travel USB ball mouse?

[asdf asdf]

my issue: i think the optical technology is nice IF you have a good
enough mousing surface, but while travelling you may not always have a
decent surface to work with. sure i could drag around a special mouse
pad, but then what do i do when the pad gets damaged or bent up in my
backpack, it's just one more thing to worry about replacing. plus
there may not always be room on the table (say in a coffee shop) for a
mouse pad to fit comfortably

my solution: for this purpose i would like to go back to a ball mouse,
and because it's for travel it would be nice to have one smaller than a
normal. the other requirement is a USB connection. so basically a
"travel USB ball mouse"

does one exist? i have had no luck in finding one so far. any tips or
leads would be much appreciated

 

[Vanguard]

my issue: i think the optical technology is nice IF you have a good
enough mousing surface, but while travelling you may not always have
a
decent surface to work with. sure i could drag around a special
mouse
pad, but then what do i do when the pad gets damaged or bent up in
my
backpack, it's just one more thing to worry about replacing. plus
there may not always be room on the table (say in a coffee shop) for
a
mouse pad to fit comfortably

my solution: for this purpose i would like to go back to a ball
mouse,
and because it's for travel it would be nice to have one smaller
than a
normal. the other requirement is a USB connection. so basically a
"travel USB ball mouse"

does one exist? i have had no luck in finding one so far. any tips
or
leads would be much appreciated

So have you actually tried using your female mouse on other surfaces?
Mine works just fine even on my pants leg, or the recliner's arm rest,
or across the plastic chair next to me at the airport.

Well, if you are lugging around a computer while traveling, presumably
you are talking about a laptop although you never mention what TYPE of
computer you are asking about. Doesn't your laptop have a touchpad?
Or the stick mouse in the middle of the keyboard? Some laptops have a
trackball mouse option that you snap onto the side of the case (e.g.,
http://www.recycledgoods.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=8550).

You weren't specific about WHAT brand and model of computer and TYPE
that you have so answers are going to be just as non-specific.

 

[Jim Macklin]

A ball needs a good.smooth, high traction surface. An
optical mouse works very well on your thigh with jeans ,
tweed or bare skin. You can even get a "mouse" that works
in thin air.
http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=3192

And if you're tired of paying $20 for a USB 2.0 cable, check
their prices and selection.

http://www.cyberguys.com/

|
| my issue: i think the optical technology is nice IF you
have a good
| enough mousing surface, but while travelling you may not
always have a
| decent surface to work with. sure i could drag around a
special mouse
| pad, but then what do i do when the pad gets damaged or
bent up in my
| backpack, it's just one more thing to worry about
replacing. plus
| there may not always be room on the table (say in a coffee
shop) for a
| mouse pad to fit comfortably
|
| my solution: for this purpose i would like to go back to
a ball mouse,
| and because it's for travel it would be nice to have one
smaller than a
| normal. the other requirement is a USB connection. so
basically a
| "travel USB ball mouse"
|
| does one exist? i have had no luck in finding one so far.
any tips or
| leads would be much appreciated
|

 

[Philly]

So have you actually tried using your female mouse on other surfaces? Mine

works just fine even on my pants leg, or the recliner's arm rest, or
across the plastic chair next to me at the airport.

Well, if you are lugging around a computer while traveling, presumably you
are talking about a laptop although you never mention what TYPE of
computer you are asking about. Doesn't your laptop have a touchpad? Or
the stick mouse in the middle of the keyboard? Some laptops have a
trackball mouse option that you snap onto the side of the case (e.g.,
http://www.recycledgoods.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=8550).

You weren't specific about WHAT brand and model of computer and TYPE that
you have so answers are going to be just as non-specific.

What difference would the brand, model or type make? He's just looking for
a mouse.

 

[Chuck]

Office Depot usually has them in my area.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Optical mice have come a long way. Most nowadays can use a plain piece of
paper as a mouse pad.

 

[frodo]

I think you should stick w/ optical, they're just better. Your concerns
are not "real" (no offense), the optical will most likely work better than
the ball in all your stated scenarios. And it'll be lighter too. With no
moving parts to break.

MS has a nice little usb notebook mouse for about $25, and so does
Logitec. There are now both wired and wireless versions; if the laptop
has bluetooth then a bluetooth model would be ideal, no need to use a usb
port. For a hands-on demo go to someplace like Staples or Office Depot;
Target may have 'em too, at a discount. Note that they are tiny, and
someone w/ big hands will not be happy; try before you buy.

 

[asdf asdf]

So have you actually tried using your female mouse on other surfaces?
Mine works just fine even on my pants leg, or the recliner's arm rest,
or across the plastic chair next to me at the airport.

thats great, but i seriously doubt you are going to be playing any
games using a mouse on your pants leg. good luck with that.

Well, if you are lugging around a computer while traveling, presumably
you are talking about a laptop although you never mention what TYPE of
computer you are asking about. Doesn't your laptop have a touchpad?
Or the stick mouse in the middle of the keyboard? Some laptops have a
trackball mouse option that you snap onto the side of the case (e.g.,
http://www.recycledgoods.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=8550).

the reason i am particular about the mouse performance is because i
will be doing some gaming with it and it must work well on all surfaces
and not require a special pad that i have to worry about taping down
wherever i go.

You weren't specific about WHAT brand and model of computer and TYPE
that you have so answers are going to be just as non-specific.

what difference does it make if i have a HP or a Dell? it makes
absolutely NO difference and has NO relevance to what mouse i should
buy. so go stick your CAPS and attitude bubba

 

[asdf asdf]

I think you should stick w/ optical, they're just better. Your concerns
are not "real" (no offense), the optical will most likely work better than
the ball in all your stated scenarios. And it'll be lighter too. With no
moving parts to break.

MS has a nice little usb notebook mouse for about $25, and so does
Logitec. There are now both wired and wireless versions; if the laptop
has bluetooth then a bluetooth model would be ideal, no need to use a usb
port. For a hands-on demo go to someplace like Staples or Office Depot;
Target may have 'em too, at a discount. Note that they are tiny, and
someone w/ big hands will not be happy; try before you buy.

thanks but i didn't come here asking people's opinions of what mouse i
should buy, i asked a very specific question about a "travel USB ball
mouse". i am very familiar with optical technology and use it for
business purposes but that is not what i am looking for here.

 

[Vanguard]

What difference would the brand, model or type make? He's just
looking for a mouse.

Because the snap-on trackball option depends on the physical
connection and case shape. Do you know that the Toshiba snap-on
trackball will fit on Dell laptops?

 

[Vanguard]

thats great, but i seriously doubt you are going to be playing any
games using a mouse on your pants leg. good luck with that.

Reread your original post. Just where does it mention games? Even if
others were to somehow devine that you meant game playing, games range
from Solitaire to F.E.A.R (but then I'd have to wonder why you'd waste
your money on a laptop using an LCD screen if you were talking about
high-end games). The only condition you ever mentioned was "while
travelling".

Guess you missed the point. I have found female optical mice usable
over a VARIETY of different surfaces (except for pitch black
surfaces - but do you run into a lot of those?). Male mice have
problems even on smooth surfaces because they accumulate crud on the
rollers and ball. How are you going to use a balled mouse on an
inclined surface which means the ball, because of the slop inside for
movement, will be off the side roller - or were we also supposed to
divine that you will always have flat, clean, and horizontal surfaces
available wherever you take your laptop? I can use a female optical
mouse even on the back of hand or on the latop's top, my shirt, and
upside down when there is absolutely no space for a old balled mouse
that requires its own flat space. Presumably you got a laptop and
paid the price premium for it because it is a mobile unit (versus
mobile homes that never go anywhere).

If your female mouse has such difficulties on a variety of surfaces
then maybe you simply need to get a better female mouse.

the reason i am particular about the mouse performance is because i
will be doing some gaming with it and it must work well on all
surfaces
and not require a special pad that i have to worry about taping down
wherever i go.

Yes, now AFTER your original post you make mention of additional
requirements. Sorry, but Johnny Carson isn't on TV anymore to play
the role of Carnac so I could send him a copy of your post to divine
what you meant to say versus what you actually said.

what difference does it make if i have a HP or a Dell? it makes
absolutely NO difference and has NO relevance to what mouse i should
buy. so go stick your CAPS and attitude bubba

You think a snap-on Toshiba trackball would fit on a Dell? After all,
a trackball *is* a male mouse, just upside down plus then you don't
have to be concerned about have more real estate than needed just for
the laptop.

It does make a difference which brand and model because maybe you're
thinking of using a wireless or Bluetooth mouse to eliminate the cord
(something else that maybe we were supposed to divine). Some laptops
have built-in wireless support, some don't. You get vague answers for
vague questions. Odd that you feel compelled to hide what hardware
you are actually using. Okay, have it your way, go hide.

 

[Vanguard]

thanks but i didn't come here asking people's opinions of what mouse
i
should buy, i asked a very specific question about a "travel USB
ball
mouse". i am very familiar with optical technology and use it for
business purposes but that is not what i am looking for here.

You ask about using a balled mouse which requires a flat and
horizontal surface (along with the inherit cleaning needed to get rid
of jerky motion due to dirt). Yet then you state that you don't want
to use a special mousepad but a pad is not required for balled mice.

You are asking how to use a flat-blade screwdriver for a Phillips head
screw, and yet you are suprised and disturbed when others suggest you
actually use a Phillips-head screwdriver and that your choice is NOT
the best solution. If you came here for back-patting your choice, you
didn't get it.

If balled notebook-sized mice are so hard to find, might there be a
reason, like the manufacturers realize there is no market for such a
mouse because laptop users prefer female mice? Go to Newegg and go
look at the category for mice. 6 balled mice out of 348. That's less
than 2% of their inventory. Obviously not much demand for those
and/or the manufacturers aren't going to waste their time anymore on
antiquated and low-grade mice when they can get a much higher profit
on newer technology. Of the 6 listed, 1 is a USB mouse. So how does
that prevent you from using the PS/2-to-USB adapter for a mouse?

 

[asdf asdf]

You think a snap-on Toshiba trackball would fit on a Dell? After all,
a trackball *is* a male mouse, just upside down plus then you don't
have to be concerned about have more real estate than needed just for
the laptop.

It does make a difference which brand and model because maybe you're
thinking of using a wireless or Bluetooth mouse to eliminate the cord
(something else that maybe we were supposed to divine). Some laptops
have built-in wireless support, some don't. You get vague answers for
vague questions. Odd that you feel compelled to hide what hardware
you are actually using. Okay, have it your way, go hide.

if you are deriving "trackball" and "bluetooth" from "USB ball mouse"
then you should be restricted to posting only in
misc.clueless.poor.souls beacuse you obviously are