Can any of you guys recommend a good wireless keyboard/mouse combo?

I've always been against wireless mice because I feel that the response time is much slower than a standard wired mouse, but I think technology has improved in the past couple years so I'm ready to go fully wireless. Preferably something around/under $50.

I'm looking at this:

Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 - $30.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041

OK, so I've got a wireless Logitech LX-710 that was bundled with a no frills Logitech Click! wireless mouse, and it works pretty well, except for the fact that the mouse eats batteries and has NO recharge function (neither does the KB).

So I moved to a hybrid. I use the Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000 along with the Logitech Keyboard. The keyboard is easier on the batteries than the mouse by about a factor of 5x - 9x the Logitech Mouse. The MS Laser Mouse has a higher resolution, and the power brick recharge station works wonderfully!

Unfortunately neither of these solutions work within your budget, but when charged I have no latency issues whatsoever.

P.S. I also have the Creative HSC-1200 series headset hooked up. This is one of the reasons why I wanted an independently charged mouse.

I had the Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 and let me tell you, it was terrible. I couldn't handle the delay and sold it a few days later.

k0rny, take a look at the logitech wave wireless keyboard and mouse combo, my flat mate had it and it was amazing.

thanks peeps. i'll keep looking and maybe up my budget. I'll post back here with what I find in the next couple days.

I've owned a Logitech LX700 mouse/keyboard for the past four years. No issue at all with mouse response or sensitivity, I've changed the batteries in my keyboard a total of once (and no, they're not rechargeable, and yes I do type on it every waking moment). The rechargeable mouse has kept up fine, I usually charge it daily but I can go for two to three days before it actually gets low. I don't know if you'd be able to find one new but it's never let me down. All of the media keys are customizable with a freeware utility called UberOptions (which works for nearly all Logitech keyboards & mice). Perhaps the only negative to it is that it's RF transmission versus bluetooth.

I use the "Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0" for personal use. Found it on sale for $25. It works very well for general use. It uses 2xAA alkaline every 3-5 months depending on use. It can even run on 1xAA*. No re-charge, but I do use 2500mAH NiMH rechargeables with no real problem. The NiMH batts do NOT last as long (between charging) because their "start-up" voltage is lower than alkalines to begin with. The primary functional problem with this mouse, is that it starts behaving erratically before the low-battery window pops-up...whether I'm using Alkaline or NiMH.

But I was VERY disappointed with "Microsoft's Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000".
Bad startup, ate batteries (uses single "AA" instead of 2x"AA"). About every 3-4 WEEKS. Nowhere near the claimed life. No recharge.


My main "issue" is with the Microsoft "Intellipoint" software. If I want to use the mouse features, it FORCES installation and start-up of an update checking program with each re-boot. And, the "dpupdchk.exe" program can't be prevented from being loaded by the usual methods. Ref:
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/69095/

A problem I had with both the mouses, was that after about 2 years I had to strip-off the rubberized ergonomic handling 'paint' on the sides. It was deteriorating, didn't feel 'nice' anymore, etc. so I took it all off. I don't know if that's a problem common to all 'rubberized' mouses or just Microsoft mouses, or just the ones I happened to get. After stripping off the paint, there was zero difference in handling or control.


*I've installed 2 batteries, but used a piece of paper to prevent contact with the 2nd battery. This way, when the first one runs low and starts acting erratically, I can simply remove the low battery, remove the piece of paper, and I'm instantly up and running without having to interrupt my work to go look for batteries right away.

I bought an EX100 set for a computer that I rebuilt for my dad. It was super cheap at our local Radio Shack, $19.99. It serves him well, and he doesn't have any complaints about it: however, he's not a very fast typist. As Michael C. pointed out, there is a bit of delay when working with that set. I type at around 60 wpm and do notice the delay no matter the program (word, website, notepad, etc), and the delay is the same even when I would relocate the receiver.

Kieran mentioned the Logitech Wave set. I currently have that set and love it! But it is out of the price range you mentioned. My set came with the MX1100 mouse. The battery life in the keyboard supposed to last 3 years and the mouse battery is rechargeable. My only complaint about the set was the lag issue it had.

I solved the lag issue by relocating the usb receiver to the front of my tower. The keyboard and mouse are now very responsive.

My suggestion would be to go to Best Buy and Office Depot (or wherever else they have keyboard and mouse sets on display) , browse their keyboard and mouse sets, and see which one feels best to you while meeting your price range. I would definitely shop around for the best price.

I took a look at all of your suggestions and liked the LX 710 the best, but then I saw this one:

Logitech LX 310 - $49.99 (Free shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126032

What do you think?

I want to take a trip down to Frys, but that's a good hour drive. I'll need to buy something else there to make the trip worth it.

Looks like a pretty good set. My worry is that the receiver is the exact one that comes with the EX100, and Michael C and I both have had some lag issues with that receiver. However, this particular set may be better about that. I'm not sure.

I would read through the reviews carefully. Some folks don't realize that they could move the receiver (to line of site of the set and/or away from a wireless router) to improve wireless range and stop lag and then write a review saying the performance is terrible.

I hope this helps, k0rny. I enjoy my wireless set and find it hard to imagine going back to a wired set.

Another thing that can affect a wireless receiver...if it's positioned near anything that produces intended radio signals or EM interference. That could include devices in a poorly shielded case, other USB attached items, or external items in the room. I once had a standalone DVD player that when playing wreaked havoc across a very wide radio spectrum on just about every wireless device I was using at that time. If memory serves that included 800MHz to 1.8GHz devices, and didn't matter whether standard or spread-spectrum.

BTW, I've yet to find a wireless mouse that delivers the claimed distance.

Yeah I was talking with my friend the other day about this. He said he'd owned a couple wireless keyboard/mouse sets and all of them were garbage. He told me that both the keyboard and mouse are noticably delayed especially in games (Not that I didnt know this already). He kind of convinced me to stay wired... lol.

I still want to purchase a set for an HTPC I have planned to build, so I might just go with that $50 one when the time is right.

Thanks for all your suggestions. If I end up getting one I'll let you know which one I picked out.

For a mouse, an MX Revolution worked great for me. Might be a little pricey though.

Most cheap wireless systems have quite a bit of delay. Do some solid research. Usually, the more expensive ones are better. My dad bought a Mircosoft $80 keyboard/mouse combo, and I could never use it, even for non-gaming use.

Logitech are likely the best for wireless mice. I don't think I heard anyone mention Razer? Would they be good?

I'm at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to mice.... I'm left handed.
Most of the mice that are on the high end are "ergonomic", which in actuality means "Right Handed". Most games that support a keyboard are also coded that way!
Wouldn't it be cool if games allowed you to remap your keyboard based off of your handedness, vs. forcing you to do each function individually?
You could still make the mods, but the standard "WASD" set doesn't have a recognized equivilent.
Most, no all, gaming mice that I know about are all for right handers only. The MS Laser 8000 is ambidextrious, and has very good functionality, is rechargeable, but running it with the LX710 KB does require a bit more overhead in drivers and popups in the default load. You can turn some of this off.

LEntless said:

I paid quite a bit for my Logitech wave pro wireless set, but I am very pleased with it. It's been well worth the money. From reviews I've read, Razer is good. For $129 for some of their models, they'd better be good.