The best 100 dollars I ever spent...The MX Revolution [Product Review]
 

So, I decided recently that I wanted to get myself something nice, and new. Something that I'd use every day, was practical, and would last awhile.

I am a grad student and a gamer, when I'm not in class, reading, or sleeping..I'm on my computer.

The big games I play are Dawn of War, WoW, and BF2.

My old mouse was showing its age, with the trusty "Logitech" symbol being worn away by years of use. It was a good mouse, a wired optical mouse that served me well.

The MX518.
http://www.winboard.org/forum/attach...-518-mx518.jpg

That is my old mouse, but like I said it started to show its age.

So, I figured what the hell, mine as well spring for a new mouse. I'm a big fan of Logitech. I have their G15 keyboard (another great buy), and I have a great set of Logitech speakers. They have never let me down, so I went for the best mouse there is (so they say).

Meet the MX Revolution:

http://mlevit.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/mx2.jpg

Let me say this right off the bat. It's AMAZING.

It took me about 5 minutes to get used to (it's a little bigger, and your thumb lays different). But once I did, I was very very happy.

One really great thing for gamers, the buttons are totally programmable. You have the standard side buttons, and left/right click.
But it doesn't stop their. That middle button(silver one bellow the scroll wheel) is default used for searching, but you can change it to be anything from opening up winamp to Firefox to whatever else you want. Easy to use and install software makes switching any settings very simple.

Top:
http://content.etilize.com/Large/1011210346.jpg

Also, not only can you *click* the middle mouse button, you can push it to the right or left! For those of us that are macro heavy gamers, having three more easy to use buttons is amazing. This alone sells it for me.

The scroll wheel of power:
http://www.everythingusb.com/images/...ion-wheels.jpg

The next best thing are the scroll wheels themselves. First of all, the main scroll wheel is motorized! Simply put, it can scroll crazy fast, and for a long long time on its own. You can spin it once, and it'll just keep going. Great for getting to the bottom of an Excel spreadsheet, or for a MMORPG macro spam.

And that wheel on the side basically functions like an alt tab, or if you're using vista a windows key + tab function. You can press it up or down to scroll through your applications and click to go to said app. This function is another huge selling point, and great for multi-taskers.

http://the-gadgeteer.com//assets/log...evolution6.jpg

Overall. This mouse has an amazingly long battery life, a quick recharge, great looks and feel, and is a great quality piece.

If you're in the market for a new mouse, treat yourself.

Anyone else have any experience with this mouse, or other gaming mice?

I have the MX1000 and while I really like it, mine is getting a little old, and I preferred the shape of my previous mouse, the MX500. I've been watching as Logitech releases new mice, waiting for a laser mouse with the function of the MX1000 and a shape I'd find more comfortable, and every time I think I see one it comes down to one problem: it seems Logitech has given up on rechargeable mice! My MX1000 doesn't need batteries, I just stick it on the charger every few days while I sleep and it continues to work. Why are they still making so many mice that require batteries?!

I still have my MX500, which I bought in 2002. I will keep this thing until the day it dies.

I have the same Mouse and I bought two of them because I love 'em so much! Good call!

I love mine. I didn't spend $100, waited until it was on sale and spent $69.

It goes on sale all the time. I'm tempted to buy one for the office I love mine so much.

whats the scroll and buttons on the side for?

depends on the application.

but for IE it's buttons are page forward/backward, the scroll is for document/tab changing.

LOVE my MX Revolution. Quadro2000 turned me on to it.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo...op-m_imopt.jpg

This is all I'll ever need. I'll tell you why..

I don't like "ergo" mice. See how on the MX, the thumb is supposed to somehow rest under the index finger? Having a dome-shaped mouse allows your hand to lay easily on top of the mouse without any contortion. Not only that, wireless mice are too heavy. As an FPS player, I need a light mouse and the IntelliMouse Optical is like a feather. Special features be damned if the mouse can't do what its supposed to do, which is point and click as accurately as possible. I feel like heavier mice require more muscle control to get them moving and then to get them to stop where you want them.

Not to knock your mouse. I just wanted to add a different opinion to the mix.

I should add I don't play games with this mouse... it's not suited for game play. I use a regular wired mouse. For game play, FPS or not, it sucks.

this is strictly for examing long documents and multiple screens of code for comparison...

I have this one.

http://www.swt.com/store/images/pinfo/63474.jpg

My first laser mouse. Bought it to replace my dying MS optical.

It's actually extremely natural-feeling when you put your hand on it. All the switches and buttons and dials and levers fall immediately under your fingertips and thumb. Most comfortable mouse I've ever used--and I have a history of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my right hand, so that's important. It keeps my wrist in a nice, prone position rather than flexing it like some other mice I've used.

Your other criticisms are valid, though. It's heavy, and wireless mice are slower than wired. My desk setup wouldn't really allow for a wired mouse, though, and I don't play any high-twitch games.

I have the MX1000 and I absolutely love it. The cradle is starting to wear out and I have to bang it around a little before it starts to charge, but other than that I have never had a problem with it. And I used to play FPS regularly with it and never had a problem... just don't lift the mouse off the table while in a firefight.

i´m in the same boat as hal as i really prefer the mouse to be really light and simple as this really improved accuracy and when i was a bit of a gamer that really mattered to me.

I use a Logitech Bluetooth travel mouse; I picked it out because it's small. I have small hands; larger mice like those in the OP (my boyfriend has your old mouse, by the way) tire my hands out quickly and/or prove to be uncomfortable over time. My travel mouse may not be fancy, but it is precisely the right size for my hand.

I kick it even more old school than Hal's mouse:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

I blast away baddies in COD4 with this bitch! Standard PS/2 Microsoft Wheel Mouse. First model to have a scroll wheel! 2-button, made in 1998 - and, of course, ball. Not optical.

redjake kicks it old-school.

i can no longer do a ball mouse for one simple reason. im a fucking pig. i always get dirt and gunk trapped in the cavity that houses the ball. im lazy, so cleaning that out is a major bummer on my part.

i have a dell optical mouse that i liberated from my sisters highschool. works fine.

I pwn with this dude:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

Mine is so old it doesn't even have the wheel, which I prefer :). The wheel is a PITA IMO.

I've had to solder on new buttons internally and all kinds of crap, but it works, and it works well! Fits my big ass hand too.

I pull headshots from 500 yards with my THUMB. I play sniper only servers, so I'm not kidding ;)

http://www.recycledgoods.com/images/s_p_21952_1.jpg

That's what I use and have been for years. $1.99 on ebay brand new. It's a ball mouse (I will argue to the grave that ball mice are better for FPS videogames) and the added friction of the rubber gives me more accurate control when playing FPSes. I, like Hal, hate the weight of wireless mice or heavy duty mice with 40 buttons on each side. The lighter the better and it's GOTTA have a ball or forget it. Something with the way I pick up the mouse during gameplay makes even the best of optical mice out of the question for me.

I do wonder about these expensive mice though. Some TF2 players swear that you have to have one to achieve the best results though I'm skeptical, especially with my hatred of optical mice and particularly wireless mice.

I have the MX5500 combo. While I love the keyboard, the mouse I'm not happy with anymore. I've had it for a couple months now, and primary scroll wheel on the mouse likes to go into "free wheel" mode pretty often now, all on it's own, and will go back into "click" mode on it's own. It's pretty damn annoying. Logitech scroll wheels are definitely not what they used to be.

I read your review in anticipation, I too have an MX1000 and LOVE the macro programmable switches and I like the heavy feel. Drawback, one of my common switches is starting to stick a bit ( I die when it does) and the battery isnt holding a charge as long as it used to, albeit, its 2 yrs old and still going strong.

That looks well designed and very easy to use, I just wish someone designed similar products shaped for the left hand - these are all but useless to me for anything more than short term use (entirely my choice and strong preference).
edit: the MS optical intellimouse is the best I have found so far for features and lefty friendly design, the good options are limited from what I have seen so far.
edit2: did a fresh google search and this came up at least.

Hmm, you could probably send it to logitech, it has a 3 year warranty. They'd probably replace it or give you a voucher or something.

Worth a try

I have the mx rev. also. i bought the keyboard and mouse set for $146. I dont know if that was a steal or not, it seemed pricy for me but i needed it since my computer is hooked up to my 52inch tv and I have a coffee table in the way and other things.

this is an AWESOME mouse. I have debated of buying another one, just in case, but right now, i just cant justify that.

none the less this mouse/keyboard combo rocks!!

Nice review btw.

a) The MX1000 is what I use on my desktop, it's very nice.

b) The MX518, what I use with my laptop is far better.

c) The MS Intellimouse is, in fact, an amazing product

d) The Logitech mice with the weight cartridges rock for FPS'

e) The Revolution is only slightly less ugly that the new MS mouse, which happens to be the ugliest mouse around.

f, g, h-k, p & q) WTF is a trackball doing in this thread? Trackball? You must be joking. Hmpf! :p