Don't new Logitech mice support rechargeable batteries?

It seems that the M505 (new v450 nano) and others 2 AA battery powered Logitech mice do need standard AA 1.5v batteries and can't run with rechargable 1.2v ones.

Is it true? I've read it in several reviews about laptop mice, usually laser and with unify nanoreceptors. Please tell me what kind of rechargable battery do you use use (if it works) and how it compares with normal alkalines. Thanks!

 

I know my G700 has a single rechargable battery, it's my understanding that only their upper end(more $$$) products support the rechargable batteries and the ones that do already have the rechargable in them.

 

The eneloops by sanyo that are rechargeable should be able to be used by any device. The only no no is putting alkalines in something that only uses the NiMH batteries.

 

I run my MX anywhere mice with rechargeable Duracell AA 1.2v NiMH batts. Last about a month on a charge. The only issue is that the setpoint software does not accurately report the batt life remaining since the mouse's sensor is calibrated to a 1.5v battery. So it always reports low battery prematurely. When it does (which is about at the one month mark) I simply recharge the batts.

 

I use 1 Sanyo Eneloop 1.2V in my AnywhereMX (the mouse have 2 x 1.5V battery bay, and I can use 1 piece 1.2V battery

 

I think you might be confusing some things here. There is a difference between:

- Using rechargeable batteries in a mouse that accepts AAA or AA sized batteries. You will need a separate external charger that plugs into a wall socket to charge the batteries. You can do this with any mouse.

- Putting rechargeable batteries in a mouse, and having those batteries charge while they are still in the mouse. The mouse itself has a recharging circuit. Recent examples of this are the Logitech G700, and the Logitech Performance MX, which allow you to recharge the included Sanyo Eneloop AA battery while it's still in the mouse via USB cable.


Unless the mouse specifically states that you can recharge the batteries for the mouse via USB cable (or cradle, or some other method), then assume that you will need to remove the batteries from the mouse when they die to either replace or recharge them.

 

Freshly charged NiMH batteries actually peak at 1.5v and the voltage drop caused discharge is actually slower and more consistent than alkaline batteries.



It is a common misconception when people say 1.2v rechargeable batteries will not work on certain appliances. Maybe if the cell was old and unhealthy.

 

The original quote from the article that Aiden1945 linked was:

"So even though the mouse does not support re-chargeable batteries,"​

He inferred and made the assumption that it meant:

"It seems that the M505 (new v450 nano) and others 2 AA battery powered Logitech mice do need standard AA 1.5v batteries and can't run with rechargable 1.2v ones. "​

Which is why I made my post... there is a difference between:

- A mouse that operates on rechargeable batteries, but doesn't support recharging of batteries (via USB cable or cradle) while they are in the mouse itself, and

- A mouse that will not operate altogether when rechargeables are in them.

Like you, I suspect that the mice actually do allow you to USE rechargeable batteries in lieu of alkaline batteries, and that the ambiguous use of the term "support" was misinterpreted.

 

That is under a 1 amp load, which is FAR more than a mouse will draw; at that rate a mouse with 1 eneloop AA cell would only last 2 hours before being completely drained (which doesn't happen even with the G700). For the loads that mice draw, the voltage of the Nimh cells would be above 1.2 or 1.4 volts. The nominal voltage for nimh cells with minimal load is something around 1.7 volts. Alkalines struggle with any sort of load at all, and will almost never supply the 1.5 volt potential that they are advertised at unless a very low load is being drawn, and then only for a short period of time.

The problem is that some devices may be designed for the high internal resistance of alkaline cells, so the lower internal resistance of Nimh cells may result in a voltage that is too high and could potentially damage the device's circuitry.

 

That chart is fairly misleading because at lower discharge rates the alkaline would have a far greater life than a NiMH.

 

Obviously the graph is just a given example. What would you say the typical load is on a logitech mouse?

Not true, depends on what the battery is rated for. A 2900mAh Nihm cell would outlast most batteries sold on the shelf. If you pay extra for premium batteries then maybe yes.

Rechargable cells do have a higher self-discharge rates than alkaline, so if you use it on a ultra low drain devices like a clock, it would discharge itself faster than devices drain. But for most devices NiHM would outlast alkaline by 2-3times longer.

Ive been using nihm and lipo cells on my rc's for years and ive never used an alkaline since. My swallow 2 charger has saved me hundreds of dollars.

 

anyone knows about Alkaline battery charger ?? There are some in the market now.
I'm going to give it a try

 

There are three things that make alkalines last longer than NiMH in low discharge situations.
1. Measured capacity for similarly sized batteries can be higher for alkalines.
2. Like you said, NiMH self-discharges.
3. Any device is going to have a minimum voltage where it will operate at, and Alkalines will do better here as well.

Of course, this all applies to low discharge. Like you said, on your RC applications alkaline would be almost entirely useless. For example, I have a camera that takes AA sized cells that I used outdoors on the coldest day of this year in Beijing. I literally took only 4 pictures before the cells were dead. Even when warmed back up, they could not turn on any device that took AA batteries. Rechargeables were lasting way, way, way longer that day.

For something like a mouse or keyboard alkalines would last quite a bit longer than rechargeable AA's. But still, rechargeables would be cheaper in the long run, just not as convenient.

I don't think that's for recharging your run-of-the-mill alkaline batteries.

 

My last logitech wireless mouse that came free with my notebook looks very similar to the OP's photo.

It only lasted under 3 months with the batteries it came it (duracells if i recall). Logitech rated it would last like 6 months if used like 8 hours a day. liars .

My rechargable greencells lasted over 4 months. So id say wireless mouse do eat up quite a bit of juice.

Pretty sure you cant just use normal alkaline batteries, you need alkaline rechargable ones and they dont have as much capacity.

 

Actually they do. this is one of it: http://www.lapara.com.tw/products/list.asp?cat=5#

Made in Taiwan so I won't expect much but to try and see
there's a store in my place that already gave good testimonial using Duracell Alkaline battery , and they said it works!

 

or it could totally explode in your face lol

Though there is a lot of unused energy left over on used alkaline batteries.

Buy and try

 

yeah, I will plug it in clear area and prepare a Fire extinguisher beside me LOL

 

First of all, Taiwan != China. Their manufacturing industries are of completely different standards.

Second, the Rosewill RGD-CT505 has the same form factor as the Lapara LA-UCT515 and has been met with generally good reviews. Lapara is clearly the OEM, although I don't know if the LA-UCT515 is newer than the RGD-CT505.

Newegg.com - Rosewill RGD-CT505 Battery Charger for AAA/AA Alkaline and Ni-MH Batteries(battery not included)

 

Nice finding !! Yes I believe they're the same.
Good to know there are more good reviews (although have some bad reviews )