Saitek Obsidian Mouse

Saitek Obsidian Wireless Mouse- Media Control Freak

Since we watch our TV shows as BitTorrent downloads on a media center PC, a solid wireless mouse for navigating through files is pretty much compulsory. So with dedicated controls for pausing, playing, and zooming in on media, we decided to give the Obsidian a tryout. But it turns out Saitek's imaginative button placement is totally counterintuitive. The scroll-wheel on the Obsidian takes the form of a touch-sensitive pad while the right and left-click buttons are awkwardly placed at the sides of the mouse. We never quite got used to this configuration and the touchpad is far too sensitive. And, seriously who wants to be awkwardly fumbling around with a mouse during a climactic scene in Heroes?

WIRED Contemporary black and silver egg-like body looks like a cool piece of modern art. Good battery life at 8 hours of use per charge. Wireless range up to 10 yards. Comes with two rechargeable batteries so that you can use one while the other powers up.

TIRED Unconventional controls require lots of extra brainwork. Reception patchy when not in direct line of the dongle. Included software doesn't work well with Macs.

• Style: Accessories and Computer Parts
• Manufacturer: Saitek
• Price: $50
Release Date: February 21, 2007