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It works under the principal of electrical induction. A brief overview of how this works is when an electric conductor moves through a magnetic field. Electronic current is then "induced", or created, in the electronic conductor. For the BatteryFREE mouse, the mouse houses an electric conductor in the form of copper wires. Below the gray surface of the mouse pad is another coil that causes the surface of the pad to become a magnetic field. As the user moves the mouse across the mouse pad, current is induced for the mouse; thus, it has enough electricity to power its red LED and optical sensor. The induction also creates enough power for the mouse's transmitter to broadcast weak signals to the nearby receiver which is located at the top of the mouse pad. The weakness of the signal will not cause it to interfere with other RF devices. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/battery_free_wireless_mouse/10.jpg"><img src="atruereview/battery_free_wireless_mouse/10th.jpg" width="250" height="217" border="0" alt="A4 Tech BatteryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse" title="A4 Tech BatteryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>There are a few things to watch out for with this induction design. First, the BatteryFREE mouse will not work when the mouse pad is on top of a steel surface. This is stated in the included User Guide and on the top right corner of the mouse pad's surface. The guide suggests a solution of placing a 20-50mm thick book below the mouse pad if you must have the mouse placed on top a steel surface. </p> <p>Because the mouse pad generates a magnetic field, it should be kept at a suggested distance of at least 20cm away from a CRT monitor. That may be easier said than done for certain users. While the mouse pad does not cause color distortion to the monitor when it gets close such as a regular magnet does, it causes noticeable horizontal scan lines to appear. Even at a distance of 30cm, faint scan lines are still noticeable.</p> <p><strong>Usage:</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/battery_free_wireless_mouse/11.jpg"><img src="atruereview/battery_free_wireless_mouse/11th.jpg" width="158" height="250" border="0" alt="A4 Tech BatteryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse" title="A4 Tech BatteryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p> You do not need to fully understand the theory behind how the mouse works to enjoy it. A4 Tech's BatteryFREE mouse works wonderfully. The mouse's slick feet move smoothly across the MagicPad's surface. The left and right mouse buttons both click nicely. Also, the scroll wheel scrolls very well with 24 clicks per revolution. Personally, I have no problems with the untraditional concave shape of the scroll wheel. I do not feel it has a great advantage over the standard scroll wheel. Though the shape of the scroll wheel is not a problem for me, its difficulty to click is. Another minor complaint I have with the BatteryFREE mouse is that the mouse pad surface is a bit on the small side.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/battery_free_wireless_mouse/07.jpg"><img src="atruereview/battery_free_wireless_mouse/07th.jpg" width="250" height="93" border="0" alt="A4 Tech BatteryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse" title="A4 Tech BatteryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>For everyday mouse usage, the BatteryFREE does a great job. The unleashed feeling makes navigating the jungle that is Windows very easy. The same feeling of freedom makes the mouse work very well with imaging software though the size of the mouse pad may become restrictive.</p> <p>Gaming with the BatteryFREE mouse feels very nice. During a few hours of Far Cry, I did not experience any skipping or slowdown. Again, the only down side when gaming with this mouse is the size of the mouse pad.</p> <p>One thing I discovered is that the mouse can function up to about 4cm above the mouse pad. I was able to successfully operate the mouse with another mouse pad between the mouse and MagicPad as long as it was not a steel enforced pad. Doing this will not extend the surface of which the mouse can operate; however, it allows you to use another mouse pad surface of choice.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p> <p> This is definitely one of the most unique computer mice available today. Indeed, the BatteryFREE mouse is a wireless mouse that does not require any batteries, ever. Its performance is on par with just about any other optical mouse, which is not bad at all. Because it does not use any batteries, the mouse itself is very light.</p> <p>However, there are a few blemishes to this mouse. Though the concaved mouse wheel is offers very nice scrolling, it is difficult to click. Furthermore, the MagicPad's surface is rather cramped and must be kept a distance away from the monitor if it is CRT. Overall though, the A4 Tech BatteryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse is a pioneering product that is well designed and performs splendidly.</p> <p><strong>Pros:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Wireless</li> <li> No batteries needed</li> <li> Smooth performance</li> <li> Light</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Cramped mouse pad</li> <li> Scroll wheel hard to click</li> <li> MagicPad causes interference with CRT monitors</li> </ul> <p><strong>Ratings:</strong></p> <table border="0"> <tr> <td width="95">Esthetics: </td> <td width="88">Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Performance: </td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Ergonomics:: </td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Packaging:</td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Price: </td> <td> Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Overall: </td> <td>Very Good </td> </tr> </table> <p>(Ratings Possible: Terrible, Very Bad, Bad, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent)</p> <p><a href="atruereview/battery_free_wireless_mouse/index.php"></a> <a href="battery_free_wireless_mouse/index.php">Previous (Introduction & Description)</a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer">  </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </body> </html>