After a bit of research, I decided to invest in a new 2.4gHz mouse/keyboard. (Older wireless mice/keyboards use 27mHz, and typically there are no more than 2 channels avaiable - one for the mouse, one for the keyboard. Newer, 2.4gHz products work similar to WiFi, though they use proprietary technology. They frequency-hop, and use hundreds of channels.)

Wound-up keeping my old keyboard, as it works fine as long as I'm not also using a 27mHz mouse, and I like the feel of the keyboard. (Hated the keyboard that's available to go with my new mouse.)

Couldn't find the Logitech left-handed model locally. (WHY do they make mice "handed"?) Found a couple of lesser brands that seemed adequate, but got intrigued by the Gyration Optical Air Mouse Go.

For those unfamiliar with it, it's a mouse that can be used in mid-air. It has a little gyroscope inside that senses your hand movements. It also has a conventional optical system that operates when it is set down on a surface.

It's acted a bit flakey. The optical system didn't work at first. After I removed and replaced the battery (apparently resetting it) now it works. It went completely dead over-night, again requiring battery removal-replacement.

In the mean time, my regular mouse/keyboard setup started working again. I realized that I had the tools to "debug" it (a hand-held shortwave receiver with a rudimentary spectrum analyzer built-in). But of course, once I turned the mouse back on and got set up to "catch it in the act", it started working just fine. Two distinct bars on the spectrum display from the mouse and the keyboard.

So, now, I dunno if I want to keep the Air Mouse or not. It doesn't seem to have the best ergonomics on the desktop. The visible red light from the optical system is annoying (my old Logitech mouse is presumably IR) It acts a bit flakey. I pick my mouse up often, as I scroll across 4 screens, and then the red light is distracting. On the plus side, the in-air operation is quite good even with very little practice. And if I ever need to give a presentation with a notebook, I am all set...

Anybody else have (or had) one of these? Do you love it or hate it? If you have one, how have you incorporated it into your daily routine? Seems to me it could be a good way to "take a break" and sit back and relax while reading over web sites or documentation. (Although, of course, you can still use the bottons and scroll wheel on any cordless mouse in mid-air...)