A Mouse by any Other Name
Written: Apr 01 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Improved optical resolution, attractive design, scroll wheel and programmable 3rd button
Cons: still does not seem 100% immune to the 'blind mouse' syndrome
The Bottom Line: The MX300 offers precision performance and an attractive design at a nice price point. In Vegas, this mouse would be a sure bet.
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| JKiss's Full Review: Logitech MX 300 (930762-0403) Mouse |
The mouse. An often-overlooked device except when it decides to take a vacation and act up. However, it is a crucial device allowing interaction with the computer and control in certain software environments. Along with the keyboard, the tactile response helps form an overall impression of the computer systems we use.
Until recently, most systems came with some sort of ball mouse. A useful device but with one major drawback, eventual build-up of dust and dirt particles caused the mouse to lose functionality and require a thorough cleaning. I remember all too many evenings smacking the mouse down on the desk because it started to lose sensitivity, dismantling it - soaking the ball, removing any residue from the internal rollers and reassembling only to have to repeat the entire process 3-4 months later. Optical mice came on the scene to save the user of this dreaded task, however due to the initial cost being much greater than a ball mouse initial adoption was slow. There was one other issue with the initial attempts at optical mice and it had to do with the type of surface the mouse was resting on. One of the key selling points included the ability to trash the mouse pad and use this new style mouse on most surfaces. However, users quickly began to realize that certain surfaces wreaked havoc on the performance of the optical mouse. Surfaces with high gloss, heavy grain or some complex patterns drastically affected the 'eye' of the mouse and any enjoyment was quickly diminished. Although it was a breakthrough at the time there was still some work to do to perfect these new devices and increase the adaptability to a wider range of surfaces.
Why Optical?
The optical mouse works by 'seeing' the surface below it by scanning a preset area through an optical lens. As you move the mouse it compares the previous scan to the new position to allow the software to interpret the direction and speed the unit is moving. This process has to happen countless times per second so the mouse can report enough information to the software to allow the pointer to give accurate visual feedback. Initial optical mice had a much lower scan rate and lower quality optics. This contributed to some of the problems previously described. Vast improvements to the quality of the optics, fine-tuning of the drivers and the ability to scan a much more detailed area than ever before led to the birth of the MX300. The optical mouse has never been this sweet.
Why Logitech?
Logitech has always made excellent peripherals. Their mice, along with Microsoft's, have long been a favorite of mine. However, the industrial design team at Logitech seems to have one up on the other manufacturers. The first consideration of a mouse is the overall feel in the hand. Logitech has done their research and I would venture to guess has one of the most well designed mouse bodies for the largest percentage of the population. Their initial optical mice were extremely nice and worked flawlessly except for trouble with a few surface types. The day I saw the MX300 for a sale price of $14.99 (usually $24.99) I thought I'd pick it up and see if the new MX engine increased performance as much as they claimed.
At this price, the mouse was a steal. I tested it on various surfaces from faux pebble; dark wood-grain to semi-gloss and the mouse did not skip a beat. The driver installation was relatively simple and immediately improved the performance of the mouse upon restart of the pc and a quick setup. The scroll wheel is comfortable and covered with a nice rubber finish to aid in grip. An interesting option is a small button about an inch below the scroll wheel. This button can be programmed for different actions but I find works best as either a quick switch between programs or as a back command while web browsing. As if this wasn't enough, like a cherry on top of a sundae, Logitech also designed the mouse with an attractive pearl gray and black finish. The mouse looks like a cut above the rest and performs like it too.
If you are working with an older style ball mouse or would just like to upgrade your current mouse, this mouse is a nice option. All things considered it should be on your short list of things to buy.
TECHNICAL NOTES or Things you should know…
1- The MX300 can either be hooked up to the standard PS2 port or a USB port. However to fully enjoy the benefits of the increased optical resolution you will need to use the USB port due to the amount of data that has to be transmitted.
2- The concept of comfort can vary greatly from user to user. Take a look at the mouse and test it out. Just because it feels right for me, does not mean you will have the same impression.
3- Watch out for ‘Blind Mice’. There is one weakness to optical mice I have found and the Logitech has occasionally displayed this behavior. I call it the ‘blind mouse’. For some reason, whether it is the software or the hardware itself, I have noticed optical mice can lose their way. Usually you will notice the screen pointer has ‘disappeared’. When you move the mouse, the pointer may appear from the lower left corner. I am not positive what contributes to this, but have had this happen on occasion with several different brands of optical mice on various systems. However, it has not diminished the overall quality of the mouse considering it is an extremely seldom event.
4- GAMERS… test thoroughly. The one big draw back I can see to the ‘blind mouse’ syndrome is for the user who is involved in serious gaming. This may be unacceptable to this specific user type.
Quick Review...
With the release of the MX300, Logitech has set a new standard for the performance of optical mice. They have nearly doubled the optical resolution of the scanner allowing for an infinitely greater degree of control and more fluid performance. This resolution increase also permitted a noticeable increase in the ability to adapt to a wider range of surfaces. However, make sure you install the software to enjoy full functionality. Other positives of the MX300 include a universal scroll wheel, a programmable 3rd button allowing for quick access to several different functions and a pleasing design.
If you are looking to replace your old mouse, this is a fine solution at a reasonable price. This mouse also makes a nice gift. I have given 3 of them to friends and associates to replace older ball mice they were using and could not believe the positive comments and thanks I received after they had used them for a few days.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 14.99
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Epinions.com ID:
JKiss
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Location: NJ
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Family, art, technology, and work... not necessarily always in that order.
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