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Road Mice are optical computer mice shaped like cars. Road Mice are PC and Mac compatible and are available in wired and wireless versions with several body styles (link goes to photo), all officially licensed by the automakers, including the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Chrysler 300 and PT Cruiser, Ford GT and Mustang, and Dodge Charger SRT8 and Viper, each in several colors (including cop-car schemes for the Camaro and Charger). Are they any good? Read on.
Pros
- Accurate model of the real car
- Easy setup
- Works for lefties as well as righties
Cons
- Not very comfortable to use
Description
- Wired and wireless two-button wheel mice for PCs and Macs
- Retail price: $32.95 - $49.95
- Package (wireless version) includes mouse, transmitter, and two AAA batteries; no software needed for installation
Guide Review - RoadMice wireless optical mouse
Larger photos:
Road Mice Charger: Front - rear - package contents - all photos
Real Charger: Front - rear
The first thing that struck me about the Road Mice Charger SRT-8 was how much it looks like the real thing. Considering that the body had to fit to a standard-sized mouse chassis, Road Mice did a remarkable job capturing the Charger's proportions. The detail is impressive: SRT-style 5-spoke wheels, correctly-shaped taillights, even accurately-placed SRT and HEMI badges. Pressing the left or right mouse button lights up the corresponding headlight, a feature that can be turned off to save battery life. Register with Road Mice, and you can generate a title personalized with your name and your mouse's VIN -- sorry, serial number.
Setup is easy: Pop the included batteries into the mouse, plug the transmitter into a USB port, press a button on the transmitter and another on the mouse, and away you go, with no software or driver installation needed. I tried the Road Mice Charger on both XP and Vista systems and it worked without a hitch, though if the mouse goes into power save mode you have to press the button on the transmitter to make it work again. The biggest drawback is the shape. The Charger fit my hand well enough -- it works for both lefties and righties, by the way -- but resting one's hand on a four-door sedan for a long period of time isn't all that comfortable. (The Corvette appears a bit more ergonomically friendly.)
The wireless Road Mice Charger I tested retails for $44.95, just a few bucks more than a good-quality name-brand wireless mouse. As with most things, you'll find better prices online. The Road Mice optical mouse is a cute novelty for car enthusiasts, but it might not the best choice for people who spend long hours on their computers. -- Aaron Gold
