Installation

As with all Logitech mice, the MouseWare software has been included, which, when installed, allows you to configure several options on your mouse, including setting different options for the buttons. However, with the MouseMan Traveler only having three buttons, you shouldn't need MouseWare to get full functionality out of the mouse; in this case you can just plug it into either a USB or PS/2 port, and it'll have full support from Windows. (At least Windows 2000 and Windows XP.) With the default mouse control panel in Win2K or WinXP offering decent options, this is probably the best route as it offers the least amount of hassle.

MouseWare installation.

I didn't notice a difference between USB and PS/2.

Right hand/left hand.

Other options.

In case you do decide to use MouseWare, you may be prompted with a message about using the USB port if you've connected to the PS/2 port with the Traveler; I didn't notice any accuracy or precision difference between the USB and PS/2 ports, provided the PS/2 port's polling rate was set to a sufficiently high number. I'd recommend using the PS/2 port anyways, as then you won't be tying up a USB port that may need to be used for something else. However, inserting a USB connector is usually a bit easier than inserting a PS/2 one, so whatever works for you.

After MouseWare is installed, you are prompted with setting up some initial options for your mouse, such as whether it's meant to be used by your left hand or right hand, and what function you want assigned to the middle mouse button.

Summary of default configuration.

With only three buttons, everything's simple.

Button configuration.

Many options are available, including setting a keystroke.

Once that's done, you can configure each button's functionality. While I don't think you'd want to change the default assignment of the left and right mouse buttons, the remaining button can be set to a variety of functions, and even set to perform a keystroke. Of course, with only three buttons on this mouse, the usefulness of MouseWare decreases somewhat. Additionally, with the default PS/2 rates in Win2K and WinXP set to relatively high numbers (80Hz for Win2K and 100Hz in WinXP, IIRC) you probably won't need to increase the PS/2 rate using MouseWare; in any event you can change these values in Device Manager. With the latest version of MouseWare, v9.78, (used during these tests), there isn't much advantage to using MouseWare - I'd skip the installation of the software and just use Windows' drivers.

PS/2 rate can be adjusted, if connected using PS/2.

v9.78 used.

Testing

I've used this mouse for just over four weeks now, which includes time at work where they've 'given' me a laptop to work on. In addition to work, I've also used this mouse at home for regular using including web browsing, document manipulation and lots of gaming, mostly in Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, America's Army v1.9, GTA: Vice City and a little bit of Rise of Nations.

Though the Dell laptop at work had both a trackpoint and a trackpad, I just could not get adjusted to these pointing devices as I've gotten adjusted to a mouse. Thus, the Traveler was quite a bit of an upgrade compared to these pointing options! Though the mouse has a somewhat boxy shape that seems to defy ergonomics, it's not uncomfortable to use, as you don't rest your hand on the mouse, but rather move it by holding it by the sides between your thumb and ring/pinky finger. If, however, you like to rest your entire hand on a mouse during usage, the Traveler may not fly with you very nicely. The sides have a nice grip feeling to them, helping you in getting a good grip, though that's not really necessary as the mouse is very light and glides easily on most any surface.

The buttons were firm and had a nice response, though as I've mentioned before, my biggest gripe was with the scroll wheel, which is too thin; it could've been made a bit wider despite the Traveler's smaller size. Having said all of this, while the Traveler is better than a laptop's built in pointing devices, it doesn't stand up as well against a full-size mouse, especially during gaming. It's not really harder to move the mouse or use it, it's just that during lots of fast movements, the Traveler's small size and shape does become more apparent, in that it doesn't feel as nice as a full-size mouse, which would have support for the middle of your hand as it holds it. While the Traveler won't be replacing your current desktop mouse, it makes one heck of a laptop mouse, as the included carrying case makes it easy to bring around with you.

The MouseMan Traveler on the PS/2 port @200Hz, and on USB.

Lastly, just for fun, I tested the mouse using Mouse Rate Checker; the results are listed above in the pictures, and were as expected. I didn't notice any major problems with the Traveler's optical sensor, but I could get it to skip if I moved it really fast (like a jerk movement) on some surfaces, such as desktops that were somewhat shiny. I really had to jerk the mouse though, in an artificial sort of movement - I never noticed the mouse skipping during natural usage.

Conclusion

While the Traveler certainly cannot compete with the latest desktop mice offered by both Logitech and Microsoft, it will almost always be a better option than the pointing devices built in to your laptop. Using a mouse will always feel more natural for me, than using a trackpad/trackpoint. Having said that, the small design isn't too hard to use, but because the mouse is relatively flat, you'll find yourself moving this mouse with a fingertip grip, that doesn't feel too right; additionally, the thin-edge mouse wheel could have been designed better. Overall, the MouseMan Traveler was a HUGE improvement over the trackpad or trackpoint devices integrated into laptops. The small carrying pouch also makes it ideal/easy to take home at the end of the day, lest some office minion steal your precious, hard-earned mouse.

Pros

• Small optical mouse with all features of a standard mouse
• Much easier to use than a laptop's default pointing devices
• Anodized aluminum exterior and rubber-like coated sides make it durable
• Easy to carry with you with the included carrying case
• Fairly nice to use, despite it's size
• USB and PS/2
• Extension cord allows it to be used as a regular mouse

Cons

• Doesn't feel as good as a full-size mouse
• Mouse wheel could have been wider and thus feel better to use

Thanks to Logitech for making this review possible!

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