Logitech VX Revolution - Computer Mouse

The Logitech VX Revolution is a portable laser mouse that, because of its small size, is designed for laptop use while maintaining many of the features found in desktop mice. One of its most notable features is its MicroGear Precision Scroll wheel that can be set to two modes of operation from a switch on the bottom of the mouse. In the first mode, the scroll wheel operates with detented action (typical clicking scroll action), and in the second mode it operates in an almost frictionless fashion. In the frictionless mode, the scroll wheel keeps spinning when flicked, allowing you to very quickly scroll through large documents, and lists.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Tracks accurately
•Works instantly with XP and Vista
•Rolling middle wheel is very advantageous
•Very Durable
•Very nice fit for people with smaller hands.

Cons:

•The desktop version allows for a gradual switch between regular and 'free-wheeling'. This version is either ON or Off
•Pretty expensive relative to competition
•Middle wheel does not replicate the feel of the desktop version

More information

The VX Revolution includes a high-resolution laser engine for accurate tracking on almost all surfaces. It also includes a click-to-click scrolling function as a new method of scrolling through lists using mouse clicks. It operates wirelessly on a 2.4 GHz frequency with the USB transmitter/receiver dongle tucking away into the mouse itself when traveling. Reviews have suggested that you can get up to an 80 ft. (24 m) range from the dongle.

This mini-mouse weighs 4.2 ounces (119 g) and is about the size of a bar of soap. It uses a single AA battery (included) and features an LED battery life indicator on the mouse. Expect to get approximately 120 days use on a single battery. The package also includes Logitech's SetPoint software. The original retail was $79.99 for the VX Revolution when it was first released in August 2006, but you can now find it for $50 - $65.

The Logitech MX Revolution is the desktop version of this mouse.

Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse

The good: Long battery life; easy to install; stylish design; innovative scrollwheel; ambidextrous.

The bad: Wordy instructions; no user manual.

The bottom line: Microsoft's new Wireless Optical Mouse is the ultimate choice for everyday mousing.

Price range: $29.99 - $40.69

Priced at a reasonable $45 and available in a variety of shimmering colors, Microsoft's updated Wireless Optical Mouse may be the ideal everyday mouse. Plus, it's cord-free, so there's no need to worry about dreaded desktop entanglements.

Though Microsoft's instructions are overly wordy, our test setup for this mouse was simple and quick, taking less than 10 minutes. The base, which is housed in a cool-looking opaque case, comes PS/2 and USB ready. It is not, however, a recharging station for the mouse, which instead boasts more than six months of estimated battery life, as compared to the average of three months for most other wireless mice, before you'll need to replace the two AAs.

The overall look of the Wireless Optical Mouse is slick and stylish. It sports a comfortable ergonomic design, with added points for being ambidextrous. Perhaps because of the latter, Microsoft sticks to a simple three-button layout, which you can configure however you desire.

The most notable feature of this mouse--and of all new Microsoft mice--is the Tilt Wheel Technology. This nifty attribute allows you to scroll through windows horizontally by simply tilting the scrollwheel to one side or the other. Another unique trait is the smooth movement of the scrollwheel, which doesn't continually click like those of other mice we've used.

Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse

The good: Two modes for the scroll wheel let you spin through long documents quickly; very portable; the Logitech VX Nano laser mouse is shaped for both left- and right-handed users; programmable buttons; tiny receiver stores inside the mouse; laser tracking for precision on many surfaces.

The bad: Somewhat expensive; may be too small for people with large hands.

The bottom line: If you can afford its high price, you'll be pleased by the Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse's comfort, features, and extremely portable design.

Price range: $48.99 - $72.99

Last year, Logitech released Logitech VX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse and now the company's follow-up to that device, the smaller VX Nano, has likewise earned great reviews. Like the Revolution, the Nano provides comfortable contours, plenty of buttons, and a storage space for its tiny wireless receiver. To that the VX Nano adds a gliding scroll wheel that's even easier to use, as well as a more compact shape that's accessible to both left- and right-handed mousers. Though at $70 it's far more expensive than other notebook mice, the Logitech VX Nano represents the ultimate in portability for mousing on the go.

Measuring 4 inches long, 2.4 inches wide, and just over an inch thick, the Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse is about the size of a bar of soap, which makes it extremely portable. That's also just about the smallest you can make a travel mouse without sacrificing user comfort; the VX Nano felt comfortable for our medium-size hands, though large-handed users might prefer the slighter bigger VX Revolution. We prefer to mouse with our left hand, so we really appreciate the VX Nano's ambidextrous contours, which are comfortable for both left- and right-handed users--a major advantage over the VX Revolution, whose shape accommodates only right-handed mousing.

The Nano's USB receiver is the tiniest we've seen. The actual USB plug makes up most of its 0.8-inch length, and when you plug in the receiver less than 0.3 inch--about the radius of a dime--sticks out. At that size, you can easily leave the receiver plugged into your notebook, even when you're on the move. The receiver also stashes into a storage slot under the mouse's battery cover; we like that the mouse automatically turns off when the receiver is stowed, which saves power and ensures the mouse won't accidentally turn on when it's in your bag. To protect the mouse while in transit, Logitech provides a handy neoprene case.

Like all VX mice, the VX Nano incorporates Logitech's "nearly frictionless" scroll wheel, which lets you scroll through massive documents at extraordinary speeds. With this feature, there's no tactile feedback on the wheel: give it a flick, and it just keeps spinning. We averaged 31 pages per spin while scrolling through a 300-page PDF, and it took just two spins to reach the bottom of our 350-message inbox. If you want more controlled scrolling, just press the scroll wheel straight down to switch into a traditional click-wheel mode. This easy switching between gliding and clicking is a big improvement over the VX Revolution, which requires you to flip a switch on the bottom of the mouse to change scroll modes.

The VX Nano features high-precision laser tracking that we found to be very responsive on our desk, a notepad, and our pants leg. There's a handy LED battery meter on the top of the mouse, so you know how much juice you have left. (Logitech claims the mouse will run for 6 months on two AAA batteries.) Though you can use the VX Nano without any setup--just plug in the USB receiver to an available port and go--installing Logitech's Set Point software, available for both Windows and Mac, makes all of the mouse's five buttons programmable.