Now, THIS Is The Way To Do Bluetooth

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/features/cordlesstopics&CRID=1844&ad=bt_sl_bt_redirect_382003&countryid=19&languageid=1' target='_blank'>http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?p...19&languageid=1</a><br /><br /></div>Logitech recently announced their MX900 mouse -- the same mouse as the MX700, but using Bluetooth. They also have a Cordless Comfort Bluetooth keyboard. So, how does this differ from Microsoft's offerings?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/2829.gif" /><br /><br />Logitech has designed a comprehensive Bluetooth site that answers every detailed question about their product -- for example, by just clicking on the <a href="http://www.logitech.com/pub/pdf/bluetooth/enu/bluetooth_faq_v1_3.pdf">FAQ</a>, you can find out that they use the Widcomm drivers for their Bluetooth hub (which is, BTW, intelligently integrated into the recharging cradle of the mouse), that they don't use the Windows XP drivers because they're lacking in profiles, and what kind of laptop Bluetooth solutions would work with the mouse and keyboard (any one that supports HID, at least in theory).<br /><br />But it doesn't stop there. They've gone to the trouble of creating a <a href="http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=19&amp;languageid=1&amp;page=products/features/cordlesstopics&amp;CRID=1844&amp;parentCRID=272&amp;contentID=7177">compatibility matrix</a> between their Bluetooth hub and a substantial set of third-party devices, including cell phones, PDAs (including the iPAQ Pocket PCs), printers, and headsets. Not only that, <i>they include HOWTOs</i> where appropriate.<br /><br />Now, compare this to <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=013">Microsoft's Bluetooth hardware</a>. There is no discussion of the Bluetooth aspects of the product -- all you're told is that you need Windows XP and an available USB port. In fact, a lot of people have complained that Microsoft's drivers don't support the serial profile, so that even Microsoft-based Pocket PCs don't ActiveSync with their Microsoft Bluetooth dongle. :| Some people have managed to get others' Widcomm drivers to work, but that's hardly a solution for the masses.<br /><br />Personally, I think there's no comparison, and Logitech deserves some serious kudos in trying to usefully push the Bluetooth standard, and Bluetooth interoperability, forward. If more manufacturers went to this effort, I think BT adoption would be far greater than it is today. Combine that with the fact that the Logitech MX mice are, IMHO, the very best cordless mice available today, and there's simply no comparison.

[gohtor]

After I found out that microsoft's bluetooth wasn't that *compatible* I had great hopes that logitech would soon follow with a bluetooth enabled keyboard/mouse combo. Looks like they're going to pull it through!

This is yet another thing that microsoft's hardware department has lost to it's competitors. They've already discontinued their line of sidewinder controller product lines. I had an old sidewinder forcefeedback and was shocked to find that they had no support for winxp. Anyhow, that's another story.

Long live Logitech!

[caywen]

It's 100% apparent to me that those in charge of Bluetooth are held hostage by a vocal minority that cares more about corner case scenarios than things like ease of setup and reliability.

[WyattEarp]

As a user of their Elite cordless optical mouse I must say that they have done it again as usual. This is a prime example of how devices and support should be created and handled. Two departments Microsoft will always be lacking in.

[freitasm]

A good example on how some departements at Microsoft first deploy something - anything, the bare minimum, just to have a foot at the door, before thinking on the full picture. Then they start working the faults and miss.

The problem is - apparently Microsoft will not update their Bluetooth software. So, good on you Logitech :D

[Anthony Caruana]

I'm using an old Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard combo. The hardware is good, the software is fine and it just works. No problems, not ever.

I can't beleive that Microsoft, despite their massive wealth and apparently almost boundless resources, just can't do this right.

Well Done Logitech

[Excalliber]

Now we need a foldable version with PPC drivers with at least 24 hours of heavy typing time in replacable rechargable AA batteries. Now I'd buy that in a second.

[Paragon]

I've got the MX700 Janak mentioned. It's the best damn mouse I've ever used. I know there is no way I would bother upgrading to the Bluetooth model....Besides Bluetooth, I think they named it wrong. Blackeye seems more fitting. :)

Kudos to Logitech for doing it right anyway.

Dave

[JustinGTP]

I have the MX 700 and I dont think it is worth it for me to upgrade, because the only thing that I have is bluetooth is my PDA. But this would be a good example of how technology is coming. Sure, in the future it would be nice to have, if I had more bluetooth things. For now, a 100 meter dongle is what I would like.

-Justin.

[rapidnet_rick]

Jesshhhh....


Figures, I just got the regular RF wireless combo!?!? Now they come out with the bluetooth version.

Would be nice, since I already have a few bluetooth devices...

Jabra wireless earphone...
Ipaq 5555
Ericsson t616 Phone

Would have been nice....Wonder why the bluetooth version is almost double the price of their normal RF wireless?

[Janak Parekh]

I've got the MX700 Janak mentioned. It's the best damn mouse I've ever used. I know there is no way I would bother upgrading to the Bluetooth model....
Well, of course; the MX700 is pretty darn close to perfection. I have two, and I'm not upgrading. Still, it would have been nice to have an MX900 for my BT-enabled devices -- I like the idea of no extra dongle. Oh well.

rapidnet_rick: it's more expensive because it's new. ;)

--janak

[dean_shan]

To expensive for me. I'll stick to the RF set for now.

[acronym]

I've been watching this release for a couple of months now. I hope they finally start shipping.

[JustinGTP]

Its cheaper in Canada!

:D The bluetooth is cheaper than the regular RF.

-Justin.

[JustinGTP]

See this:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/productlist&crid=19&countryid=2&languageid=1

-Justin.

[rmasinag]

8O wow bluetooth that works......unfortunately. I have the MX700 mouse too and knowing Logitech mice, it'll probably last another 3-4 yrs before dying. The only bluetooth device I have right now is my 2210. If I had bipolarism... I would probably bouth one by now, just to sync my 2210 through BT :oops:

[beq]

Man I gotta agree, those are some of the best and most thorough/updated documentations I've seen 8O

Admittedly I've never tried this latest design variation of Logitech's mice, is it really good? I have their old Cordless MouseMan Optical as well as three cordless design generations before that (all bought as part of cordless keyboard bundles), they were OK...

I must say my fav (oldie but goodie) is still the original (corded) MS IntelliMouse Optical -- the symmetrically designed one (not skewed left or right), with one extra button on left side and another on right side, and just the perfect sloping contour (not top- or bottom-heavy). If only that comes in a wireless/BT version (with Widcomm drivers)...

[Bajan Cherry]

I have MS BT mouse which I use on my desktop, and Belkin BT adapter which I use on my laptop. I thought it would be simple job for me to transfer files between laptop and desktop. Or, I could easily transfer images from Nokia 3650 to desktop. Sorry, cant do this, simply because MS did not think through their product.

[JvanEkris]

Logitech recently announced their MX900 mouse -- the same mouse as the MX700, but using Bluetooth. They also have a Cordless Comfort Bluetooth keyboard. So, how does this differ from Microsoft's offerings?

http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/2829.gif

Logitech has designed a comprehensive Bluetooth site that answers every detailed question about their product -- for example, by just clicking on the FAQ (http://www.logitech.com/pub/pdf/bluetooth/enu/bluetooth_faq_v1_3.pdf), you can find out that they use the Widcomm drivers for their Bluetooth hub (which is, BTW, intelligently integrated into the recharging cradle of the mouse), that they don't use the Windows XP drivers because they're lacking in profiles, and what kind of laptop Bluetooth solutions would work with the mouse and keyboard (any one that supports HID, at least in theory).

But it doesn't stop there. They've gone to the trouble of creating a compatibility matrix (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=19&amp;languageid=1&amp;page=products/features/cordlesstopics&amp;CRID=1844&amp;parentCRID=272&amp;contentID=7177) between their Bluetooth hub and a substantial set of third-party devices, including cell phones, PDAs (including the iPAQ Pocket PCs), printers, and headsets. Not only that, they include HOWTOs where appropriate.This is what product support is suposed te look like :):):)

Jaap

[KAMware]

I too have one of the new mx700 Logitech models and I luv it. I get a lot of positive comments on it when I use it for presentations. I also have one of their cordless optical models on my graphics machine and it has been my favoriate for a long time.

The other day I had to get a new mouse for my Internet machine so I was at CompUSA trying them all out. I have to say there are lots of great feeling mice out there these days! I wanted to buy a bunch of them just to feel them... ah.. :roll: Any how I wanted a wireless one and saw the MS bluetooth one but it was much more expensive than their normal wireless ones.

Why is it that everyone puts a price penality on Bluetooth? I cannot believe it cost that much more to produce a bluetooth mouse ($20 more) than another rf technology!

Is ther some license fee they have to pay?

Well I purchased a non-bluetooth MS wireless to see how it compares to my Logitech one and so far it works just fine.

[ux4484]

I've always liked logitech products, all the way back to my Three button bus mouse back from '90
Their value to $$$ ratio is always very high.

They just proved it again, I hope we see other mfg's follow suit.

I'm not bluetooth convinced yet (not a "need" item for me), but if I wanted to buy someones stuff, I'd want it to be documented like Logitech's.

[Janak Parekh]

Admittedly I've never tried this latest design variation of Logitech's mice, is it really good? I have their old Cordless MouseMan Optical as well as three cordless design generations before that (all bought as part of cordless keyboard bundles), they were OK...
Yes, it is really that good. I used to be a dedicated user of IntelliMice Explorers (both v1 and v3), but gave them up for a MX700 because its optical sensor is noticeably more accurate, and works on more surfaces (the grain on my faux-wood desk used to confuse the IntelliMouse endlessly, but the MX700 works like a champ on it -- no mousepad :D). Moreover, I play FPSes, and the MX700 is accurate, precise (400dpi, I think) no lag, and it doesn't sleep aggressively (i.e., you can use rail/sniper/other hitscan weapons without any problems at all). It's no Razor Boomslang, but that's a specialty mouse.

--janak

[luiskim]

i was holding for a long time now to get a bluetooth dungle for mi PC to connect to my t68i and 2210... and i was just about to buy the MX 700 but i waited... i'm using the first cordless mouse/keyboard combo from logitech... i think i bout it in 97... hihi... and it works great yet... except the keyboard has some issues cause i dropped some gravy on it... :)

anyways... this is my next purchase...

[beq]

Admittedly I've never tried this latest design variation of Logitech's mice, is it really good? I have their old Cordless MouseMan Optical as well as three cordless design generations before that (all bought as part of cordless keyboard bundles), they were OK...
Yes, it is really that good. I used to be a dedicated user of IntelliMice Explorers (both v1 and v3), but gave them up for a MX700 because its optical sensor is noticeably more accurate, and works on more surfaces (the grain on my faux-wood desk used to confuse the IntelliMouse endlessly, but the MX700 works like a champ on it -- no mousepad :D). Moreover, I play FPSes, and the MX700 is accurate, precise (400dpi, I think) no lag, and it doesn't sleep aggressively (i.e., you can use rail/sniper/other hitscan weapons without any problems at all). It's no Razor Boomslang, but that's a specialty mouse.

--janak

OK I'll try it, but it better be good :mrgreen: Actually I never cared for the IntelliMouse Explorer at all, I just don't like that contour that's sloped left-right like that. I was referring to the IntelliMouse Optical that's symmetrical -- I believe Jason had an old thread about it...

[Janak Parekh]

OK I'll try it, but it better be good :mrgreen: Actually I never cared for the IntelliMouse Explorer at all, I just don't like that contour that's sloped left-right like that. I was referring to the IntelliMouse Optical that's symmetrical -- I believe Jason had an old thread about it...
Well, the MX700 isn't symmetrical either, so if you're a lefty that uses the mouse on your left hand, it might not be optimal. :| I'm a lefty that mouses with my right hand, so it works for me. :) If you do mouse with the right hand, I think you'll find the contours to be very comfortable. There's a natural place to "rest your thumb", so to speak.

--janak

[Rob Alexander]

I used to use all MS keyboards and mouses, but I finally got fed up with them over the F-key issue. (They remapped the F-keys, then didn't offer you a way to have them default to the original functions.)

So now I have two MX700's and they're great. This keyboard has the new style F-keys too, but it remembers how you last set them when you turn it off and restores it to that setting on bootup. The mouse doesn't hesitate like the Intellimouse Explorer did, and I really like that, though I did like the feel of the Intellimouse Explorer in my hand better.

Still, I'd never go back as Logitech has done a fine job here. It would have been nice to have the BT built-in, but now that I have these plus a BT dongle at work, there's really no reason to upgrade. Good on 'em, though, for doing it right once again.

[Prevost]

the Logitech MX mice are, IMHO, the very best cordless mice available today, and there's simply no comparison.
Do you think it is better than Intellimouse Explorer?

I spent a lot of time deciding between the MX700 and the MS Intellimouse Explorer and, although I had a bias toward Logitech (for "sentimental" reasons), I finally picked up an MS about 6 months ago, mostly for the "threat" of MX having pop up advertising programs within their operating system.

Concerning MS, I keep mixed feelings: it's very fine to have been set free of mice cords, but it is a battery gulper, heavy to the point I have to use it over a piece of paper to reduce friction and make it bearable, and tends to be difficult to "awake" the scroller after it is resting for some seconds, what is annoying when browsing the net.

[Janak Parekh]

the Logitech MX mice are, IMHO, the very best cordless mice available today, and there's simply no comparison.
Do you think it is better than Intellimouse Explorer?
I haven't used the cordless ones much, but the MX700 are orders of magnitude better in resolution and surface compatibility than the corded IntelliMouse Explorer and Explorer 3.0.

I finally picked up an MS about 6 months ago, mostly for the "threat" of MX having pop up advertising programs within their operating system.
Huh? Advertising? I've never had a Logitech product do that. The most they do is to stupidly put an eBay icon on the desktop as part of a MouseWare install, although I haven't seen that either recently.

Concerning MS, I keep mixed feelings: it's very fine to have been set free of mice cords, but it is a battery gulper
Right -- the MX700 recharges -- just drop it in its cradle. That was a big prerequisite for me, as I don't want to replace batteries frequently.

and tends to be difficult to "awake" the scroller after it is resting for some seconds, what is annoying when browsing the net.
This is the biggest concern I've heard with the Cordless IntelliMouse Explorer, and this is why I love my MX700. You can leave it alone for a minute, and when you touch it it will respond as if you haven't left it. In fact, you can leave it alone much longer than that. I do have to wake it up after a half-hour or an hour, I think, but I only notice it when I get up from my desk for an extended period of time. They've put a lot of effort into conserving the battery in incremental stages.

Geez, I sound like a Logitech fanboy, don't I? But seriously, the MX700 is the first wireless mouse that I've found to be superior to its wired predecessors.

--janak

[Jonathon Watkins]

Interesting. I am curently using an Intelimouse Explorer 3 and am very happy with it. Maybe I need to try out a MX700 or MX900 to see what I am missing? :wink:

I haven't used the cordless ones much, but the MX700 are orders of magnitude better in resolution and surface compatibility than the corded IntelliMouse Explorer and Explorer 3.0.

Is it really that noticeable? In what ways do you see/feel the improvements?

[Christian]

Is it really that noticeable? In what ways do you see/feel the improvements?

I am also currently using the MX700 and have used the Explorer 3.0 before. It almost doesn't make sense to compare the two... The Logitech is much more precise, has no noticable lag, and is the first optical mouse I've ever seen that works on my desk. The customization options in Logitech's iTouch/Mouseware software are also a clear step above. Currently, my mouse buttons are mapped to Ctrl+F (for find), Back, Shift, Copy, Paste and Maximize. :D

As an aside, the range on the MX700 is incredible - over 10 times greater than my previous RF set. Since I have a TV in another room hooked up to my PC, I've tried just picking up my keyboard and mouse - and was amazed that it worked. In my experience with my 2210, the range of bluetooth is actually less... 8O

[Christian]

Geez, I sound like a Logitech fanboy, don't I? But seriously, the MX700 is the first wireless mouse that I've found to be superior to its wired predecessors.

--janak

I know exactly what you mean - until I bought my Cordless Duo set with the MX700, I always kept a corded mouse around for certain applications. The MX700 really is that good. :way to go:

[ignar]

$175!! 8O

I might consider it if it's $100 cheaper. :lol: Well, I love my Gyration keyboard and mouse right now, so my next purchase is far in the future anyway.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Well, I love my Gyration keyboard and mouse right now, so my next purchase is far in the future anyway.
Tried that Gyration mouse once.... very nice mouse! I really liked it, but eventually returned it only because I needed a more travel-friendly mouse as I'm on the road often (too many pieces associated with the Gyration unit).

As for the MX700, I've heard nothing but superb comments regarding it. I can totally understand why those who have purchased it would have no desire to upgrade, but for some of us who have held out up to now... man that BT option is tempting.

Need that price to come down a bit though.

KUDOS to Logitech. I love the effort they've gone through to educate the consumer on their options... they're far on the opposite from MS (I had bought the MS BT mouse not knowing about its limitations... what a surprise!!).

[GadgetGirl]

I agree that Logitech has really nice designs for their mice. I have the MX700 on my desktop machine, and it's great. I love the charging cradle, the mouse is responsive and the ergonomics are nice.

However, I also have the MS Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth for use with my laptop. One of the primary things I wanted was no bluetooth dongle, no cables, no charging cradles. The Bluetooth is internal in my laptop, so no need to use the junky MS BT USB adapter fortunately. I'm happy using standard rechargable alkaline AA batteries with the mouse (buy a 4 pack of batteries, leave 2 charging at home all the time, swap when necessary).

All in all, I love using the MS Bluetooth mouse with my laptop. Works seemlessly for me, works up to 30 feet away for presentations, it's responsive for FPS games, good ergonomics, useful buttons. I'm curious to see if the Logitech Bluetooth mouse has the same strengths (not that I want to replace my mouse, just curious).

[davidspalding]

Too bad Logitech's site isn't loading very quickly for me. :(

I have an original Logitech wireless e-button mouse (v-shaped, like a paw), and it still works admirably as it did when I bought one from Comdex. If they have a mini folding BT keyboard, I'm going to start pricing a iPAQ H4150...!