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Logitech Cordless Desktop LX500 and LX700 Showdown
msftmichael writes "CoolTechZone reviews Logitech's latest LX500 and LX700 Cordless Desktop Duo products. The author discusses problems with software, compares and contrasts the two products, and talks about wireless technology in a very in-depth review. Here's a quote: "Both of the products we are reviewing use RF (Radio Frequency) receivers to communicate between the mouse and your computer. It operates on the 27 MHz frequency, which is good for short range communication through less than 2 physical barriers. At this relatively low frequency, interference can occur due to proximity to other electronic devices, which is why Logitech recommends that you keep the receiver 8 inches (20 cm) away from your monitor or computer. They also recommend against putting it on a metal surface, and for good reason. While on top of our steel computer case, we could not get the keyboard or mouse to communicate with the receiver."
Why would you want to have to recharge it and pay extra? This written with an MX500 next to me.
Sorry, but no fucking way am I reading a 10 page review for a keyboard and mouse.
R(k)
we're calling mice "desktops" now?
If IE isn't set as your default browser...why would they open it for the search and email buttons? If Firefox...Opera or whatever is your default browser their software needs to honor that. Until they can get that much right I will not purchase one of their products.
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interference can occur due to proximity to other electronic devices, which is why Logitech recommends that you keep the receiver 8 inches (20 cm) away from your monitor or computer.
Who has that much room on their desk? Especially room that is also 8+ inches away from any other electronic equipment? I've got printers, a scanner, a KVM switch, a phone, a stereo and speakers. Unless I tape the receiver to the side of my head, I've got nowhere to put it.
I use the LX 700 (which I bought earlier this month) as my keyboard and mouse. I don't have any problems with reception with the reciever on top of my box, which is about the only place where I have room for it, due to my desk size.
Furthermore, I use Linux, where the drivers aren't compatable, but the hardware works very well. The side buttons on the mouse even work as an extra center and right click, which comes in handy from time to time.
Of course, the function keys don't work, but that's not a problem. I wouldn't use them even if I was using Windows.
Also, the mouse fits my hand quite well, which is rare for a mouse.
Haec merda tauri est. Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.
I current have a wireless mouse(Logitech MX 1000) and I like the freedom of not having wires because it does not get stuck on some of the random crap on my desk. Why would someone want a wireless keyboard? Your keyboard stays in one place, you never move it nothing can get in the way. Ive never had any problems with my RF mouse next to all of my other electronics, it doesnt work across my room but it works all around my desk.
I have the MX900 Bluetooth Mouse + an Apple Bluetooth keyboard.
I love them and wouldn't think of switching, and I bought them fairly recently so I know they are still available. No drivers for the MX900 for OSX, but it doesn't matter as I was able to map the buttons through System Preferences. But you need a Bluetooth adaptor as the logitech hub/cradle doesn't work with OSX (though it works fine for charging).
... that's... erm... one physical barrier, isn't it?
Besides, what is a "physical" barrier anyway? Air? Sheet of Paper? Block of lead? Sorry, but that doesn't sound like a very insightful review.
I just got the Logitech MX1000 mouse today. The Logitech driver disk is probably the same as the one that comes with these mice installs additional third party crap even if you unselect everything. Pretty low from a suposedly reputable company - if I'd wanted 'MusicMatch', 'RealOne Arcade' or a handy link to eBay on my desktop I would have put installed them myself. It's fine bundling third party stuff with your (fully paid for) products - just make sure the end user has the option to UNSELECT ALL OF them from the install.
Oh yeah the driver weigh in at an unbelievable 22M. WTF? Its a mouse. With a few programmable buttons.
The drivers are only needed if you want use the extra buttons for non standard uses. If you need them, stop the CD from autoplaying and browse for the SetPoint installer by hand.
Steve.
As a user of many mice over the years, I have to say my favorite so far is the 5 button MS Intellimouse Optical but the best software for it is the 4.1, not the newest. 4.1 has the Alt+tab assignment option, later software doesn't.
Another plus was that when I broke it (stepped on it during a move) I called MS support, and they sent me a brand new one after I faxed them a copy of the bottom of the mouse. Sweet.
R(k)
Anyways, what problems do I have with logitech? I hate the fact that they change their wireless receiver base every time they come out with a product. I just upgraded my wireless mouse to a 1000 series laser mouse, but I had to buy the new laser / keyboard combo because I didn't want two RF adapters on my desk. Can't logitech figure out a better way to deal with this?
Also, I hate the mouse button compatibility that Logitech has yet to resolve. Microsoft mouses just seem to support all the buttons.
I'm not that concerned if my mouse or keyboard doesn't work through walls.
My monitor doesn't.
By reading this sig, you agree to be bound by all terms and conditions I choose.
I went through quite a few BT mice before I found two that work consistently and have reasonable battery life.
The MS and Kensington mice were buggy on OS X and slightly better on XP. The Logitech bluetooth mouse was a complete joke, didn't work with anything but XP and not very well at that (tracking was hopeless, battery life was worthless). A few other brands I don't recall were OK, but weren't very comfortable.
I ultimately settled on the iogear bt mouse for the laptop and the MacMice bt mouse for the desktop. I hear Apple's mouse is solid but I can't give up my scroll wheel.
this is getting old and so are you
blog
Can't say that it's a problem anymore. At least I haven't noticed any problem while gaming with my Logitech set (MX900? Can't remember atm, at the office). Always moving and aiming without any real skipping problem and I don't have their software installed on my system. As a side note, very sturdy set of equipment. Mouse has survived many accidental and not-so-accidental drops and the batteries in the keyboard are still good after well over a years worth of use.
I traded all my mod points for these magic beans.
I've got the Microsoft Bluetooth Explorer mouse for my laptop, and wouldn't want anything else.
C A&SEC_IID=8770&N=0&keywords=bluetooth&x=0&y=0
I don't notice any lag on it, but I don't really play any FPS games either. The only annoying thing about it is that if you don't use it for several minutes, it goes into sleep mode, and it takes about half a second to wake up when you start using it again. Other than that, I don't have any complaints about it.
I was originally skeptical about the battery life on the mouse, because it doesn't have any way to turn it off. It sits in my computer bag, constantly on from moving around in there. Even with that, the batteries typically lasts about a month before having to replace them (2 AA).
Every now and then, Fry's will have them in stock for $79, but I have seen them on Overstock.com for $50, with $1 shipping. I think a lot of stores don't carry them because PCs with bluetooth aren't all that common. Most laptops that have bluetooth are Apple, and most Apple owners wouldn't want a Microsoft mouse, so it is a niche market for this mouse.
Also, I think MS made a stupid mistake by including a bluetooth dongle in the package. Most people who are paying more for a bluetooth mouse already have a bluetooth receiver in their computer, and are paying the extra so they don't have to use an RF mouse that requires a dongle. They should skip the dongle, and lower their price some.
Also, I just checked Overstock.com. Right now, they have the MS Bluetooth Desktop Elite for $79, or just the bluetooth mouse for $38 with $2 shipping.
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=ENDE
I'm not normally one to rag on Slashdot, hell I spend enough of my time here, but this is article is just a waste of everyones time. Overly long, completely uninteresting. There's levels of geek I'm prepared to admire, and levels of obsession about minute details that I find repugnant.
A few points - why the hell would you want a kb that can't be used in certain positions? A triumph of what over what here? Money over common sense springs to mind..
I still don't get bluetooth equipment let alone RF to be honest. I'd really hate to be at a LAN party and watch as my mouse and/or keyboard goes down due to a lack of batteries.
People buying these things have been suckered, big time. For the price of a lack of cable you pay extra and then pay for extras on top? You're the capitalist dream.. seriously.
The point about wireless, really, is wireless connectivity. It's nice to be able to open my laptop all around my campus and log into the wireless network and not worry about where the nearest ethernet jack is. But why do I ever want to use my keyboard or mouse anywhere other than in the immediate proximity of my bloody PC? If I'm going to be that obsessed with no wires I'd just use the laptop *all the time*. No wires here. Oh except the power cord. Make that wireless and I will be impressed.
And yes the immediate slew of 'well it's useful for my media centre' posts that defend this kind of technology - just stand up for once in your sofa ridden lives to press a button. It won't kill you.
I cut down on the wiring I needed. It's called a KVM switch.
God now I feel I'm getting old, getting dissolusioned with the state of technology today...
I don't read your sig, why do you read mine?
Much as I disdain replying to blatant slashvertisements (or is it just a slow news day?) I have to note that the lack of left-handed mouse options in high quality mice like the LX700 has to stop. Although those of us who mouse left-handed comprise a comparatively small market, I can't see offering a left-handed ergonomic mouse (just invert all the curvature--heck, look at a right-handed mouse in the mirror and there's your design reference) as representing so great a difficulty that not even one decent left-handed mouse can be offered. Whatever company actually decided to make one should be able to get enough sales to justify it even if they offer just one model. /Rant
I do however have a nagging feeling that because the signal is short-range by design, the security measures implemented within the protocol are minimal and/or naive. WEP initially looked like a very well thought out security framework and it turned out to be a disaster. Something tells me that whatever is used by wireless keyboards is not even on WEP level.
Just like we have WarSpying intercepting signal from wireless cameras, nothing in theory prevents anyone from coming up with a receiver made from RadioShack parts that intercepts wireless keyboard signal. The implications will be much more serious than a couple of teenagers oogling at someone in underwear strolling around her apartment.
Until there is an honest discussion about wireless keyboard security, I don't feel that the risk is adequately compensated by the convenience.
I've got a Mouseman Duo Elite that works fine.
Frankly, I don't WANT a set that can be used through walls. I don't want to chance picking up my neighbor's mouse and keyboard actions and don't want him to be able to pick up mine. (I know, encryption, yadda, but still...)
So I guess I cannot use my RC car while I am typing anymore?
r eqUS.htm
These RC cars use one of the following channels:
1 - 26.995 MHZ - Brown
2 - 27.045 MHZ - Red
3 - 27.095 MHZ - Orange
4 - 27.145 MHZ - Yellow
5 - 27.195 MHZ - Green
6 - 27.255 MHZ - Blue
Source: http://rcvehicles.about.com/cs/frequencies/p/airf
There are also some el cheapo electric RC airplanes using this 27 MHZ channels.
Ok RC car, turn left (asdkljfhl;asdkfa) ups... where did that garbage on my computer come from?
Hmmm.. Could you control the RC car with the keyboard???? This might turn interesting
i think its the fact, the wireless keyboards that arnt bluetooth, are 100$
and all the wireless bluetooth ones i see (the same brand and model) are around 200$
just a bit to much of a price jump to try bluetooth. and the batteries in my wireless keyboard last longer than my lease do.
Movies made by a crazy person
http://www.youtube.com/marginalpro
I know logitech has software(windows only) that you can establish a secure connection for your keyboard.
nai oni...demo shinigami
Personally, I've sworn off all wireless products until they quite simply quit sucking. In my mind, any lack of functionality of my mouse or a keyboard feels like a throwback to 1970, and is completely unacceptable. I'm constantly looking for a better keyboard/mouse that can keep up with me. Any input device that drops ANY data is again, 100% unacceptable. I personally stick with the old IBM, wicked heavy, clicky-click keyboards, and optical (wired) mice.
The last thing I need is one more thing that can break, and I guess that's what it comes down to. These technologies are still entirely too new, and too buggy. I want *MORE* reliability, not less. PC's are problem-prone enough without having to worry if the lowest-tech, simplest piece of my system (the keyboard) is working properly.
I don't respond to AC's.