Kensington Bluetooth Pilot Mouse, good? [Archive]

View Full Version : Kensington Bluetooth Pilot Mouse, good?

Bobcat37

Sep 1, 2004, 03:02 PM

Does anyone have, or has anyone used, this mouse? I was thinking about buying it to go with a new 12" PowerBook, as I can't stand laptop touch pads, and I'd love to have a wireless mouse that works using bluetooth, and has more than 1 button.

Please let me know if this Kensington mouse would be a good choice, or feel free to suggest any other mice that would fit this criteria that you like.

spaceballl

Sep 2, 2004, 01:10 PM

ooooh it looks nice :)

kinda like a ripoff of the logitech design... but for $30 cheaper, i'm in

-Kevin

Bobcat37

Sep 2, 2004, 05:52 PM

I agree, and I actually kinda like it's design better than the Logitech one.

This is the cheapest price I've found for the Kensington so far... here (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=26-125-026&ATT=Mouse&CMP=OTC-17exta6)

dotnina

Sep 2, 2004, 05:58 PM

Hmm, it looks a bit wide. I'd think you need a big hand to be able to grasp it properly ... or does it just look large in pictures?

On a sidenote: why are so many Bluetooth mice blue?! Microsoft, Belkin and now Kensington all have blue Bluetooth mice. That irritates me -- I just want something to match my Powerbook. -- end rant.

aswitcher

Sep 2, 2004, 06:00 PM

spaceballl

Sep 2, 2004, 06:40 PM

Macmice have soemthing promising out next month!
I have high hopes... in the past, i've felt mac mice products feel cheesy and lame and cheap.

dotnina

Sep 2, 2004, 06:59 PM

I have high hopes... in the past, i've felt mac mice products feel cheesy and lame and cheap.

Agreed.

I'm not holding my breath for The Mouse BT. I used the wired version of that mouse; the scroll wheel feels like it's stuck in mud.

comictimes

Sep 2, 2004, 09:36 PM

Is the Kensington mouse a regular sized mouse? Or is it one of the "laptop sized" ones, which feel absolutely miniscule in any normal-sized hand?

t300

Sep 2, 2004, 09:41 PM

The MacMice one is SO nice. A little pricey but they are the only one to have a Pro-looking mouse with two buttons and Bluetooth. It might be worth the money. I would like to see some reviews on it, though. It has been pushed back and pushed back which I am sure has lost them a few buyers.

exhibitionist

Sep 2, 2004, 09:59 PM

homerjward

Sep 2, 2004, 10:05 PM

On a sidenote: why are so many Bluetooth mice blue?! Microsoft, Belkin and now Kensington all have blue Bluetooth mice. That irritates me -- I just want something to match my Powerbook. -- end rant.
it's not called aluminumtooth is it? :p

Ryan1524

Sep 2, 2004, 10:26 PM

cause blue has become the color to symbolize bluetooth, and it's the most popular color. a large majority of people don't have a problem with the color, if it's not already their favorite color. and navy blue can be quite stylish when done right like in MS's bluetooth mouse.

Bobcat37

Sep 2, 2004, 11:00 PM

I've got a wireless Kensington mouse with a recharge hub bit that plugs into my USB port. Not quite that mouse, but this thing is junk. It makes loud screeching noises when I move it. The mouse jumps around the screen. Sometimes a button will stick. Mouseworks software really sucks. I will never buy Kensington again.

Uh oh, now I'm hesitant to buy it... Does anyone else have any experience with Kensington mice (or preferrably, their Bluetooth mouse)?

spaceballl

Sep 2, 2004, 11:24 PM

The only quality mice i've had were from MS, Logitech, and Apple. Logitech is my personal fave.
-Kevin

aswitcher

Sep 3, 2004, 02:24 AM

The only quality mice i've had were from MS, Logitech, and Apple. Logitech is my personal fave.
-Kevin

I checked out the mx900 and the ms bt...still cant decide because they are so expensive ($200 AUD).

spaceballl

Sep 3, 2004, 03:05 AM

I checked out the mx900 and the ms bt...still cant decide because they are so expensive ($200 AUD).
Yeah BT mice sure seem to be expensive still. I'm honestly surprised that the Apple one is so cheap, considering that Apple stuff is usually way expensive.

aswitcher

Sep 3, 2004, 03:11 AM

Yeah BT mice sure seem to be expensive still. I'm honestly surprised that the Apple one is so cheap, considering that Apple stuff is usually way expensive.

Well its only got one button and no scroll wheel ;)

AmigoMac

Sep 3, 2004, 03:29 AM

Yeah BT mice sure seem to be expensive still. I'm honestly surprised that the Apple one is so cheap, considering that Apple stuff is usually way expensive.

they only need to build one button :p ;)

Diatribe

Sep 3, 2004, 03:51 AM

It seems to have the same flaw as the Logitech Mx900. No on/off switch.
I am still using a Logitech Optical Pro Notebook Mouse for when I am on the go and a Mx700 at home and I won't buy anything new if it isn't one of the following:

- Apple releases a 2 button scroll wheel BT mouse (yeah, as if)
- Logitech comes up with a BT mouse that has an on/off switch and mac support (as if)

The only funny thing is that I am not alone on this one and both companies could be making a S***LOAD of money since basically everybody I hear is looking for sth. like that on the other hand... BT doesn't seem to be as widespread in PCs as it is in Macs so I guess I do understand Logitech. But Apple could really make a bunch of money if they offered some kind of pro mouse. Just make the one button standard and offer it as an extra, this way simplicity would still be enforced but we'd have a choice afterwards.
Listen to me Apple, I know what's right. :D ;)

Maxicek

Sep 3, 2004, 04:58 AM

aswitcher

Sep 3, 2004, 05:24 AM

I have been looking for a decent BT laptop sized mouse for a few months now. I have come to the conclusion to avoid wireless for a while. I will wait until prices come down on BT mice and buy a wired optical for the time being. The Logitek and M$ mice are too big, I am suspicious of other manufacturers quality. I really want a BT version of the M$ Starck mouse.

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/90701/wo/Jb3lsQYTLABJ3foy0WE2WmnfjBu/1.3.0.6.10.3.1.1.13.0

Yeah, the BT mice are damn big. I'll wait to see the Macmice one reviewed next month because I am not taken by whats on the market at the moment. I hope someone gets it right.

I want BT, 2 buttons, wheel (with laterial support), OSX support for expose with a couple of extra buttons so I dont have to reach across the keyboard everytime, on/off switch, decent price....

rdowns

Sep 3, 2004, 05:25 AM

I've always liked my Microsoft Wireless mouse but would like a BT one. All I want is 2 buttons, a scroll wheel and buttons that can be configured for back and forward browser use. Does the MS BT mouse fit this bill? Any other?

Abstract

Sep 3, 2004, 07:33 AM

Such simple requests, and yet we all have to beg for it. Most companies make products that people want because it'll sell. (Sigh) Only in the computer industry.....

spaceballl

Sep 3, 2004, 09:24 AM

It seems to have the same flaw as the Logitech Mx900. No on/off switch.
The logitechs have a charging cradle though. Why would you need a switch? Logitech assumes that when you come to the desk, your mouse will be in the cradle. You pull it out to use it. You put it back when you're done. If you're not using it and you forget to put it back, it's not a big deal cuz the mouse can operate for over a month on a charge, but I'm not seeing the usefulness of an on/off switch for this one.

Diatribe

Sep 3, 2004, 09:41 AM

The logitechs have a charging cradle though. Why would you need a switch? Logitech assumes that when you come to the desk, your mouse will be in the cradle. You pull it out to use it. You put it back when you're done. If you're not using it and you forget to put it back, it's not a big deal cuz the mouse can operate for over a month on a charge, but I'm not seeing the usefulness of an on/off switch for this one.

You are kidding me right? A month without charging it? LOL.
And besides, some people do own notebooks and they on occasion leave their desk and home for a while in which situation it would be useful to have an on/off switch.

spaceballl

Sep 3, 2004, 10:27 AM

You are kidding me right? A month without charging it? LOL.

I've owned two of their wireless mice before. I suppose a month is a bit of exaggeration... but the mouse doesn't need an on/off button as it knows when it is not being used and goes to sleep. The charge definitely lasted a week on both. Dropping it in the cradle though replaces the need for the on/off switch
And besides, some people do own notebooks and they on occasion leave their desk and home for a while in which situation it would be useful to have an on/off switch.
Hehe or once again, they could just drop the mouse into the cradle.

MrSugar

Sep 3, 2004, 10:39 AM

well I just bought one.

I have been looking to go wireless with both mouse and keyboard for a long time now. I looked at it and it does look very similar to the logitech mouse, except cheaper. I really don't use the extra do-dads that come with mice now days, so I didn't want the extra bulk of the mx900. This is a wheel and 2 buttons in what looks like a nice design.

I decided I didn't want a docking station because I would always forget to use it and and if worse comes to worse I can always use my own batteries that recharge.

Newegg was out of stock :( but I found one for about $10 more and it was in stock, not a big deal.

I will let you know how I like it once I get it.

MrSugar

Sep 14, 2004, 11:15 PM

Hi guys, I am reporting back with my new mouse, after using it for a bit I do think it is a very good product. It was very easy to get hooked up (just detect a Bluetooth mouse through the default system preferences). It has a really nice grip, feels good, and looks cool. As for battery life it's going to be a bit before I can tell you about that. Everything seems great, the one problem I have with the mouse is its accuracy when moving around at fast speeds. I personally use a very high sensitivity and when I slow down and try to do very detailed work (such as photoshop pixle by pixle work) I notice it doesn't have the accuracy I would like. However, it is still perfectally usable, just a new switch after using my logitech mouseman for so many years.

Overall I would suggest it, unless you have a problem with replacing batteries, which I will eventually have to do because it has no charger.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

_bnkr612

Sep 15, 2004, 12:24 AM

I've got a wireless Kensington mouse with a recharge hub bit that plugs into my USB port. Not quite that mouse, but this thing is junk. It makes loud screeching noises when I move it. The mouse jumps around the screen. Sometimes a button will stick. Mouseworks software really sucks. I will never buy Kensington again.

http://www.kensington.com/html/4768.html

But, I have called them and they glady replaced it for free and I did not even ship my old one back.

I noticed if you pull the batteries out and tap the mouse on the table lightly, the sound goes away.

They are nice mice, just slighly crappy engineering.

FYA

Sep 15, 2004, 12:58 AM

I've been using a Kensington PocketMouse Pro Wireless for over a year and it's gr8.

I also have a Kensington Mouse In a Box Optical (not wireless) and this one wasn't gr8 at all, actually it was crap, but after installing the MouseWorks soft from Kensington all of the issues I had with it were solved.

If you buy the Kensington mouse, I would recommend installing the MouseWorks software. It is better than the System Preferences option.

Bobcat37

Sep 15, 2004, 07:58 PM

Thanks for the report MrSugar. I'm guessing there is no on/off switch on it then? What kind of batteries does it take, and fill us in on the battery life as soon as you know...

Chmeeee

Sep 16, 2004, 02:02 PM

Good review! I look forward to hearing about battery life as well. I have been trying to find a BT mouse that looks good to me, and this is the first that I have seen that looks like the right size and doesn't use a PITA docking cradle.

MrSugar

Sep 16, 2004, 04:01 PM

Problems, my reccomendation for this mouse is dropping fast. My bluetooth mouse now loses connection with my computer a lot. I have deleted and re-paired it sever times. It starts to work like normal but then when the computer falls asleep my bluetooth no longer works correctly with the mouse and it repeatedly says, "Connection Lost". I am quite frustrated, and probably will just end up using this mouse with my powerbook and not with my g5 :(.

hobbes3113

Sep 16, 2004, 04:09 PM

I've got a wireless Kensington mouse with a recharge hub bit that plugs into my USB port. Not quite that mouse, but this thing is junk. It makes loud screeching noises when I move it. The mouse jumps around the screen. Sometimes a button will stick. Mouseworks software really sucks. I will never buy Kensington again.

Thank God!! I thought I was the only one with this problem. I called Kensington and complained so they sent me a new mouse (old one still under warranty) but within a month... same problem.

MrSugar

Sep 16, 2004, 08:57 PM

Thank God!! I thought I was the only one with this problem. I called Kensington and complained so they sent me a new mouse (old one still under warranty) but within a month... same problem.

any suggestions on what to do?

hobbes3113

Sep 16, 2004, 10:31 PM

any suggestions on what to do?

Tried the suggestion by _bnkr612...

worked for all of 2 minutes. I am resigned to ignore it until I can get another mouse.

Hobbes

MrSugar

Sep 17, 2004, 10:46 AM

I called tech support and worked for a bit. Turned out the brand new batteries they sent me with the mouse were almost dead. After replacing them it works great.

Once again, I suggest this mouse.

BLADEn

Sep 18, 2004, 08:25 PM

I have owned this Kensington Bluetooth mouse for about 3 weeks. I have generally been very happy so far. I have been looking for exactly the same thing many have been. A Bluetooth wireless mouse with at least 2 buttons and a scroll wheel. I have tried a few (MS, Logitech, other unknown brands) and returned them since none worked very well for one reason or another. The Kensington is the first "keeper." It is very well made physically. The buttons and scroll wheel have a very good tactile response. The ergonomics of holding the mouse are good for a right or left-hander. My only concern so far is battery life. It is OK, but not great. I get about a week of use out of a pair of rechargeable AA batteries (2100 mAh). I have two pair, so swapping is no big deal. I really only notice because I have been using a Logitech wireless mouse with a ball rather than an optical sensor. That mouse got about 3-4 months of life from the same batteries. The Kensington goes to sleep after about 2-3 minutes of non-use. It takes about 5-10 seconds for it to fully wake. Once awake, it is able to wake the computer. I have had no trouble with losing the Bluetooth pairing. This only happened one time, the first time the batteries died. After this happened, I made it a "favorite" device in the Bluetooth panel and no problem since. I hear the comment about tracking accuracy. It is definitely a bit twitchy compared to my old trusty Logitech. I have gotten used to the different feel, thought. I think most of the difference for me is the transition from a mechanical ball to optical sensor. I also spent a lot of time trying out different speed and acceleration settings in the panel.

Probably what puts it over the top for me is that there is actually driver software included that lets you program the extra buttons.