Do you use "the best wireless optical mouse" for labview programming?

[Joe_Guo]

I'm taking a guess that everyone here uses a mouse for your labview programming. 🙂

I had been using a logitech optical mouse for several years and love it. I've been looking to get a wireless one that I can use with labview programming. I've tried several so far, but none of them can compare to even a generic $10 corded one.

The most common problems I found with the wireless optical mice happened at slow and small movement. The cursor appears to jump (most of times it jumped to the wrong place with wrong distance) instead of sliding over. Imagine the headache you can get when you are wiring a vi that has 12 or more connectors.

Which wireless optical mouse would you recommend to use with labview programming? Please include the model of the mouse and its price if you can.

Thanks all for your inputs.

-Joe

[tst]

Well, I do have one computer where I have a wireless optical Logitech mouse and I don't seem to remember any trouble with it. The thing is that that computer is usually at 800*600 (you guessed it, not much LV work going on there), so the icons are bigger. But I can say that in general I don't remember any problems with it even when using small movements.
That mouse cost 40$, and that was almost 2 years ago, so I would expect that you can get better mice today for that price. The thing to watch out for in these mice is the battery consumption. For most of them you HAVE to get rechargable batterys, or they eat through a pair in less 2 weeks of use.

[unclebump]

I have the Logitech MX1000 laser mouse and really like it. It is cordless and rechargeable. I'm waiting for the new gaming mice to become cordless.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2135,CONTENTID=9043

Gaming mice

http://www.razerzone.com/

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2142,CONTENTID=10121

[BJD1613]

I am sure you will have some developers jump in to promote the track ball mouse.  I know Ben has used that for years.  I prefer the simple optical mouse and crank up the speed settings in windows. :)

[Ben]

Yes indeed!

"Kensington Expert Mouse".

They are not cheap. Around $90-100 US. They are worth it.

Ben

[shoneill]

The thing about wireless rodents is the fact that every time you move your writs, you're heaving the batteries with you.  The weight of (and therefore the foce required to move) the things is simply much larger than a corded version.

I use corded at work (Dell bundle), but cordless at home (Logitech all the way ;)).

Shane.

[Dennis_Knutson]

I agree with Shane. I love the optical mouse but the cordless versions I've tried add more strain to my already overworked wrist.

[EdDickens]

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"Kensington Expert Mouse".

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Agreed, nothing beats it. They do have a wireless version, but I have not tried it.  I've had mine for about three years now and with constant daily use, it's still runs as smooth as it was when new.

And the best thing about it is the poolball sized trackball can be easily picked up and thrown across the room if needed.

The one downside is due to it's size, it's not really portable. When traveling, I just use a standard MS optical USB mouse. No batteries to worry about.

Ed

[Mark H]

I'd be interested to know if anyone uses a graphics tablet?

Unfortunately I don't have any hands on experience of tablets - but from what I do know about them, in connection with graphics/photo-editing use, I strongly suspect that a pen & tablet may well be an ideal input device for programming in LabVIEW.

Be warned though - from what I've read, it apears that many of the low cost tablets are a waste of money - it seems that it's only worth buying quality, with Wacom probably being the market leading brand. A quality pen/tablet will certainly be more expensive than even your best mouse - but bear in mind that a relatively small area tablet (5"x4") will be more than adequate for pointing/selecting/positioning (generaly, your mouse doesn't move that far).

Mark H.

[EdDickens]

I have a tablet PC that actually has a Wacom graphics tablet over the display for input when you dont have a keyboard/mouse connected.

I've tried using it, and all I can say is that it would take a lot of getting used to.

One problem is the cursor actually moves with the pen not touching the screen. If it's within about a centimeter, it tracks it. this is because the tablet is pressure sensitive so the harder you press, the thicker the line is drawn in supported graphics applicaitons and you need to be able to move the cursor without drawing a line. (can't seem to find an way to turn that off) There's no button to click, so you have to tap and hold to "click" and right clicking involves holding a switch on the pen, then tap and hold.

Maybe higher end ones designed for graphic artists would work better or have more configuration options. (only track when touching) Maybe a pen with more buttons so clicking happens right away.

Ed