Wireless Mouse Question

[SteelCityFan]

I just picked up the Microsoft Wireless "Blue" Optical Mouse.

I noticed that it is not as smooth as a corded mouse. When I move the mouse back and forth across the screen, it jumps/skips more than a normal mouse. Not a huge difference, but noticeable.

Is this pretty much Status Quo for cordless mice, or is there something wrong? The receiver is only about 12-15 inches away, and I even replaced the batteries ... even though Microsoft puts 2 Engergizers in the package. I have also tried different channels.

At this point, I am considering returning it. I can live with a cord if it means smoother mouse movement.

 

[powerMarkymark]

My Logitech Cordless Optical works like a charm, no jumps/skips at all. Could be your mouse pad? Some are better than others for optical.

 

[SteelCityFan]

I suppose it could be, but the one it is replacing is optical too. The mouse pad is quite a few years old. It is colored like a football field with a white Steelers logo in the middle... think the color changes could be affecting it?


There is another possibility... Maybe it is all in my head. Haha

 

[everman]

That doesn't sound right, a good cordless mouse will be very smooth. I have an old rf cordless mouse (talkin 4 yrs old) and it's still working great. Perhaps it's the surface you're using.

 

[Zim Hosein]

SteelCityFan, my LogiTech optical wireless mouse doesn't suffer from the issues you mentioned & my mouse pad is red, white & blue, hope this helps

 

[SteelCityFan]

When you say that some are better than others... what should I look for?

This mouse pad needs replaced anyway... starting to fray at the edges.

 

[SteelCityFan]

I plugged into the USB port, and I am getting better results. Comparable to the previous optical mouse. Didn't think that would matter.

 

[Tharkun]

Yes, what would you look for in a mouse pad? Any place to look for good ones?

 

[Nessal]

I find hard pads good for gaming. Like solid plastic ones....my friend has one and wont trade me anything for it...and I have yet to find one that matches up to his. And the thing is he got it for free at some presentation thing for Q3 way back....ARGHH

 

[billyjak]

3M makes a very good plastic optical mouse pad, you can get it anywhere they sell mice usually, Best Buy has them.

 

[SteelCityFan]

Back in college, we had Sun Unix workstations. They had the first optical mice I used... they had mouse pads with dots so the eye of the mouse had something to read.

I'll get a new mouse pad then see what happens. It seems to be ok now running from the USB port. It only skips a little now when I move the mouse quickly back and forth. Maybe this optical sensor is a little more sensitive, and the fact that this mouse pad is old, dirty, and worn out is magnified by the newer sensor.

I am also near my Wireless AP, but I don't think that would affect it at all.. different channels obviously.

 

[everman]

I"ve been using one of these for about 2 years now.mouse pads very slick surface so it's great for games. But also the "feet" on the bottom of your mouse can be replaced if they're worn out, and that'll help too.

 

[Yocona]

I have a Logitech cordless optical mouse, which works great. But it can mess up due to interference from other electronics. Logitech's manual said to position it at least 8 feet from the computer system. LOL, they put it on a 4 foot cord. Anyway, I have the base hanging over the curtain rod, which is the furthest possible point for my set up, and that solved my interference problems.

p.s. I don't have a mouse pad. I use it right on my wood desk.