Product: Logitech MX Revolution
Manufacturer: Logitech
MSRP: $99.99 [BizRate]
Lowest Historical Price: $7 [History]
Introduction
The first Logitech MX-series wireless mouse was the Logitech MX-700. That eventually evolved into the MX-900, with the same form factor except with Bluetooth. But now, they have the MX Revolution. The name itself implies that it will be completely different from previous versions, but will the MX Revolution truly be revolutionary? Click through to find out.
Specs
Model: MX Revolution
Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
Connectivity: Cordless (RF)
Movement Detection: Laser
Color: Black and Gray
Warranty: 3-year limited
Scroll: Up, Down and Side-to-Side
Setup
This is one of the fancier packages for an input device that I've opened. Instead of being sealed with the extremely difficult to remove hard plastic shell, it merely has a lid that is held on with a magnet. When you open it, you'll see the mouse, along with a few other accessories. It comes with a charging station, USB Receiver, the Logitech software, and the user's guide. Just plug the USB receiver into any free USB port and you're good to go. The mouse is powered with a built-in Lithium Ion battery that you can charge when you place the mouse on the charging station. It also has an on/off switch, if you ever want to turn off your mouse. As usual, the software included allows you to set button assignments, pointer speed, scroll settings, battery life, and other various things you probably won't change from default anyways.
Review
The first thing I noticed about the mouse is its unconventional design. It's got the usual Logitech curve to the main part of the mouse, but there is an additional lip at the bottom where your thumb rests. It took a little getting used to, but I actually find this setup rather comfortable. It features the standard forward and backward buttons by your thumb (thank goodness), a button that pops up a search menu (by default), and the 4-way "frictionless" scroll wheel.
Logitech did something different this time with the scroll wheel. When the Logitech SmartShift mode is enabled, you can switch from click mode to frictionless mode simply by giving the wheel a good spin. When the wheel stops, it automatically switches back to click mode. This can be altered in the software if you prefer the old style. I found this dual mode to be a little tweaky at times, with the wheel refusing to switch to frictionless mode, and vice versa. For example, I've been using the mouse with no problems for the past week. But now, the wheel is stuck on frictionless mode, unwilling to switch back to click mode. However, it is easily remedied by temporarily disabling and re-enabling SmartShift mode in the software.
With this mouse they also added a button/wheel for "application switching." At first, I found this button to be quite useless. I was also disappointed that it couldn't be re-programmed to do anything more useful. But as I used it more, I found that it actually saved me a lot of mouse movement. Basically, when you use the application switcher and choose the appropriate window, it switches focus to that window as if you had just clicked inside it. Nifty, yet something I think I can live without.
The precision of this mouse is excellent, for anything from surfing the web to gaming. It's very responsive and is, at least for me, a pretty good gaming mouse. And since it fits so well in my hand, I can use it comfortably for hours on end.
There is also a battery life indicator on the mouse that lights up when you move the mouse. However, the batteries are built into the device so if you forget to charge the mouse, you can't just switch out the batteries. According to the software, the batteries are supposed to last two weeks on a single charge. For me, it lasted about a week being used about 8+ hours a day before the batteries gave out. Since it is a Lithium Ion battery, I'd recommend just putting it back on the charging station whenever you're done with the mouse if you know you'll forget to charge it.
Conclusion
On my review of the VX Nano, I said that it was the first cordless mouse that I had ever enjoyed using. The MX Revolution is the first desktop cordless mouse that I have ever enjoyed using. It's everything that I'd ever want out of a mouse: ergonomic, precise, and easy to use. Although the application switcher and SmartShift could both use a little tweaking, it is hands-down one of the best desktop cordless mice I've used so far.
Image Gallery
Price History [History]
Manufacturer: Logitech
MSRP: $99.99 [BizRate]
Lowest Historical Price: $7 [History]
Introduction
The first Logitech MX-series wireless mouse was the Logitech MX-700. That eventually evolved into the MX-900, with the same form factor except with Bluetooth. But now, they have the MX Revolution. The name itself implies that it will be completely different from previous versions, but will the MX Revolution truly be revolutionary? Click through to find out.
Specs
Model: MX Revolution
Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
Connectivity: Cordless (RF)
Movement Detection: Laser
Color: Black and Gray
Warranty: 3-year limited
Scroll: Up, Down and Side-to-Side
Setup
This is one of the fancier packages for an input device that I've opened. Instead of being sealed with the extremely difficult to remove hard plastic shell, it merely has a lid that is held on with a magnet. When you open it, you'll see the mouse, along with a few other accessories. It comes with a charging station, USB Receiver, the Logitech software, and the user's guide. Just plug the USB receiver into any free USB port and you're good to go. The mouse is powered with a built-in Lithium Ion battery that you can charge when you place the mouse on the charging station. It also has an on/off switch, if you ever want to turn off your mouse. As usual, the software included allows you to set button assignments, pointer speed, scroll settings, battery life, and other various things you probably won't change from default anyways.
Review
The first thing I noticed about the mouse is its unconventional design. It's got the usual Logitech curve to the main part of the mouse, but there is an additional lip at the bottom where your thumb rests. It took a little getting used to, but I actually find this setup rather comfortable. It features the standard forward and backward buttons by your thumb (thank goodness), a button that pops up a search menu (by default), and the 4-way "frictionless" scroll wheel.
Logitech did something different this time with the scroll wheel. When the Logitech SmartShift mode is enabled, you can switch from click mode to frictionless mode simply by giving the wheel a good spin. When the wheel stops, it automatically switches back to click mode. This can be altered in the software if you prefer the old style. I found this dual mode to be a little tweaky at times, with the wheel refusing to switch to frictionless mode, and vice versa. For example, I've been using the mouse with no problems for the past week. But now, the wheel is stuck on frictionless mode, unwilling to switch back to click mode. However, it is easily remedied by temporarily disabling and re-enabling SmartShift mode in the software.
With this mouse they also added a button/wheel for "application switching." At first, I found this button to be quite useless. I was also disappointed that it couldn't be re-programmed to do anything more useful. But as I used it more, I found that it actually saved me a lot of mouse movement. Basically, when you use the application switcher and choose the appropriate window, it switches focus to that window as if you had just clicked inside it. Nifty, yet something I think I can live without.The precision of this mouse is excellent, for anything from surfing the web to gaming. It's very responsive and is, at least for me, a pretty good gaming mouse. And since it fits so well in my hand, I can use it comfortably for hours on end.
There is also a battery life indicator on the mouse that lights up when you move the mouse. However, the batteries are built into the device so if you forget to charge the mouse, you can't just switch out the batteries. According to the software, the batteries are supposed to last two weeks on a single charge. For me, it lasted about a week being used about 8+ hours a day before the batteries gave out. Since it is a Lithium Ion battery, I'd recommend just putting it back on the charging station whenever you're done with the mouse if you know you'll forget to charge it.
Conclusion
On my review of the VX Nano, I said that it was the first cordless mouse that I had ever enjoyed using. The MX Revolution is the first desktop cordless mouse that I have ever enjoyed using. It's everything that I'd ever want out of a mouse: ergonomic, precise, and easy to use. Although the application switcher and SmartShift could both use a little tweaking, it is hands-down one of the best desktop cordless mice I've used so far.
Image Gallery
Price History [History]
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I have had this mouse of almost one year now. I paid around $80 after MIR. So far it has been one of the best mice I have ever used. No problems at all. I do a lot of CAD and FEA applications and it works great. Very ergonomic.
I like your dog.
Until I got the MX Revolution mouse during Amazon's BF sale for $7 AR, I never realized how big of a difference the interface makes (previous mouse was the MX700). Now whenever I use another mouse, everything about it feels like crap. The MX Revolution's feet allow it to glide effortlessly and place the pointer accurately, unlike any other mouse I've used (wireless or wired), period. My only gripe is that it should have user-replaceable batteries.
S Cute puppy, Ben!
I have this mouse also and I agree, it's a winner. The frictionless wheel is my favorite feature of the thing. I rarely use it in ratcheted mode. I also like the search button (which can be customized) thats below the wheel. Was odd at first but I use it all the time now. I dont use the app switcher. Alt+Tab is my friend.
User replacable batteries, like #1 said would be nice. Or the option to go corded if the base had a retractable cord. Despite the fact that I often forget to place the bugger on the charger, the batteries last quite a while.
my favorite mouse. I hate everything else.
Scrolling vertically is awesome with the fly wheel.
I got this mouse as a refurb for 20 bucks. Never worked really well, as it either didn't seem to want to charge, or the charger itself was failing. Opened the mouse up (gotta remove the feet carefully) and turns out, it uses the same battery as their G7 does. ( http://www.buylogitech.com/store/logius/en_US/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.11198200 ).
Ordered one up, (for 5 bucks!) and, although it took awhile for them to get them in stock, the battery finally came and works great.
My only concern is that the thumb indentation is too deep. I use Logitech's old dual led mouse at the office; it's thumb depression is not as deep. Other than that, the functionality of this mouse is awesome.
its looks cool
I really like this mouse. Only downside is that about 3 years, generally shortly after the warranty expires, you need to disassemble it and replace the battery. Battery replacement is not recommended by the manufacturer. If you need instructions do a google search to find a "how to" article on replacing the batt with a G7 battery.
You get the bluetooth version when you buy it in keyboard/mouse combo pack. IMHO it is definitely not a gaming mouse but who says you cannot have more than one mouse?
uberoptions is a great free application to tweak this and many other Logitech mice and keyboards.
I found that adjusting the scroll speed and sensitivity affects how many lines you scroll in apps.
www.mstar.net/users/rlowens/uberOptions
Note to the author:
The free application uberoptions lets you reprogram most, if not all, of the buttons using setpoint. Great app! I came across it in a forum and gave it a try.
www.mstar.net/users/rlowens/uberOptions
Regarding not being able to reprogram the thumb wheel, I was able to directly in setpoint without problem. I am on the Mac platform, but do they really restrict you from changing this on the PC side? I find the thumb wheel - and everything else about this mouse - to be amazing. It saves me tons of time every day, especially the scrolling excellence.
Just a side note: You left out the excellent mx-1000 in your "timeline" of the mx series. IMHO, there's not enough justification to upgrade from a fully functioning mx-1000 to an mx revolution.
i like the dog too
contrary to the review, you shouldn't put the mouse back on the charging dock whenever you're not using it. This can lower your battery's charging cycle faster than normal. The mouse has sufficient battery for over a week atleast, and the battery power indicator, BUILT RIGHT INTO THE DAMN MOUSE is more than enough to remind you when you should charge the damn thing
Great mouse - highly recommended .
This thing's been for a long long time. Why are we talking about it now?
I myself don't like the frictionless wheel-- not enough control.
I have been using this mouse for about a year an a half now. I bought it in the store for retail :/ I know, I know. It was worth it though. The battery life is phenomenal. The extra buttons are well placed and useful. The only gripe I have is the fact that there is no center button, e click wheel button. I overcame this issue by installing "uberOptions," which allows you to greatly tweak the way the mouse works.
best mouse i've ever used. bought one for home, then got one for work as well.
This mouse is the best ever. I've had it for more than a year and still in love with it. Battery life is great on mine. Will have to look up that uberoptions, sounds neat!
I try to avoid cordless mouse, dont want the battery to die on my when I having games