#Amiga Replacement Mouse
96 messages in this thread
The buttons on my original Amiga mouse are not working properly, so I'm in
the market for a new mouse.
Any suggestions for a replacement mouse for the Amiga, besides the
standard CBM mouse? I've heard some good things about optical mice
(mouses?) and wireless ones also. I would appreciate any help.
Dom Fontana
Dom,
I've got an IR mouse from Practical Solutions (they're now out of
business). It works fine if you don't mind buying 2 new AAA batteries once
a week. I minded, and don't use the mouse.
I'm not crazy about optical mice because of the gridded metal (or plastic)
mousepad that's required.
I use a UX 3 buttom mouse and love it.
How can a normal person get a UX 3 button mouse?
Darin
– via Whap!
Darin,
I don't see why not. I got mine cuz my 3000 mouse (old style, 2000 mouse)
died. So I asked my tech to order the UX mouse as its warranty replacement
— he did. I've since been told that CBM will no longer do that (3 button
for 2 button, under warranty). But, if you go to your service tech and give
him the part number, I'm sure it can be ordered — the # is 313255-01. No
idea on the price, tho.
Steve,
What's a UX 3 button mouse?
Dom Fontana
Steve,
Hey, me too. I love my CBM 3 button mouse. And I also bought it for
good luck, hoping CBM would SOMEDAY release AmigaUNIX unbundled.
– via Whap!
Dom,
If you are looking for a cheap mouse I can highly recommend the Jin
Mouse, it is slightly smaller and more streamlined than th C= mouse, the
contacts feel much better and is generally more comfortable to the hand,
the price is right too $29.00 at Abel supply (that was last years price).
Although I do sometimes wish I had gotten an optical mouse instead, but for
the money you can't go wrong.
..Steve
Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
Steve,
Thanks for the mouse reply. However, I'm not as concerned about cost as I
am about the quality, feel, and responsiveness of the mouse. I'd be willing
to pay more to get a really good mouse.
Dom Fontana
Dom:
If quality and precision are your main concerns, then you owe it yourself
to get the Boing! optical. It _is_ the most trouble free, accurate, smooth
operating mouse available for the Amiga. It's worth owning even if you
later decide to buy a cheap mechanical mouse as a back-up. The optical
mouse takes about ten minutes to get used to, then, you'll never go back to
those stupid rubber balls that make your mouse jump & skip all over the
place.
– Whapp!ng from the North Coast Michael
I completely agree. We have three Boing's here.
–Ben
Here! Here! Boing! Boing! Boing! 🙂
–jp–seattle–
Michael,
Thanks for the Bong! info.
Dom Fontana
And to third Micheal and Ben's recommendations, the Boing is the way to go.
Best mouse I've ever used.
Denny,
I am leaning strongly towards the Boing! Thanks for your input.
Dom Fontana
Dom–
I can name two that I *WOULD NOT* suggest – that is, the Beetle Mouse and
the Jin Mouse. The Beetle mouse is really small and light – not very
comfortable. The Jin mouse is made very cheaply – my friend's died after a
couple of weeks. There was a article in Amazing recently that detailed how
to use a PC bus mouse with the Amiga…hmmm…
Jonathan
– via Whap!
Jonathan,
I read the mouse article in the 1/92 issue of AC, but I'm not interested
in converting a PC mouse.
I never thought much about a mouse before because the CBM one that came
with the Amiga did do the job. Since I now need a new one, I figured I'd
investigate before automatically getting another CBM one.
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
Jonathan,
I must take exception to the statement about the Jin Mouse. I have had
one for over two years without a lick of trouble, granted it is a `cheap'
mouse but the styling is very comfortable and the buttons have a very
responsive feel. For the price I think it is a very good value. If your
friends died within two weeks why didn't he return it for another one?
..Steve
Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
Steve,
My dealer used to carry the Jin Mouse. He was having a 50% return rate
within 30 days. He dropped it (and now carries the Boing mouse and CBM
mice).
-sja
Steve–
After bad experiences with two third party mice, he gave up and bought a C=
replacement, although it was much more expensive.
Jonathan
– via Whap!
Jonathon,
After the comment from you and Steve Ahlstrom, I guess I am lucky…I
have had my Jin Mouse for over 18 months without any trouuble and do like
the way it feels, for the money I paid for it I definitely can not
complain, which is contrary to my usual luck ;->
..Steve
Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
Well, since I recommended the DKB MultiStart (and we know how THAT turned
out!) I doubt if my rec carries much weight… 🙂
I just LOVE my Boing! Mousie. I will *never* go back to anything but an
optical mouse, unless they really improve the tracking abilities of regular
mice. Starts and stops on a dime and is able to driven with real precision
(which I appreciate in drawing, etc).
I would warn you that it does drive others mad, however. They will sit
down and start using it, and if the pad is aligned precisely the cursor
doesn't go where they expect it to. Having the pad aligned is 2nd nature
to me now.
The Boing! mouse is a three button mouse, for what it's worth.
–jp–seattle–
John,
I do value your opinion. The DKB board was a good recommendation. I just
had the problem because I got one of the first boards made.
I don't know how I'd feel about aligning the pad, unless I used the mouse
first. I don't know now if I want to gamble on an optical mouse. Do you
know of any other opto-mechanical mice that are better than the CBM one? Or
should I just get another CBM mouse?
Dom Fontana
Re 'aligning the pad' on optical mice (Boing!, etc), I can't imagine anyone
having a problem with it, frankly. It's not really 'aligning the pad',
rather it is aligning your hand and the mouse movement. I found it
I hope someone else speaks up, who has experience with Boing! or another
optical mouse. The alignment thing is a non-issue as far as I can tell?
But…. if you are in a situation where your Amiga is being used by others
regularly, who are used to a regular mouse, then you may want a roller
mouse. No one will be surprised in that case.
I've heard very good things about the newer Commodore hires mouse. Again,
I hope someone here speaks up who has it. Good luck.
–jp–seattle–
John,
I didn't know about the CBM hi-res mouse. Can you tell me more about it?
Dom Fontana
John,
I haven't used the "Boing Mouse" — but I've used (and own) the exact same
mouse (Mouse Systems is the manufacturer) on my PC clone. The correct
orientation to the grid gets to be a bother. I much prefer the 3 button
mouse that comes with the UX. It is identical to the new, "hires", mouse
that now comes with the 3000 'cept its got a middle button.
The nicest feeling mouse I've used is the IR (cordless) mouse from
Practical Solutions. What I didn't like about it is that it eats batteries
quickly.
-sja
Steve:
I've never used the IR mouse from Practical Solutions, but was thinking of
getting one for one of my 500's. I tried one at a local dealer, and it felt
a little strange at first, sort of like the movements were slightly
delayed, is this normal or could the dealers batteries have gotten weak?
What would you say is the practical limit to how far away from the reciever
can you get? (could I use it from across the room?)
It's too bad they don't make it with rechargable batteries with a
mouseholder/recharger similiar to the chargers for cellular phones or
handheld radios, that way it could be charging when the machines not being
used!
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike, Practical Solutions is no longer in business. I don't know if other
companies now make an Amiga IR mouse — I haven't kept up. It would have
been nice if it had a "cradle" like cellular phones. One nice feature it
has it if unmoved for 5 minutes it turns itself off — there is a button on
the side that you click to reactivate (so, I guess, it's really a 4 button
mouse).
I did notice a very slight delay response delay but so slight you get used
to it in a few minutes. It's "resolution" tho, isn't as nice as the new
style A3000 mice.
It's practical range is 6 feet. When I tried further it started jumping a
bit, around 9 feet it didn't move the pointer at all.
To each his own, I guess. I haven't used the new hires mouse, but I've
heard good things about it. Since I haven't used it I cannot compare them
like you can. But I'm not about to give up my Boing! I don't find any
difficulties in the alignment at least. TTFN
–jp–seattle–
Steve,
Am I able to get the CBM hi-res mouse? I called my dealer and he never
heard of it and he carries the A3000. Also, what makes it so good?
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
If your dealer carries 3000s, he's got it. Go use one then decide for
yourself.
John:
What I did with my Boing Mouse is to velcro it to the computer desk, now it
can't move out of alignment.
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike:
Velcro wouldn't suit me… I tend to move my mouse pad to fit the angle I'm
facing.
Michael
….from the north coast
Velcro it? I assume you mean the mouse *pad*, not the mouse! 🙂
That would work, but I have -0- problems just slightly changing my hand
position and direction to adjust for any slight pad changes. I do it w/o
even thinking about it.
–jp–seattle–
John:
Yes, I velcro the mousePAD to the table. I tried velcroing the mouse to the
pad, but when I did I must have blown an 8520 or something, cause I could
move the mouse all I wanted, but the pointer onscreen wouldn't move! 🙂
Actually I find that since I've secured the pad to the desk that it makes
it real easy, as my computer desk has a fairly smooth finish, and the pad
was always slipping, and now I can even wax the pad right in place! (I wax
it about once a month or so) Another thing I've found that really makes the
mouse work smoothly is that about once a week or so I take a plain piece of
paper, and rub the mouse on it in all directions it sort of keeps the felt
from getting matted down. If I rubdown the felt, and wax the pad both at
the same time, the mouse pratically moves just by blowing on it!
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
🙂
–jp–seattle–
I've heard good things about the Golden Image mouse, I just ordered one
since my C= mouse has been acting weird.
Ray,
Please let me know how you like the Golden Image mouse after you try it.
Dom Fontana
Dom:
The only mouse that I'd recomend is the Boing mouse sold by GfxBase. It's a
Mouse Systems optical mouse, and it works great. Some are packaged with a
cheap plastic mouse pad, and some (the newer ones I'm told) have a nice
aluminum pad. I originally had the plastic one, but replaced it with an
aluminum one real fast. These mice really glide over the pad smoothly,
specially if you use some auto wax on the pad every so often.
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike,
Exactly how does the Boing! optical mouse workFrom what I understand the
mouse pad determines the movement. Does that mean that you plug the mouse
pad into the Amiga mouse port and the mouse itself has no cord. Also, how
is the feel of the buttons? How much does it cost?
Thanks for your help.
Dom Fontana
The Boing! mouse pad is just that, a mouse pad. It just sits there. About
the same size as a regular pad.
The mouse plugs into the mouse port, exactly like the regular mouse. (I
think it has a slightly longer cord than the normal Amiga mouse, but I'm
not sure).
Mouse buttons (3 button) have a good feel, with a 'click'. Very
professionally constructed.
Re sensitivity…. I have my mouse prefs set to about medium, and I get
about 2.5 screens worth of movement across the pad (just tested it). The
*major* benefit of the Boing! (IMHO) is that it is 'instant stop/start',
since there is no rollerball friction to deal with. I love the precision
of drawing with it, for instance. TTFN
–jp–seattle–
John,
But exactly how does an optical mouse work, and why do you need a special
pad for it? Also, would you still recommend it even for non-drawing
applications?
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
I see others have answered you 'how does it work' questions.
One last comment, then I'll bow out: Don't think of the Boing mouse any
different from your regular amiga mouse. It looks about the same, buttons
work the same (except it has three, for those apps that do take advantage
of them), it has a 'tail' just like the others, etc. The ONLY difference
is that it doesn't have a ball, and that it is a good deal more 'accurate'
and *can be* more sensitive (if you want it to be) than your old mouse.
Neat.
The features that make it useful for drawing apps are the same ones that
make it useful for non-drawing apps. Precision. Good luck!
Dom:
The Boing mouse has a tail (cord) just like any other mouse. the difference
is that underneath the mouse there is no ball, but rather a small LED and
also a sensor, and the mousepad has a crosshatch design on it that is
sensed by the mouse, so that it can tell when you move the mouse. I believe
that it's possible to get the pads in different DPI's, as when I got my
aluminum pad, it was marked 200DPI, perhaps it's possible to get a 300DPI
pad, and then I wouldn't need to accelerate my mouse via software, I don't
know I never looked into this, but maybe somebody else here has.
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike,
How does the Boing mouse detect mouse clicks?
Dom Fontana
"How does the Boing mouse detect mouse clicks?"
The same way a regular mous does. It is hardwired to the mouse port and has
mechanical mouse buttons.
Michael
….from the north coast
It has buttons on it like any other mouse, only it has three of them!
"…how does the Boing! optical mouse work…"
The mouse has an LED in the bottom that shines onto the shiny gridded mouse
pad… a sensor in near the LED tracks the relative position of the mouse
to the grid. There are no moving parts (other than the buttons).
– Whapp!ng from the North Coast Michael
Michael,
How is the feel of the Boing! mouse on the pad? Since there's no ball, how
does the mouse glide on the surface of the pad?
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
Dom:
There are a couple of strips of a felt like material, about 1/4" X 1", one
at each end of the underside of the mouse. The special mouse pad is about
3/16" thick.
Michael
….from the north coast
Mice don't ride on the ball, they ride on small pads on the mouse's
underside. Thus, the boing mouse, or any mouse, with or without a ball,
move smoothly on their pad.
>>>"Mice don't ride on the ball, they ride on small pads on the mouse's
underside. Thus, the boing mouse, or any mouse, with or without a ball,
move smoothly on their pad."<<<
Don:
My mother-in-law likes to start arguments for the their own sake, too 🙂
Yeah, a mechanical mouse rides on pads, but that's to allow the ball to
roll _in contact_ with the pad and the mechanical sensors inside the mouse.
That is _friction_ at both the top and bottom of the mouse ball, and it is
that friction that, by the very nature of the term FRICTION, causes the
mechanical mouse to be jerky (the more dust/dirt that collects on/around
the ball, the jerkier the movement is).
Mike,
What's that got to do with the original question:
"Since there's no ball, how does the mouse glide on the surface of
the pad?"
But to answer your question…I've used mechanical mice for years,
and never had one get jerky.
Don
Sorry Don… I think I must have misread your message. I thought you were
saying something else. I've never had a complaint with the way a
mechanical mouse 'glides' on a mouse pad, it's the way the ball rolls on
the pad _and_ interacts with the innards (technical jargon) of the mouse,
especially when it gets a bit of dudst/lint/hair on it that bothers me.
Like, Ben, I would prefer to never have to use a mechanical mouse again.
Michael
….from the north coast
Yes… but the ball doesn't move smoothly in relation to the mouse's
movement on/over the pad. Dirt and animal hairs in the rollers, grease,
various pollutants such as hair spray, waxes and cleaning fluids, cigarette
smoke and dust all contribute to the almost certain constant degradation of
a ball-based mouse.
The constant "like-new" performance an optical mouse delivers is, in my
opinion, worth whatever learning curve it takes to get used to it. As I
pointed out a few messages back, for me that was NO learning curve others
may find the same.
I'd never, ever use a ball-based mouse again if I have the option.
Ben,
Humm…I've never had a mechanical mouse problem, but then while
I've used them for quite a number of years…I do use them as little as
possible.
I tried an optical mouse once…Steve had one at his software
company, but I didn't find it "special" or anything to get excited over.
IF I used one more, perhaps my mind would change…or perhaps this
is simply an issue of personal preference…much like the feel of a
keyboard.
Don
Huh…. aren't you one of those who doesn't even load workbench? Or is that
another of the sysops?
–Ben
Ben,
Yup…I'm one of those that doesn't load WB. My only use for a
mouse is with programs that require one.
Don
hehe.. I don't think that sja knows the difference between a mouse and
paperweight either <g>
Michael
….from the north coast
Michael,
Mice are something you can kill with D-Con — paperweights aren't so lucky.
-sja
Michael:
Oh, there's a big difference between a computer mouse, and a paper weight!
A mouse has a stupid wire coming out of it connecting to a computer, so it
can't be placed anywhere you want it, and it makes it hard to throw across
the room, a paper weight excells at either of the above! 🙂
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Hi Ben!
Ummm… With all this talk about mice with balls and pads, I just want
to be certain of one thing…
This is _Male_ mice we're talking about- right?
Inquiring Minds Want To Know
Mr. Winger!
Good to see you back!
You know, although I've turned my mouse over a few times, I've never
actually noticed if it was male or female. You never know, anymore… there
are plenty of females around who would like to lay claim to (a) and most
certainly have (b). :^)
<running away>
–Ben
I see John didn't answer the "how duz it work" question, so I'll have a
quick go at it.
The mouse is plugged in as normal. The pad has (under a transparent
surface) a grid of colored lines. Inside the mouse is a bright light
emitting diode (LED) and when you move the mouse, the reflections of the
lines are read (seen) by a photo-detection circuit inside the mouse. So
that's how it can tell how you're moving the mouse.
And that's why it never slips.
The reason you always have to stay aligned with the pad is so that the grid
on the pad is at right angles to the detector and the spacing and
orientation of the grid compared to the circuitry inside the mouse remains
square.
The grid is very precise – it's a great mouse.
–Ben
Ben,
Thanks for the explanation on the Boing! mouse.
Two questions: how does it detect button clicks and is keeping the mouse
aligned with the pad difficult to do or get used to?
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
I had no trouble with alignment at all – I can see where someone might, but
it just didn't happen to me.
It detects button clicks like most other mice, using buttons. :^)
I do suggest that using some method to adhere the mouse "pad"/grid to the
desk be used; I had some problems initially where the pad would move, and
that would mess me up. I stuck it to the table and that was the end of
that. This isn't the same as a mouse alignment problem… I'd look over
there (because the pointer was acting funny) and I'd find the mouse pad
turned 45 degrees, and my hand still aligned the way I'd intended it to be.
–Ben
My Boing! pad is a sort of metallic blue, with definitely a plastic layer
on the top (the grid is below the clear plastic). Is this the 'plastic'
one you mention? If so, and the alum one is much better, then how do I go
about getting one? Does GfxBase sell them? Thanks….
–jp–seattle–
John:
If your pad is flexable, has rubber on the entire bottom of the pad, then
it's one of the plastic ones. If it's not flexable, and has strips of
rubber on the bottom then it's an aluminum pad. When I first got my boing I
took the advice of a friend at my local dealer (who also has a Boing) and
waxed the pad (as I described in an earlier message), but couldn't see any
difference. He was raving about how much the wax would improve the feel
(it's already 100% better than a 'normal' mouse right out of the box) of
the mouse, so I tried it again, until one day we were talking, and he made
some comment about the pad, and I said that what he was describing didn't
sound anything like my mouse, and we finally realised that I had the cheapo
plastic pad, and that his had come with the aluminum pad. Once I bought the
aluminum pad (GfxBase sells them, as do many other sources) and gave it a
good waxing boy did my mouse fly! I reciently bought a Mouse Systems 2
button mouse for the PC at the office, and I see that MS is using the same
cheapo plastic pads as GfxBase used to use with the Boing. According to
Dale, they now all come with the Aluminum pads, and he has them available
in a few different sizes. What I want to find out is if they're available
in higher resolutions than 200DPI, as I like a fast mouse, and if I can do
it by replacing the pad then I could get rid of the commodity I now use.
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Well, I have the cheap plastic pad. Still love it though! If the alum pad
makes such a diff then I'll check into it. Thanks for the tip!
–jp–seattle–
John,
The Boing mouse pad that is aluminum is light years ahead in feel and
action. It doesn't matter what the relationship is between the mouse and
the pad. There's no more aligning, you can get all cock-eyed and crooked
without a change in acceleration (in WB 2.04) or gear (not really
acceleration).
Paul
–pt–not seattle– 😉
Thanks for the word on the alum mouse pad. Sounds like the way to go.
I disagree about the 'relationship between the mouse and the pad' making no
difference, though. If I hold the mouse horizontal to the pad, and move
the mouse horizontal, then the cursor moves horizontal. If I hold the
mouse at a 45 degree angle on the pad, and move my hand HORIZONTAL, the
cursor moves horizontally. I think most of use (?) want the mouse to move
as our HANDS move (ie. if my hand moves horiz/vert then I want the mose to
move horz/vert). Correct 'orientation' of the mouse on the pad is
important for that to work. Maybe I misunderstood you, or maybe the alum
pad is different?
As I've said, however, this *quickly* becomes 2nd nature. I never think of
it, cause I just compenstate for it and just enjoy the benefits of the
quick/accurate response 🙂
One think has perplexed me, however. The 'grid' on my pad is perfectly
square as far as I can tell. The pad itself is rectangular. It should
make no difference whether the pad is aligned on my desk horizontally or
vertically, right? (ie. the long width left-right or up-down) So how come
when I change the pad to an up-down orientation, the mouse moves real
jerky? Weird! I'd love to know, if you have any ideas….
–jp–seattle–
On my Aluminum mouse pad it works the way you wish it did. That's why I
brought it to your attention…"You will LOVE the new pad" 🙂
Paul
–pt–not seattle– 😉
Thanks for the encouragement! I called them today, but only got their
answering machine ('them' being GfxBase). Will try again tomorrow.
The Boing! is one of the 'enjoyable' products I've ever bought for my
Amiga. Right up there with the FlickerFixer. Not that they are
'productivity' programs or such, but they are important in making me really
ENJOY my time with the computer. FF cause the display is so crisp and
nice; Boing! cause it's like driving the ferrari of mouses.
Have you ever tried waxing the pad? I wax mine about once a month with
automotive wax and it makes all the difference in the world! between waxing
the pad, and occasionally rubbing the mouse on a sheet of paper to stop the
felt from matting down, it is so smooth, I hardly have to touch the mouse
for it to move.
FWIW, I use the AmTrac trackball from MicroSpeed, & love it.
— Eric A.
Eric,
I've considered getting a trackball, but not as a mouse replacement. After
I get a replacement mouse, I might look into a trackball.
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
You'd be surprised: mice are quite a nuisance compared to the
straightforward intuitive response of a trackball. Not to mention the
reduced deskspace: I later bought a microspeed 'pc-trac' for my
486/Windows (shudder) which leaves plenty of room for the A3000 right
beside it…
I used to use an AmTrac trackball, but don't anymore. It WAS a definate
improvement over the "standard" mouse, but always felt a little "dry".
While the trackball control over the cursor position is easier to control,
it felt like there was too much internal friction and many times the ball
would stick or not move until enough inertial force was applied to make it
move. The ball also stopped quicker "than on a dime" which sometimes made
the cursor come up "short" of where I expected it to stop at.
While the AmTrac trackball is much better than any Microsoft mouse I have
ever had the displeasure to use, it always felt like I needed to "oil it"
(kind of like a bicycle running on insufficiently packed bearings). It WAS
GREAT, however, to not have to move my entire wrist and/or arm across my
desk to go from corner to corner, and the selection buttons are nicely
sensitive to the touch.
– Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
Jim,
So what do you use now, if you don't use a trackball?
Dom Fontana
I went back to my Amiga mouse, though right now it is partially dead. I did
a BIG no-no: I tried changing mousy devices whilst IPL'ing (IBM mainframe
version of cold boot), and I must of had just a tad of "sparkies" in me.
The harddrive took an immediate left turn (I/O summary check or something),
and the trackball which I had just plugged in "went to sleep".
Replacing the mouse appeared to be no better, but I eventually found out
that I had only partially zapped the mouse port and I still have left and
right mouse buttons, but no ball tracking – SIGH.
I like the idea of trackballs, but would prefer a smoother one than the
Amtrak. I have seen some pictures of "finger" trackballs from some MS-DOS
vendor, but wonder how well they would really work. Not well, I would
imagine, with any really active games
I haven't had any other input devices (other than a joystick) so can't
offer any comments about others that have been proposed, but am looking and
listening since I would like to get a fully active three button mouse.
– Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois) (Internet: ca0008@siucvmb.siu.edu)
Jim,
Thanks for your thoughts. Sorry to hear about your mouse port. I'm still
deliberating.
Dom Fontana
Dom,
The wireless ones require a jack-hammer touch on the buttons. Some people
like that, but I prefer the lighter touch of the original CBM mouse. BTW,
you might try just taking yours apart and cleaning it. Sometimes that'll
do the trick for another 3-4 years. (Note: my cbm mouse is still going
strong after 4+ years of close to 30 hrs/week usage.)
wmc
Wayne,
Thanks for the tip, but I've meticulously cleaned my mouse once a month
for the last four years, so that's not the cause. Also, the normal mouse
cleaning does not affect the 2 mouse buttons. That's the problem I'm
having. The RMB works very intermittently. I've also cleaned the contacts
and that didn't work. So I think it's time for a new mouse. Dom Fontana
Hi Dom, I just received my Golden Image Opto-Mechanical Mouse today. It's a
real nice mouse, I'm pleasantly suprised considering it only cost me $41.00
delivered. It is constructed very well and has a nice curved design that
makes it fit very comfortably in your hand. The tracking is very responsive
and the microswitches under the 2 large buttons have great response also.
This mouse is a great deal better than the standard C= mouse.
Here's the Specs:
Resolution – 290 DPI
Tracking Speed – 500 mm/sec
Cable – 3 ft.
Ball – Anti-Static Silicon Rubber Coated
1 year warranty
Ray
Ray,
Thanks for the info on the Golden Image mouse. I was considering the
Boing! Mouse. However, I wasn't sure if I wanted an optical mouse. Then I
found out my dealer is selling the CBM mouse for $39. I figured I'd get
that to be safe and then decide if I wanted an alternate, such as the
Boing! or a trackball. Now I have to decide if I should get the CBM or the
Golden Image. Where did you get your mouse from?
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
I got my Golden Image Mouse from BriWall, it is available from many other
mail order vendors also and probably your dealer can get it for you too.
After having the Golden Image Mouse for a few days now of heavy use, I must
say that it beats the hell out of the CBM mouse. You have much more precise
control with it and it's extremely comfortable in your hand. If you want a
Opto-Mechanical replacement, I highly recommend it.
Ray
Ray,
I thank you, my good man. I will go with your recommendation. I've seen it
advertised all the time together with their disk drives. I'll order it
tomorrow and leave my observations on it here after I get it.
Thanks again.
Dom Fontana
Ray,
I took your advice and ordered the Golden Image Mouse from AmigaMan for
$35. I'll have it Tuesday and let you know what I think.
Computer Shopping Network and Briwall were out of them. Creative
Computers said they were on backorder for 4 months already. AmigaMan had
them in stock. Go figure.
Dom Fontana
Briwall told me they were backordered when I ordered mine. They managed to
get one to me in only 5 days. Pretty good service for a product on backord
, Huh?
Ray,
Thank you very much for your recommendation. I ordered my Golden Image
Mouse last Friday and got it on Tuesday. It's everything you said and more.
That's the kind of advice I was looking for when I posed my query. I didn't
want anything esoteric at this time. Just a replacement for the CBM mouse
for about the same price. The look, feel, comfort, resolution, sensitivity,
and accuracy of the mouse are all excellent. It seems like such a simple
thing, but there is a difference. Besides moving the pointer precisely, I
especially like the two mouse buttons. Much, much better than CBM's. I got
mine from Amigaman for $35. Great mouse.
Thanks again.
Dom Fontana
Dom:
While on the subject of mice (or is that mouses?) I just wanted to mention
that I just bought the ProPack for my CDTV and love the cordless mouse
that's included in the package. It also has a keyboard (an A2000 KB painted
black, yes painted with a different connector on the cable), and an Amiga
external floppy (it's supposed to be black too, but I guess they forgot to
paint the one I got, it's beige).
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike,
I think cordless mice would be great, but someone said they really eat
batteries.
Dom Fontana
Nobody has mentioned a trackball yet! Or should I call it a track-mouse? I
have an ALFA DATA track ball instead of a mouse. It took a week to get used
to it but now I wouldn't use anything else.
Charlie – A Whapper! from Holland
Charlie,
Thanks for your input re the trackball.
Dom Fontana