nad_masters's Full Review: Logitech MXâ„¢ 510 (931162-0403) Mouse
After going back to the Microsoft Optical IntelliMouse from another Logitech Optical Mouse, I've read more and more about the MX series of Logitech's mice. The raves and rants about the MX optical engine was overwhelming that I had to check it out for myself! There were many different kinds of MX mice:
MX300 - Basic shape mouse that can be used for both lefties and righties alike.
MX310 (NEW) - Updated version of the MX300 with a 5.7 Megapixel optical engine over the 4.7 Megapixel of the older MX300.
MX500 - Erogonomical design with scroll buttons (as well as wheel), and a "task switcher" button ala ALT-TAB style. Also have "back/forward" buttons for web pages.
MX510 (NEW) - The one I actually own (and not listed in ePinions yet). Same as the MX500, but with updated optical engine (see MX310 above).
MX700 - Wireless version of the MX500. Still very responsive, and many love the fact that it still acts like the wired version (MX500) - NO LAG!!! A bit heavier, though, thanks to the wireless components and 2 AA batteries.
What, no MX710? I haven't seen it yet, but it may be coming soon (all the models listed were sold at Best Buy - yes, for the umpteenth time, I work there now).
The MX510 also has one more thing different over the 500: color and packaging. It's a wild and dark red with a holographical design to it - it almost look like a marble, but dark red. The design of the box matches the mouse's color, instead of the boring traditional Logitec green and white design.
Other than the minor upgrade and color difference, it's the same as the MX500, and perform as admirably.
The mouse looks strange and does not look very comfortable to use at first glance. It looks HUGE and hefty. Once you put your right hand on it (sorry, lefties), it feels right at home (right at home, lol! Sorry can't resist!). The right/left click buttons are actually integrated onto the body itself, so no seperation for the buttons. This makes it for a much cleaner look and feel. It also feels much more refined.
Once you lift it (or try to move it quickly as if playing a game), you can feel the effects of it's weight. It's definately heavier than most mice, but it's the heft that allows you to move it precisely without any jitter. Of course, the new MX optical engine also helps in that area as well. In an informal test, I opened up Microsoft Paint and see if I can draw intriget designs and circles and spirals. Although not perfect (it is not a pen, afterall), it was easy to navigate the pointer and not hit any previous lines I drew. I then switched over to the Microsoft Optical IntelliMouse and tried the same thing. I never noticed it before, but the cursor jitters every so slightly! It was definately harder to navigate in slow movements to create a spiral and not hit my previous drawn lines. For the heck of it, I also tried my other previous mouse - the Logitech Optical Mouse (basic mouse, basic shape), and it reacted the same way as the Microsoft one, no worse, no better.
So the MX engine really IS something that's tangable! Marketing hype at work? Not really. As evident, it works, and I can tell. For your basic office work, you may not need this kind of precision, but for gaming, it's frag, or be fragged. Also, the countless reviews on e-zines and PC magazines also confirm this phenomenon. Logitech has a winner here.
One other thing I noticed is that the LED does not go dim. It stays constantly on a set level, which tells me that it's constantly on. Many sites confirm this, and have also confirmed that the MX700 (wireless version) also does the same. The MX700 only turns off when charging at it's base, so it's constantly on for lag-less mousing. Other optical mice have micro sleeps, where the LED will dim a bit just to detect movement. Once there is movement, it lights up brighter and starts tracking, causing an almost unoticeable lag for most user (but definately not for fragging). The MX series of mice do not have any trancelucent plastics that will allow the LED shine through when the mouse is on a flat surface. Which is a good thing, considering the aformentioned feature. ;) People with PCs in their bedroom who leave their PC on all night and all day long will suffer insomnia! There is translucent plastic appearant when you pick up the mouse and look below. It's as if to say "HEY, I'M OPTICAL!"
The other buttons seem to be located in convienent places, such as the wheel and the up/down buttons. These buttons allow you to use them instead of the wheel to scroll up and down. Why? I guess if you rather hit a button once to scroll just a few lines at a time rather than moving the wheel... I dunno... Just below the "down" button, there is a "Task Switcher" button. It does nothing without the mouse driver installed, but with it installed, a windows pop up with a list of programs running. You can then click on the one you want to see in the foreground (active window).
Then there is the back/forward buttons. Now, I am used to having these on the left and right side of the mouse, but Logitech seem to have but both of them on the left side of the mouse. I guess it's easier to use with your opposable thumb? They're right, but for some strange reason, I can't remember which one is back, and which is forward, as I seldomly use them. If they were on the left and right side of the mouse, it'd be easy to remember (as most of them use left as "back" and right as "forward" like on a web browser).
Either way, the forementioned driver will allow you to set ANY of the buttons, as well as the wheel (which also has a clickable button when pushed down) to anything your heart desires. Great for gamers, or people who just want to copy/paste quicker.
In all, the mouse bought retails for $49.99, and may be worth it if you game a lot. I purchased it just before a LAN game (yes, I was psyched up!) along with a Belkin Nostromo n52 (which is the new model replacing the n50). The Belkin Nostromo n52 is a keyboard/controller hybrid that allows FPS gamers to play just like if they were using their keyboard (which all knows that is the best way to play FPS games), but have more options and better ergonomics than a flat keyboard. It's also smaller than a keyboard, and can allow your left hand better placed with conjunction to your "aiming" hand - the mouse. :)
This combo is great! But the mouse by itself is worth much more to a gamer than the n52. I'd stick to the keyboard/mouse combo if I didn't get a great deal on the n52.
I guess I'm going off topic, but at least you know what context I was in when I bought the mouse. Do I regret getting it after finding out that it's pretty much just a mouse still? Nope. Cuz it sure doesn't feel like an ordinary mouse when Call of Duty (tm) loads up!
Enjoy ultra-precise, ultra-smooth operation thanks to the improved MX Optical Engine Zip back and forth between open documents with the handy Quick Sw...More at Amazon Marketplace
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