Solved Mouse - USB vs. Bluetooth

Buddy · May 26, 2024

I've got a Logitech USB wireless mouse with the dongle plugged into a CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock. Yeah, I know, that's gross overkill - the dock is there for other stuff, all of which is working fine.

Recently, the mouse has started acting up - disconnecting and reconnecting at random. Replacing it with a different mouse doesn't seem to help. Plugging the dongle into one of the ports on the notebook helps, but it kinda grates me to take up one of the limited number of USB ports with it. So...

I've discovered that Logitech now has a Bluetooth mouse. Anyone with any thoughts to share about that?

I'll likely just buy it and try it, but thought I'd save my funds if it's a dumpster fire.

archfoto · May 26, 2024

Or, maybe just get a multi-port USB connector, or a powered hub to piggyback off your USB port?

Buddy · May 26, 2024

archfoto said:
Or, maybe just get a multi-port USB connector, or a powered hub to piggyback off your USB port?

Uh, that's why I've got the TS4.

Now, about the BT mouse...

jvickers · May 26, 2024

I have a Logitech MX Master 3. It can be either Bluetooth or USB. The Bluetooth works fine once the system boots. I have a desktop. You should be fine with the BT mouse.

Graulges · May 26, 2024

I have a Logitech M510 wireless mouse with the unifying receiver which works great once I found a suitable place for the receiver. It didn't work in the sockets on the back of the PC but is flawless with the receiver plugged into a USB port on a monitor: I had Bluetooth mice but they were just basic Microsoft ones and the performance was very inconsistent, freezes, stutters etc.. The Bluetooth seemed too prone to suffer from interference.

Bizarre · May 26, 2024

I have a Logitech M557. I have been using it for 5 years now and it works well.
However, if you're a gamer, you're better off with a USB mouse.

Buddy · May 26, 2024

Graulges said:
I have a Logitech M510 wireless mouse with the unifying receiver which works great once I found a suitable place for the receiver.

Interesting. Mine seems to be working well now that I plugged the receiver directly into the PC. Before that, two different mice were acting up when plugged into the TS4 dock. I'm now wondering the the USB A-to-C adapter for them was the problem. Or maybe just being too close to too many device connections on the TS4.

Buddy · May 26, 2024

Bizarre said:
I have a Logitech M557. I have been using it for 5 years now and it works well.
However, if you're a gamer, you're better off with a USB mouse.

Not a gamer.

I Googled Logitech 557 and found a lot of posts about them disconnecting. Now wondering if that's a liability of BT mice in general as compared to the dedicated wireless radios used for the USB dongle.

Berton · May 26, 2024

I have a few Microsoft Sculpt Comfort BT mice, one in use and two new for sale. Also have a few Targus BT mice which apparently have been discontinued and an older LogiTech that hasn't been needed for awhile. BT is usually part of the Wireless/Wi-Fi Network adapter and frees up a USB port. I keep one in each Notebook case. Got lucky a few years ago, package of 6 Targus was less than cost of 2 individual. If not having BT in the computer there is an IOGear USB Bluetooth dongle that works well. My April 2022 Dell Vostro Desktop has Wired and Wireless adapters and the Wireless includes Bluetooth.

Bizarre · May 26, 2024

Buddy said:
Not a gamer.

I Googled Logitech 557 and found a lot of posts about them disconnecting. Now wondering if that's a liability of BT mice in general as compared to the dedicated wireless radios used for the USB dongle.

I'm using the built in BT (from Intel) on my PC (ASUS ROG) and not a third-party USB dongle.
With that said. I only experience disconnects when batteries are low. Simple fix is to charge batteries every month.

antspants · May 26, 2024

Buddy said:
Uh, that's why I've got the TS4.

Now, about the BT mouse...

archfoto said:
Or, maybe just get a multi-port USB connector, or a powered hub to piggyback off your USB port?

Good suggestion in my opinion, archfoto, dock or no dock.

Much cheeper option than a new mouse and it’s always good to have more ports, especially when a person is concerned about taking up 1 single port on a laptop.

antspants · May 26, 2024

If a device plugged into the TS4 attempts to draw too much power for an extended period of time, the TS4 will protect itself by disabling USB ports until it's fully disconnected and reconnected, similar to what you're describing. We most often see this behavior with BUS powered USB hubs, though other peripherals or USB devices may trigger this behaviour.

- CalDigit rep

Before you spend money on a new mouse, have you tested the mouse by unplugging power intensive devices from the hub?
And to risk stating the obvious, have you checked the batteries in the mouse?
Do you have the latest firmware for the dock?

CalDigit Support Downloads

downloads.caldigit.com

MisterEd · May 26, 2024

Do you have another Logitech device with its own Unifying Receiver? If you do you can try the mouse with a different Unifying Receiver.

I have a Logitech MK550 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo. It includes a K350 Keyboard and a M510 Mouse. It was becoming intermittent. Moving the Unifying Receiver from the back of the computer to the front helped for a time but eventually even that didn't help. I solved the problem by buying a new Unifying Receiver.

Buddy · May 27, 2024

MisterEd said:
Do you have another Logitech device with its own Unifying Receiver? If you do you can try the mouse with a different Unifying Receiver.

Good thought, but no. Just the mouse. Using the laptop's own keyboard.

Buddy · May 27, 2024

antspants said:
Before you spend money on a new mouse, have you tested the mouse by unplugging power intensive devices from the hub?
And to risk stating the obvious, have you checked the batteries in the mouse?
Do you have the latest firmware for the dock?

The three HDD on the dock have their own supplies. There's also an SD card and a USB stick, and the mouse.
Yes, I put a fresh battery in the mouse just a couple of days ago. Thanks for asking.
I just looked at the CalDigit site. The most recent firmware is from June 2022. I bought it in Dec of 2022, so it appears that it's current.

Buddy · May 27, 2024

@antspants
Oops, I forgot. One of the Thunderbolt USB-C ports on the CalDigit is 100w power. That one is the "umbilical" to the laptop, both charging it and providing the USB connection between it and the dock.

So yeah, there IS a device drawing power. Of course, the laptop battery is there to smooth out demand, you'd think. Kinda moot to consider unplugging it, though, because that ends the data connection.

I've got a couple of things to try today. If they fizzle, I'll either just leave the mouse receiver plugged into the laptop USB-A port or I'll go ahead and try a Bluetooth mouse, which was the original question, anyway.

BamaInArk · May 27, 2024

My take on things.......Bluetooth mice may have slower response times compared to Wireless radio mice. Probably okay for normal everyday usage but not the best for laptop gaming. Some devices do not like to be connected via USB type docking ports and should be connected directly to USB ports on the motherboard itself. For a laptop a Bluetooth mouse is useful as you do not need to use up limited USB ports for operation.

OAT · May 27, 2024

I have both MS BT & USB mice.
A small word of advice; if you are using multiple OSs on the same system, not VMs, the BT mouse can be at a disadvantage as it wil need to be paired on either OS. Once connected to an OS it will need to be paired again when you switch back.
Unless you want to mess with the reg hardware IDs, a USB mouse is better suited for those situations.
The big advantage of a BT mouse is that it will remain usable even if all your USB ports are taken.
The range of a BT mouse is also much greater.

Buddy · May 27, 2024

BamaInArk said:
My take on things.......Bluetooth mice may have slower response times compared to Wireless radio mice. Probably okay for normal everyday usage but not the best for laptop gaming. Some devices do not like to be connected via USB type docking ports and should be connected directly to USB ports on the motherboard itself. For a laptop a Bluetooth mouse is useful as you do not need to use up limited USB ports for operation.

I'm not gaming, so BT could be OK for me. Meanwhile, I ran my mouse for a day or so with the dongle plugged into the laptop and it was fine, so your point about some devices not liking to be on a dock is well taken.

I'm trying a new Thunderbolt "umbilical" and and new mouse today. We'll see if that helps. If not, I'm getting a BT mouse. Might get one regardless, just to see how it goes. Apart from freeing up a port, it would be nice not to have to deal with the dongle.

Off topic, could yall in AR stop sending this nasty weather to Memphis?

Last night's storm left a big area in my neighborhood without power for 12 hours.

Buddy · May 27, 2024

OAT said:
A small word of advice; if you are using multiple OSs on the same system, not VMs, the BT mouse can be at a disadvantage as it wil need to be paired on either OS. Once connected to an OS it will need to be paired again when you switch back.

Mercifully, no. Just Win 11.