Logitech MC Air Mouse/New G15/G9

[Winnow]

I'm going to get this mouse as soon as I see it as Fry's.

Looks like a gyro mouse that's finally worth trying/using:

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/07/13/logit ... ectacular/

I'd probably use it as a secondary mouse for my main PC for when I'm using it in HTPC mode and for my Laptop as I don't like using touchpads and it'd be easier using a pointing device you don't need to place on a surface sometimes.

[cadalano]

does it have a clutch button for the air movements? it would be insanely hard to use an air mouse as an actual mouse without one

Also, there’s no on-mouse control over the responsiveness of the gyroscopic action, which may make it hard to do midair precision work

that quote makes me think there isnt... that would be really, really bad. it looks nice though!

[Winnow]

does it have a clutch button for the air movements? it would be insanely hard to use an air mouse as an actual mouse without one

Also, there’s no on-mouse control over the responsiveness of the gyroscopic action, which may make it hard to do midair precision work

that quote makes me think there isnt... that would be really, really bad. it looks nice though!

It doesn't have a clutch but a lengthier review I read (can't find it atm) mentioned something about the gyro technology being improved in this.

Here's some better pics of it:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/ ... 277557.php

My two concerns are the lousy driver Logitech has and it it is added to the current setpoint drives, it will screw up Directory Opus for me, and also I'm wondering if I'd get irritated with it having used such an accurate mouse in the G7 at 2000dpi. Still, it seems interesting for my laptop and general surfing, maybe click and point movement for a game lie rappelz but I'd still ahve to have one hand on the keyboard. I like the touch scroll runway on the mouse (for casual surfing purposes)

[cadalano]

if theres no way to disengage the mouse movements when you have it in the air.. then this mouse is a POS thats twice as much as a gyration air mouse. Trying to click a mouse while holding it in the air just does not work.. clutch is absolutely a necessity if its gonna be more than a toy

[Winnow]

Looks like it's been assigned to a button. Here's a review:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1 ... 602,00.asp

Logitech has assigned the back button to "freeze the cursor" as it's held down to allow users to point the nose at the cursor as the cursor is immobile. Releasing the back button unfreezes the cursor.

I'd rather have a different buton than the back button freeze the cursor...but, I think you use wave mouse gestures to move back and forth through web pages while he cursor is frozen so it may make sense.

Images may red-x:

[cadalano]

thats not quite the same thing though. that just lets you reorient your hand or whatever but it wont provide any accuracy


the whole problem is that when you click you will invariably move the mouse no matter what, unless you're focusing all of your chi energy into holding it absolutely steady... or your arm/wrist is supported by an armwrest or tabletop or whatever. gyration has a button in the trigger position that you have to hold down in order to move the cursor, releasing it freezes the cursor, allowing you to double/click whatever you left the cursor over.. and relaxing your finger off the button doesnt cause the mouse to move at all. It sounds like an awkward process but the way you hold the mouse makes it easy.. the guy in your picture is holding that logitech mouse in basically the same way that a gyration is used

Maybe they have a solution for all of this though... Its logitech so they probably give you the option to make any button do pretty much whatever you want. My problem is that even at best its not functionally superior to a gyration mouse despite being twice the price. It looks nice (hardcore gamers crave egg-shaped peripherals, remember?) and has some good built in functions but ultimately shit that can be obtained via software for ANY mouse..

[Winnow]

Ah, so a clutch works like the DPI buttons on my G7, slowing the speed of the cursor down but not freezing it? I suppose since it doubles as a normal surface mouse, they coudlnt' put the clutch on the buttom. Maybe they should have added a pressure sensitive button on top to act as a variable mouse speed function.

Having never used a gyro mouse, I could see myself getting frustrated if it took too much effort to be accurate...but by accurate I mean, surfing or "maybe" playing an MMORPG, nothing like Photoshop type accurate or FPS gaming accurate.

[cadalano]

another thing to note is that this does not use a gyroscope!

[Winnow]

another thing to note is that this does not use a gyroscope!

Whatever it uses (MEMS technology) sounds like it's an improvement and recognized the position of the mouse no matter how you have it oriented.

[cadalano]

thats exactly what the gyration mouse does. it recognizes the position of the mouse no matter how you have it oriented. are the MEMS in this mouse accelerometers or what? what about it specifically sounds like its an improvement?

[Boogahz]

the whole problem is that when you click you will invariably move the mouse no matter what, unless you're focusing all of your chi energy into holding it absolutely steady

I have no problem using ours at work. I am able to click, drag, double-click, and all just fine. I had issues with Right clicking, but that was due to the way I was holding the mouse combined with a broken bone in my hand that never healed correctly.

[cadalano]

i use it every day at work to help with wrist fatigue, been using it every day for over a year. i still can't do precise functions without using the clutch or making my arm extremely uncomfortable from focusing. This is something like clicking on a desktop icon at 1280x1024. If i put my arm or elbow on something then I can do it, but its still always easier to use the clutch. If you can hold it steadily enough without being supported at all and not using the clutch then I might just need to cut back on the caffeine or something

[Boogahz]

either that or my anti-seizure medications work better than I thought!

[Winnow]

I'm not impressed with Logitech's revision of the G15 keyboard:



The most useful thing on the board were the macro keys and they reduced them to 1/3 of the macro keys available on the original G15 and took away the volume spin dial thingy.


Glad I went with the separate Saitek keyboard/Command Unit thingy after seeing that.


Also not impressed so far with the new Logitech G9 offering although I might buy something like it if they release a wireless:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=41376



Pics may red-x

[miir]

Oh that's just awful.

[Boogahz]

I don't know that I will miss the volume wheel on the G15 much, as the one that is on the current/old model is not as responsive as it probably could be. It seemed that it adjusted the volume in the same manner that clicking a button would have worked anyhow...not smooth.

I will admit that I did not really use the macro keys enough to warrant keeping every row available. At least they will still be including some on the new one, as well as the option to switch between three different "sets."

The LCD almost looks too busy. I wonder how much customization will still be available. The links in the story and an email I received from Logitech today make it sound like it will work about the same as the old one. I know that several of the games mentioned on the official site already work with the keyboard I have.

[masteen]

For those who don't want a keyboard tarted up with all sorts of buttons and features, but still want wireless, Microsoft finally has a solution for us:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6823109022
I imagine that the mouse is gonna hit the trash can the day it arrives, but I am really looking forward to a KB with full size f-keys, the arrow and insert and stuff in the right place (also the standard size), and no unnecessary SHIT.

[Funkmasterr]

i use it every day at work to help with wrist fatigue, been using it every day for over a year. i still can't do precise functions without using the clutch or making my arm extremely uncomfortable from focusing. This is something like clicking on a desktop icon at 1280x1024. If i put my arm or elbow on something then I can do it, but its still always easier to use the clutch. If you can hold it steadily enough without being supported at all and not using the clutch then I might just need to cut back on the caffeine or something

So I have arm/wrist issues and this sounds like something that might help. Which one do you use specifically, are there any in particular that you recommend?

The Gyration GO 2.4 Optical Air Mouse looks pretty nice.

[cadalano]

i use the normal one
http://www.gyration.com/en-US/ProductDe ... &accshow=3


the more expensive version is the same afaik, but it comes w/ a software package

[masteen]

The 700 wireless base only works via USB (doesn't have it's own power, so you can't just slap a ps2 adapter and connect it into that port), which introduces an intolerable amount of lag.

[Winnow]

Microsoft's new Gaming Mouse:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/breaking/micro ... 292026.php

Haven't read up on it. Looks kinda scary at first glance.

[Boogahz]

Microsoft's new Gaming Mouse:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/breaking/micro ... 292026.php

Haven't read up on it. Looks kinda scary at first glance.

Not entirely sure about it. It does sound like they took features that people really liked from other mice and put them into one though. I am still trying to figure out where the LCD could be that it would be useful.

[Winnow]

Not entirely sure about it. It does sound like they took features that people really liked from other mice and put them into one though. I am still trying to figure out where the LCD could be that it would be useful.

that "800" near the thumb is the LCD

[Boogahz]

Not entirely sure about it. It does sound like they took features that people really liked from other mice and put them into one though. I am still trying to figure out where the LCD could be that it would be useful.

that "800" near the thumb is the LCD

....that sucks. So basically, I can see the dpi setting, and that is all?

[Winnow]

I bought one of the Logitech MX Airmice at lunch today:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1 ... X1K0000532

I might claim temporary insanity later this weekend as I completely forgot that I'll have to use the unbelievably horrible Setpoint mouse drivers to use it.

The first thing it will do is wipe out my Directory Opus file manager causing me an hour of two, reconfiguring it after wasting 30 minutes refusing to believe that mouse drivers can be so poorly written that they destroy another app.

My new plan of action will be using Acronis to make a backup of my OS partition when I get home, then install the evil setpoint software, play around with the Airmouse for the weekend, and then restore my unfestered OS partition after finally accepting that Logitech wil never be able to write good drivers for their mice. Option two, since I have quick release removable hard drives, making switching OS's easy, would be to install my OS onto one of my spare 750GB drives to test this mouse out. Option three is to return it without opening the box.

For 250 million rupees, it better be good!



At least it looks better than the Microsoft Sidewinder



UFO!



Sproing! If this was the rating symbol for a pr0n movie I'd be encouraged.

Hoping 800dpi will be OK. I'm used to 2000dpi with the G7.

These quotes give some hope that it will work better than cadalano thinks it might without the clutch:

We were very impressed with Freespace's voluntary and involuntary motion control. Anybody who has ever pointed a laser pointer at a wall probably thinks he or she has the "shakes." This happens to anybody holding up a portable device. With the MX Air, we were able to sustain a motionless cursor when trying to keep still, and we even gave it a stronger shake to reproduce how a person with tremors might hold it. This makes tasks like selecting folders and files much easier.

Its Freespace cursor control is a work of art too. With three combined technologies, it knows which way is up, disregarding how or where you point the mouse, and it can weed out unintentional hand shaking to maintain a steady cursor.

I'll know soon enough.

[Fash]

That thing looks retarded and I hate the button placement. I recently went mouse-shopping at best buy and the only one I found acceptable was a discontinued kensington model on clearance that they were sold out of.

I don't ask for much... I want a scroll wheel, a left and right mouse button, and a button on the left side of the mouse I can easily and comfortably click with my thumb (and rest upon). They're all fucking retarded and have too many buttons with shitty placement.

ranting, sorry.... Just like the dinovo edge, it's innovation where it is not needed... ooo, fancy keyboard, sure looks nice... too bad it's completely useless. 'but it has a touch sensitive volume slider!!!' thats what the volume knob is for on my speakers, thx.

[Winnow]

That thing looks retarded and I hate the button placement. I recently went mouse-shopping at best buy and the only one I found acceptable was a discontinued kensington model on clearance that they were sold out of.

I don't ask for much... I want a scroll wheel, a left and right mouse button, and a button on the left side of the mouse I can easily and comfortably click with my thumb (and rest upon). They're all fucking retarded and have too many buttons with shitty placement.

ranting, sorry.... Just like the dinovo edge, it's innovation where it is not needed... ooo, fancy keyboard, sure looks nice... too bad it's completely useless. 'but it has a touch sensitive volume slider!!!' thats what the volume knob is for on my speakers, thx.

It's to be used as a secondary mouse for my laptop. I hate the touchpad. The button placement makes sense when you hold it for air use, not on the surface.

[Winnow]

Very fast review of the MX Airmouse:

Positives:

-works ok in the air. It's tech must be better than what cadalano has been used to as there is no problem selecting things without a "clutch". It's not jittery at all.

-very small mouse and uncomfortable to use as a normal mouse (PS2 control lovers with micro hands may like it)

-air gesture to adjust volume is very cool.

-easy to center cursor after moving your hand/arm to a different position

-very nice to use in the air for non precise things (no photoshop). So comforable that I fell asleep with it in my hand and dropped it on the ground.

-worked nice with laptop

----------------------------------

Negatives:


-Setpoint software is infuriating. While the software allows for separate adjustment of my G7 and the Airmouse, the G7's mouse speed was affected by the Airmouse and became sluggish with no way to speed it back up (everything set to max speed) except for nudging the Airmouse which would give about 5 seconds of unhindered speed on the G7. Fuck these god damned drivers. I fucking hate Logitech for this and am sworn to buy a different brand after the G7 poops out (which it seems to not want to do...best mouse ever besides the drivers which I will be uninstalling again)

-This mouse will have a niche market but it's not worth the 150.00 price tag...mostly because the drivers suck fucking ass. They make me crabby in general...so pissed at Logitech for never improving their drivers over the years.

-after playing around with it, I don't think I'd use it enough. I'm way too set in my ways of grabbing the mouse on the desk.

-----
Overall:

For a true HTPC environment where your computer isn't anywhere near where you sit, this mouse will be very nice. The general usability of it for selecting menu items, etc that you would do with HTPC's is great. I got so comfortable while using the mouse with my laptop I fell asleep as your hand can be anywhere and still operate the mouse with slight wrist movements.

I really am a calm person, but the mood these drivers have put me in might cause a religious peddler to get PK'd if they knocked on my door right now. That's right. Random violence caused by bad mouse drivers. These crappy logitech setpoint drivers could very well put you over theboiling point and cause catastrophic results.

[Boogahz]

Why do you have both mice connected to one computer?

[Winnow]

Why do you have both mice connected to one computer?

Because the MC Air is best for using with HTPC functions away from the PC and the G7 is best for everything else. Setpoint recognizes both mice and has separate control settings for each but it can't seem to keep them separate. After uninstalling the Airmouse, the G7 started working fine again without sluggishness. The problem is that setpoint is a huge piece of shit. You can head to the logitech forums to find that out for yourself without taking my word for it.

The Airmouse isn't bad while using it in "air" mode but it isn't great either for button placement. It will be popular with anyone having a dedicated HTPC that couch surfs and just needs multimedia functionality from the input device. It's really way too small and uncomfortable to use as a normal mouse though and the right/left buttons aren't something you'd want to click on a regular basis as yo udo with a primary mouse.

Oh, the "touch strip" scrolling is kinda cool. The mouse has a built in speaker that "clicks" to give you an idea of how fast you're scrolling. It works pretty good but again, not as good as a normal scroll wheel.

[Boogahz]

Aha! I thought you had said that one was just for your laptop which is what had me confused.

It sounds like the "conflict" between the two is similar to conflicts that I experienced with the G15 LCD and the screen on their Z-10 speakers. While both screens were handled separately, you had little control of what went where. I kept getting multimedia on my G15 and WoW stats on my speakers. If I reversed them, the multimedia info would show on the speakers, and the WoW info was nowhere to be found.