Travel Technology - Best Travel Bluetooth Mouse ever?

Hello together,

I was thinking of buying a new mouse. And since I hate little dongles (even small ones) I was thinking of a blue tooth mouse (since all my computers have that built in). Naturally it should be a travel mouse with a switch, a battery that can be charged via a USB cable, and said cable should (ideally) work as a cord in case you get stranded with an empty battery.

I guess a certain (comfortable) size and weight are important, too. Naturally the gadget would need to work on the most bizarre material...

Any thoughts? What do you use?

I use the Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse 5000. I'm not so sure I can back up a claim like "best bluetooth mouse ever", but it works great. I haven't seen any of the travel size bluetooth mice that charge via USB.

I picked on of these up a couple of weeks ago and am very happy with it. Especially for $25!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TG8STU/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

I thought Bluetooth mouse for $25 and rechargeable--no way! Once I read through that page it is a very nice travel mouse, but is the old dongle-requiring wireless mouse which isn't what the OP was asking about.

OP--I use the Microsoft 5000 as noted above and it works very well but is not rechargeable via USB. Note that one set of batteries has lasted me over 8 months so far. I did see a no-name USB rechargeable at one of those little gadget places in Singapore but haven't seen anything here stateside yet.

I use the Microsoft 5000 as noted above and it works very well but is not rechargeable via USB. Note that one set of batteries has lasted me over 8 months so far. I did see a no-name USB rechargeable at one of those little gadget places in Singapore but haven't seen anything here stateside yet.

Thanks a lot to you and the others for providing your very thoughful comments!

On the MS model I read that the build quality is not brilliant - especially the switch seems to be an issue. Can you confirm?

Also, this one looks nice: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Bluetooth-Cordless-Laser-Notebooks/dp/B001715BIC/ref=pd_cp_e_3

Anyone have the Logitech one?

Thanks!

I have no idea what the build quality issues would be because mine seems very solid. The switch is small and slightly awkward on the bottom, but does not seem flimsy. I've also not yet had to replace the battery after several months.

I thought Bluetooth mouse for $25 and rechargeable--no way! Once I read through that page it is a very nice travel mouse, but is the old dongle-requiring wireless mouse which isn't what the OP was asking about.

I don't own that particular mouse, but reading further down on the Amazon page it says:

"Bluetooth Mode Switch - A switch on the bottom of the mouse enables Bluetooth notebook users to connect directly to their PC without using the included transceiver."

Which does seem to meet the OP's needs. The big negative I read in the user reviews is that with a full charge the rechargeable battery only lasts a couple of days if you forget to turn it off. For travel I love my Logitech VX revolution mouse (available in some Costco stores) which requires a USB dongle (not a bluetooth mouse) but lasts several months on a regular AA battery.

I thought Bluetooth mouse for $25 and rechargeable--no way! Once I read through that page it is a very nice travel mouse, but is the old dongle-requiring wireless mouse which isn't what the OP was asking about.


The mouse that I referenced does not use the dongle - that is only if you want to use it as an USB mouse. If you use it as a bluetooth mouse, the dongle is only used when you charge the mouse.

I am quite partial to the "MS Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000" It is small, uses regular AAA batteries that last forever and it does a reasonable job as clicker/laser for presentations. It comes with a dongle but it is not needed if you have in-built BT.


http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/Presenter/productdetails.aspx?pid=085


- Tim

I have the Microsoft 5000 as well. I've had it for about 2 years and think i've only replaced the batteries twice.

I keep it in my soft laptop bag with no case and it's held up well even with all the tossing around the bag gets.

I use the Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse 5000. I'm not so sure I can back up a claim like "best bluetooth mouse ever", but it works great. I haven't seen any of the travel size bluetooth mice that charge via USB.

Ditto on the Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse 5000.

Comes with a nice little carrying pouch. And fits well in my laptop case. Not too bulky.

I've changed the batteries maybe twice in a year. The switch works fine.

Nice grip, nice feel. Doesnt feel "too small". Overall, very pleased, and would recommend to anyone.

Notes on the Microsoft Bluetooth 5000 Mouse:

1. Name Game
I thought that with such a specific name, it would easy to snag one of these puppies on ebay. Well, I got one cheap, then found out that "5000" is an entire mischief of mice. So buy the right one.

2. Just like the dog in Sleeper
So I bought the right one on Amazon. But I find that in my briefcase, the battery cover release button gets easily pushed. This is my fault, as I discarded the official travel case so that the mouse would fit into my briefcase's mouse pocket. Anyway, the little batteries get dumped out every time I draw the mouse from the briefcase.

3. Directionally Challenged
Since the proper polarity isn't marked anywhere (that I've seen) you have to play with the batteries to figure out which orientation is correct. And the battery cover is a pain to snap back into place.

I've sued a Kensington bluetooth travel for several years -- great mouse.
http://us.kensington.com/html/12635.html

They have a new one out now deisnged to also be a presentation remote but I haven't tried it (and have a separate clicker for presentations...)

http://www.newtonperipherals.com/mogo_mouse_pres_PC.html

I have one of these and love it. It's a PC Card, so it stores and charges in the PC Card slot of the laptop. Never worry about batteries or charging again. It also doubles as a wireless presenter.

If it had a built in laser pointer, and a touch-sensitive scroll pad, it would be perfect.

I used the MoGo for a while. It feels too delicate in my hands. I gave up on it.

Thanks everyone. Had a careful look at all of the mice and decided to go for this Logitech V470 Bluetooth Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks.

It kindda works well enough and while it can't be charged via a bluetooth cable I hope that (as many of you pointed out) this isn't that big of an issue any longer.