GE HO-97990 RF Optical Mouse

The optical part works on "RF" (radio frequency) with a range of 5 feet. Optical in my opinion is better than the original "ball" mouses (or meeses). Ball mouses tend to get dirty or come apart or just break down. An optical mouse won't fall apart as easily, will need some occasional cleaning, and definitely change the batteries when you detect "inoperability".

You can adjust the frequency in case you get interference. Me, I had no problems out of the box even though I have a wirelss internet connection going (USB adapter).

As far as the wireless part, there is no wire attached to the mouse, but there is a wire attached to the receiving unit to the computer. You can put the "receiver" just about anywhere in-and-around your computer, regardless of line-of-sight. The receiving unit comes with a USB connection (you can turn it into a "PS2" connection with an included converter piece). Both worked for me fine.

The person who experienced functioning problems on this board probably didn't change the batteries. I did have minor difficulties getting the thing to activate off the bat.

The install is plug-and-play and you really don't need the CD, whether you're using USB or PS2 connector. However, you have to press this "connect" button on the underside of the mouse and then the "connect" button on the underside of the receiving unit before you can use it. I had to do trial-and-error before I could get the mouse to work. I would recommend putting both side-by-side initially so you can experiment. After that no problems. The mouse does sleep after period of inactivity and take a few seconds to awaken again (i don't think you can set the inactivity period).

Overall, I think it's a cost-effective wireless & optical mouse.


Worked sporatically and briefly after much hassle   June 22, 2004
greg borden (san jose, ca USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Dont get it , hard to sync and it is almost impossible to sync up. (Need to hold 2 buttons down at the same time and planets need to be alligned etc......)


Dont even touch it   October 4, 2004
brainhigh
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I picked this up at target going solely by its low price (my bad). Worked fine for less than a month atmost and stopped working ever since.

All the lights are on (which means the battery isnt dead yet) but the mouse pointer refuses to budge even an inch. Tried connecting, pushing the link buttons on both mouse and recievers and replugging it in etc. but this mouse (pointer) doesnt move. Even tried my cat to make it move, but no use :(.

I wish I can return this thing to Target, I guess the packaging it came with has gone into trash long back :(.

My advice: please dont get this piece of junk unless you want to throw away 20 bucks.





Good for the money!   December 13, 2002
Milissa Giese (Steilacoom, Wa)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

There are quite a few wireless mouse options on the market, but this package is all inclusive, even batteries! I haven't experienced any problems so far and it basically installed itself on my computer. I've seen some of the other, pricier versions on my friends computers and they seem to react a bit better, but the difference is negotiable.