Targus Bluetooth Laser Mouse Review

by Jerry Jackson

The Targus Rechargeable Bluetooth Laser Notebook Mouse is an innovative travel mouse designed to connect via Bluetooth to your laptop without the need for a USB receiver. Targus boasts about how this mouse can switch from 800 to 1,600 dpi on the fly for improved gaming and other activities, but is this lightweight wireless mouse as good as it sounds? We put it to the test to find out.

Targus is known for making a wide range of affordable notebook cases and accessories, but I've never found their mice to be overwhelmingly impressive. When I saw a press release for their new Bluetooth travel mouse I realized this mouse has a lot of potential. First, by using Bluetooth the mouse is able to avoid the need for a USB receiver ... which saves a precious USB port on your notebook. Second, Targus clearly gave a lot of thought to the design of this mouse (more on that later). Lastly, the price is right for a Bluetooth travel mouse: the MSRP is $69.99 and most retail stores sell this mouse for even less.

Technical Specs

• Color: Black/Blue
• Exterior Dimensions: 4.1" x 2.1" x 1.4"
• System Requirements: Windows 2000, XP, Vista or MAC OS X (10.4 or higher)
• Warranty: Limited One Year Warranty
• Weight: 2.04 oz
• Package includes: Mouse, rechargeable NiMH batteries, USB charging cable, and travel pouch
• MSRP: $69.99

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Build and Design

I tend to be something of a snob when it comes to mouse design. Even if a mouse has the best features and performance, if the mouse doesn't look and feel good then I don't want it. For the most part, the design of the Targus Rechargeable Bluetooth Laser Notebook Mouse is both stylish and functional. The grip is neither too rounded nor too flat and the overall size is just right (not too large for travel and not too small for everyday use).

I particularly like the ambidextrous design since this not only allows left-handed users to enjoy the mouse but it allows right-handed users to switch the mouse to their left hand to avoid repetitive stress injuries. The rubberized texture also makes the mouse quite comfortable to use. The only thing I don't particularly like about the design is the giant blue circle.

The bottom of the mouse has a simple on/off switch, a recessed Bluetooth connect button, four glide pads/feet, and the battery cover release.

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There are only three buttons on this mouse: left click, right click, and middle click/scroll wheel. This keeps the mouse simple so that anyone can use it, but some people will find the lack of dedicated forward/back buttons a little annoying.

The front of the mouse features a USB port for connecting a supplied USB cable to the mouse so that the batteries can be recharged. Targus includes two AAA rechargeable NiMH batteries with the mouse. The battery compartment cover is a little difficult to remove, but this isn't a major concern since most people will just leave the supplied batteries inside the mouse all the time and use the USB cable to charge them.

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In Use

As I mentioned previously, the Targus Rechargeable Bluetooth Laser Notebook Mouse is designed to work with Bluetooth enabled PC and Mac computers without the need for a USB receiver. Targus claims this mouse works up to 33 ft away and I was able to maintain an accurate and stable connection at least 25 feet away from my notebook. The laser sensor has the ability to switch from 800 to 1,600 dots per inch (dpi) on-the-fly for heightened sensitivity during gaming, but it's not entirely easy.

In order to switch the mouse from 800 dpi to 1600 dpi you must press both the scroll and right key when the mouse is on. A red LED in the scroll wheel will light up for around three seconds to indicate the resolution is switching. When the LED is off, it indicates the resolution switching is successful.

In terms of Bluetooth connectivity, the Targus mouse performed quite well and I was never able to attribute a lost Bluetooth connection to the mouse. Connecting the mouse to a computer via Bluetooth was simple and straightforward, but the "connect" button on the base of the mouse was too small to be practical. I had to use the head of a pen or pencil every time I needed to reset the connection on the mouse. It would have been nice if the button was just a little larger so I could press it with my fingernail.

The only other minor annoyance I experienced during several weeks of testing this mouse was the momentary lag that occurs after leaving the mouse unused for several minutes. The mouse automatically goes into a power-saving mode after not being used for several minutes. If you move the mouse again it takes several seconds for movement to register on screen.

This power-saving mode delay became really annoying when I was typing lengthy articles or emails because I wouldn't use the mouse for several minutes and when I needed to use the mouse again there was a momentary lag. This won't be a problem if you constantly move the mouse around.

While we're on the topic of battery saving modes, let's discuss battery life. Since I was using the Targus Bluetooth mouse as a travel mouse and I have a dedicated mouse at work and home I wasn't using it every day. However, I only charged the batteries once at the beginning of the review period and the charge lasted the entire review period (almost three weeks) without needing to be recharged. I still haven't recharged the mouse but I assume the batteries will have to die sometime.

Conclusion

The Targus Rechargeable Bluetooth Laser Notebook Mouse is an excellent travel mouse for anyone who needs a compact Bluetooth mouse with easy USB recharging capability. I would have liked to see dedicated forward and back buttons for easy web browser navigation but that is a minor issue. The momentary lag from the battery saving mode and the tiny Bluetooth connect button on the base of the mouse are a little more difficult to live with.

Overall, I really liked the Targus mouse and I've decided to replace my old wireless USB travel mouse with this mouse. The mouse might not be perfect, but it still does a lot of things right.

Pros

• Comfortable, compact shape and ambidextrous design
• Good Bluetooth connection
• Long-lasting rechargeable batteries that can recharge via USB
• Rubberized texture feels very nice
• Low price

Cons

• Why the giant blue circle? Yes, we understand it's Bluetooth.
• Battery saving function causes lag after several minutes of non use.
• Tiny recessed "connect" button needs to be easier to press.
• Dedicated forward/back buttons would be nice for web browsing

 

I have the MS presenter 8000 BT mouse which does have dedicated front/back buttons and also doubles as a presenter remote with buttons on bottom to control powerpoint/media player etc.. Also has laser pointer. The only issue with the MS one is its a little small and expensive. But I found one online for 60 dollars and would be a better value then this one I think. Also I don't see much lag if any after no activity. The only two smaller BT notebook mice that I have seen with forward/back keys are the Dell travel mouse BT which can only be ordered with system and the MS presenter 8000 BT. I briefly had the Dell and it was a nicer size for my hands but did not perform as good as the MS one and would loose connections and generally was not as accurate and stable. Feature wise, I have not seen any portable BT mice pack as much as the MS presenter 8000. I did not even mention that the MS one also has a tilting scroll wheel as well. It pretty much does it all.

MS also has the BT 5000 mouse without the presenter buttons for around 40 dollars now http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TG4BA0/ref=pd_cp_e_1?pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000HDMPTO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0W237TBKSJ9K84EDM1H0

The 8000 model for 20 dollars more http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HDMPTO

I'm sorry to bring all this up on this review but thought I would mention it to those that want forward/back keys on a small BT mouse. There really is very little out there that can do this. The only con I see is that the MS ones don't have rechargeables but the batteries last forever. I also don't see the wake up lag issues that are mentioned on this review. After using the MS presenter for over 9 months I have no issues to report.

 

Meh, Logitech MX1000 BT is still the ultimate gaming BT mouse for me because I can use SetPoint and map keys to the buttons.

Double-mouse-clicks forward/back buttons anyone?

 

I have this mouse and love it. I definitely don't mind the power saver mode that a lot of people complain about, since I don't use the mouse much at all. I just let it sit there and save power, then when I need it I scroll the wheel and it picks right back up and connects. Even when I'm using it and that happen, just scrolling the wheel one click wakes it up.

I'd agree with you about the connect button overall, as when I have trouble with my Bluetooth adapter in my computer I need to use it, but generally I don't need to use the connect button. Then again, I have fingernails (good for handling small parts in the computer shop) which make it possible to press the thing without a paper clip or something.

I recommend this mouse to my friends and one of them even bought it and he loves it too.

- Trip

 

Don't most mice offer mapping keys to buttons? My MS presenter BT will allow any of the keys to be programmed to:

Right click, next window, back, forward, autoscroll, middle click, disabled, alt, close, copy, ctrl , cut, delete, double click, enter, exit, flip 3d, gaming toggle, instant viewer, macro editor, macro, magnify, maximize, minimize, new, open, paste, quick turn, redo, shift, show hide desktop, undo, zoom in, zoom out, keystroke, precision booster, start.. custom.

 

Another option if you want forward/back buttons on a bluetooth mouse would be the full-sized Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000. It lasts several weeks on a single rechargeable AA battery, and the wake-up time from power saving mode is quite minimal (it's never more than a half-second). The only problem with the mouse is that it's very expensive (~$90 MSRP), but if you can find one at a lower price, it's worth it. I did have the left mouse button stick at one point, along with several other cosmetic issues, but that's because I'm pretty hard on that mouse (it travels with my laptop every day).

Anyway, the mouse mentioned in this review does looks nice, though. I don't like the lag and the lack of navigation buttons, however.

 

One of the nice features with the smaller MS presenter BT mouse is it comes with a very nice hard clamshell case which provides excellent protection when traveling. This case is molded perfectly around the mouse and it not much bigger then the mouse itself. It includes a BT dongle if your PC does not have BT and that sits in the bottom of the case.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18049&stc=1&d=1209480573
Presenter 8000 BT.jpg

 

Well, I mean keyboard keys. I don't know if MS mouse has that.
i.e. For WoW, I have my buttons as keyboard "1" button, "2", "3", etc.

 

Thanks to this review. I now realize my mouse wheel has the ability to move left and right to flip through web pages. Sweet!

Oh, yeh, nice mouse btw.

 

my next mice

 

Seems like BT mice are still plagued with the battery issue...

 

Can't say I have battery issues with the MS 8000 presenter. Mouse last months on two AAA batteries and it does not have the sleep issues like the targus one does.

I checked out the user reviews on the targus at the amazon link and most people did not like the Targus. After checking the link I realize that this is the same one I looked into last July and steered away from it from the negative reviews. It appears this is the same model. Nothing new here. People complained about the sleep mode last July and Jerry found this to still to be a con today. Unfortunately, there is not a great selection of good BT travel mice. Lots of room for improvement. I like my MS 8000 presenter but it could be a little bigger and the scroll wheel is a bit stiff when using the middle click. Still, if I had to buy again today, it would probably be the same thing since I have not seen anything better.

 

Agreed with above, the battery life is pretty impressive on my MS Wireless Laser Mouse 8000 ( not the presenter), considering it takes just one rechargeable AA battery. It goes for roughly 3 weeks before it needs to be recharged again. Then again, the 8000 isn't exactly a travel mouse, so that might be an issue for some.

I personally would like to see a review of the Wireless Notebook mouse 5000. If I had the choice to buy a mouse today, I would get that mouse, simply for the low price it has (and the fact that it's BT, of course).

I must admit, however, the USB method of charging the batteries seems pretty cool. I wonder if you can still use the mouse while it's recharging?

 

Yes you can (it even works off the USB cord with the rechargable batteries removed).

I have this Bluetooth Targus mouse also and like it a lot; in fact, I'm using it now. It's very responsive and feels the same as a wired mouse (unlike some blueteeth mice I've used where there's a noticable lag between the mouse and pointer movements). Apart from that, I really hate worring about batteries running out. That isn't an issue with this mouse, though you do have to decide whether or not to pack the USB cord with it. I just carry the cord along with the mouse, with the side benefit that it's less likely to get lost in the vast wasteland of cords belonging to who-knows-what-other previously, or currently, owned electronic devices.

I don't mind the power-saving delay, and the mouse keeps its pairing with my laptop very well, so the small connect button is fine for me too. I have to agree that the big blue circle would look better on a raquetball court than a mouse.

 

The problem again is no 5 button navigation with the targus. I can't live without that. But the one that has always caught my eye is the 5 button Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse. Unfortunately it uses a USB dongle but its a very small one that barely sticks out. The design and ergos on the Nano blows everything out of the water. But then again, i do use the presenter buttons on my MS mouse to view powerpoint presentations which the nano no can do. But other then that, I think the nano is the best travel wireless laser mouse. And the user rating for it on amazon are by far the highest for this kind of mouse. For some reason, manufacturers have not released much lately as far as 5 button BT travel mice are concerned. MS pretty much has the market cornered at this point. Dell does sell a smaller 5 button BT one if you configure it with a new system. Dell travel mouse. But its not laser and its performance is crap. But the ergos on it are fantastic.

 

I have a Logitech Nano mouse and that used to be my main travel mouse. While I agree that the Nano is probably the overall best travel mouse on the market, I really want Bluetooth. I don't like to sacrifice a USB port for the USB receiver, so a Bluetooth mouse lets me use a mouse and still use the USB port for whatever I want.

If Logitech decides to make a Bluetooth version of the Nano then I'd be in heaven. Until then, I'm using this Targus mouse.