Is it just me or do Bluetooth mice and keyboards suck?

May 25, 2009 10:36 PM

Is it just me or do Bluetooth mice and keyboards suck?

About a year and a half ago I bought a Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 keyboard and mouse combo. It was on clearance and I think I paid about $80 for the combo.

It was near Logitech's top of the line so I felt like I was getting a good deal. Additionally, I've had good experiences with Logitech products over the years. I find the "build quality" and "feel" of their products superior to other manufacturers.

That said, out of the box I had immediate Bluetooth-related problems. The keyboard would spontaneously lockup on certain key presses. So I would be writing something like, "wfrgms rocks" and the s-key would suddenly repeat, "ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss" and this would go on for minutes. It was especially frustrating when the "delete" key would repeat causing a loss of written work. I also experienced frequent disconnects.

The mouse worked well enough, but occasionally would become very lagged. (Additionally, but unrelated to the Bluetooth question, the mouse would only charge in its cradle if positioned "just right," tipped to one side and balanced so that it would take a charge.)

I poured over the Logitech forums and found many other people experiencing similar problems. Some solutions seemed to involve installing the Bluetooth radio dongle onto a USB extension cord and positioning this within a foot or so of the keyboard and mouse. I did this and it seemed to get rid of most of problems, but they would still come back randomly.

Normally I would chalk this up to a bum keyboard and mouse (or Bluetooth radio dongle) but recently I acquired a Logitech V470 Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks for use with my netbook. It works fine most of the time, but suffers from occasional random lag.

Additionally the entire pairing and passkey process seems needless for such simple devices. Not to mention that at work and in various other environments I've encountered similar problems with Bluetooth keyboards and mice.

At the same time I've used, in passing, RF based keyboards and mice and found them to work just fine.

In short, I've began to think that Bluetooth sucks. In fact, I've put away my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and I've been using corded options for the past few weeks.

Is it just me? Will Bluetooth ever work better? Or should I just resolve myself to USB?

posted by wfrgms to computers & internet (19 comments total)

I haven't had as much trouble as you, but I've had a few bluetooth keyboards and mice (Logitech, Apple, Microsoft) but I've given up Bluetooth mice. They go through batteries like candy and seem to have spotty communication. I'm sold on Logitech's RF mice. The batteries last forever and I never have dropouts. Use them on three different computers, never have problems and change the batteries maybe once a year.

I use one of the new-ish Apple bluetooth keyboards without any problems, but only on my Mini, never tried it on Windows (It's missing a few keys I like on Windows). For my main Windows computer I use a Logitech DiNovo keyboard and it works much better through the computer's built-in bluetooth than the dongle/dock nightmare that came with it. That thing gave me no end of trouble.

I used to have a Sony RF keyboard for my media center that I quite liked, but it was paired with the computer its self and I had to give it up when I got rid of it. They use a lot less power and drop out less. If I could switch my keyboards from Bluetooth to RF I would happily.
posted by Ookseer at 10:59 PM on May 25

I haven't tried a keyboard, but I've had no problems whatsoever with my logitech bluetooth mouse (nfi the model, sorry, but it's dual-AA rather than a charging cradle). It's quite cool, imho.
posted by pompomtom at 10:59 PM on May 25

I purchased a Logitech wireless laser mouse a few months ago, and there's no pairing needed, so I assume however it's communicating, it's either not using Bluetooth or is somehow bypassing the tedious manual pairing process present in OS X. (To answer your question about if we'll be stuck with the pairing process forever.)

As for Bluetooth sucking in general for you ... perhaps it's the environment you're in? If it's "noisy" signal-wise, then that might be the problem ...
posted by WCityMike at 11:22 PM on May 25

Most of the non-Bluetooth RF keyboards and mice I've tried appear to be standard USB human interface devices to the OS, which means they tend not to have the weird compatibility problems I've occasionally experienced with Bluetooth HID's. If you're using wifi, a Bluetooth HID is probably not going to be your friend - 802.11g and Bluetooth both do spread-spectrum tricks in the 2.4GHz band and they do stomp each other. Bluetooth has also got a bunch of adaptive stuff in it to crank its transmit power up and down to maintain a minimum error rate, which means in practice that you never get a perfect connection with it. I don't like it much.
posted by flabdablet at 12:27 AM on May 26

But then, I tend to dislike wireless stuff in general. You know where you are with a good solid lump of wire.
posted by flabdablet at 12:27 AM on May 26

Funny, just had a ton of issues with my microsoft bluetooth intellipoint explorer keyboard and mouse (windows would start scrolling randomly when the keyboard/mouse were connected to my laptop) but those issues went away entirely when I downloaded and installed the latest drivers.

Plus, when I connected these instruments there was an option to not use a passkey to connect. Was pretty simple, actually - don't know how other brands work, though.
posted by archofatlas at 2:33 AM on May 26

Additionally the entire pairing and passkey process seems needless for such simple devices.

My laptop's bluetooth can see mobile phones belonging to people on the floor above me - in other words, bluetooth data can travel a good few meters. Pairing and passkeys and whatnot aren't the greatest system out there, but typing your passwords, credit card numbers etc into a wireless keyboard without encryption seems a bit unwise to me.

Is it just me? Will Bluetooth ever work better? Or should I just resolve myself to USB?

I have a bluetooth mouse for my laptop (Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000), and have not encountered the problems you describe. Admittedly, its connection line-of-sight at a range of about half a meter. I also rarely use it, so the batteries have been fine so far.

On the other hand, my experience is that bluetooth serial ports aren't very good (partly an OS issue, which might be resolved in later/future OSes, I don't know) and I've seen several people move away from them in frustration.

For my main computer (which seldom moves from my desk) my mouse is USB.

In summary: I haven't had the specific bluetooth problems you describe, but I've seen and encountered bluetooth problems, and personally I chose USB in preference to Bluetooth for my desktop computer.
posted by Mike1024 at 2:34 AM on May 26

I had a Logitech BT DiNovo input suite and had a lot of connection problems with it. I got it as a replacement for a non-BT set that worked OK, but that developed an intemittent key (spacebar). The replacement unit, after a few years, developed a similar problem and when Logitech replaced that one under warranty, I just sold it.

Logitech's ergonomics are wonderful, and I particularly loved the mouse, but I am now using a simpler wired mouse and a wired KB and am happy as a clam with this setup. I don't know if my problems were BT related or not, but the number of times I was confronted with problems caused me to write them off for good.

The unit ate batteries, did not report low battery conditions at all, gave me the repeating key symptom, dropped out for no apparent reason, and did not generally deliver on its promise.

(I'm using my input suite on a desktop, and there are wires everywhere, so there is no particular advantage to BT, anyway. I bought the diNovo for looks and non-wireless features which were good but proved to be less valuable than the wireless troubles cost me in aggravation.
posted by FauxScot at 5:03 AM on May 26

Bluetooth is a bag of hurt. I've fought with it for years and avoid it whenever possible.

Not to start a PC/Mac debate, but the only bluetooth device I've ever got to work with no trouble is an apple wireless keyboard.
posted by mmoncur at 5:05 AM on May 26

You don't say if you have a laptop or desktop. Many laptops cycle down their bluetooth radio to preserve power very quickly.
posted by filmgeek at 5:07 AM on May 26

I had an Apple wireless mouse (the first one they issued). It was my favorite mouse ever. However, it really sucked up the batteries so I got rid of it.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 7:08 AM on May 26

I use a Microsoft Bluetooth NotebookMouse 5000 on my Macbook. When running OS X, the only problem I've had is that it will occasionally refuse to work after the laptop has been asleep; if I then use the trackpad to move the cursor, the mouse always starts working again.

Conversely, when booted into XP on the same hardware, I often have the same intermittent lag problems you mention, as well as random crazy movement. I put it down to crap drivers &/or Bluetooth stack in Windows.
posted by Pinback at 7:09 AM on May 26

I've never had Bluetooth issues with a Logitech Bluetooth mouse and an Apple wireless keyboard. Maybe Bluetooth is just better supported under OS X. Neither device goes through batteries at an excessive rate, either, though I don't understand why anyone wouldn't use rechargeable batteries in those kinds of devices so the complaints of going through the batteries don't make sense to me.
posted by 6550 at 9:25 AM on May 26

Nthing what others have said about drivers. I've wrestled a fair amount with this as my job (as well as at it), and can offer the following:

1) Some of it is the drivers / software on the host computer. Sony, Toshiba, and MS all make their own Bluetooth Stacks & drivers, that work with their own hardware, and not each others'. Since OS X has its own native stack, vendors rarely write a new one for Macs, if ever.

2) Hardware standards. We use Mac Pros running Boot Camp as our desktop - there is a clear difference between using the built-in Bluetooth on the Mac Pro w/ a MS keyboard & mouse, and using the included MS dongle, even with the same drivers. So much for standards...

3) Every Bluetooth mouse, and most keyboards, that I have seen have a sleep state to conserve batteries that causes lag when they are idle for a while. Annoying, but at least it's universal!

4) Pairing - we used to have a set of RF mice in a series of adjacent conference rooms. Unless you took the effort to manually change the channel of the mice AND the receiver (which was a pain in the butt, especially when you changed batteries), the mouse in room A would be picked up on the PC in room B as well as A, causing all sorts of issues. The point of Bluetooth pairing is to avoid this - even in an open cube farm with 50 exposed desks, the mice won't ever cross signals since they are paired to a specific receiver / computer.

Yes, Bluetooth is a pain in some cases, especially for mice & keyboards (I hate RF keyboards & mice as well, and stick to corded - no batteries, no signal issues, no problems). That being said, it does wonders for other uses - I love my Bluetooth headpiece for my cell phone, and my GPS connection as well. Also, I can tether my Blackberry to my MacBook and use it as a 'net connection in a pinch, using Bluetooth. It also works wonders for the PlayStation 3, since you don't need a clear line between the controller and the unit for the Bluetooth to connect (i.e. - if someone walks in front of you, or if the unit is in a case and out of line of sight).
posted by GJSchaller at 10:53 AM on May 26

Early Bluetooth devices sucked so hard I used them to store food for long winters. Newer Bluetooth devices only suck a little. My 1 year old bluetooth mouse only has a wake-up lag but is otherwise perfectly fine. It might not be fine for gaming but for browsing and developing it's fine. The battery life is even respectable. Non-bluetooth wireless devices seem to work a lot better and have superior battery life.

BTW, I wouldn't suggest getting a wireless keyboard of either stripe. The encryption is notoriously weak meaning it would be pretty easy for a hacker to catch your passwords flying between you keyboard and its receiver. It's not likely but definitely possible.
posted by chairface at 12:33 PM on May 26

I just bought a "Logitech V450 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks" and couldn't be happier with it so far. It uses 2.4GHz RF instead of Bluetooth. As people are saying, these mice are great. I too dislike all the pairing junk. The receiver is so tiny it's barely noticeable and batteries are claimed to last 12 months under normal use. I'm talking plain old Energizer too. No Li-Ion or anything. Costs about 50 bucks off the shelf but a lot cheaper online.
posted by sipher at 2:53 PM on May 26

I have an Apple bluetooth wireless keyboard, and it's performance has been flawless. It uses three AA batteries, but I bought 6 rechargable batteries and a cheap charger. I've been thrilled with this combo, to be honest.
posted by 2oh1 at 4:55 PM on May 26

When running OS X, the only problem I've had is that it will occasionally refuse to work after the laptop has been asleep;

Same thing with Vista and most of my Bluetooth mice. Simply turning them off/on again helps.

I have had bluetooth mice since about 2003, never had the problems you have. My wife and kids however are always complaining about their mouse not working... Generally I chalk it up to lack of patience and that they don't want to turn it off/on again - if they have to "fiddle" it is broken. So - probably for many users, bluetooth mice are a headache, for me I love the lack of a cord and would never go back to a dongle, let alone a wire...
posted by jkaczor at 7:38 PM on May 27

Simply turning them off/on again helps.

It's easier to just tap the trackpad than it is to turn the mouse over and fiddle with the little switch ;-)
posted by Pinback at 5:34 AM on May 28