Thanks to the technology of digital-optical scanning, a mouse pad is no longer necessary. All you need is this slightly oversized, sleek looking silver and dark gray mouse from Belkin. That red glow coming from the bottom is a clue that this is one of those new fangled optical mice. Acting much like a mini-camera built right into the mouse, the optical sensor takes 1,500 snapshots every second. The brain of the mouse or, more technically, its digital signal processor analyzes those images and translates them into movement. Belkin credits the optical sensor of the B-F8E850-OPT for its precise input and razor-sharp control.

Progress normally brags about benefits; benefits of Belkin's Optical"! Mouse are a completely sealed case with no moving parts. The optical sensor technology results in a clean and dust free mouse. No moving parts touch the work surface. Besides having fewer parts to wear out, there are fewer parts to clean - only the case. Goodbye to disassembling your mouse to clean the ball. As a matter of a fact, there will be very little cleaning needed for this Belkin rodent unless you like to munch oily chips and browse at the same time. Belkin's mouse will scoot over almost any surface including your thigh, the wall, or a tabletop. There are only a few surfaces to avoid - glass, mirrors, and other highly reflective materials.

Belkin is not the first padless mouse on the market; Microsoft beat them on the street with their optical Intellimouse. Belkin's mouse, like its Microsoft brethren, provides scrolling and zoom control, multiple browsing speeds, five buttons, and a scroll wheel. The auto-scroll wheel between the two mouse buttons allows you to scroll up and down the page. In many applications, the scroll wheel allows you to zoom in and out. For you active Web surfers who have not treated yourself to a scroll wheel mouse, this feature is the answer to prayers. A scroll wheel is one of those truly useful little devices that make your computing life easier.

Belkin's mouse can be customized to your specifications. Three of the five buttons can be configured to perform a variety of tasks such as back, forward, printing and/or saving. For those of you who have trouble double-clicking, these buttons can be programmed to perform this task as well. You can adjust the double-click speed from slow to fast, change the settings for wheel direction and scroll speed as well as make adjustments to the settings for zoom control. Multiple browsing speeds are a great feature. This mouse offers right-handed and left-handed choices. The design of the mouse is symmetrical so southpaws will find this mouse as easy to use as us more numerous right-handers.

Belkin has all the connection bases covered by accommodating either the traditional PS/2 mouse port (round connector) or a USB port. This mouse comes with a true Plug and Play connectivity via the USB interface.

Belkin's Optical"! Mouse has tracking abilities much superior to an ordinary mouse. You might not notice much difference when working with e-mail or word-processing, but wait until you use a drawing program or a game where you need the mouse to choose specific detailed areas. You will see why Belkin brags about precision input.

Go to the catalogue section of the Belkin Web site and click on the B-F8E850-OPT picture to see an actual size picture of the mouse. Don't feel shy; put your hand on the screen to see the relationship of the mouse to your hand. Mouse preferences are very personal. It is almost like having to have the steering wheel in your hand. Personally, I found Belkin's mouse fit my hand better because it is a little larger. It took a little time to get accustomed to using the left side button for double clicking, but I found the extra buttons to be a very nice touch. This ball-less mouse is well constructed and even comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The projected street price for the Belkin Optical"! Mouse is $39.99 online. If you are aiming to make your computing life a little easier and/or to add a truly useful high-tech toy, for less than $40.00, this mouse is good value. Just think of all the money you will save on mouse pads!