Small rectractable "airplane" mouse

Anyone use this mouse? Amazon.com: Targus Compact Optical Mouse AMU75US (Black with Gray): Electronics

Mind sharing your impressions? I'm looking for a reliable and comfortable small rectractable mouse. Any suggestions for other very small rectractables are welcome too. I am trying to stay away from bluetooth/wireless mice.

 

I recommend one of these

Amazon.com: Logitech Optical Notebook Mouse Plus (USB): Computer & Accessories

I use it with my netbook when on the go, as long as you turn up windows sensitivity it should be fine. Also note is durable as can be... I accidentally hit mine with a saw while sawing today and its still fine. The cable doesnt retract but you just wrap it tightly around the mouse.

 

Not to undermine your search but how about the Vx Nano. It is wireless, but the dongle is super tiny, so it can stay plugged in and not even notice its there. Plus buy some energizer e2 AAA's and it'll last you months before having to change.

Otherwise retractable cords are a mixed bag.

 

Gotta ask, how does a mouse get in the way of a saw?

 

I kinda wondered that too, but didn't say anything, but this came to mind:

 

lol, the thread has taken an interesting tangent...

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really am trying to avoid any kind of wireless solution. I want a small mouse that I could use comfortably (next to my Sony Vaio Z) on the airplane tray, and that stows easily in my briefcase. I prefer a wired mouse, so retractable is what I'm after. The Targus one is my first choice so far, but I've seen a General Electric one too. @X2P, the Logitech one looks nice (and good to know it can take a saw and hold its own ), but I would prefer something that has a very easy-to-retract wire.

 

I am using this one at the moment : Amazon.com: Targus Notebook Optical Mouse with Retractable USB…
and it works great, well as good as a free mouse works (got it as a free addition to a Targus bag).
However, anything is better than the touchpad, just not used to a laptop after 15 years of desktop use.

Colin

 

Targus mouse is okay, but the optics sensor on it sometimes have problems with glossy surface.

 

Not sure how helpful this will be, but anyway, there's not much space for using a mouse, right? Why not use something like a trackball? Though admittedly those aren't quite as small...

 

Colin, how big is that mouse would you say? Would it fit nicely in your palm? Obviously, in this instance, size DOES matter, and smaller is actually better.

@TofuTurkey, good suggestion, but portability is an important aspect I'm looking for, so lugging around a bigger mouse with a trackball probably wouldn't work as well.

 

I'd say (very roughly) that it is maybe 3/4 size. Quite small actually. Seems to work ok.

 

Cool thanks. How does the retractable feature work? I've never had a retractable mouse, so I'm not sure how they normally work. Do you press a button like on a vacuum and the cord winds up or do you just manually have to thread it around like a spool?

 

You grasp the mouse and the USB end and pull, it has a spool that winds the wire. Just pull it out how far you want it, then pull again and it rewinds.

 

You pull it out to extend it as far as you need. When you let go, it locks in place. While it's extended, pull it out just a bit more and the lock will release, and it will automatically retract.

EDIT - colin post-jumped me.

 

Both very helpful replies. I appreciate it!

 

used it to measure a quick cut I needed for a notebook cooler

 

How about this one:

Netbooks & Laptop Travel Size USB 2.0 Red-Laser Optical Mouse -Retractable USB Cord for easy storage - CL-HIDRETMOUSE-BLU - Buy.com

 

Yes that one looks cool. I like the hidden USB cord feature. Anyone use this mouse?

 

Well I got the Targus mouse that was in the OP (it was available down the street at Best Buy). Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions and advice.

In case anyone's interested, I like the Targus mouse so far. It is comfortable to hold and glides very smoothly. The retractable feature is easy to use, though the cord doesn't get quite as long as I thought it would. My only real criticism so far is that the buttons (particularly the middle mouse/scrollbar button) are very stiff.

 

you know....if someone made a generic mini-usb to USB cable with a retractable cord, i would jump all over that thing.

why? because on small floating surfaces such as a airplane tray, i have a tendency to SLIGHTLY knock my mouse every once in awhile. unfortunately, such a small knock on such a small surface means that my logitech mouse gets a 2 foot drop to the ground. IF i had a retractable cord, my mice would be saved from this fairly regular occurrence.

 

Something like the Razer Orochi's 3-foot detachable cable, but retractable? Interesting, but it would only work for mice that connect via a detachable mini-USB to USB cable, and I don't know many of those. In fact, the Orochi's the only one off the top of my head that does.

 

i was thinking of my logitech performance mx...i THINK its a mini USB. (its not a portable mouse persay...but still)

but ya. the only reason i even use my logitech in wireless mode is because the cord that comes with it always ends up looking like a yarn ball that covers most of my scrolling field.