Logitech Cordless Desktop LX500 and LX700 Showdown 255
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."
Goodbye pasttime... (Score:2)
Re:Goodbye pasttime... (Score:2)
the good 'ole days of trying incessantly to uncurl that mouse cord in the right direction
Totally! I found a day of laying it in the sun helped though. Maybe we need more hardware that can be fixed by warming it up...
Re:Goodbye pasttime... (Score:2)
I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:5, Insightful)
My intellimouse explorer keeps working after like 8 years. I guess this is a "me too", mod me redundant
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:3, Insightful)
Well, let's think for a second. We use them in all our conference rooms here because we pass the keyboard & mouse around to different people during meetings.
I could imagine using one at home because I like to hook my laptop up to the TV to show photos or watch DVDs or I have a really nice large TV and I want to surf the web that way sometimes.
You know it also might be kind of nice to have had this in the lab I used to use, plac
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:3, Informative)
From a practical standpoint I agree.
I bought a wireless keyboard and mouse set because it looks great on my fancy, modern art style desk. The cords would ruin the effect. That's right, I bought it to look good.
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:3, Insightful)
-A cordless optical mouse can go anywhere. If someone wants to show you something using your computer, you don't have to get out of your seat. Just hand them the mouse and they can use it on their lap. It's also very useful for when you don't have a full desk area (like with a laptop), you can have makeshift mousing surfaces out of just about anything and not have to worry if the cord will reach.
-A cordless mouse stays put when not in use. This
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
What's more, I plan on getting a 40 inch 1080p-capable DLP in the next year or so, which I can use in an entertainment c
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
but that's because I liked the Logitech Cordless MX Duo set, and because I shopped around for the geek box.
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
Anyway, you might not want it, great. I would never buy a corded mouse or keyboard again. The less wires the better, period.
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
I don't see the point of wireless keyboards and mouse pointers under the system box is far away from where you put your monitor, keyboard and mouse pointer.
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
Sounds like you have an old model. Newer ones have a stand-by mode to save power. Mine got ten months on its first set of AAs.
Re:I don't get the whole "wireless" thing (Score:2)
RTFA = NFW! (Score:5, Funny)
Sorry, but no fucking way am I reading a 10 page review for a keyboard and mouse.
Re:RTFA = NFW! (Score:2)
Re:RTFA = NFW! (Score:2)
There's actually 11 pages; and really all you have to read is the last page, because aside from the pictures, the previous 10 don't include any information not found in the summary on page 11.
OT, MS optical mouse (Score:3, Interesting)
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.
Re: (Score:2)
So... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:So... (Score:2)
excuse me... (Score:2)
Why must their software suck so badly... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Why must their software suck so badly... (Score:2)
Re:Why must their software suck so badly... (Score:2)
Re:Why must their software suck so badly... (Score:2)
presses button
"ooh look - Firefox"
Everything is fully configurable.
modern desks (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re:modern desks (Score:2)
Re:modern desks (Score:2)
Re:modern desks (Score:5, Funny)
Re:modern desks (Score:2)
Re:modern desks (Score:2)
Back in the 1980s we had a CAD suite based on IBM PC-ATs running Daisy DNIX - a variation on XENIX.
The CAD systems came with their own furniture 'stations' and so the position of the system unit, keyboard, monitor and graphics tablet were pretty much 'fixed'.
Trouble was that the puck on the graphics tablet (used to input your co-ordinates by mov
Bluetooth (Score:2)
My experience with wireless mice has been that they are laggy - you move the mouse and the pointer is late to catch up with your movement. Most sane people can't notice that, apparently, but it really got on my nerves. But I'd like a bluetooth mouse for my Powerbook if they don't suck too bad.
Re:Bluetooth (Score:2)
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).
Re:Bluetooth (Score:2)
Re:Bluetooth (Score:5, Informative)
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.
Re:Bluetooth (Score:3, Informative)
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
Re:Bluetooth (Score:2)
Heh, I just searched bestbuy.com and they sell an Apple keyboard with Bluetooth for $80 and an Apple Bluetooth mouse for the same price.
Re:Bluetooth (Score:2)
Re:Bluetooth (Score:2, Interesting)
and all the wireless bluetooth ones i see (the same brand and model) are around 200$
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.
Odd... (Score:4, Informative)
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.
Re:Odd... (Score:3, Informative)
Most of these fancy button keyboards generally end up mapping their special keys to specific keycodes in X. So all you have to do is trap those keycodes in X and map them to run a command of your choosing. Thankfully, hotkeys does most of the hard work for this (interfacing with X, binding to keycodes). All you have to do is give it an XML file
Re:Odd... (Score:2)
I've got the gnome key mapping set up for some of the keys, but the rest don't even show a key code in xev, so I'm not sure how you'd map them
Re:Odd... (Score:2)
Re:Odd... (Score:3, Informative)
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
Option "Buttons" "7"
EndSection
Then add this to
Re:Odd... (Score:2)
But then, I rarely use the mouse and keyboard at the same time.
Re:Odd... (Score:2)
I don't understand... (Score:2)
Re:I don't understand... (Score:2)
Wireless Keyboard? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Wireless Keyboard? (Score:2, Insightful)
Because my keyboard does move and wires do get in the way. My keyboard is usually somewhere on my couch or coffee table. My computer is always on the other side of the living room (connected to the HDTV).
Re:Wireless Keyboard? (Score:2)
Re:Wireless Keyboard? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Wireless Keyboard? (Score:2)
No, your keyboard stays in one place. Mine moves from the end-table where I keep it when not in use, and my lap, neither of which are within cord distance of my computer.
Re:Wireless Keyboard? (Score:2)
27 Mhz? (Score:2)
Yeah, until your kids start driving the ZipZap mini RC cars in your office.
Are cords really THAT bad?
"Less than two physical barriers" (Score:3, Insightful)
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.
Physical barrier (Score:2)
I was a little disappointed in the range on the mouse. Range on the keyboard is much better. Maybe the difference is due to the fact that the mouse uses a rechargable
Careful With Drivers! (Score:3, Informative)
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.
Re:Careful With Drivers! (Score:2)
I honestly didn't even bother with the CD when I installed my MX1000 about 6 months ago... just downloaded the latest, fired it up. No extra software here for me.
I'm real spoiled at home now though. I keep looking to push on the buttons to do the full page down/up on my mouse at work; I'm constantly trying to tilt my work mouse's wheel sideways (it's just a plain 2 button wheel mouse), and I'm always getting i
Re:Careful With Drivers! (Score:2)
You can get that with other software I'm sure, but it is another nice thing with the driver.
Boycott Logitech (Score:3, Informative)
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.
Bluetooth is the answer (Score:2)
They did. It's called Bluetooth. Seriously. Bluetooth the best standardized way to replace wires attached to periferals and Logitech does have a bluetooth mouse [logitech.com] and keyboard [logitech.com] that are pretty good. You shouldn't have to switch RF adapters again for some time to come.
Problems? There were some configuration problems earlier with Bluetooth due to dev
Re:Boycott Logitech (Score:2)
Is the laser so much better that you had to buy it? Is your other mouse broken?
Re:Boycott Logitech (Score:2)
This would be interesting... (Score:2)
Worst.. Slashdot.. Article.. Ever (Score:3, Interesting)
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...
Re:Worst.. Slashdot.. Article.. Ever (Score:2)
Re:Worst.. Slashdot.. Article.. Ever (Score:2)
Re:Worst.. Slashdot.. Article.. Ever (Score:2)
Funny, I bought mine so I could lay back on the couch and surf on my TV.
I couldn't imagine running cords all over the damned livingroom.
Re:Worst.. Slashdot.. Article.. Ever (Score:2)
Re:Worst.. Slashdot.. Article.. Ever (Score:2)
Re:Worst.. Slashdot.. Article.. Ever (Score:2)
But why do I ever want to use my keyboard or mouse anywhere other than in the immediate proximity of my bloody PC?
I don't. But maybe I don't want wires chasing all over my desk either?
Logitech Mice (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Logitech Mice (Score:2)
Re:Logitech Mice (Score:2)
Anyway, ergonomic mice are annoying. Get a symmetrical mouse. Logitech's original optical mouse is my favorite, even the left and right buttons are at the same height (that is a common error in symmetrical mouse design!). I like the
Wireless keyboard security (Score:4, Interesting)
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 [securityfocus.com] 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.
Bluetooth (Score:2)
I know that at least one manufacturer of a Bluetooth wireless keyboard claims "secure 128-bit, over-the-air encryption keeping sensitive information safe as it is being typed."
Logitech encryption (Score:2)
I can't speak for the encryption proto
27 Mhz is adequate (Score:2)
But if you had a Beowulf cluster of the running Linux, would you get the works of Shakespeare?
Cool (Score:2)
27 MHZ also used for RC cars (Score:2, Interesting)
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/airfr eqUS.htm [about.com]
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.. Coul
The real problem with wireless... (Score:2)
I also tried a Belkin travel mouse for my daughter because it fit her 4-year old hand size, but w
Wireless-free house (Score:3, Insightful)
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.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Questions, questions. (Score:2)
Re:If you need more power, Captain... (Score:4, Funny)
My monitor doesn't.
Re:If you need more power, Captain... (Score:2)
I sometimes use my whizzbang MX1000 cordless over in my living room. Through a set of drywall, about 15 feet away from the receiver. Since I haven't shelled out the money for an RF remote for my main machine yet (but have it all hooked into the system) I can use the mouse buttons to stop and start playback. Kinda handy actually.
Re:If you need more power, Captain... (Score:3, Insightful)
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...)
Re:Simultaneous Use (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Simultaneous Use (Score:2)
Re:Simultaneous Use (Score:2)
Even neater, the wireless protocol from them is compatible with currently-available products.
Re:Security? Hello? (Score:2)
Re:Security? Hello? (Score:2)
Re:Security? Hello? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Security? Hello? (Score:2)
Re:KVM support?? (Score:2)
Re:And still not working perfectly (Score:2)