PowerBook Mystique Review - Radtech BT500 mini Mobile Bluetooth Mouse
by Charles W. Moore
If you have a MacBook Pro, or a PowerBook or iBook that supports Bluetooth wireless connectivity (or an older 'Book with a USB Bluetooth adapter - see below), a Bluetooth mouse makes a more convenient traveling companion than the conventional wired variety. Small-sized mice are also ideal for taking on the road.
The Radtech BT500 mini Mobile mouse is an optical, three-button, 800 dpi, Bluetooth wireless unit that has both bases covered, and is compatible with any Bluetooth-supporting computer -- Mac, Linux, or Windows.
As its name indicates, the BT500 mini Mobile is targeted primarily at laptop users who are looking for an easy-to-take-along mouse for road warrioring. The BT500 is very small, measuring just 85.2 mm x 50 mm x 32.6 mm.
This tiny cordless critter pops easily into a shirt pocket, and even with its two AAA batteries installed, it is feather-light. I have long fingers, and find some compact mice uncomfortable to use, but this one is engineered to be operated with the mousing hand and forearm resting on the support surface while the mouse is manipulated with your fingers, and I've found that quite comfortable. The "Satin Rubber" coating on the bottom segment of the mouse housing provides a positive grip, although all that is needed with this mouse is a feather-light touch.
As is fairly common practice, the BT500's three buttons are actually left and right buttons plus a clickable soft touch silicone composite scroll wheel. The BT500 mouse's scroll wheel button function can be assigned to individual applications that support device button mapping, as well as OS X ExposŽ.
The action of the left and right buttons is comfortably light. The scroll wheel click is stiffer, and it has detents rather than the smooth scroll action I would prefer. The BT500 mini Mobile glides smoothly and effortlessly on the mouse pad or other contact surface thanks to low-friction nylon feet.
Speaking of contact surfaces, this mouse is small enough to be operated very successfully on the palm rest of a 15" or 17" aluminum PowerBook or MacBook Pro, which can be a great advantage when computing in tight quarters, and a functionally handy alternative when a mouse is preferable to the trackpad.
Or for that matter, even on a smaller PowerBook or iBook.
Another area where the be BT500 mini Mobile shines is in ease and convenience of access to its battery compartment. The palm rest segment of the case just quickly pops off, making battery insertion a literal snap.
To activate the mouse connection, make sure Bluetooth is active on your computer. In OS X, check the "Discoverable" check box in the Bluetooth preferences panel, and also "Show Bluetooth Status in the Menu Bar." On the be BT500 mouse itself, make sure batteries are installed, turn the bottom-mounted power switch on, and press the grey pairing button on the bottom near the optical sensor.
From the Bluetooth menu, select "Set Up Bluetooth Device" and then follow the instructions. When asked for "Device Type", select "Mouse" If you are using the BT500 in conjunction with the Apple wireless Bluetooth keyboard, make sure to switch the keyboard on first, then the mouse (after the mouse has been paired). If asked for a pairing code, enter 0000 (4 zeros). Note: don't press press the pairing button once BT500 has been paired. If pressed, connection will be lost and pairing process will need to be repeated.
The mouse will automatically enter sleep mode after 2-3 minutes of inactivity. Moving the mouse or pressing any of the buttons will wake it in two seconds. To conserve battery power, make sure to switch off the mouse when it's not being used. Battery life is estimated at around seven days when powered on 24/7 — several weeks when in use 4-6 hours per day. The scroll wheel flashes blue when battery power reserve is getting marginal. The BT500 uses two AAA cells for power. Alkaline cells are bundled, but NiMH rechargeables will be a more economical solution over the long term.
I've found that the BT500 mini Mobile mouse tracks cleanly and precisely, and I haven't noticed any of the latency in response some folks complain about with Bluetooth pointing devices. It's a very smooth performer.
As mentioned above, if your 'Book doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you can add Bluetooth connectivity with a USB-BT adapter such as RadTech's small and lightweight DBT-120 External USB Bluetooth Adapter. Weighing in at a luggage-friendly 6 grams, this USB Bluetooth Adapter won't add much to your load, and its internal status LED's allow you to monitor connection status at a glance. No drivers are needed for Mac OS X, just plug in and go. Requires Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher. The DBT-120 External USB Bluetooth Adapter sells for $44.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.radtech.us/Products/USBBluetoothAdapter.aspx
Another accessory that makes traveling with your BT500 mini Mobile mouse slicker and more convenient is the companion RadPak, a semi-rigid, clamshell case designed to safely stow the BT500. The RadPak's internal battery bays accommodate a spare set of AAA cells. Size and weight are Size/Weight: 104x74x45mm/32g (empty), and the RadPak sells for $14.95, or just $10.00 if ordered with a BT500 mini Mobile mouse.
The BT500 mouse is available in both Apple silver or a snazzy three-tone silver-blue-black livery.
BT500 Mobile Mouse Features:
• Smooth tracking, maintenance-free 800 DPI optical technology.
• 3 button control, plus scroll wheel make navigating your workspace a breeze.
• Center button can be assigned by applications
• Perfect for Expose'.
• BT Class II
• Supports standard HID profile.
• 10 Meter free space range — control your notebook from the next room
• Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology minimizes interference from other devices.
• Optimum size for using and packing
• Satin rubber waist provides positive grip.
• Use with non-BT equipped computers requires Bluetooth USB adapter
• Power switch conserves energy when not in use.
You can also download RadTech's RadMouse Bluetooth HID Driver & System Pref. that allows you to Map mouse buttons and scroll wheel to single or multiple keystrokes or actions, adjust cursor tracking and scrolling speed, acceleration curves and more. All custom settings can be global, or application specific. RadMouse works with all RadTech Bluetooth mice.
RadMouse Bluetooth HID Driver Requirements:
- Mac OS 10.3 or later
- PowerPC or Intel Processor
- 2MB free hard disk space
- Any RadTech Bluetooth mouse
BT 500 System requirements:
Requires Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher
Apple Bluetooth Software 1.5 or higher
Apple Bluetooth Firmware 1.1 or higher
Apple Wireless Keyboard Firmware Update 1.1
Mac OS 10.4 includes the ability to swap left and right buttons via the Keyboard and Mouse System Pref.
BT500 Specs:
Radio Class: Bluetooth II
Frequency: 2.4 - 2.48 GHz
Spectrum: FHSS
Antenna: Internal Omni Dipole
Data Rate: > 700 Kbps
Tracking Method: Optical (LED)
Resolution: 800 DPI
Power: 2-5VDC (2 x AAA Cells)
Profile: BlueTooth HID
Platform: Mac OS X, Linux, Windows
Dimensions: 85.2 x 50 x 32.6mm
Weight: 64g With Batteries
Product of Taiwan
Prices:
Blue $54.95
Silver $55.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.radtech.us/Products/BT500.aspx#
For troubleshooting and other helpful tips go to:
http://www.radtech.us/BT500tips
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