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Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse


Date
: 01/28/01 – 07:38:13 PM

Author
:

Category
: Misc

Manufator: Logitech

Price:

Introduction

A mouse is the most important component of a computer. in terms of having one. Without a mouse nowadays you can pretty much do little to nothing. Anyone who is heavily into graphics, gaming, or even useless mouse clicking exercises can appreciate the importance of a good mouse. Here I wanted to buy myself an Optical Mouse, and the only name that popped into my mind was Logitechother than Micro$oft…but they are in too many places so I ignored their mice.

Specifications

• This baby has 3 buttons including the wheel
• The wheel itself is for scrolling, or can be set to do a variety of other useless tasks
• Fits left or right handed people / cats
• No need for a mouse pad Second Generation Optical Technology
• 5 year warranty!

The Review

First of all I should mention that I took no photos, and wont be able to until I can get a digital camera. The mouse is a bluish gray color, with a Logitech logo embedded in plastic in the center of the mouse. The wheel is the standard Logitech wheel, and scrolls pretty much the samebut wait I will get to that later. The LED is red, and very refreshing. It comes with a USB connection, and a USB PS2 connector for those of us without USB.

I plugged it in, installed the software from Windows 98 SE, and had an OEM mouse installed. It worked without a hitch, but moved around a bit too fast. After adjusting the movement speed, and screwing around with it some more I had it at a comfortable setting.

The Mouse itself is very comfortable to the touch, and the plastic-coated logo in the centre does not feel awkward, or make the mouse uneven in anyway.

I did not see too much of a difference between the USB/PS2 connection in terms of smoothness of movement. But this mouse is easily smoother than my old OEM Logitech Wheel mouse.

Why did I call this mouse OEM when I mentioned the installation? It is because I did not install the software that came with it. I suggest you dont either. The software is more of a gimmick than help. For example, if you set the wheel to a normal scroll in the menu, in Quake 3 the scroll doesnt change weapons anymore. They dont even register.

The scrolling is more loose, and annoying than my OEM mouse. Especially for those using the wheel to scroll through Internet pages and Word documents. You have to set the number of lines it scrolls, between 1 3 6 Screen normal (???) and none. All of them are screwy, with the 1 being too little, the 3 being too much, and the rest being useless. I want a mouse that can scroll one line when I scroll once, and 6 lines when I move it six times.

You may think that if I set the scroll to 1, and scroll it 6 times / movements, it would do soNO. If I set it to 1, and move the wheel 6 times, the page scrolls up / down 3 4 lines, and NOT SMOOTHLY. Very jaggedly!

If I uninstall the software, the scroll is still a bit screwy, scrolling too much for every one movement. Nevertheless it is better than an OEM mouse. In Quake 3, the wheel up / down work fine, and the mouse is accurate to the hair of a muskrat.

You can use this baby on pretty much all surfaces except for glass. I felt a bit sheepish about using it on my white computer table, but it worked fine. The textures of my table are what made it work all right on a white surface without hitch. Normally white surfaces for optical mice are no nos.

It takes some getting used to, but the Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse, is great for those without Wheel mice, or those who just bought a new computer. If you are not a graphics application user, or are not in need of an optical mouse to improve your Quaking, then do not buy this mouse.

Conclusion

Good

- Second Generation Optical Technology

- Works on most surfacesie: no mouse pad! (Sorry Ratpadz)

- Smooth as Britney Spears Bottomin movement at least

- Has a wheel

- USB or PS2 connection

Bad

- Wheel a bit screwy

- Needs some getting used to (is this really a con?)

- Software generally useless

Note by Adam: Ive got this same exact mouse, and am using it on Win2k Pro. I use it directly on a white desk as well, strangely, and it works great. I havent had any trouble with scrolling, but Ill try out not using the Logitech Software. All in all, very worth the $30 I paid for it. Itll hopefully last me a while.