DBUG> OT- Bluetooth Mouse
Paul Rabinowitz
Neil Blanchard
> Anyone know of a 5 button bluetooth mouse that plays well with Dcad 12.08? I have a 5 button wired Microsoft Intellimouse optical which works very well but I'm getting tired of the wire. I do not want something that has a USB receiver or something that works over wifi. I just want something I can pair to my laptop. Is there such an animal? (pun intended :-) )
I am happy with the Targus Bluetooth mouse I have for my iMac. The battery life is quite good -- several months, actually. The high speed RF Logitech mice I have used in the past work very well, too. Do you have a shortage of USB ports? Does your machine have Bluetooth? In the past, I remember folks having some issues with Bluetooth in Windows.
Logitech only makes two Bluetooth mice, and they both look to be medium size and they have 3 or 4 buttons: http://tinyurl.com/yalpblk
Microsoft makes five Bluetooth mice, but two are notebook (read small) mice and one is for Mac. The other two look like they would fit your requirements: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductComparison.aspx?type=Mouse&techid=Bluetooth&pid=098_084
Hey -- one of the MS units has a USB receiver for the Bluetooth -- so there is no advantage; unless you have Bluetooth in your computer already...
Sincerely, Neil
http://neilblanchard.vox.com/library/posts/
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Nick Pyner
because the install for this is right next to the Intellimouse 4 install
that I use for my original Intellimouse Explorer.
I imagine it works like any other Intellimouse so, if you are really
convinced that getting tired of the wire is likely to justify the hassles
of owning a bluetooth mouse, I guess it is a fair bet.
It is clearly a full size mouse, which can't be a bad thing.
Nick Pyner
Dee Why Beach NSW
JAID
Until getting a Logitech G9x several weeks ago I had used for about 7
or 8 years a Microsoft Optical Desktop for Bluetooth (the first not the
improved Bluetooth 2.0 versions) and reckoned it did a fantastic job. It
uses an Intellimouse version.
Much prefer it's centre button scroll wheel operation to the G9x's.
Just the same, in apparently not supporting
To the real point of your question, I am not certain but this is what I
understand. Most Bluetooth systems if they are Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR will
connect a wide range of Bluetooth devices. You may have a little trouble
with Microsoft components If they haven't progressed far since my old one
was produced but the likes of the Logitech particularly their DiNovo (which
I think is not 5-button) and the high number MX5000+ and M555b and V470
series would be no problem either with the Broadcom/Widcomm stack (BTW
1.4.2.21 or abover) or the WinXP (SP2), Vista or Win7 stacks. These stacks
contain an HID (human interface device) profile. If your laptop happens to
be a bit long in the tooth you would be able to upgrade the Bluetooth stack
When I think about it, perhaps none of these are 5-button and you may have
to test a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer to get that or look at something
like the Radtech BT600. It is worth noting that manufacturers optimise their
equipment and you may find a few more features or slightly better operation
if you stick with the USB Bluetooth hub provided.
Ian
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Anyone know of a 5 button bluetooth mouse that plays well with Dcad 12.08?
I have a 5 button wired Microsoft Intellimouse optical which works very well
but I'm getting tired of the wire. I do not want something that has a USB
receiver or something that works over wifi. I just want something I can
pair to my laptop. Is there such an animal? (pun intended :-) )
>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Nick Pyner
>Hi Nick,
> What hassles are you talking about in using a bluetooth mouse?
> Cheers,Paul
It is clear from various geek forums that bluetooth mice have a bit of a
reputation for unreliability. Things may have improved with the latest
generation, who knows? Who needs to know? One thing everybody knows
already, is that, in the last thirty years, wired mice have never had a
problem getting the information to the computer.
Wired mice never suffer from flat batteries.
Apparently, one problem with bluetooth is that it eats batteries, more so
than ordinary wireless. As a result, some have a downtime sleep mode and
can take ten seconds to wake up when you want to use it. Ten seconds is an
eternity and would only be tolerated by those for whom looking cool is
greater priority than getting the job done. And looking cool is a relative
term.
Bluetooth can suffer interference, just like any other wireless link.
Whether it can lead to the nightmare that my colleague had with his son's
Playstation interfering with his cordless Logitech last week, I don't know,
and I wouldn't bother to find out.
Note Blanchard's comment on USB ports but, if you are short of them, that's
a reason for getting a USB hub, not a cordless mouse.
Further, if you are otherwise satisfied with your mouse the "if it ain't
broke don't fix it" view is worthy of note. Good ergonomics in mice is very
much a matter of chance rather than design. I will be very sorry when my
original red tail light Intellimouse eventually dies. I have done two
repair jobs on it, the latest being only yesterday.
I actually have two modern Microsoft mice that I got for my laptop, both
with cords, needless to say. Neither give me middle button snap with
DataCad under Vista. The old mouse is fine - which merely adds insult to
injury.
Regards
NP
JAID
...Apparently, one problem with bluetooth is that it eats batteries...
My Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth certainly did. Then, it was
an early attempt and pre Bluetooth 2.0 which made a lot of difference to
battery life. Still after getting used to it battery changes never concerned
me. I have a battery charger on the desk behind me and 3 sets of
rechargeable batteries cycling. A couple very long and active days can run a
set down but you get warning and 3 to 5 seconds is all it takes to whip
these out into the charger and pick up those leaning against the front of
the charger and jamb them in. (Note recharged batteries would not last as
long as non-rechargeable batteries - especially when they have been run down
500 times as mine would have been.)
The bonus in using a Bluetooth mouse is that you can walk around anywhere
and use it. Even though I have one page scanner on my desk I need to get up
to feed it and do that a dozen times a day at least. The cursor is on the go
button so that a press while at the end of the desk is all that is required.
I can stand there and manage difficult sheets stopping and starting at will.
If reading something in hard copy down the other end I can access the screen
instantly. The same applies to the Bluetooth keyboard only perhaps moreso.
Just the same I have moved those to the server taking on a wired Logitech
G19 and G9x. Very fast, good feel and quite nice but not noticeably better
in every area.
I think Bluetooth mice and keyboards are very useable it is just a matter of
preference. I know if could do my interfacing with a wand or pencil form I
would be very pleased if it was not wired.
Regards
Ian
PS the old MS mouse never went to sleep, it was probably to old for that
sort of refinement. Neither did anything ever interfere with it. Get a
5.8Ghz telephone if telephones do. We have never had trouble with anything
using a D-Link N wireless router (DIR-655) either.
David Ramey OVLH
keyboard. Just because it's old doesn't necessarily mean it need
replacing.
Paul Rabinowitz
Hi Guys,
To all who responded- I'm glad you're fine with your wired mice. I am =
not fine with it when I am using my Mac Book Pro. I will use my wired =
mouse on my desktop pc. I was just asking if anyone knew of a 5 button =
bluetooth mouse that I could check out to see if it met my traveling =
needs. I figure I'd buy one and if I'm not happy with it, I'd return =
it.
Cheers,
Paul
> Really, I have a corded one and am fine with it. The same goes for the
> keyboard. Just because it's old doesn't necessarily mean it need
> replacing.
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Neil Blanchard
> To all who responded- I'm glad you're fine with your wired mice. I am
> not fine with it when I am using my Mac Book Pro. I will use my wired
> mouse on my desktop pc. I was just asking if anyone knew of a 5 button
> bluetooth mouse that I could check out to see if it met my traveling
> needs. I figure I'd buy one and if I'm not happy with it, I'd return
> it.
I forgot you have a Mac -- you could try the Targus Bluetooth mouse I have -- it has five buttons, but so far I can only use three in WinXP. It has an optical scroll sensor, and so I have to use the Control key to zoom in DataCAD. (It is too sensitive to use without...) Or, you could try the MS mouse for the Mac.
Sincerely, Neil
http://neilblanchard.vox.com/library/posts/
Neil Blanchard
As luck would have it, the first button on my Targus AMB08US Bluetooth Laser mouse has begun to fail -- I had to support the circuit board inside with some duct tape (!) so that it can make physical contact at all. It works only intermittently... I was hoping this mouse was more robust than it turned out to be.
Paul, as you know, Bluetooth mice in general, and for the Mac in particular, are few and far between. I'm off to try and find the Logitech M555b mouse, which is a Bluetooth 3 button mouse, and the "hyperscrolling" wheel can be tilted to the sides, and this may work as Back and Forward buttons. I've used a mouse with their new "hyperscrolling" and it is a metal wheel with 2 modes: detented has physical clicking and some resistance to scrolling (like most mice on the planet), and a free-spinning mode with a fair bit of momentum. I like this feature, actually.
So, I hope to find it in a local retail store (Staples does not have it, even though Logitech says they carry it), so I'll try Radio Shack, Best Buy, Office Depot, etc. and report back if I can buy it and use it.
Neil Blanchard
The bottom line is, the Magic Mouse works *very* well in OSX (Snow Leopard 10.6.2), and it works in Fusion 3.0.2 with WinXP as a 3 button mouse. I use FireGestures in WinXP FireFox to get the Back and Forward functions.
The key change from default is to change in the System Preferences/Mouse to toggle on One Finger/Secondary Click/Right, and in the Magic Prefs to toggle Clicks & Taps/Clicks/One Finger Middle Axis Click to Middle Click. Whew -- it reads like it is a lot harder than it is... Then in Fusion/WinXP, everything works as it should for DataCAD. (And running Fusion in Unity mode it awesome!)
This mouse is touch sensitive, so it "knows" how many fingers you are using, up to four (though three is really the practical limit for a mouse). The top surface moves and clicks when you tap it, but it depends on where and with how many fingers you use, you get different results. So the left, center and right clicks are there, and scrolling (with 1 finger or however many you want to set it for) is done just by sliding your finger tip along the surface. Do it quickly, and you get fast scrolling with momentum. Do it sideways, and if the screen can pan sideways. Drag 2 fingers to the left and browse Back to the previous web page; and 2 fingers to the right goes Forward. A 3 finger click gives you Expose by default, but you can set it to do many different things. A 1 finger tap on the Apple logo stem area can be set to switch desktop spaces.
This is a really cool mouse. It is fairly expensive ($69) but that is only $9 more than the the Logitech I was considering; and I have paid more in the past for top of the line Logitech mice. The bottom is aluminum. and the sliding pads are protruding through the bottom and are integral to the construction -- rather than just being stuck on with adhesive (that holds up for only so long). the top is one piece of smooth plastic, so no dirt will get in. The tracking is laser, and it takes 2 AA batteries (supplied) and it works with rechargeable NiMH batteries. It is a low slim mouse and I was not sure that I would like it at first, but it is growing on me. It is much better than the Mighty Mouse (though I liked that name better...). the sides are curved so that your thumb and pinkie finger can guide it easily.