what's your wireless keyboard/mouse combo of choice?

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:43 am

Well, I'll just start off with telling you that I have logitech MX3000, and although it's not bad, I wouldn't recommend it at all.

There is a noticable lag on the keyboard, maybe not on individual keystrokes but when you type of combination of keys, like the keypunches can only got in at a set speed. There's like a 50ms of noticable lag.

The mouse is laser.. supposedly the cutting edge thing. But the problem is, it falls asleep to save battery and when that happens (it does very often) it takes like 0.2 secs for the mouse to wake up, causing your pointer to sort of "slip", as in not responding for the first 0.2 secs. And generally, it's not very accurate even when it's not asleep. Which is a problem for us music people beause it makes it that much harder to tweak 'em knobs.

So this is what I find strange.. I used to use an older wireless keyboard/mouse combo before I got the mx3000.. which worked flawlessly, just that the keys on the keyboard were getting old and made all sorts of strange crackling sounds. I'm just puzzled to find that the new and improved, actually performs worse.

Anyway, just in case my mx3000 accidentally "breaks", uh hem, I'm asking around for any recommended wireles key/mouse combos.

BingoTheClowno · Post by **BingoTheClowno** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:05 pm

I have a Logitech wireless trackball mouse and I have no problems with it. There are however some options you can set in the Device manager. You can for example set the polling rate for the mouse (increase it for more accuracy or decrease for less CPU).

You can also check http://www.gyration.com/en-US/Products.html

Nestor · Post by **Nestor** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:53 pm

Ken, it doesn't matter what you get, please, remember to get Logitech! Anything keyboard or mouse, get Logitech and you'll be pleased, it's the very best of the market, there is no other company taking care to such an extent of your body. Their products are the most confortable of the market too. You get an amazing 5 years guaranty also! Not too bad.

I have used Logitech for many years, and so my wife does. We can but recomend it to everybody, buy it blind, and you still will be right!

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:09 pm

well, that's exactly why I'm sort of puzzled of my situation. I've used logitech forever, like since I was in middle school.. and everything's worked like a charm 'till the MX3000 I have right now. MX3000 clearly does not cut the cake. Of course, they probably have their "cutting edge" stuff that's sort of on the experimental side of things, and they may have some performance issues due to the new technology being used. (which doesn't make sense.. but sort of does)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: kensuguro on 2006-03-10 21:10 ]</font>

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:55 am

Thanks, I think I'll get the wired laser mouse when I finally get around to buying. I hope they have one with a long cable. I take the batteries out of my wireless keyboard when not in use. Why the hell didn't they include a power switch? I do not notice a lag but I guess there must be one. It's a Logitech. I wish it would work in the bathroom/vocal booth. It only works up to 6 feet away!

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:00 am

I had some wireless gear and have since "retired" most of it.

First, how often do you really move around your keyboard ? And if you are moving it around a lot, perhaps the problem is that your office / studio is not set up well.

A wireless mouse is *heavy*. It must contain batteries and so it will be weighty. If you have to push a mouse around all day that extra weight will really strain your hand. And batteries are expensive.

Much better investment is a good high-resolution mouse. I like the Logitech MX518 "gamers" mouse. It lets you change resolution with a button - great for when you need a quick "fine control".

Also a good move is to get a good mouse pad. I like the Rantopad which are low friction and good for optical pickups.

Finally, what I once thought was a joke: "mouse feet". Basically little strips of slippery tape you stick across the bottom of the mouse. This reduces friction.

So, the result of all this is a very lightweight, high-resolution, accurate tracking mouse.

I'm pushing a mouse around almost all day every day, and this has made a huge difference to me...

Post by **garyb** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:47 am

agree.
Spirit, that's on the nose, especially about a good pad. i have the precision mousing surface by 3m and wow, what a difference. i haven't the need for feet. a microsoft mouse nearly slides off the pad if the pad's not perfectly flat and i'm not holding it(the mouse), very smooth like an air hockey puck, and very accurate(with an optical mouse).

skwawks · Post by **skwawks** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:03 pm

I use wired ,I'v got a logitec ,a microsoft and a diamond digital... all laser . The diamond digital is the most comfortable in the hand and tracks and slides the best .no mousepad just slides on cheap veneer desktop .
cheers
Paul

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:10 pm

well, I guess I don't move around my stuff that often.. or, actually I don't move them around at all. So, I guess wired is the most stable solution.. I don't see too many wired keyboards lately tho.

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:35 pm

My keyboard is a bit far from the computer also, I like to get away from the computer sometimes to use the mic. A cable extension would be just as good for me.

Post by **garyb** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:21 pm

indeed, i use a ps2 extension with no problems.

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samplaire · Post by **samplaire** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:49 am

I've been using Logitech mice for years and when in need I always buy another Logitech mouse. Wired mice are uncomfortable for me. The cable is always catching different things on my desk (or below). I decided top buy a wheel but wireless mouse. It was Logitech Cordless Mouse. It was not good choice because the receiver was very sensitive and it had to be placed very close to the mouse to get it working flawlessly. Besides, the keys became very noisy (creacking and very loud clicking sound). Then I decided to buy an optical/wireless mouse. The choice was very carefull: besides the comfort it should be a mouse working in MacOS 9. Not all of the modern mice do it but I found Logitech Optical Moiuse for Notebooks (the full name). It works very well for almost a year now, I can't tell anything bad about it - the keys are silent, the movement is precise (I use a very old Fellowes mouse pad, a black fabric one) and the connection is stable. There is however a delay after a period of time to wake th mouse up but it happens after half an hour of not using it (or so) that I don't find it annoying at all. As for the leyboard - I use a Macally keyboard which is very stable, not creacking, all the keys are working perfect - I have to add my son sometimes uses the keyboard extensively (game playing) and it doesn't get worse. The keyboard is now 6 years old (!!!)

As for the USB extension cables - buy a quality one - I had some trouble with cheap ones - one was working and a second (same brand, same model) not.

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:28 pm

Mouse cords can introduce a lot of drag into otherwise low-friction setups. I straighten the cable, then gaffer an 'anchor point' somewhere on the desk that will give me plenty of free play, but avoid any areas where it pulls.

You can buy special little mouse cable holders, but that's going a bit far I think...

arela · Post by **arela** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:35 pm

Had to replace a broken keyboard the other day, so i bought the cheapes they had in store

It is a Labtac and the funny thing is that is not usb, it uses the original mouse/keyboard sockets.
Wouldn't claim it's best, but much better than the previouse MS set.

no more wires!