A4Tech – NB-30 – Battery Free Wireless Optical Mouse & The Easy Go Optical Mouse
Every now and then, innovation makes its way over to our world. Some things, change our lives dramatically, others we tend to not even realize. If a company wants to save me money, I WANT TO LISTEN. Well, this is what A4Tech wants to do. They want me to take a look at a cordless mouse that uses no batteries, and I will do so with an open mind and a closed wallet. To stir the pot a little, they also shipped me their “Easy Go Optical Mouse” for those of us with laptops that can’t stand that friggen ball or that damned touchpad.
First, the “Easy Go Optical Mouse”. You didn’t think I was going to let you read the neat stuff first did you? I travel quite a bit, and everywhere I go, my laptop goes with me. I have gone the way of the little ball in the center of the keyboard. I hated that! I have gone the way of the touchpad. I HATE THAT EVEN MORE!! (Every time I type, I hit the touchpad and I end up adding sentences together.) My solution, carry a mouse with me every where. Enter the Easy Go Optical Mouse.
A4Tech isn’t trying to redefine the traveler’s mouse; they are simply trying to organize some clutter. As you can see, even the packaging is simple, simple to open too. No need for the chainsaw. This mouse is much like any other mouse with one exception. It has a neat little way for organizing your cord to not only to lessen the mess of wires in your laptop bag, but to appear more organized and professional in those important meetings.
Their design is a very simple idea. The mouse is notched for the USB plug to fit in. An idea so simple, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it first! I bet a bunch of companies are singing that tune too.
Ok, now we can get to the cool stuff. I have in front of me (and using at this moment) the battery free cordless optical mouse. Yeah, I’m cool…
This mouse, the NB-30, doesn’t use any batteries; instead it gets its power from Electromagnetic Induction.
Thank you Britannica.com for the definition: Induction of an electromotive force in a circuit by varying the magnetic flux linked with the circuit.
There is some controversy out there about electromagnetic fields and health issues. Just by the shear definition of the term Electromagnetic Induction one can discover that there is a magnetic field here. Some of the controversy relates to the biological affects that these fields have on the body. From affecting melatonin, hormone secreted by the pineal gland that influences the sleep-wake cycle by acting according to the day-night alternation, to inducing electric currents and fields in living tissues. Two things that are perenially under scrutiny for this are cell phones and power lines. Just remember here that the key word in this paragraph is controversy.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a means to measure the power of the magnetic field that this thing generates; I did try to get an idea of how powerful it was. I stacked a full ream of paper on top of the mouse pad to see if it still worked, it didn’t. I removed about 75 sheets and guess what… I was mouse-ing around like a drooling fool.
What was the first thing I thought when I received this mouse? Take it apart! Got my screwdriver, got my mouse, got Mountain Dew, and got a yearning to see how this thing works. The mouse seems relatively like other mice with one exception. There is a ring of copper around the perimeter of the mouse. This is the mouse’s power plant.
Flip the mouse over, and it is nothing flattering, pretty standard. I tried to get some details on the optics of this and the only info I found is on a site that is selling this mouse. It lists it as having a 620cpi sensor. That is better than most mice out there; including the Microsoft mouse I use everyday. Does that mean that it is better? No. The mouse is accurate and responds fine in gaming and everyday activities.
The mouse pad is both attractive and unobtrusive. This mouse pad is your power source for the entire setup and connects to your PC or Laptop via USB connection. The cord provided with this is of ample length. My only complaint of this pad is the size. While it is small enough to travel with, I feel it would be better served being a bit larger. The advertising on the pad is not annoying at all. Too many times I see companies branding so much that you can’t even look at the product without becoming nauseous.
Not much information is needed with this setup. Most times you see that wireless keyboards or mice need to shake hands with one another; you have to press a button here, and then one on the mouse or keyboard before they can communicate with each other. Not here, put the mouse on the pad and go. On the top of the pad are two indicators and one button. The first is your communication button titled “run”. This will illuminate when the mouse is on the surface of the pad and communicating with it. The second indicator is for your power, self explanatory. Under that is your tune button which is quoted as “Frequency Adjustable Tuning: Distinguished Frequency Adjustable Tuning automatically solves the difference in USB voltages, and tuned to optimum frequency keeps the unit in its best status after four seconds, this always maintains a mouse which is smooth, like new.”
The mouse moves very smoothly on the surface of this pad, much like the gaming pads that are being sold today. This, coupled with the extremely light nature of a battery free mouse, makes for a pleasant experience. The mouse features 3 buttons and a scroll wheel that is very comfortable and unlike most used by the competition, it is concave so your finger fits nicely. The buttons are stiff enough to help prevent the not so unusual accidental click. With its smooth, sleek design and its very cool red illumination, the mouse is attractive and practical; however, most of us have become more used to a 5 button offering; which I would love to see here.
I can’t find one thing wrong with this mouse, as far as form and function is concerned. There are some things I would have liked to have seen though. I would like to have had 2 extra buttons and a larger pad. I have to admit that having a mouse around that does not use batteries is not only cool, but it saves money too. Many wireless mice out there run through batteries pretty quick. In most of my experiences, I have had to change my batteries about every month or so. There are other alternatives, such as the MX700, which in my opinion is too expensive and WAY too heavy for me. My final thoughts… for $40.00, I would definitely buy one.
About the Author
A4Tech – NB-30 – Battery Free Wireless Optical Mouse & The Easy Go Optical Mouse
Every now and then, innovation makes its way over to our world. Some things, change our lives dramatically, others we tend to not even realize. If a company wants to save me money, I WANT TO LISTEN. Well, this is what A4Tech wants to do. They want me to take a look at a cordless mouse that uses no batteries, and I will do so with an open mind and a closed wallet. To stir the pot a little, they also shipped me their “Easy Go Optical Mouse” for those of us with laptops that can’t stand that friggen ball or that damned touchpad.
First, the “Easy Go Optical Mouse”. You didn’t think I was going to let you read the neat stuff first did you? I travel quite a bit, and everywhere I go, my laptop goes with me. I have gone the way of the little ball in the center of the keyboard. I hated that! I have gone the way of the touchpad. I HATE THAT EVEN MORE!! (Every time I type, I hit the touchpad and I end up adding sentences together.) My solution, carry a mouse with me every where. Enter the Easy Go Optical Mouse.
A4Tech isn’t trying to redefine the traveler’s mouse; they are simply trying to organize some clutter. As you can see, even the packaging is simple, simple to open too. No need for the chainsaw. This mouse is much like any other mouse with one exception. It has a neat little way for organizing your cord to not only to lessen the mess of wires in your laptop bag, but to appear more organized and professional in those important meetings.
Their design is a very simple idea. The mouse is notched for the USB plug to fit in. An idea so simple, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it first! I bet a bunch of companies are singing that tune too.
Ok, now we can get to the cool stuff. I have in front of me (and using at this moment) the battery free cordless optical mouse. Yeah, I’m cool…
This mouse, the NB-30, doesn’t use any batteries; instead it gets its power from Electromagnetic Induction.
Thank you Britannica.com for the definition: Induction of an electromotive force in a circuit by varying the magnetic flux linked with the circuit.
There is some controversy out there about electromagnetic fields and health issues. Just by the shear definition of the term Electromagnetic Induction one can discover that there is a magnetic field here. Some of the controversy relates to the biological affects that these fields have on the body. From affecting melatonin, hormone secreted by the pineal gland that influences the sleep-wake cycle by acting according to the day-night alternation, to inducing electric currents and fields in living tissues. Two things that are perenially under scrutiny for this are cell phones and power lines. Just remember here that the key word in this paragraph is controversy.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a means to measure the power of the magnetic field that this thing generates; I did try to get an idea of how powerful it was. I stacked a full ream of paper on top of the mouse pad to see if it still worked, it didn’t. I removed about 75 sheets and guess what… I was mouse-ing around like a drooling fool.
What was the first thing I thought when I received this mouse? Take it apart! Got my screwdriver, got my mouse, got Mountain Dew, and got a yearning to see how this thing works. The mouse seems relatively like other mice with one exception. There is a ring of copper around the perimeter of the mouse. This is the mouse’s power plant.
Flip the mouse over, and it is nothing flattering, pretty standard. I tried to get some details on the optics of this and the only info I found is on a site that is selling this mouse. It lists it as having a 620cpi sensor. That is better than most mice out there; including the Microsoft mouse I use everyday. Does that mean that it is better? No. The mouse is accurate and responds fine in gaming and everyday activities.
The mouse pad is both attractive and unobtrusive. This mouse pad is your power source for the entire setup and connects to your PC or Laptop via USB connection. The cord provided with this is of ample length. My only complaint of this pad is the size. While it is small enough to travel with, I feel it would be better served being a bit larger. The advertising on the pad is not annoying at all. Too many times I see companies branding so much that you can’t even look at the product without becoming nauseous.
Not much information is needed with this setup. Most times you see that wireless keyboards or mice need to shake hands with one another; you have to press a button here, and then one on the mouse or keyboard before they can communicate with each other. Not here, put the mouse on the pad and go. On the top of the pad are two indicators and one button. The first is your communication button titled “run”. This will illuminate when the mouse is on the surface of the pad and communicating with it. The second indicator is for your power, self explanatory. Under that is your tune button which is quoted as “Frequency Adjustable Tuning: Distinguished Frequency Adjustable Tuning automatically solves the difference in USB voltages, and tuned to optimum frequency keeps the unit in its best status after four seconds, this always maintains a mouse which is smooth, like new.”
The mouse moves very smoothly on the surface of this pad, much like the gaming pads that are being sold today. This, coupled with the extremely light nature of a battery free mouse, makes for a pleasant experience. The mouse features 3 buttons and a scroll wheel that is very comfortable and unlike most used by the competition, it is concave so your finger fits nicely. The buttons are stiff enough to help prevent the not so unusual accidental click. With its smooth, sleek design and its very cool red illumination, the mouse is attractive and practical; however, most of us have become more used to a 5 button offering; which I would love to see here.
I can’t find one thing wrong with this mouse, as far as form and function is concerned. There are some things I would have liked to have seen though. I would like to have had 2 extra buttons and a larger pad. I have to admit that having a mouse around that does not use batteries is not only cool, but it saves money too. Many wireless mice out there run through batteries pretty quick. In most of my experiences, I have had to change my batteries about every month or so. There are other alternatives, such as the MX700, which in my opinion is too expensive and WAY too heavy for me. My final thoughts… for $40.00, I would definitely buy one.
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