Download The Power of Cordless Mice

THE POWER OF CORDLESS MICE
Maximizing Battery Life in Cordless MouseMan Optical
Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical has been engineered so that the software and the
hardware maximize battery life in every possible way. To simplify, our cordless products spend
their time switching between sleep and active modes. The challenge is to spend as little time as
possible in power thirsty run modes while preserving response time. The engineers have
worked for over a year to maximize battery life with no effect to performance. This mouse
works better than a corded mouse in accuracy, precision and responsiveness.
Cordless MouseMan Optical has four modes that you can see by observing the red LED:
Bright
Glow
Strobe
Flash
Mouse is in full run mode. LED is flashed 1500 times a second.
Mouse is continuously on but dimmer. LED is flashed 100 times a second.
Mouse is in sleep mode. LED is flashed 10 times per second.
Mouse is at lowest response level. LED is flashed twice every second.
Whenever the user moves the mouse or clicks a mouse button, the mouse instantaneously
returns to full run mode. There is no latency and the mouse keeps full memory of cursor
location.
Battery Technologies Currently Available
Power Source
Pros
Regular Disposable Batteries (Alkalines)
AA batteries are readily available
and can be easily purchased. The
low-battery detection system and
the power-saving mode of
Cordless MouseMan Optical have
been designed to maximize
battery life.
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Cons
Disposable batteries are not
considered environmentally
friendly in Europe as they will
need to be replaced on a regular
basis. Over the course of a year,
a person will most likely buy 4
sets of batteries.
Battery Technologies con’t.
NiCd (Nickel cadmium) Rechargeable Batteries
Cost effective over multiple
replacements of alkaline
batteries. This older technology
is currently used in devices like
inexpensive cordless phones.
The oldest technology that
provides the least amount of
satisfaction. Batteries have low
capacity and require that
products are completely
rundown prior to recharging.
There is a condition called
memory effect that occurs when
batteries are recharged prior to
being rundown completely--the
battery takes on a new memory
level and requires recharging
sooner. These are becoming
obsolete as most manufacturers
are divesting. NiCd will be
banned by the European Union in
a few years because of the heavy
metal they contain.
NiMH (Nickel metal-hydride) Rechargeable Batteries
This is a mature technology with
higher capacity than NiCd
rechargeables. Unlike NiCd, there
is virtually no memory effect.
These batteries are
environmentally friendlier and
used in most contemporary
devices.
Premium Disposable Batteries (lithium,etc.)
When used in high-power devices
such as radios, handheld
televisions and cameras, there is
an advantage. These batteries
are for products with higher
voltage and higher drain rates.
Lilon Rechargeable Batteries
A powerful alternative used in
devices like laptops and cell
phones.
Cost is more than NiCd
rechargeables. A user will need
to be able to recharge when not
using the mouse, or to have
more than one set of
rechargeable batteries.
Low-power devices, such as mice,
get minimal benefit at a
prohibitive cost.
This technology is touchy and
requires safety features to
prevent explosions. Not costeffective for sub-$100 products.
Disposable batteries remain, at this time, the best power solution for
Logitech Cordless mice, including the Cordless MouseMan Optical.
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Conclusion
Given the 3 month lifecycle of alkaline batteries, they are the best option for
Cordless MouseMan Optical. Users can put batteries in the mouse and forget
about them for months. This is a better solution than waiting until the mouse
runs of power and having to wait for a recharged mouse before resuming use of the PC.
Logitech spent one year creating a new product that is consumer friendly yet technologically
advanced. The low battery detection system will provide a generous amount of warning time
prior to battery replacement, which will not need to happen for almost 3 months. Competitive
optical cordless products are more like cordless phones that require being charged in their
cradle and are not functional during the process. These competitive products will need to be
recharged while NOT being used, thus preventing a person from using their PC for 4 hours
unless they plug in a backup mouse.
Additionally, Logitech has chosen to use AA rather than AAA batteries. There is twice as much
power in an AA battery versus an AAA battery (1 AA battery is equal to 2 AAA batteries). This
simple choice of battery voltage means that the user has more power and longer battery life.
At this time Logitech has decided not to use rechargeable batteries for the reasons mentioned
above. The cost of a recharger and four cells (so that a spare set is available and the disabling
issue resolved) is equivalent to a year's supply of disposable batteries. Previous cordless research
has indicated that 3 months of battery life is satisfactory for consumers, however, users can
utilize rechargeable batteries if they choose.
Summary Points
- Disposable alkaline batteries allow for the longest period of uninterrupted use of the mouse
- The custom Logitech optical sensor has been optimized to ensure reduced power
consumption and extend battery life
- For those who wish, rechargeable batteries can be used in Cordless MouseMan Optical
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