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Logitech Gives A Mouse A Laser
Kaveh writes "Looks like Logitech has introduced a successor to its popular MX line of cordless mice. In addition to a more ergonomic design, lithium ion battery, tilt wheel (read horizontal scrolling), and battery indicating LEDs, this mouse introduces laser technology. According to the Logitech this allows the MX1000 to be 20x more precise than optical mice, not to mention work on any surface, including a mirror! Check out the 3DGPU forums for pics and more info."
With the Dr. Evil finger quotes: Cool, a mouse with a "LAAAASER!!"
I really was hoping for mice with frickin' lasers on their headers. Darn.
// file: mice.h
#include "frickin_lasers.h"
Okay, so now that they've put lasers on mice, have they developed an aquatic laser for sharks? More importantly, have the mice been trained to target specific world leaders unless the governments of the world give us 1,000,000 chees wheels? If so, which world leaders?
What those who want activist courts fear is rule by the people.
I've been waiting for this. On my table with a glass plate on top, I have to use a mouse pad for my optical mouse, but I don't need one for my regular mouse. This technology actually serves the purpose an optical mouse should.
how else am i able to blind my opponents
I might also want a mirrored table in the first place.
"Anyone who attempts to generate random numbers by deterministic means is living in a state of sin." -- John von Neumann
I can *really* blind someone with my optical mouse.
Can i scan barcodes too?!
...he'll want a shark.
Of course there is always the "I for one welcome our new mice with fricking laser beam overloads".
-Brad
With this breakthrough, Logitech truly enters the forefront of American innovation. We should all look to Logitech for inspiration.
sulli
RTFJ.
"You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads! Throw me a bone here! What do we have?"
"Well, we hear Logitech attached a laser to a mouse."
Precise, and wireless - this might be just the ticket.
So... Can you use it as a laser pointer?
WOW! I've been waiting for this day for quite some time now. I knew lasers would soon enough be used in mice due to the surfaces optical mice couldn't work on (ie, glass, mirror, etc). This is definetly just a little step into laser mice, but I'm sure eventually they'll start turning to green or even blue lasers for mice. The only problem I see here is when little Jonny picks up his mouse and looks into the laser ... Could there be ways to stop this from happening?
...but Logitech is Canadian. HQ is in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Dangerous! You know, the "I'll clean my mouse" routine... flip mouse toward face... arghhh! My eyes!
:) 2000$ saved, 50$ investment, Do It Yourself! Isn`t technology cool?
Of course, if you`re lucky AND already have bad vision, you could just laser-correct your problem, i guess
Eureka Science News - automatically updated
I've heard people griping about the short battery life on the wireless mice they already have. Won't a laser exacerbate the problem?
Main point: HIGH PERFORMANCE CORDLESS MOUSE WITH LASER TRACKING
:
PI DATE : JULY 2004
TECHNOLOGY : Fast RF cordless
SYS REQS : IBM or compatible PC,
Windows 98, 2000, Me or XP,
Available USB or PS2 port, CD-ROM drive
Macintosh system - Mac OS X+,
Available USB port, CD-ROM drive
FEATURES : * MX Laser Engine provides 20 x times the tracking power
of optical
* a built-in lithium-ion battery & rapid-charging base station
* Fast RF cordless delivers cordless performance that equals USB corded connection
* New thumb-button controls include universal page forward and back buttons and application switch to quickly move between open windows
* Illuminated 4-level batt indicator precisely monitors batt strength
* Wheel tilts for side-to-side scrolling, zoom with a click of the wheel
* Cruise Control rocker for speed scrolling up and down
* Deep-sculpted thumb support for incredible comfort, outside finger grips enhance control
PACKAGE CONTENT
* Logitech MX-1000 Laser cordless mouse
* Recharging base station,
* CD-ROM with SetPoint SW
* Installation guide,
* PS2 to USB adapter
Winner of The Second Annual Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.
So it is more accurate. That is fine, but the optical mouse seems pretty accurate. The only thing I do not like is the weird quark all optical mice have. When you move the, mouse the cursor will go shooting off in the opposite direction. It is very annoying. It does not happen all the time, but it is still annoying.
I like my MX700, and while it never skips, it has rather poor resolution. I keep my corded optical mouse around just in case I need more fine-grained control (yes, I like sniping.)
// file: mice.h
#include "frickin_lasers.h"
Is this really useful? I mean, I have never had a problem with my mouse not having the resolution to click the "submit" button. Seriously though, I think mouse (and keyboard) makers have run into a similar problem as sound card makers: our mice/soundcards are already good enough. I personally have a Logitech mx500 and love it to death, but I do not see any way the pointing function could be improved. Oh well, its a frickin laser.
http://3dgpu.com.nyud.net:8090/forums/index.php?sh owtopic=310
Hmmm works pretty good!
I wish logitech would come out with a Bluetooth version of this thing. I have the M$ bluetooth mouse that I use with my PowerBook. It works great except for the fact that I have to put new batteries in it every month or so.
The gates in my computer are AND, OR and NOT; they are not Bill.
Darn, I was hoping for super mice soldiers to invade the RIAA headquaters, now I'll just settle for Plan B, my Ralph Nader blow-up doll.
even with a laser it will still be optical
Coralised link.
"World's 1st Laser Mouse! (Optical is obsolete)"
Either way I'm hoping I can just swap this mouse in for my current MX700 in my logitech cordless keyboard/mouse set. That way I can use the same reciever that also connects the mouse. It is important to note that this mouse uses Fast RF technology like the MX700 and not Bluetooth like the MX900. Some gamers weren't happy with the performance of the Bluetooth model.
opps
here's the clickable one
Mirror
Damn have to wait 2 minutes~
A Karma Whoring Alert is in effect! Hide your children!
As long as the battery life is decent, I want one. Screw the Starck mouse... This sounds like it should be great for games.
Would there be much difference in power draw between an led and a laser? I realize they must have some pretty low power lasers (like in a discman); how powerful of a laser would you need to be able to track movement like this?
Choose yer poison: Prophets or Profits
Too bad his name / design isn't on something as nice as this. Ergonomically, it looks very finicky. If it fits, it'll fit wonderfully. However, if your thumb doesn't feel right on that resty-island thing, then you're screwed.
-- n
Does it ever make you wonder 'what if computing advanced like mice do'? In some ways, they do, but I mean, we have wireless mice, wireless optical and laser mice, wireless optical laser geneboosted mice that have nine buttons with integrated phone features, and they're all totally transparent, incredibly essential cruxes of the modern computing experience.
can we get somebody from the mouse department over to the HD storage density department? Or the hardware installation department, because I still have to visit my grandfather every time he needs to install RAM. Perhaps, even, we should transfer the entire mouse department over to the user interface department, so they can explain to me why 'Exit' is for the love of god still after 20 years in the 'File' menu (Mac users, you're OK on this one). Those two, after all, have a lot to do with each other. Finally, they could stop over at the Windows dev group and explain to them that I should not have to notify Windows of my intention to disconnect my fully hotswappable device.
I could go on, but I think you get the idea.
Exactly. law of diminishing returns
And it's cool. Better than my optical mouse that got bumped down to my other computer? I don't really know. I'm still in that brief "getting used to a different mouse" phase so what I can tell you about it is limited.
The one it replaced was a Logitech basic cordless optical It did it's job well but I've been using my second computer more lately and the mouse on it was a POS so I needed another. In terms of accuracy I'm sure the laser mouse is better (Logitech wouldn't lie about that would they?) but I doubt that it's going to be something that 90% of us would notice.
Getting past the claims of improved accuracy that I can't really address it's a nice mouse. I'd have bought the Bluetooth model but this one was $20 cheaper and I liked the feel of it.
Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
I actually read the article (I am new here) but didn't see anything mentioning what class of laser it uses. It does say that the manufacturer recommends not using it on mirrored surfaces. It's possible, though unlikely, for a class II laser (such as is found in a laser pointer) to cause eye damage. I've been in classrooms with optical mice invoerted and shining their light out at students. Is this something that we're going to have to worry about with a laser mouse? Of course, if it's a class I (such as is found in CD players) there's no concern at all. Does anybody have any information on this?
I would rather be killed by a terrorist than enslaved by my government.
That thing looks sweet! Anyone catch how much it'll cost?
Just wanted to drop you a note to remind you that some of the people in the world who want a fancy-schmancy, full-featured mouse are LEFT HANDED!
I guess I'll just have to keep giving my money to the companies that want my business (i.e. make symmetrical mice with lots of bells and whistles).
You had a clue once, even making lefty versions of your mice back in the day. What happened?
Signed,
Someone who can play first person shooters using the actual arrow keys, not that "WASD" shit.
I have used some wireless mice in the past, and they always seem to have a slight delay between the time I move the mouse and the pointer on the screen actually moves. A 20X improvement in accuracy won't solve this problem, though, so will the difference really be noticeable? You will still be moving the mouse to a place where you expect the pointer to land a few moments later, then you will still probably have to correct the movement after the pointer catches up. I dunno...I'm not convinced. I guess I'll have to wait until a friend buys one and try it.
He has always called optical mice 'laser mice' anyway. At least now he will be right.
I for one welcome our new laser-wielding mice overlords.
Just to be a dick, this isn't the first mouse that uses a laser. There were a few laser mice (pre "optical" mice) but they required a special pad so the advantages over a regular mouse were minimal (really just that you didn't have to clean them).
Here's a (currently) non-/.'ed image of the mouse:
http://img16.exs.cx/img16/8692/mx-1000.jpg
Another Forum Review on the Logitech MX1000
If all else fails, check Google
Who said Freedom was Fair?
Lasers actually don't take all that much power- they're highly efficient. Then again, the LED which they're replacing doesn't usually take too much power either. My guess is that it's not a significant change.
The World Wide Web is dying. Soon, we shall have only the Internet.
That might just be the first cordless mouse Ill purchase.
Ill just wait til they come out with the same model but in a marble finish like my MX-510.
with remaining eye.
"To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible. "
No more nerds correcting me when I call it a laser mouse.
You know, the thing about mice is that the technology advances in spurts. Optical was a big spurt, at least when the resolution started to improve. However, wireless was a big BACKWARDS spurt since the mice are now heavy as hell and gobble batteries at a ridiculous rate. I retired my wireless and went back to the wiry MX500 which is great.
However it still requires an exotic mousepad (currently a large dinnermat from Habitat which my friend Rick discovered was the slickest and most trackable mousing surface ever invented). Continuing the culinary theme, my desk is an acid-etched glass dining table from Ikea (awsome desk, by the way -- and I use their kitchen cabinets as office storage) which would be a ROCKING mousepad if an optical mouse which actually track on it. But it won't.
So, is this a dodo or a turkey vulture (very successful in these parts)? Only time and money will tell.
I'm not wrong. You haven't thought about it hard enough.
Finally, we're one step closer to a convenient means of do-it-at-your-desk-while-you're-at-home laser eye surgery!
w00t
When they came up a non-optical device that can take input from a laser. Unless laser no longer means "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation"...
Am I the only one who still uses a mouse pad with optical mice?
It just feels better..
Okay, what the hell is the deal with this "ergonomic" mice that have your hand all sideways and require you rest your entire palm on it, moving it with your arm? It's getting harder and harder to find good small mice that just fit under your fingers, allowing you to control them with your hand. In mice, "ergonomic" just means "really really big and sorta cool looking, but completely impractical."
More precision means you have a head on advantage when firing the sniper rifle or rail gun in quake3 over your oponents.
I may just buy one when I upgrade my system in a month or 2 to make it doom3 ready.
http://saveie6.com/
They make some nice mouse pads- I hate but bulky ones with the big gel-packs and crap, but I like the ones with a really nice surface like a velvet-like material I have on my main workstation.
They help the mouse move smoother; if you have a hard surface they get "sticky" and make it difficult to make precise movements. The pads get dirty really fast without a mouse pad. AND, you can really screw up the surface of your desk if you use the mouse without a pad.
Who wants a sticky mouse that grinds over dirt and wears out your desk? I'll take my nice comfortable mouse pad any day.
- It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
does anyone know of some place in Canada that will ship them? NewEgg, in their infinite wisdom, doesn't ship to Canada.
;)
BTW, all you Americans, NewEgg is sold out, looks like we slashdotted their stock
This would go great with the old-school Sun Type(3/4/5) optical mouse pads. Remember those? My brother was a lab monitor in some of the Sun computer labs at his university, and he mentioned that that was the #1 thing stolen from those labs. The rigid metal surface with the clear covering was just the pinnacle of vacuumpunk technology.
can it tout museum quality?
ôó
cause the site is so slow, check out pictures here: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?desc ription=26-104-158&depa=0
um. maybe i've just been mislead here. but if they haven't been using lasers in optical mice all this time, wtf is that red light coming out of the bottom of my mx700?
also. the mx1000 while nice, has one immediate turn off: lack of bluetooth. i rather like the ability to take one mouse, and without needing to switch which computer the RF base station is hooked up to, use it on another computer.
there's also that capability of using it on the go with a powerbook or something, and not needing the bulky base station.
- tristan
What happened to the Logitech 'natural' keyboards? I know they make the wireless ones, but what happend to the wired ones? I would love to buy one but they do not appear to make them anymore.
Glad I'm not the only one. I, like the other replier to your post, also use an older first-gen Microsoft Optical mouse. Small, easy. And I like mouse pads for multiple reasons so being able to use the thing on a mirror doesn't mean crap to me.
I'd like to have a mouse that had better tracking during moments of high movement (ie some games) but it works just fine.
And I don't want a cordless mouse dammit. Who wants to worry about having your mouse die on you? Or having the batteries eventually not take a charge? Some people are hell bent on removing the cords from everything but for some things like the mouse, it just adds complexity where none is needed nor wanted.
- It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
I won't buy one unless I can, well, use it.
right now im STILL stuck with a MSFT intellimouse optical (the first unihand 5 button optical mouse released) im SO SICK OF THIS i understand the need for a comfy right handed mouse for right handed people and i dont expect them to set up a production line for lefties but a slightly lower end (ie non ergo for right hand) corded or cordless ver would be great i want a new mouse why do they ignore 25% of us!
Mirror!
The only thing the mice in my old apartment introduced was poop. Into that bag of doritos I mistakenly ate.
Anyone else experiencing having pointer freezes/lockups when the Wacom Intuos tablet is connected? I didn't have these problems under kernel 2.4, and no one else seems to have a wacom+mx700 combination...
I'm alittle supprised none of us from the hardcore old school crowd haven't complained yet in this thread about the fact that Logitech still has yet to provide us wheel-o-phobic people with an optical cordless 3button mouse without a stupid wheel. Am I alone in this?
even a northpaw would find a mouse that stupidly shaped a pain in the ass to use. how long until logitech puts this in a mouse that doesn't make me want to throw up?
Anyone want this? Gmail invite
Sweet, looks like I won't be using my 5 year logitech warranty to its end after all.
Don't know if anyone else noticed this, but on a pic of the bottom of the mouse I finally see something I've been seeking since my first wireless mouse -- an on/off switch! Huzzah for Logitech!!
Disclaimer: The above comment was made while under the influence of too much coding and not enough sleep.
Since the site is /.ed:
Picture One
Picture Two
Bored? Visit my exciting counter page!
Hey, I got a tip for ya. When using it outside... make sure the optics are facing down.
-- No sig for you!
Nothing like Slashdot for gross misinformation. From Logitech's web site:
Founded
1981 -- Apples, Switzerland
(I found it pretty amusing when, years ago, I was using a mouse from "Apples" with an Apple IIe. It was a rather sucky mouse back then, mind you...)
Of course, these days its a large multinational company, so claiming it for any particular country is just pointless nationalism.
So it works on a mirror. I'll remain unimpressed until they can design a mouse that works on oatmeal.
All joking aside, I love logitech mice. Got an MX700 here at home. The only problem is, I've got a crappy 2-button scroll wheel mouse at work, so I'm constantly pushing extra mouse buttons that don't exist on the work mouse.
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine No Posessions?'" -- Elvis Costello
We can bring this thing into a commercial flight or a school as a matter of fact, I think laser pointer aren't allowed in those places
This Sig is removed due to factual inaccuracy
Mechanical mouse with rubber ball that gets gummed up with dust and crud: $19.00
Optical mouse that doesn't work well on many surfaces: $39.00
Laser mouse that works on any surface and spawns lots of "frickin laser" jokes: Priceless.
Lump lingered last in line for brains, and the ones she got were sorta rotten and insane.
I tell ya, I love my MX500 / MX700, but the drivers suck. No app-specific settings. No modifier key maps (heaven forbid I might want to use a button to drag around in Photoshop). I could go on. Microsoft's IntelliMouse drivers have covered all this crap for years.
Apparently if I buy the MX510 I can get app specific drivers. Nice sales work, Logitech.
They fix some things with the Advanced utility, but why isn't it rolled into the main MouseWare driver set? FWIW, this is in Windows. Yeah, I said it! Until I can get SolidWorks on my Mac I've gotta use Windows!
Wrists killing you? Not in 2 weeks. Learn Dvorak.
If a little traveler from Logitech shows up at your house, you might want to give it a laser. If you give it a laser, it's going to ask for a non-reflective surface. It'll want to compare itself to a Microsoft mouse to make sure it performs better. Soon, the Microsoft mouse will want to be paid for. The money will go to anti-Linux FUD. Soon you'll put a brick through your computer, and have to buy a new one. And when you take home that new Logitech mouse....
...it's going to want a laser!
laser is all nice but would it be safe with kids who might try to look at the laser?
They work by having the electrical contacts at the bottom of a depression shaped like a very shallow bowl.
A tilt in any direction causes the mercury to flow away from the contacts, breaking the circuit.
The main problem that I can see with using any kind of acceleration-detecting device on a mouse is that it would be triggered by sudden mouse movements.
Also, the toxicity of mercury is somewhat exaggerated.
Mercury vapor can cause problems over an extended period of time, but it is unlikely that the small amount from a tilt switch will cause problems (unless it is used in a sealed room that has no ventilation, but radon would probably be of greater concern in such an environment).
Those who sacrifice security to condemn liberty deserve to repeat history or something. - Benjamin Santayana
If you give a mouse a laser he is going to want to take over the world.
Why not? Why are people so complacent and accepting about censorship? Why are people so happy to surrender their right of self-expression for a paycheck?
Yeah, yeah, -1 Offtopic, I know. I'll get me coat.
fish and pipes
who would've thought that both real guns, and now our prized virtual guns, BOTH have lasers! wheeew! hook me up.
:)
looks like a good product, cant wait to try it out at like best buy or something
gotta love the "free as in sex" mentallity with the "try before you buy" feel. mmm
cool article. peace captian breasy cheesey wheezy!
I got the logitech mini wheel mouse as a gift from my girlfriend ages ago, and it is still my favourite mouse. It was pretty cheap, and I got another one at work - optical! Fits nicely into both hands (I am left handed) and it is as a MOUSE should be (with a tail on it).
It lacks the frickin' laser, but I prefer getting my mice for 20 euros.
love slashdot. populate it. use it. abuse it. hate it. kill it. miss it. stop following links, they only kill servers.
Well, they don't have it yet, but I would expect it pretty soon at http://www.vibecomputers.com
They had the MX-510 quite quickly, even when it was hard to find outside of Best Buy.
That's fine if you're making one or two of these. What about thousands? You know that the vast majority of them will go right in the trash when they break, right?
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
If you can survive the box.. then some laser isn't going to do you any harm.
Maybe this will ease the pain when some Idiot User calls his optical mouse a "laser mouse."
Laser is cool, but does it look like vagina? :D2 9&tid=137&tid=109&tid=1&tid=218
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/28/20532
As other posters have pointed out, I think mice and keyboards have gotten to the point where companies are innovating for the sake of simply getting new product on the shelves every year.
There's a lot of stupid stuff coming out that maybe a few people like, but really. Vibrating mice? All these extra little buttons? Horizontal scrolling? Stupid software that eats up memory to add "extra features" you don't use?
Optical was good (and maybe laser is the way of the future, who knows). The scroll wheel is great. Cordless mice still suck (not responsive enough). Outside of that mice haven't really significantly changed in 20+ years whether you like 1, 2 or 3 buttons.
What is even more annoying is they all seem to arbitrarily change the "ergonomic" (whatever) design of their mice every year or two. Which means that when the mouse you love and are used to dies you won't be able to buy another one like it and will have to get used to whatever new design they have out there.
Bah! =)
I can see it now... you want to clean the bottom of your mouse, awwwwww, the laser burns.. my eyes... (waving fist)I'll get you for this logi-tech, and your little dog toooo.. Sounds like a law-suit waiting to happen haha my idea just wasted part of your brain.
Ambient [Servlet Based Webapp Engine]
I'd really like to buy this new mouse, but I'm having serious paint issues with my MX700, which I bought in a european store called BEEP.
For the record, I haven't had issues with any other previous mouses.
Current MX1000 will break my desk color harmony! Requesting a silver one :-)
$5 / month hosted VPS on linux = awesome!
Your comment got me thinking....
:)
:)
My first IBM PC in the home was a 286/16, somewhere between '86 and '88 - I can't remember. It came with a Logitech 3 button mouse.
That mouse was with all my machines until around '96 or '97. A roommate's cat gave it a bath by knocking it in a soda cup. Sadly enough, I remember how angry I got over that.
Naturally, given the quality of the mouse I had, I figured I'd buy another logitech. That thing didn't last 2 weeks. At least I got my money back for that one.
2-3 years down the road, I was in the market for yet another mouse, so I figured I'd get another Logitech - that thing lasted about 3 months.
After going through tons of mice since around '96, I finally settled on something that I like: a shitty Microsoft Optical that cost me $20. Combine it with a nice $25 mouse pad and it plays better than or equal to your MX<insert number of the week here>. I have recieved several unsolicited comments about how smooth it works and how well it tracks.
MX1000 sounds very neat but I'll be sure to wait for the corded version - I've done my tour with wireless mice and now the only thing that bothers me about them is that my wife complains because I pawned the $120 mouse off to her to take the $20 mouse I have now.
What I don't get - when microsoft first started selling mice, you could look on the bottom of the mouse and it would say something to the effect of "manufacturered by logitech". If they can manage to make MS mice better than their own....sigh.
Mouse user notices small sticker close to laser and puts mouse up to face to read it..
(singe, crackle)
**Do not look at underside of mouse with remaining eye!**
I love the MouseMan series of mice... but I feel like the design has been going downhill since around the time they introduced the cordless ball MouseMan mouse, and the MX700 I found to be quite odd to use... the thumb button was no longer where my thumb was, I had to move my thumb in an awkward way to reach the button, also, they introduced two buttons by the scroll wheel, one in front and one behind, the front button was easy to click, but the one behind was, again, awkward... I'd love to see a better design, until then I'll be using my first edition blue MouseMan Optical USB.
sig.
Having to share a computer at an office full of people with grungy hands led me to do two things:
:)
1. Demand (and get) a Dvorak keyboard. That cut down the popularity of my station considerably.
2. Invent the disposable mouse pad.
"What is this wonderful device?", you might wonder. Well here's how to make one.
1. Take about 25 sheets of letter size paper and stack them neatly. It doesn't matter if they are laser-printed, but you probably don't want inkjet prints. You can do a lot more than 25 if you have a heavy-duty stapler handy, but this assumes you don't.
2. Staple them together as many times as necessary along one edge.
3. When the top page gets dirty, or when the shift changes, tear off the top page and throw it away. When you get down to the last 10 or so sheets, remove the staples, get another 15 sheets of paper, and re-staple. If you spill your drink on it, throw away the wet pages, or the whole thing if necessary.
Think I can get a patent on this?
The lazy can just get a notepad and flip the cover back (or tear it off), but doesn't that violate the whole "do it yourself" ethic?
Mal-2
How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
... but in the process the LASER MOUSE will burn your desk to ashes. Use it on a mirror folks, that'll keep the little bastard in check!
Visit http://ringbreak.dnd.utwente.nl/~mrjb/growingbettersoftware to download your free copy of the book
Apples is actually a village in the french speaking part of switzerland.
The headquater for europe afrika and estern counries is still here (about 8km east of apples in Romanel-sur-Morges)
Mice, along with keyboards, are one of them. I know they have been out for quite some time now, but I am not sure if the whole idea is really necessary. I can see the aspect in wireless networking and WiFi, but I do not see a real big purpose in wireless mice and keyboards. Surely I would think it gets irritating to replace a battery in both the mouse and keyboard. (Correct me if I am wrong.) Is it easier just to deal with two extra wires, no batteries, and something that is less expensive? I use optical mice (and one ball mouse on one of my older machines with no USB port), and I think that they are just fine for the job. I see no reason to upgrade to wireless with such equipment. What are the real benefits that Slashdot users encounter when using wireless mice and keyboards in exception to the two extra said wires?
Also, I seem to remember that back in the 1980's Logitech not only sold mice but Modula-2 compilers as well. Modula-2 was a followup language to Pascal that fixed many of the problems Pascal had, but it never really caught on.
I could not find this mouse on logitechs website, so I called up Logitechs costumer support. The MX1000 is not a logitech product. Too bad, I'd love the sidescroll
I'm pretty sure that the Sun machines I have in my server room have had their laser mice (mirrored mousepad even!) long before this Logitech offering.
But great news for consumers.
I wonder if they'll make a wired version.
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, START
This laser seems like it is much stronger (uses more power im assuming). How long would it last before a recharge?
Also, this thing looks a bit heavier than my MX700. One of the good qualities of the mouse was that you could pick it up easily. Also, after long use, a heavy mouse could tire out many (unathletic - typical of many computer people) people's arms.
No bluetooth? I always thought that the MX900 was making a step in the right direction by adopting this protocol for its wireless. It allowed more freedom of what devices it could be used on.
I'm skeptical. It sounds like the technology is a good step forward... but at what cost to the user?
How did you know to preempt the funnies if you are indeed new here?
AHA! Gotcha!
Logitech develops mice with "a personality".
Strangely colored "Ladybug" and "Football" mice fill up their product line.
I'm still waiting for a mouse-colored mouse.
While I welcome an increase in precision as I nearly returned my MX-700 and went back to a ball mouse because the ball handles small movements more precisely, I don't like the Lithium battery solution.
The current batteries work well and imporantly are ubiquitous and easily replaceable. Do yo see a door on the Lithium model?
What happens when the expensive Laser mouse has a battery failure. Lithiums do have a limited lifespan (Warranty +10 days usually).
If only the original Macintosh had come with a trackball 20 years ago, they might well be ubiquitous today and mice would be the niche product. Perhaps someday the masses will wake up and correct this mistake. (Yeah, right. . . Probably at the same time when we all switch to Dvorak keyboards.)
I have a Logitech Marble Mouse USB, the older one with only two buttons. It's more efficient than a mouse: fingertip control, less movement, less effort, and takes less desk space. I have it configured so I can hold down my control key and scroll with the trackball.
It works pretty well for me.
...BIG MUTHAFUCKIN LASERS.
This is probably the former. That is Class 1 lasers that are unlikely to cause any harm unless you punch them into your eye balls.
Mmmmmm, can this mouse be hacked to convert it into a phaser? ;-)
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Programming is good for health
"Headshot...Headshot...Headshot...Headshot...Heads hot..."
i wonder if this woud make a great mikroscope/scanner. all you need is some lego and a way to get the image from the laser..
PAT
SEO Test: TIGI und SEBASTIAN - Online Shop - V
Dangermouse! Now armed with a laser!
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//Information does not want to be free; it wants to breed.
no staples, and easily transportable.
Interesting.
Anyone else set their sensitivity really low for games (3 in Halflife), so easier to aim - it makes sensitivity less useful.
Sometimes it seems like the rest of the world is moving thier move tenths of a millimeter while I'm moving mine inches.
Anyone else like thier sensitivity low?
A blog I run for the wealth
The Official Laser Webpage
Real Ultimate Power
Hi, this site is all about lasers, REAL LASERS. This site is awesome. My name is Robert and I can't stop thinking about lasers. These guys are cool; and by cool, I mean totally sweet.
Facts:
1. Lasers are mammals.
2. Lasers fight ALL the time.
3. The purpose of the laser is to flip out and kill people.
Weapons and gear:
Laser Sword
Laser Stars
Laser Outfit
Testimonial:
Lasers can kill anyone they want! Lasers cut off heads ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. These guys are so crazy and awesome that they flip out ALL the time. I heard that there was this laser who was eating at a diner. And when some dude dropped a spoon the laser killed the whole town. My friend Mark said that he saw a laser totally uppercut some kid just because the kid opened a window.
And that's what I call REAL Ultimate Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don't believe that lasers have REAL Ultimate Power you better get a life right now or they will chop your head off!!! It's an easy choice, if you ask me.
Lasers are sooooooooooo sweet that I want to crap my pants. I can't believe it sometimes, but I feel it inside my heart. These guys are totally awesome and that's a fact. Lasers are fast, smooth, cool, strong, powerful, and sweet. I can't wait to start yoga next year. I love lasers with all of my body (including my pee pee).
Q and A:.
Q: Why is everyone so obsessed about lasers?
A: lasers are the ultimate paradox. On the one hand they don't give a crap, but on the other hand, lasers are very careful and precise.
Q: I heard that lasers are always cruel or mean. What's their problem?
A: Whoever told you that is a total liar. Just like other mammals, lasers can be mean OR totally awesome.
Q: What do lasers do when they're not cutting off heads or flipping out?
A: Most of their free time is spent flying, but sometime they stab. (Ask Mark if you don't believe me.)
Correct me if i'm wrong but if you use this on a textured surface, won't that laser not reflect correctly due to the tight focus of the beam?
Mouse Systems. Unfortunately you'll have to scour the Earth to find anybody who sells them.
I'm interested about using cheap mice as linear encoders in cnc machinery. Industrial encoders are of course way too expensive but mice are cheap.
So, does anybody know what resolution this laser mouse gives to its output? Typical mice give about 200 dpi but cnc machines can handle resolutions up to 5000 dpi, so typical mouse is not enough.
Maybe they will trade for cheap prescription drugs?
It used a grid mousepad and had a serial cable...
that's old skool =)
e.
Build Your Own PVR/HTPC news, reviews, &
Optical = of or relating to the science of optics, of or relating to vision. Lasers are optical, so it cannot be 20x more precise than.. itself.
Must-not-watch TV!
Could I get some troll points ? Thanks.
--LordPixie
When I read this artical all I could think of was turning the mouse upside-down and firing the laser at somebody. McBain:THE GOGGLES THEY DO NOTHING ...
Tod: My EYEBALL
I have had the opportunity to play with the new MX1000 and yes it works with the MX700 base station - it can even be charged on the same station. It does NOT however work with the pre-MX technology. Sorry. It also works with the notebook fastRF reciever! (of course you cannot charge with the notebook reciever) I am going to be meeting with the logitech reps soon and will suggest they bundle the notebook USB reciever with the MX1000. I think the laser is cool but what is even better is the thumb rest. It was the first thing I noticed when I held the mouse in my hand. The ergonomics of this mouse outstrips everything I have ever found for sheer comfort. It is a right hand mouse ONLY though. The final nifty feature is the on-off switch on the bottom. This allows you to turn the dang thing off and throw it into your bag when taking either your laptop elsewhere or going to LAN parties.
Lousy german with a laser
I'm waiting for the Logitech Nuclear Mouse.
Cress, cress, lovely lovely cress
If you are going to give lasers to mice, don't be surprised when the cats decide to fight back.
When information is power, privacy is freedom.
A laser, hmmm..... What's that look like .... AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! I'm Blind!!! I'm Blind!!!!! I'M GONNA SUE!!!!!
motorcycle racers began using something called "tear-offs". (This may be an Oakley trademark - I'm not sure.) These were goggles that were overlaid with multiple layers of clear plastic across the eye area. When the goggles became covered in dust/mud, the rider could grab a tab and pull off the top layer, revealing the clean strip beneath - repeat as needed or until all the strips are gone.
There was another version that used two spools, like a film camera (remember those?). The rider pushed a button and a predetermined length of clear plastic would be wound on to the empty spindle, pulling a clean strip into the rider's field of vision. I never found out if the motor simply turned the receiving spindle N times or if there were markers on the strips themselves to shut off the motor. It seems like the "N rotations" model would be flawed, since the covering of dirt (especially mud) would change the thickness of the plastic strip and thus the effective radius of the receiving spindle, unnecessarily increasing the amount of new material used. Hmmm.
Anyway, re: your patent question - I think there is prior art.
I want to drag this out as long as possible. Bring me my protractor.
I find it hard to believe that you're getting such short life spans from your Logitech mice. I've got two at home. One is about 5 months old now, no problems. The other I've been using since 1998, and I paid $30 for it back then. It's been a great mouse. Both are optical.
You might want to sit down for this. I use a graphics tablet for CAD, and image work. A mouse (optical or otherwise) isn't really good for image work, and a graphics tablet with overlays is better. Now that's were i would like to see higher resolution.
I also have a notbook standalone thumb mouse. Portable one handed operation.
...flamebait ? Anyone ? =)
--LordPixie
You know, slashdot needs a separate jokes forum and on-topic discussions forum for each article. I came here to read about the Logitech mouse, not a really old joke repeated over and over...
I got mine at a "Fry's" computer store.
You could try seeing if they would ship you one.
This might be the acme of mouse technology as far as Logitech are concerned, but it won't get me opening my wallet. It's right-handed, and as such it's totally useless.
I know all the arguments about catering to the average user, and frankly, I don't care. I use my mouse left-handed, and I see no reason to change. I still carried on on the left when I had my left hand in a plaster cast because I simply cannot coordinate pointer and mouse movement with my right hand.
Naturally, I can use the touch screen and keyboard on my PDA fully ambidexterously. Which might be a hint about how un-intuitive mice actually are.
The last site mentions the use of touch screens as a tool in managing RSI issues, which is some info that people might wish to take to work with them.
Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
Buying a very accurate cordless mouse is like buying a very accurate gun with a short range.
A USB 2.0 connection is many times faster than the wireless connection these mouses use.
The increased accuracy is pretty pointless when the wireless mouse has such a low polling rate.
This is probably OT, but we ARE speaking about mice...so be karmically kind, please.
I bought this mouse as a presentation tool and, based on prior experience with motion-sensing presentation mice, really didn't expect it to work very well at any other application. I was wrong...this thing works GREAT! I use it as my default desktop mouse now. The ability to set up custom events based on directional "swipes" is a feature I didn't think I would use very much but now I use it in every class.
Unfortunately, it's currently only supported under Windows. I have to unplug it when I boot into Sid or none of my pointing devices work properly.