Lightest AA batteries for wireless mouse

mranderson978 on 08/07/2014 - 22:40

I'm interested in the experiences of people here with regard to the weight of their wireless mouse for their PC.

I've set up a HTPC so a wired mouse isn't particularly practical but I'm not liking the extra weight of the Logitec M705 wireless mouse I bought.

The two AA alkaline Duracell batteries that came with the mouse weigh 47 grams.
I've managed to shave off 18 grams by switching to the ALDI brand "Activ Energy" 29 grams for the two batteries.

You wouldn't think 18 grams would make a huge difference, but I'm finding the reduced weight much easier and less tiring.

Has anyone else gone to the trouble of weighing AA batteries on precision scales? If you have, have you gone to the trouble buying different brands, and have you found batteries that weigh less that 14.5 grams apiece?

I'm thinking Lithium batteries might be lighter although I am not sure by how much.

Can anybody help?

Computing

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 08/07/2014 - 22:45

    IIRC a pair of Lithium AA cells that came with a new camera were noticeably lighter than alkaline.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2014 - 23:11

    Lithium primaries are about 30% lighter than alkalines, so relative to decent quality NiMH's, not much of a difference in weight.
    Ultra-crap fake capacity NiMH batteries sold widely on China sites (actual capacity around 500mAh) can be much lighter…

    Very lightweight option if you're very keen and have a suitable charger (a number of chargers do multi-duty) is to explore the area of using a single 14500 lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) cell in tandem with a dummy cell.
    The batteries are 3.2 volts and have a relatively modest - but usable capacity. (Particularly in a mouse!)

    Unlike their lithium-ion cousins, very safe chemistry - no practical risk of fire or boom.

    If you're keen, do some googling to learn. If you have any specific questions, I'll endeavour to answer them for you.

  • Davo1111 on 08/07/2014 - 23:20
    -2

    Buy a wired G9, then you can change the weights around as much as you like

  • scrimshaw on 08/07/2014 - 23:47
    +1

    Logitech has mice that runs on a single AA battery, the G602 gaming mouse for e.g can take run on just a single AA or two AA's for longer runtime.

    http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/27/4662744/logitech-g602-gami…
    http://www.itestate.com.au/pages/product/pdt_product_detail.…

  • StewBalls on 09/07/2014 - 00:43
    +2

    You wouldn't think 18 grams would make a huge difference, but I'm finding the reduced weight much easier and less tiring.

    I'm sorry man, but honestly, I've gotta ask…18g…are people really getting this soft???

    • ESEMCE on 09/07/2014 - 09:34
      +2

      Agreed what are you doing with a mouse on a HTPC that is so "tiring"?
      On my HTPC the mouse is used for a few seconds at a time with 30+ minutes in between uses!

      • StewBalls on 10/07/2014 - 11:32

        I'd be calling the 18g a progressive load & yelling RAWR every time I used it…vitamin S might help too! :)

  • hellbound on 09/07/2014 - 11:19
    +2

    If it's a htpc why are you using a mouse at all? a K400r with the inbuilt track pad would be a much better option, or use your phone as a mouse.

  • Cheeper on 09/07/2014 - 12:22

    Get a mouse that takes one AA.

  • 247thesteven on 10/07/2014 - 02:50

    Just use the mouse with one battery, then connect a piece of metal in second battery slot to close the circuit. However, this will reduce run time, but will reduce the mouse weight. You can use bobby pins, paper clips, aluminium foil. Pretty much anything just to close the circuit. I do this when I am one battery short for something.

    • ESEMCE on 10/07/2014 - 08:03

      Unlikely to work as the device is probably expecting 3V..
      One exception to this that I'm aware of is an Apple mouse that had the AA's in Parallel.

  • mranderson978 on 10/07/2014 - 07:54

    Thanks 247thesteven.
    I just discovered the M705 can run off just one battery.
    It's now the perfect weight!

    • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2014 - 17:22
      -1

      How very courteous of you to acknowledge the input of just one person in the thread that you started. Quite a few people bothered to comment.

      Incidentally, even though some devices are very flexible in their general design as regards the voltage they will function at and cope with, even a mouse used perpetually at lower than specified voltage may end up with a shortened life as a result. May be fine. Might not.

      • mranderson978 on 11/07/2014 - 09:10

        While I didn't replay to your reply, I did read it. However I'm not keen on buying speciality batteries to run a mouse. Perhaps in the future if I need to power a camera or something…

        The rating of the M705 is 1.5 volts. The two batteries are inserted in the same direction. I didn't even notice this when I put the batteries in initially, but I imagine this means the reason for two batteries is to double the time it takes before you need to swap out the old batteries.

        With regard to replying to the other people who replied, I had one guy suggest a wired mouse, and a bunch of people tell me I'm soft for wanting a lighter mouse, or I should buy a completely different mouse, or not use a mouse at all. Your reply regarding the LiFePO4 was interesting but ultimately not something I'd be keen on doing.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2014 - 17:18

          Mate, not an excuse for the lack of manners.

          Useful to you or not, Scrimshaw went to the trouble of posting a couple of links for you, and I gave you a considered response which would give you THE lightest - and actually not very 'special', but very practical - option for your current mouse, at least as related the voltage requirements you described for it.

          Thrilled for you that your mouse is a parallel 1.5 volt job. If that had dawned on you beforehand, you could have save us all some trouble.

        • mranderson978 on 11/07/2014 - 17:50

          @Tas: Scrimshaw didn't answer the question. I asked for light batteries, not a new mouse!

          Out of interest, how much does a LiFePO4 AA cell weigh?

        • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2014 - 19:40

          Not the point.
          'Useful to you or not, Scrimshaw went to the trouble…''

          As relates cell weight, and just how cheaply you can source dummy cells, the batteries themselves, and charger to suit?

          It's been a long week.
          Look 'em all up yourself.

  • MasterScythe on 10/07/2014 - 11:00

    3.4v lithium cell; and a 'blank' battery in the other slot.

    Problem is, when expecting 3v can your mouse handle 3.4-3.7v?

    • ESEMCE on 10/07/2014 - 11:00

      should be fine..

    • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2014 - 17:28

      For an OP that seems so obsessed with the weight, LiFePO4 batts are significantly lighter than lithium-ions, with no upper voltage concerns at all when used with a dummy cell or bridge.

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