Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth

PowerMacG5

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Apr 14, 2002
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Has anyone tried it yet? I am looking at it, and it looks really enticing. It is expensive, but it offers the futire expansion through the bluetooth tranciever. Does anyone think that it is worth a go around? I will be going to CrapUSA tomorrow for some other things, and will pick it up based on what you say.
 

PowerMacG5

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Also, you never said how it works in games. Does it skip at all in games that require fast mouse movement?
 

Utterman

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Apr 17, 2001
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Originally posted by: KraziKid
Also, you never said how it works in games. Does it skip at all in games that require fast mouse movement?

I saw a review on the bluetooth keyboard, and if I remember correctly, it was just about as fast as a wired keyboard. I'll have to dig up that review again to see if that is correct.


Edit: Here is a review
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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It runs perfect and Is Uber-fast. I've seen no delay in the week or so that I've used it. I love it. Runs great in games.
 

PowerMacG5

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Okay, after about an hour of use, I have a small review. I like both the keyboard and mouse a lot. They are both very responsive, and do not lag if they are being used. I was able to go into another room, and had my brother verify that the mouse still worked, so I can verify long range. The mouse works very well in games. The only thing about the mouse that I do not like, is the lack of application specific mapping in Intellipoint Pro, like with the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer. There is only one thing wrong, but is is more of an annoyance than a problem. When I leave bith devices idle for about 10 minutes, they go into sleep mode, fine; but then when I go back to use them, there is a slight delay for about a second or two. The mouse doesn't move for about a second, and the keyboard doesn't type what you just typed in for about a second. But I understand that becuase it is a woreless technology, it must employ some powersaving technology. So I guess that is the powersaving feature. But all in all I love both devices. That blue light on the tranceiver, and the tranciever itself is much nicer to look at than the previous models. So that was my small review on the device. The only thing I miss from my Office Keyboard, is the scroll wheel, but that is ok.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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Fresh Gear just did a review today!!

Turns out that the paint job is done by the same people who paint BMW's cars!!! Woot.

They also gave it a thumbs up over the logitech wireless stuff.
 

PowerMacG5

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LikeLinus, do you experience the same thing I do? That after it sits idle, it takes about one second for both to become active? And can I get a link to that Fresh Gear review?
 

Utterman

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Apr 17, 2001
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Originally posted by: KraziKid
Originally posted by: Utterman
How long is the battery life for the keyboard and mouse?

supposedly at least 90 days according to the reviews I have read.

Not that bad, just need to get some rechargeable batteries and that would be a sweet setup.
 

PowerMacG5

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Originally posted by: KraziKid
LikeLinus, do you experience the same thing I do? That after it sits idle, it takes about one second for both to become active? And can I get a link to that Fresh Gear review?

bump.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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Sorry I just got back home. If you leave it sitting for about 5 mins it does go in sleep mode. There might be a change in the Intellitype or MousePro software to change that. I haven't checked into it cause It hasn't bothered me at all. It takes about 1 second to wake up.

Show that it was on.

Here's a link to the review. It got 4 of 5 stars. Basically the only reason it didn't get 5 was price. It is a bit expensive though, but WELL worth it if you wanna use it on HTPC or want secure wireless connection. The great thing is you can use 5 more devices (7 total, but the keyboard and mouse count as 2) on the MS Bluetooth hub. So maybe a printer? PDA? Phone? There's a good number of upcoming bluetooth devices.

It was chosen over the Logitech Mouseman Dual Optical (which uses TWO optical sensors). They were also impressed with the security that Bluetooth provides (which I didn't even know when i purchased it = major plus) . The Mouseman Dual is a wired mouse, that makes it even more impressive that they picked the MS mouse 1st.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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Couldn't tell you about the batteries yet. Supposidly 3 months/90 days as others have said. I'll let you know in 2 1/2 months :D But getting some good rechargables is a good idea. Monster Cable makes some nice ones that I use for my Digital Camera.
 

PowerMacG5

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THanks for all of your help. I really like the mouse, and the paint job :). I hope they release an Intellitype patch that will allow the application specific button mapping, like with previous versions. One last question, are you using a mouse pad? I have always never used a mouse pad with my optical mice, and wanted your opinion. Do you think I should use a mouse pad with this mouse?
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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heheh thats funny you ask. Right now I'm using the arm of my sofa as a mouse pad :D Thats just for general webbrowsing and messing around. If i play any games I just sit in the floor and set everythign on the coffee table. That's worked out well also.

What I'd like to do is get a black ratpaz and just build a small upside down |_| that can sit on the sofa arm and act as a mousepad table?

<I hope they release an Intellitype patch that will allow the application specific button mapping, like with previous versions>> Actually that's my only gripe!!! My real problem is that Santa Cruz drivers install this software that TOTALLY take over the volume control of the freaking computer??? I can't find just "Drivers" it installs its own stupid software. That way i can't turn up or down the volume from the keyboard, i can only pause/play change songs..whatever. For some reason EVEN in the control panel i can turn the volume down ALL the way and the speakers still play. I have to manually go into the stupid Santa Cruz software and turn down the volume? WTF is up with that?

Ok im done ranting
 

PowerMacG5

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Originally posted by: LikeLinus
heheh thats funny you ask. Right now I'm using the arm of my sofa as a mouse pad :D Thats just for general webbrowsing and messing around. If i play any games I just sit in the floor and set everythign on the coffee table. That's worked out well also.

What I'd like to do is get a black ratpaz and just build a small upside down |_| that can sit on the sofa arm and act as a mousepad table?

<I hope they release an Intellitype patch that will allow the application specific button mapping, like with previous versions>> Actually that's my only gripe!!! My real problem is that Santa Cruz drivers install this software that TOTALLY take over the volume control of the freaking computer??? I can't find just "Drivers" it installs its own stupid software. That way i can't turn up or down the volume from the keyboard, i can only pause/play change songs..whatever. For some reason EVEN in the control panel i can turn the volume down ALL the way and the speakers still play. I have to manually go into the stupid Santa Cruz software and turn down the volume? WTF is up with that?

Ok im done ranting

Why not try removing the Santa Cruz software, and do a manual install of the drivers off of the webpage, if they are offered there.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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I just made a post about it. TB doesnt provide "drivers only" that i could find on their site. Their software also does NOT give you the option to install drivers only? Bah! So maybe someone knows another site that has drivers only or a way to uninstall the software?
 

PowerMacG5

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Originally posted by: LikeLinus
I just made a post about it. TB doesnt provide "drivers only" that i could find on their site. Their software also does NOT give you the option to install drivers only? Bah! So maybe someone knows another site that has drivers only or a way to uninstall the software?

That sucks that they don't offer a drivers only option. I would look through the CD for the drivers file, and then try to just install that.