Today Logitech is announcing two new cordless mice: The MX Revolution for desktop PCs and the VX Revolution for laptops (the VX is shown at left, and the MX at right). These are great mice for lazy types who like having as much functionality at their fingertips as possible. I've been using both for a couple weeks. The mice (with polytetrafluoroethylene feet) move a lot more smoothly than any other laser mice I've used: You feel like you're barely gliding over your work surface.
The mice each have back and forward buttons for your browser; a zoom slider; an "instant search" button (you can highlight a word, then click the button, and the results pop up in your selected search engine); and a scroll wheel that that lets you move side to side as well as up and down. Most "revolutionary," though, is the MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel's free-spin mode, very handy for dealing with long documents. With one flick of my finger, the mouse easily scrolled to the end of a 50-plus-page word document in no time. You can flip between free spin mode and the slower click mode with a switch underneath the mice.
The MX can intelligently sense when you need to scroll quickly or go page by page, and will change modes accordingly; you can also change modes manually. The VX is small and compact, with a storage slot inside to carry the USB receiver. The VX requires a single AA battery, while the MX is powered by rechargeable Li-ion batteries.
The included SetPoint 3.0 software lets you customize your mouse options. Once it's installed, a icon in the system tray brings up the settings window, where you can tweak the mouse to how you work and even customize specific setting for different programs.
If there's anything I'd complain about, it's that both mice were too sensitive. It's easy to overshoot a page when you scroll, or to double-click quick search by accident. Other than that, the Revolution mice are terrific. Both will be available to purchase on August 25; the VX lists for $79.99, and the MX for $99.99.
Thanks to our intern, Errol Pierre-Louis, for this post!
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August 24, 2006 4:00 PM
Logitech has a knack for raising the bar with their peripherals, and these look to be really comfortable, easy and solid to use mice; I'm down with that. Curious; are both mice cordless? Also, the SetPoint software is notoriously huge; have they managed to trim the fat on it at all? Even so, this might be a great mouse for my desk at work, where I'm getting a little tired of my old Logitech cordless. :)
August 24, 2006 5:08 PM
Yep, both mice are cordless. I don't remember the exact size of the installation, but I'd say it was about 55-65MB which isn't *too* bad. The Revolution would make a good replacement mouse if you need one. The USB receiver is as small and compact, and you can pack it inside of your VX when you need to move it. Really convenient. Defiantly cut down on the wire clutter on my desk. The only small annoyance is the mouse is too sensitive at times, but you get used to it.
August 25, 2006 10:15 AM
Thanks for the responses Errol! Was any testing done with these mice on the Macintosh? They both probably kick the crap out of my desktop mice, but I know Logitech is spotty with its Mac support.
August 25, 2006 11:57 AM
Sorry, I wasn't able to try it out with a Mac.
August 25, 2006 5:14 PM
And thanks for revisiting the topic to reply! :)
January 5, 2007 11:23 AM
I got this mouse and it looks and feels pretty good, but after a while I noticed that it seems to feeze for a second or two every now and again.
Tried different surfaces, mouse mats and even making sure it was charged fully, not sure why it happens but for the money you would expect it to work 100%.
10/10 for being cutting edge
7/10 for usability
May 16, 2007 10:02 AM
my boss got me an mx revolution for my work station, i tried it with most of the apps that im using, mainly 3ds max and autocad, i have to say that most of the features are impressive, but theres one thing i cant figure out while i was using it, i use the scroll wheel of my old optical mouse to pan through my workspace in 3dmax and autocad, i cant seem to make it work the same way with the mx revolution, the software isnt helping me at all as well, please let me know if you have some tips regarding this matter, thanks a lot.