They aren't even wireless, you still connect a pretty long cable from the reciever to a port .
4. Reception isn't good if the reciever is far away.
5. They are more expensive
Are there really any reasons for buying wireless mice? (no, "dude, that's so cool" doesn't count)

I had a much better usertitle but was caught trying to hack me a better one so I got my current title as a punishment

Auburn9698 · Jul 29, 2003

With regards to #2, if you have more trouble moving a wireless mouse than a wired one, simply because of a couple of AA batteries, you really need to start going to the gym. Seriously.

As far as #3, the use of the mouse is wireless. Laptops and mobile phones still have wires in them, but they're considered wireless because the use of them, in and of itself, doesn't necessitate wiring to anything. I've got the wire for my wireless mouse tied up and stuck behind my machine, and don't need to mess with it to use the mouse.

I get batteries for free, too.

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War Eagle

ytoledano · Jul 29, 2003

regarding #2, I meant that mice need to have as little friction with the table as possible and making a mouse 3 time heavier doesn't help.
regarding #3, I meant that if you take a wireless mouse because you wanna minimize the mess behind your computer - don't.

I had a much better usertitle but was caught trying to hack me a better one so I got my current title as a punishment

Auburn9698 · Jul 30, 2003

I knew what you meant with the weight thing, I just don't see it being 3 times heavier or making much of a difference. Unless, like I said, somebody REALLY needs to spend less time on the comp and more time in the gym. I can use my wireless mouse at home for the same durations that I use my wired mouse at work, and it doesn't make a difference to me.

Yeah, it won't lessen the number of cables behind there, but it will lessen the amount that are actually going much of anywhere. Just get some nice velcro cable ties and you're set. I position my monitor so I don't see that crap, anyway.

32 days and counting.....
War Eagle

ytoledano · Jul 30, 2003

ok, I'll try to explain why weight is important, it's not about being able to move the mouse. Lets say your mouse weighs a pound, heavy, but movable. Now try moving your mouse one pixal at a time, compare that with moving a normal mouse.

I had a much better usertitle but was caught trying to hack me a better one so I got my current title as a punishment

Auburn9698 · Jul 30, 2003

I still know what you're saying. And it still makes no difference to me. I can use my wireless mouse just as fast, or just as slow, and for just as long as my wired mouse.

32 days and counting.....
War EagleEdited by Auburn9698 on 07/29/03 07:03 PM.

Syndil · Jul 30, 2003

The heavier the mouse, the more strain it puts on your wrist. Partly due to increased friction, but mostly due to the extra momentum of the mouse, which can be felt when trying to change directions or stopping/starting the mouse moving. Sure its minor, but even if you are Charles Atlas, that minor bit of strain could add up to carpal tunnel syndrome after so many years of mousing.

Personally, as a hardcore gamer, I would never even consider wireless, due to the extra weight, and also to the questionable nature of sending precision commands over RF. I can't say that I've ever had a problem with RF the times I have used other people's wireless mice (unless the batteries were dying), but I just don't trust it. And compared to my wired Razer Boomslang 2000 DPI mouse, I could definitely feel the extra heft. For those interested, Razer is back in business, and are planning to release a 2100 DPI model. Not that 2100 is much better than 2000, but at least you'll be able to buy a Boomslang again.

<A HREF="http://www.razerzone.com" target="_new">http://www.razerzone.com</A>

_________________________________________________
Armadillo[TcC] at Lanwar and MML

Auburn9698 · Jul 30, 2003

Like I said, I have a wireless mouse. It's not hefty to me. I've never felt any strain from using it. I still think anybody who experiences actual strain from using one of those needs to either A) pick up some iron on a regular basis or B) step away from the computer from time to time. (i.e. hardcore computer gamers) I find that phrase funny, anyway. Hardcore computer gamers. :lol:

Don't see why I should be worried about sending "precision" mouse commands over some weak RF, either. What do ya think somebody's going to do, hack your box with your precision mouse movements while you're "hardcore" gaming? How are your mouse movements in some game (or other app) going to give somebody anything to crack into your box with?

31 days and counting.....
War Eagle

Flinx · Jul 31, 2003

I have both wireless and wire mouse.
I like the feel and action of the wireless over the wired mouse ANYDAY.I like the heft of the wireless. The two batteries add a little weight that helps in the precision, I don't jerk it off the table with a flick of wrist, the inertia helps.

Anyway, if you have a wireless and don't want it, send it to me. I use a battery recharger and keep 1 spare set of regular batteries that I'll use in an emergency till something is charged.

Must be the spinach in my diet. hehe

The loving are the daring!

daniel1113 · Jul 31, 2003

Perhaps you should try one of the Gyration wireless mice. I have the Gyration suite, which includes the keyboard, and I love them both. The best part about it is that neither the mouse or keyboard use any drivers... just plug the receiver into the USB port and you are ready to go. I leave my standard PS/2 mouse and keyboard plugged in as well, so if I am sitting at my chair, I will use the regular keyboard. But, if I am sitting on my bed, I will use the wireless ones. I don't have any driver conflicts.

Also, the Gyration mouse does not feel heavy, it charges while in its base, so no batteries are needed.

I was skeptical about wireless mice, because they always seemed cheap to me. However, the Gyration one feels solid and never loses its signal. I can even use it in my living room which is 20 or so feet away. I think it will be really cool in my dorm room as well. I hope this helps!

- Daniel (daniel1113[at]comcast[dot]net)

NateKingCole · Jul 31, 2003

but even if you are Charles Atlas, that minor bit of strain could add up to carpal tunnel syndrome after so many years of mousing

Carpal Tunnel!???????????? What? From moving a few more silicon wafers and batteries, sheeeesshh. I hope not, especially when those ball mouses 8 years ago were heavier than wireless ones today. Carpal Tunnel, well at least the kind I'm familiar with, comes from having your tendons being too large for your wrist. That comes from doing intensive wrist movements, not mouse moving, more like lumber jacking.

Loqutis · Aug 1, 2003

Ive got a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, I love it except for the mouse, the optical sensor goes all the time and flattens the battery, I have to take the batteries out every night, drives me nuts, apparently the Ms one turns itself off which would be great

Me and Seven of Nine, Ohhh Yeah

Syndil · Aug 2, 2003

<A HREF="http://eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html" target="_new">http://eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html</A>

"The rise of computer use and flat, light-touch keyboards that permit high speed typing have resulted in an epidemic of injuries of the hands, arms, and shoulders. Use of pointing devices like mice and trackballs are as much a cause, if not more so."

_________________________________________________
Armadillo[TcC] at Lanwar and MML

Flinx · Aug 2, 2003

from same article:

Correct typing technique and posture, the right equipment setup, and good work habits are much more important for prevention than ergonomic gadgets like split keyboards or palm rests

do you think we can add
 or light mice 

The loving are the daring!Edited by Flinx on 08/02/03 10:50 AM.

Syndil · Aug 3, 2003

Yes, for the reasons I have already presented.

BTW here is something for your amusement: <A HREF="http://www.dansdata.com/mousewax.htm" target="_new">Mouse wax</A>. If someone is hardcore enough to use this, you can bet that they will want a light mouse as well.

Oh and Auburn as for hacking the RF, thats just silly. 😛 I'm more concerned about interference disturbing the signal, or a more likely scenario, going to a tournament and finding out the hard way that someone has a wireless mouse using the same frequency as mine.

_________________________________________________
Armadillo[TcC] at Lanwar and MML

siranthony · Aug 8, 2003

I have a useful need for the wirless mouse. I browse the web and such on my TV. It's nice to kick back on the couch and do it there. I have an extension on the base that gets it close enough to my coffee table. But I don't have wires running directly across the living room floor. The only draw back is interference sometimes from my nighbors CB. If I want to play games with no interference. I just reboot with my other mouse. As easy as that. The logitech software has no problem with my microsoft optical mouse.

Auburn9698 · Aug 9, 2003

Exactly why some things should be wired and wireless, so folks have a choice.

22 days and counting.....
War Eagle

NateKingCole · Aug 13, 2003

Sorry went away for a while. Ok, well dude Carpal Tunnel comes from the tendons in the wrist. Last time I checked you would be much more likely to get Tennis Elbow from a heavy mouse than Carpal Tunnel. Due to the fact that you do not use your fingure tendons to move the mouse but your shoulder and elbow. In fact, an ergonomic wireless mouse would be more likely to save you from Carpal Tunnel than a convesional wired one.

<A HREF="http://www.indiana.edu/~ucsstaff/cts.html" target="_new">click</A>

anathema · Sep 3, 2003

Have you seen the mx700?
Ill try to see if its the answer to what you're talking about:

1. Batteries. The mx700 has a charging cradle, like a cordless phone. It comes wiht batteries, but if you buy some high quality new ones, you can go 3-4 days on a charge and definatly dont need to. Since NiMH cells dont have any memory problems, you can put it on every night and it will NEVER go dead on you.

2. As other people have said, if you cant move two AA batteries around, you have more problems than what mouse to buy.

3. You dont buy a wireless mouse to cleanup the area behind your computer. You buy it so the cord isnt fettering your movement. I also like it when wathcing movies i can take my mouse right onto my bed and use it to controll whatever i want to.

4. The mx700 is good at up to 10 feet, any more than that and you have reception problems. Can you even see the letters on the screen from 10 feet? Its pretty much a moot point.

and
5. You spend 1500$ on a kick ass computer, but cant shell out 60-70 dollars for the tools you use to interface wiht it, day in and day out? I think it can be squeezed into the budget.

Thats why there are lots of reasons to buy wireless mice. No more cord getting tangled behind the desk and coming up short when I want to make that one kill. Or on the flip side, after I yank it in anger, its too long and puts pressure on the mouse.

This mx700 is the best mouse I've ever used, easily. It takes a whole of a day to get used to the weight and then you can expect 5 years or more (logitech has a 5 year warranty on the mouse) of great mousing.

--
Don't put off till tommorow what you can avoid doing alltogether

ytoledano · Sep 3, 2003

Actually I have heard about mice that their cradle charges the batteries, not the mx700 in specific. Also, I don't spend $1500 on a computer and the difference between buying a $100 graphics card and a $160-170 will undoubtedly improve gameplay a lot more than a wireless mouse (after you take 5 minutes to make sure the cable won't get stuck in anything).

Roses are red, violets are blue, post something stupid and I won't reply to you!

picture_perfect · Oct 18, 2003

i will ressurect this in order to scientifically prove that a heavy mouse will be less responsive than a light one. Fat fingertips for one...yep. move your mouse and you will feel your skin depress (for every action there is a reaction). thats potential energy stored up in your fat american fingers. it dampens responsiveness. actually, any play in your biomechanics, (from your arm muscles to your fingertips) is directly proportional to the force it has to move(f=ma). your arm is surely a mechanical system with play and a heavy mouse should amplify it.
NOW, you can move a heavy mouse from point a to point b in the same amount of time as a light one by using greater force, but will that be the same? lets see... suppose we move our corded mouse, (whom we will call Jay) a total of 2". say Jay rounds up 3% of play in that distance. now lets move our heavy cordless mouse (who we shall call Silent Bob) 2" also. but tons o' fun has 6% play, or somewhere in the neighborhood (because play is proportional to force and because he's a fat f***!) in conclusion, we see that while Jay and Silent Bob reach the finish line together, Bob's pizza-induced inertia makes him lag, the percentage of which is proportional to the acceleration and iversely proportional to the distance. my work here is done.

jihiggs · Oct 18, 2003

you have put way too much thought into this, but a+ for effort! lol

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Auburn9698 · Oct 22, 2003

You've completely missed the point, which is that the wireless mice aren't heavy to me in the first place.

Fat American fingers? Think again.

War Eagle

mice - not everything should be wireless

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