I have gone through 3 mouses in the last 14 months. Cordless wireless units.

This one I'm using now has lasted 2 months. It has the faults listed below, plus I have problems doing a right click copy and paste, it just doesn't want to do it. So to speak.

I've been ordering from Amazon, because it's so convenient.

I'm using a laptop and I really prefer using a wireless mouse instead of the touch pad thing.

What happens is that it will not respond at times or respond accurately. Sometimes it will skootch itself around the screen, and sometimes when I hover the pointer over something, before I click, it will wander off a few inches.

I've got plenty of brand new hot fresh batteries, doesn't seem to make a difference.

Do I have a laptop problem, or am I just having a run of bad luck buying mouses? I don't know what the brand name was, I just look for a very large number of positive feedbacks. They all said made in china on them. Is there a good brand, or do I need to buy elsewhere?

Thanks in advance.
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Logitech.

You can close the thread now

Get a mouse with USB or one with a wire. The wireless kind suck. I have had to turn it off and on to get it to connect.

Logitech trackball.

Do not overlook the surface the mouse is on.

Tray a blank sheet of white paper and see if anything changes, and the the sensor is clean and clear of any debris.

Those things can cause erratic function.

I have a Logitech wireless I bought back in 2011 when they first came out and still use it today, even though the "feet" (pads) went away a long time ago.

So I have no current experience with new mouses.

quote:

Originally posted by tigereye313:
Logitech trackball.

+100.

I echo others in recommending the Logitech M570 Trackball 750 dpi 2.4GHz wireless trackball. I acquired mine in 2017 and use it with my Linux laptop. It has been extremely reliable.


My all time favorite is my desktop's Microsoft Trackball Explorer 1.0 1500 dpi wired USB optical 5 button mouse I bought new in 2000 and had rebuilt in 2018. They are all but unobtainium these days and when found go for ridiculous prices. Elecom makes both a wireless and wired trackball that is as close to the Trackball Explorer as anything on the market. I've no personal experience with them but they bare looking into. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0735584RM/

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
(SNIP)
I'm using a laptop and I really prefer using a wireless mouse instead of the touch pad thing.

What happens is that it will not respond at times or respond accurately. Sometimes it will skootch itself around the screen, and sometimes when I hover the pointer over something, before I click, it will wander off a few inches.

I've got plenty of brand new hot fresh batteries, doesn't seem to make a difference.

Do I have a laptop problem, or am I just having a run of bad luck buying mouses? I don't know what the brand name was, I just look for a very large number of positive feedbacks. They all said made in china on them. Is there a good brand, or do I need to buy elsewhere?

Thanks in advance.

Based on your troubles, I am going to suggest going into your laptop settings and turning off the touchpad and stick. I am assuming in the middle of your keyboard you have a mini joystick to move your mouse around via the laptop. Pop that little rubber cover off the stick, move the stick around and put the cover back on. Your drift action is coming from there. The laptop wants to use onboard hardware then added hardware so the slight failure to return the joystick to center is pushing data as if you were dragging your mouse. The touch pad is picking up the heat of your hand as you near the keyboard causing other interference.

I am telling you this based on every laptop I have used with a touchpad and stick setup since the early 2000s.

Turn it off and crank the sensitivity as low as possible so to use it is a hassle (referring to touch pad and stick).

Best of luck, let us know if it helps.

Oh and yeah if you're gonna buy a mouse go for Logitech. I prefer the Bluetooth or unifying ones. Use heavily in an office environment in and out of laptop bag or backpack to and from office without fail for 2~4 years. Usually a AA battery will last a year or more.

If a USB receiver thingy is not plugged in close enough to the mouse it can fail. I keep my USB - mouse in line of sight.

I have used Logitech mice for years.

I have a G602 I've had for 5 years that sees pretty heavy use. The only complaint I have is that the middle mouse button doesn't always want to work. A little blowing on it and it always starts working again though. The currently available equivalent is the G604. I haven't tried any of the other models as they don't have the right combination of macro keys and ergonomics.

ETA: The monkey is right. I like to use the back of a legal pad.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:...
Based on your troubles, I am going to suggest going into your laptop settings and turning off the touchpad and stick. ...

Yeah. I turn of the pad and stick before the laptop wrapping hits the floor!

I can't keep my monkey mits and disposable thumbs from touching the pad.

I'm also a fan of logitech trackballs. I have several for my personal desktop, work laptop and personal laptop.

I prefer the Kensington Orbit. I have three of them.

Logitech MK510 combo at home & the office.
'Invisible' laser & works great without a mouse pad.

Batteries last a really long time too.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
I echo others in recommending the Logitech M570 Trackball 750 dpi 2.4GHz wireless trackball.

This. Utterly reliable and comfortable. Trackball is different and when others try it they complain. Not me, anymore.

Logitech MX Master 2 or 3 depending on your price sensitivity. Best mouse I've ever had/used by a long shot.

I have a really nice wood desk and it seems to have a lot of furniture polish on it, years worth of applications, so I decided to strip off that old polish.

I applied The Original Bees Wax brand and scrubbed around.

It seems to be working better now, but the two buttons on the mouse don't feel right, they feel sort of "crunchy" and not a smooth positive feel. It had a lot of positive reviews, but it was a cheap price. I'll get a new one, track ball, as you guys have recommended.

This laptop does not have that little wiggle stick you all described. Just a touch pad. I did go in and turn off the touch pad.

Thank you all for your input, it is much appreciated. SigForum, best place on the planet to be!!!

BTW how important is a mouse pad nowadays? I was under the impression they weren't really all that important.
.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:


BTW how important is a mouse pad nowadays? I was under the impression they weren't really all that important.

Depends on how particular you are. Functionally, the laser on a mouse will work with most surfaces to some degree. Shiny surfaces and surfaces with irregular patterns can cause the laser to function only intermittently.

I always use a mouse pad if a can. It gives a consistent texture for the laser to read, and a predictable, easy glide. It's also quieter.

^^^

Yep.

Why I mentioned using a blank sheet of white paper, to see if it "makes a difference".

Less likely to create scattered return "light" to the mouse's sensor.

In the "olde" days of roller ball mouse, the mouse pad was designed to give the ball "purchase" and best friction for the movement of the ball. The later infrared/"neutered" mouses, found mouse pads created a lot of scattered returns and erratic mouse (cursor) function.

A lot of desk/table tops have wood grain or "very tiny" patterns that can make the mouse think it's on acid...

I haven't used a mouse pad in a a few years. My desk is some sort of laminate that is super slick and glides nicely.

You can use a large gaming mouse pad, or a desk blotter mat and use as a mouse pad if you need a larger surface area, or to help if your desk is too reflective.