Optical-Mouse Reviews

These days, it's so hard to find a mouse that's just a mouse! The Kensington Pilotmouse is great at just being a mouse.

The package comes with the mouse, a USB to PS/2 adapter, a little booklet, and an installation CD. The mouse is sealed in a refreshingly easy-to-open plastic case, not the vacuum-sealed need-a-knife-to-open kind.

Installation is exceedingly simple. On both Windows 2000 and XP, the mouse installed without needing any drivers. I'll probably try the installation CD later just to see what's on it, but it doesn't appear to be necessary - so you don't have to clutter your PC with useless applications.

The cord on the mouse is nice and long. It's plenty long to run to the edge of my desk and down to the back of my computer, which sits on the floor, with plenty of room to move the mouse without pulling the cord taut. The mouse itself is a pleasant silver and black that matches my Viewsonic monitor and keyboard very well.

I figured the rubber grips were gimmicky, but they're actually very pleasant to hold. The mouse is symmetrical to fit either hand, and it is comfortable even in my relatively small hands. One nice feature is the buttons - they have a very unique design that makes the buttons very long, so even people with small hands will be able to click this relatively large mouse.

The wheel is functional, but not as pleasant to turn as the Microsoft Optical Wheelmice I've used. It may just take some getting used to, but there seems to be more resistance to the wheel. The sensitivity adjustments on the movement work very nicely, giving a wide range of choices to suit different mousing styles. The pads on the bottom help the mouse glide suitably well.

All in all? Just a good, solid mouse. I bought one for a new PC and I liked it so much that, when my mouse died on my other computer, I bought another.

I needed a mouse to use on my laptop for gaming. The cordless mouse that came with it just didn't cut it (couldn't transmit fast enough to keep up). I looked online but couldn't decide so I went down to my local computer superstore. I spent a considerable amount of time testing the feel of the mice and I ended up with this one. I went into the store thinking I was going to get the 5 button Logitec MX300 but I walked out with this one (after paying, of course).

Why go with the less expensive mouse? Comfort. I was willing to pay up to twice what I paid for this one but once I had this one in my hand I knew it was the right one. The rubber grips on the side and the buttons are very comfortable. The ridged wheel rolls with just the right effort and has nice positive clicks when spun. The shape fits perfectly into my hand - I never have to arch my palm to perform any function (like using the scroll wheel). I just rest my hand on the mouse naturally. The resolution is 800 dpi so it's very sensitive. The included software has many nice feature for mapping button presses (for example, left and right together) or key + button press (alt-left click, e.g.) to different functions.

The mouse feels sturdy, the cord is long, and it comes with a PS/2 adapter if you don't want to use a USB port. I'm very happy with it. Great design + good software + low price = excellent value.

I bought this mouse to use with my PowerBook. Apple makes great
hardware, but who wants to struggle with a one-button mouse?

This is a three button wheel mouse, with two buttons and a wheel which
can be depressed to act as a third button. The pro version adds a couple
of thumb buttons, but I got the $20 basic version.

The optical tracking is smooth and precise, and the mouse is comfortable
for both myself and my fiancee, who has fairly small hands. I think part of
the reason it works for both of us is that the right and left buttons are so
long. It is a fairly big, high mouse, but the rubber pads make it easy to
hold onto for long periods. Sometimes mice that use a wheel as a middle
button make it so easy to depress that you find yourself clicking when you
try to scroll, but that has not been a problem with this mouse.

I have heard very good things about the Mouseworks software that
comes with all Kensington mice, but the mouse worked perfectly as
soon as I plugged it in so I have not even opened the CD envelope.

My original plan was to buy this mouse for temporary use and upgrade
later, but I have been so pleased with it that I have stopped shopping.
The only thing that would be nice is if it supported Bluetooth, but at
the price (or even twice the price) this mouse is great.

I got this mouse to use with my laptop, as I have difficulty using the touchpad. It has the two main features I prefer in a mouse - a scrolling wheel, which is so much more convenient than dragging the scrollbar on the screen up and down; and an optical laser, which I find performs better than a mouse ball - it doesn't stick or jump, is much easier ot keep clean, and can be used on just about any surface. The significant feature of this mouse is its size. It is quite tiny, but this is actually a double-edged sword. The small size makes it lightweight and easily portable, but it may also prove uncomfortable for some to use. I am having a little trouble with this myself. I find I have to scrunch my hand in an unnatural way to use it, and doing this for a prolonged period of time results in cramps. So I would warn anyone that doesn't have very small hands to take this possible drawback into consideration. In fact, even the box says it is ideal for "children and people with small hands." I myself will be using a regular-sized mouse whenever I am at home, and will probably use this mini-mouse only at times when size is a portability issue.

I got this for my laptop because sometimes it is much easier to use a mouse than the touch pad, especially when a lot of scrolling and clicking is involved. I have been really happy with this mouse, it was easy to install with the CD-ROM. I can plug it in and unplug it whenever I need it.

Not a must, but definitely something that's nice to have.

I just recently bought this mouse and I think its great. They give you two ways to connect it to your computer, by either USB port or PS/2 mouse port. Installation was a snap using their software. I had it working in seconds and I'm not computer literate. This item also shipped really fast. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt the cords are a little too short. I ended up taking both cords and connecting them together. Overall its a great product with a fantastic price.

I liked the puck-style mouse that came with my G4/450 mac because my hands are small. But after a few years, it eventually started skipping around even after I cleaned the ball and the rollers. I like the Logitech optical scrollwheel mouse on my pc so I bought something similar to it for my mac. I went to CompUSA first to compare mice visually because for me, size IS important. Of course, I bought it at Amazon because the prices are so much better here. The Kensington Iridio optical three button scrollwheel fits the bill. It's smaller than the average mouse so it fits my hand, ready to go for the mac and I like that clicking the scrollwheel makes a link open in a tab in Safari. I also have the option to create my own default settings for clicking buttons by using the enclosed software. Plus, it really is quite attractive and matches the look of my graphite mac.

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see how many of these mice you get in the "multi-pack". After a Google search, looks to be "5". This is a pretty glaring omission,IMO.

Haven't used this product yet, after picking a couple of these up locally on sale for around $13 ea., but generally speaking, MS produces pretty good quality components, so I expect this product to work well.
Hope this helps.

An old joke, but a good one. The ball-less mouse is awesome! It can be ported to the usual mouse plug in slot (uhh, my brain isnt working the way it used to, PS/2?) or to USB. As I have USB 2.0 on my mobo, (lots and lots of USB slots) this was a nice and fast option.
It is incredibly fast, (adjustable, of course) and already, within two days, I can see the AMAZING difference between my old mouse Microsoft IntelliMouse 1.2A PS/2.
The balls arent there to collect fur, hence it will awalys stay fresh and fast (without, as so many of us are used to, having to 'shave our mice' or take the roller ball cover off and get tweesers out to get the grunge out *ick! do my hands really get covered in that crud? No wonder I get colds from my children!).

This mouse has a LOT of options for tweaking, if you like that sort of thing, or can be used straight up as a one wheel, two click mouse. I LOVE IT.

I WILL NOT GIVE IT BACK.

THIS MOUSE IS GREAT. IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT BUYING IT, DO SO!
(dang caplock key!)
In all HONESTY (a new KEYBOARD is next)
Jim

This was one of the first mice I ever bought. I've had it for at least four years and it's performed reliably with every computer it's been connected to. I've brought it with me from job to job and back and forth from home and have never had any problems with it. The buttons always click crisply and the wheel revolves easily. Now I'm buying another one to permanently connect to my home laptop workstation so I can leave one at work and one at home.

This mouse is made to last. I've had mine for seven years and it still works great today. The BEST QUALITY MOUSE in the world! Buy it now and you can look forward to a good eight to eleven years with your new mouse.

This product will work great for about three weeks. Then all hell breaks lose. You will need to change the channel more than often. Then, the keyboard will lose communication with the base station and for ever. Tech-support is stinky and worthless. By the time you find out about the product, you already lost your retailer return grace period, and you are left alone with some helpless pathetic tech and sales people. Stay clear from this product and save your money. This is my second system in two months from two different stores and they failed exactly the same way on time and to the minute. I had to put one star because there are no ZEROS. THIS PROUCT IS A SCAM

This mouse is GREAT! We have had it for over a year now and have had absolutely NO PROBLEMS what-so-ever. Super simple to use - even the kids learned how without instructions. (Just have to make sure they return it to the charging cradle.)~:o) The "freedom" of this Gyration mouse is more than wonderful. To be able to sit back in your chair and scroll through web pages is worth alot - especially to your back! I'm getting one for my dad, too.

I HIGHLY recommend this mouse to anyone & everyone! A+++

A mouse without a mousepad? This cool Gyration mouse can be used in the air! Just move it around in the air and click on whatever you want. Perfect for carpal tunnel users!

Charge the mouse up, and then simply use it. There's no 'learning' mode necessary. You pick up the mouse and wave it around. Gyroscopes within the mouse track where you are pointing and move the mouse on the screen accordingly.

Click to click, hold down a button to point somewhere else. It's very straightforward and also very relaxing. Instead of leaning forward and putting pressure on your wrist to do any mouse movements, you just lean back in your chair and rest your arm whereever you want.

If you're doing something keyboard intensive, the mouse does work fine on the table too - so you don't lose normal mouse functionality. But if you are doing something that just requires a mouse - surfing the web, paging through an ebook or making a presentation - it's easy to lean back, wander around, put your feet up. The mouse works wonderfully from any location. It works on radio waves so you don't have to be "pointing at" the receiver.

Highly recommended for those who do a lot of mouse-only surfing or computer work, and also great for presentations.

I've enjoyed my Logitech Action gamepad, but I agree with the other reviewer who found the D-Pad to be less than 100% accurate. Even having used it for a while, I still have times when I'm trying to go exactly up, down, left, or right, and my character on screen will be trying to move in one of the diagonal directions instead. This can be very frustrating if you need precise motion.

That said, everything else about the pad is great. The size fits well, and the pad's configuration is pretty equivalent to that of a PS2 controller. It's not bad for the money, but if you need real precision or are a hardcore gamer, you might look at a different model or brand instead.

I bought this gamepad to replace my old Microsoft Sidewinder Gameport Gamepad that was the original version made for Windows 95. It got the job done, but I wanted something better. I've had great experiences with Logitech in the past, so I decided give the Action gamepad a try.

Well, I've had this thing only a couple days, and I can honestly say I love it! It's obviously got a USB connection, so it's very convenient to be able to plug it into my computer's front-side port. It is built very sturdily and the controls are quite responsive. I mainly use it for Need for Speed Underground and the Action Gamepad works perfectly with it.

If you're looking for a gamepad, get this one! It's built with quality and won't break the bank.

I have used this extensively for sports games (my favorite is currently FIFA world cup 2002,) and been amazed with the customizablility of this keypad. Firstly, the feel is similar to the original Sony Playstation controller, but it offers much more functionalilty. If you are interested in a light, balanced, and responsive control pad, this is the one for you!

I bought this mouse earlier this year when it was exclusive to Best Buy and before the blue one was out. I've been very happy with it so far. Very quick & responsive. Best mouse for gamers and quicker and more reliable than wireless, with no need for batteries or recharging!! Set-up was a breeze. I like the forward/back buttons on the side and the customizable buttons on top, makes surfing the net easier and more fun. My sole complaint is it lacks the little red LED my old microsoft mouse had, but that's just a cosmetic/design issue. The MX 510 is very smooth and fits my hand comfortably. Amazon has a great price w/ free shipping too! Highly Recommended.

I mean, I've been comparing Logitech MX 510 Performance Optical Mouse and the Microsoft tilt mouse, but this mouse recovers the fact that it can't tilt, but only on spreadsheets do u need t hat ability.. u can change between documents without using Alt+Tab!! wow

Having been a computer gamer and user most of my life, I've come in contact with many different mice. The mx510 is the best.

The design is the same as the mx500, mx700, and mx900 series, a somewhat tried-and-true style. The forward and back buttons (on the left side of the mouse) are close enough to use easily, but aren't in danger of being accidentally clicked. The up and down buttons (positioned above and below the scrollwheel) take some getting used to, but are useful enough to outweigh this. The up button *isn't* the most natural button, but I'm able to click it with my forefinger easily (despite reviews to the contrary), and my hands are average sized.
The switch application button seems to be the only downfall of the mouse. It isn't as easy to reach as the other buttons and its usefulness is questionable. A friend of mine with the mx700 (same design, just a little older and wireless), however, swears by that button and says he couldn't be happier that it was included. Even in the case of someone who doesn't like it, it really doesn't take away from the mouse; you'd don't have to use it if you don't want to.
Note: I would not recommend this to anyone that uses a mouse with their left hand.

The optical engine is newer and supposedly better than the older mx500s and mx700s. I, however, haven't really noticed a difference, having used an mx700 before. Despite that, it's amazingly smooth. I have heard people online and in person complain that it "jerks" or is "twitchy," but I'd venture a guess that most of those people either do not have quality mousepads or have incorrect sensitivity settings in their OS. One person who mentioned the twitchiness to me in person showed it to me, and then was surprised when I fixed it easily by turning on "Enhance pointer precision" and lowering the sensitivity. The mouse will track on virtually anything: fabrics (if you're using a laptop while sitting on the couch), just about any hard shiny surface (that traditional trackball mice have difficulty with), plastic, paper, metal, you name it.

The software included is easy to use and has never had a compatibility issue that I've seen. Remapping *any* of the buttons to a variety of different controls is easy. For example: I was able to map the up and down buttons to "next song"/"last song" in Winamp, which is one of the coolest things I've seen a mouse do.

Overall it is a wonderful product and a great deal for someone looking for a new, stylish, light, and feature intensive corded mouse.

When I first saw this item listed on Amazon.com, I couldn't believe it. The price simply seems too good to be true-- and yet it *is* true. Works just like all the more [costly] optical mice I've seen, for less than half the price. Get 'em before they're sold out; I doubt you're going to see another deal like this anytime soon.

There are some things which need to be noted, however. As mentioned in another review, the drivers aren't very customizable, and the documentation is virtually nonexistent. In addition, this particular mouse only has a PS/2 connection, not USB, though you can easily find adapters if you absolutely need a USB connector.

With that in mind, though-- this gadget's VERY well worth the price!

I recently bought this mouse and I was very impressed. This mouse is an exceptional value! I have had no problems with the mouse so far. This is a 5 button mouse but I only use 3 of them... The function of the 2 side buttons is not very flexable in there function. Also this mouse does not come with very much documentation. That is no problem to me though. The scroll wheel scrolls very smoothly. Overall am happy with this mouse. It is just what I needed.

A very good piece of hardware for the price it had in May. An original driver is not rich in options, but one can download Microsoft IntelliPoint software. It gives all the options of a 5-buttons mouse.

I got this mouse b/c i got a new laptop for college and this mouse was on sale for only 15$. that was over 3 years ago, and the mouse is still working great. i've found nothing to complain about as far as the buttons making noise (I mean, what can you expect? absolute silence?). i have had some issues with the mouse not being recognized when you first start up the computer, and then i would have to keep unplugging and plugging until it finally was recognized. but that was on my old laptop and it hasn't done that at all on my current laptop, so maybe it's the computer's problem. (a combination of both probably b/c now my old laptop is hooked up to a logitech optical mouse and that works perfectly every time).

anyway, this mouse works well overall... however, if you have some extra money to spare, i suggest you get a WIRELESS Optical mouse (especially if you have a laptop). saves space, easier to pack, and just cooler overall. I'd suggest: Logitech 931006-0403 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks USB or Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse, Steel Blue. search for them on Amazon. The Logitech MX700 is supposed to be the king of wireless optical mice, but it has a bulky base and it's very expensive... whereas the other two i mentioned have a tiny flash drive-sized USB transmitter.

I like this mouse overall. It has a shapely design and comfortable contour. It glides smoothly over mousepad and clicks smoothly, although not quietly. My complaints are that the scroll wheel makes rattling noise when you turn it, and the hardware driver is buggy. The mouse went dead after day or two of use on both USB and PS/2 ports (Win 2K, XP). I had to uninstall the MouseSuite to get the mouse back. Searching for a newer driver on IBM website yielded no luck either. IBM probably has one of the worst websites of any hardware manufactures. Searching by the part number or model number as they suggest returns no results. Oh well. The mouse still works, but I can't program the buttons.

THIS OPTICAL MOUSE WORKS GREAT, AND IF YOU HAVE A BLUE VIAO OR OTHER LAPTOP, IT MATCHS IT PERFECTLY. THE SOFTWARE IS EASY TO INSTALL, AND THERE'S NO NEED FOR A MOUSE PAD. I WANTED AN OPTICAL MOUSE FOR MY NEW LAPTOP. I DID NOT WANT TO NEED A MOUSE PAD, AND I ALSO WANTED A COOL LOOKING MOUSE TO MATCH THE COLOR OF MY NEW VIAO LAPTOP. THIS MOUSE FILLED THE BILL COMPLETELY. IT MAY SOUND SILLY BUT, WHY PAY 1,200.00+ FOR A NEW LAPTOP. AND THEN BUY A BLACK OR WHITE DULL LOOKING MOUSE? IBM IS A GREAT PRODUCT, AND I HAVE FOUND THIS MOUSE TO BE BETTER THAN MICRO----!! IF YOU REALLY WANT TO COMPLETE YOUR LAPTOP, BUY THE IBM NUMERIC KEYPAD AS WELL. IT'S BLUE TOO, AND IT WORKS GREAT.