Product: Logitech V470 Bluetooth Notebook Mouse
Manufacturer: Logitech
MSRP: $49.99 [BizRate]
Lowest Historical Price: $15 [History]
Introduction
Notebook track pads have come a long way since having a physical ball to roll around. The newest Apple gadgets even have multi-touch track pads. When I want to get some serious work done, and I don't mean typing an essay, a real mouse (not the rodent variety) is the best tool for the job. Here we take a look at the Logitech V470 Bluetooth Cordless Laser Mouse which at first glance seems to be an ideal mix of portability and usability.
Specs
Model: 910-000298
Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Movement Detection: Laser
Color: Blue (White is also available)
Width: 2.5"
Height: 1.5"
Weight: 0.4 lbs
Warranty: 3 Years
Scroll: Up, Down and Side-to-Side
Setup
The package comes with a protective pouch for the mouse, 2 AA batteries and the install CD. Unfortunately, it does not come with a Bluetooth receiver, so make sure you have Bluetooth for the computer you want to use it with. To use the mouse, simply setup your computer to search for Bluetooth devices. Flip the switch at the bottom of the mouse and hit the connect button. After a few mouse clicks (with your original pointing device), the mouse should be paired with the computer. Installation of the Logitech software is optional and quite easy. You can use it to swap button assignments, set pointer speed, set scroll settings, and to monitor the mouse battery life.
Review
When I connected the mouse to a Vostro 1500, the very first thing I noticed was that there is a slight lag between mouse movements and the resultant cursor movements. It's very subtle, but noticeable enough to be annoying at times. It won't affect everyday use, but gamers beware! Just to make sure this wasn't some compatibility fluke, I tested the same mouse with a Dimension XPS desktop, XPS One all-in-one desktop, Dell Latitude D610, as well as with a dual boot OS X 10.5.2 system. The v470 mouse worked without lag on the Dell Latitude D610 and the XPS One. Considering that the lag problem exists on 3 out of 5 computers tested (all from major computer companies), it's worthy of a mention.
The Logitech page recommends using Broadcom/Widcomm Bluetooth BTW 1.4.2.21 or later Bluetooth Drivers, and appears that may be the difference between the computers that lagged with the v470 and those that didn't. It seems that this mouse has problems with the default Windows XP Bluetooth driver. To illustrate the lag, I opened up a paint program and attempted my best to draw a smooth circle in one quick stroke. This was done with the Logitech G5 Laser Corded Mouse, and then with the Logitech v470 Bluetooth Mouse. As you can see from the figure below, there is some serious information loss when using the v470.
As I mentioned before, the v470 has an on-and-off switch at the bottom, which is useful for conserving battery life (which is claimed to be up to 4 months). Most other portable mice do not have an off switch, so they are basically always on and pinging for movement, resulting in significantly reduced battery life (The Logitech MX900 comes to mind). It comes with a pair of AA Alkaline batteries, but I'd recommend getting some rechargeable NiMH cells if you plan on using it often.
Since the mouse was made to be used on-the-go, it's relatively small and light. Although it was a change to transition from a regular sized mouse to the V470, I eventually got used to its small size. The layout of the mouse was designed with both right and left handed individuals in mind. My only beef with the design is that Logitech opted not to include the back and forward buttons that are oh so useful in web browsing.
Conclusion
If you buy this mouse, be prepared to exercise your return options. To have a mouse that lags, in this day and age, is plainly unacceptable. On the computers that worked lag-free with this mouse, it fulfilled its promise of being a standalone trouble-free pointing device. It's a good portable mouse to use when you're away from home. I definitely wouldn't use this mouse for intense gaming, but for surfing the web, writing emails and chatting online, the Logitech v470 is a good portable mouse. That is, if you manage to avoid the lag issues.
Image Gallery
Price History [History]
Manufacturer: Logitech
MSRP: $49.99 [BizRate]
Lowest Historical Price: $15 [History]
Introduction
Notebook track pads have come a long way since having a physical ball to roll around. The newest Apple gadgets even have multi-touch track pads. When I want to get some serious work done, and I don't mean typing an essay, a real mouse (not the rodent variety) is the best tool for the job. Here we take a look at the Logitech V470 Bluetooth Cordless Laser Mouse which at first glance seems to be an ideal mix of portability and usability.
Specs
Model: 910-000298
Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Movement Detection: Laser
Color: Blue (White is also available)
Width: 2.5"
Height: 1.5"
Weight: 0.4 lbs
Warranty: 3 Years
Scroll: Up, Down and Side-to-Side
Setup
The package comes with a protective pouch for the mouse, 2 AA batteries and the install CD. Unfortunately, it does not come with a Bluetooth receiver, so make sure you have Bluetooth for the computer you want to use it with. To use the mouse, simply setup your computer to search for Bluetooth devices. Flip the switch at the bottom of the mouse and hit the connect button. After a few mouse clicks (with your original pointing device), the mouse should be paired with the computer. Installation of the Logitech software is optional and quite easy. You can use it to swap button assignments, set pointer speed, set scroll settings, and to monitor the mouse battery life.
Review
When I connected the mouse to a Vostro 1500, the very first thing I noticed was that there is a slight lag between mouse movements and the resultant cursor movements. It's very subtle, but noticeable enough to be annoying at times. It won't affect everyday use, but gamers beware! Just to make sure this wasn't some compatibility fluke, I tested the same mouse with a Dimension XPS desktop, XPS One all-in-one desktop, Dell Latitude D610, as well as with a dual boot OS X 10.5.2 system. The v470 mouse worked without lag on the Dell Latitude D610 and the XPS One. Considering that the lag problem exists on 3 out of 5 computers tested (all from major computer companies), it's worthy of a mention.
The Logitech page recommends using Broadcom/Widcomm Bluetooth BTW 1.4.2.21 or later Bluetooth Drivers, and appears that may be the difference between the computers that lagged with the v470 and those that didn't. It seems that this mouse has problems with the default Windows XP Bluetooth driver. To illustrate the lag, I opened up a paint program and attempted my best to draw a smooth circle in one quick stroke. This was done with the Logitech G5 Laser Corded Mouse, and then with the Logitech v470 Bluetooth Mouse. As you can see from the figure below, there is some serious information loss when using the v470.
As I mentioned before, the v470 has an on-and-off switch at the bottom, which is useful for conserving battery life (which is claimed to be up to 4 months). Most other portable mice do not have an off switch, so they are basically always on and pinging for movement, resulting in significantly reduced battery life (The Logitech MX900 comes to mind). It comes with a pair of AA Alkaline batteries, but I'd recommend getting some rechargeable NiMH cells if you plan on using it often.
Since the mouse was made to be used on-the-go, it's relatively small and light. Although it was a change to transition from a regular sized mouse to the V470, I eventually got used to its small size. The layout of the mouse was designed with both right and left handed individuals in mind. My only beef with the design is that Logitech opted not to include the back and forward buttons that are oh so useful in web browsing.
Conclusion
If you buy this mouse, be prepared to exercise your return options. To have a mouse that lags, in this day and age, is plainly unacceptable. On the computers that worked lag-free with this mouse, it fulfilled its promise of being a standalone trouble-free pointing device. It's a good portable mouse to use when you're away from home. I definitely wouldn't use this mouse for intense gaming, but for surfing the web, writing emails and chatting online, the Logitech v470 is a good portable mouse. That is, if you manage to avoid the lag issues.
Image Gallery
Price History [History]
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I've got one, and I love it. Use it about 8 hours a day for work
I got one to use with a mac as a cost effective alternative to the apple offering. Works great and I've not noticed any lag.
The mouse works great. Best bluetooth mouse for the price. To reduce the lag play around with the settings. I increased the speed and I am not using acceleration.
Also, I've owned it for over a month ... still on the original set of batteries with no sign of weakness yet. This mouse is a keeper, and the beauty of it is if your laptop supports bluetooth ... no dongle.
Works great with my MacBook Air. No lag issues. The mouse does go into a power-save mode automatically if you leave it idle for a (long) while, so even if you don't turn it off, it's not draining the batteries so much.
Congratulations Sir, you own the best computer ever made in the entire history of the Universe manufactured by the #1 seller of music in the entire Universe!
i cant tell of m0f0 is being sarcastic or not because the Macbook Air is really fine laptop at least it looks like it is
OK???
now where can i get one for $15 bucks?
My son, not a gamer, has one as birthday gift. It works very well.
Two weeks ago, buy.com had it for $29.99, with free shipping, and $15 rebate. It is priced $42.99 now, no rebate.
I think the $15 deal will come back sooner or later, just as all hi-tech product. Just have to wait.
I bought the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook laser mouse
http://bensbargains.net/deal/61183/
-$30 (so twice the historical price)
-looks like same size
-has on/off switch
-pouch
-arguably better looking
-use AAA battery
-wheel doesn't scroll side way
I have not encounter any problem working on my macbook pro.
your link to the powerbook 150 is sold out!
and by the way the OS on the powerbook 150 is so mucch faster than vista!
I got this and I am not happy with it, the cursor does not move smoothly on the screen and I don't like the fact that you have to turn it on and off manually. I think the VX nano is a better mouse.
I got it when the rebate was still in affect, and used a new google account to get the extra $10 off, so total cost $5. Best damn $5 mouse I have ever bought! I don't notice any lag as noted in this article, and it moves very smoothly. This is the first laser based mouse i have had and I noticed right away it works on any surface, even the most reflective of conference room tables. IR mice I have don't work on those surfaces.
this is a very nice looking mouse
The color on this mouse is a bit bright, but it's sleek look makes up for it.
This is an awesome mouse. I purchased it a couple of weeks ago and have been very pleased with it.
I got the white version instead of the blue version. Worth a look if you don't like blue.
I have a similar logitech mouse, works great
I really like Logitech and HATE wires! Now if my laptop were cool enough to have bluetooth....