Pointing devices, along with almost all computer accessories, have come a long ways in a short amount of time. From ye olde rubber-ball-two-button-only mouse weÂ’ve managed to squeeze in scroll mice, optical, double optical, and now LASER.

Gamers in general are notorious for demanding high performance from their mice. A mouse that hiccups can be just as deadly as playing against pros on a T1 while you putter along on dial-up.

When Logitech first launched their MX line of mice and keyboards, users got a taste of things to comeÂ… The MX300, followed by the MX500/510 series (one of my personal favorites), the MX700 wireless, and the MX900 wireless with Bluetooth, one by one added improved features to an already great optical engine.

Enter the next incarnation of the MX line, may I present the MX1000 (MX1K from here on out). Logitech claims the MX1K’s tracking engine is “20X more sensitive to surface detail, making it reliable on tricky polished or wood-grain surfaces.” You can see what all they had to say about it at the product page on their website HERE. Ok, we’ll see...

The $75 retail price tag might turn a lot of people off to the MX1K, as no mouse is worth THAT much. However, the three year limited hardware warranty got my attention. To me, that was a tantalizing bet, one I just felt compelled to take Logitech up on.

Specs:

Taken right off the product page at Logitech's site:

System requirements

* IBM® or compatible PC
o Windows® 98, 2000, Me, XP
o USB or PS/2 port
o CD-ROM drive

* Macintosh® system
o Macintosh® OS X+
o USB port
o CD-ROM drive

Package Contents

* Logitech® MX™1000 Laser Cordless Mouse
* Rapid-charging base station
* CD with SetPoint™ software
* Installation guide
* USB to PS/2 adapter
* AC power adapter
* Three-year limited hardware warranty

Tracking/Surfaces: While I may be partial to nice mouses, I don't see having to spend another $20 or more for a gaming mouse pad, that's just me. I like to have the option of mousing on just about any smooth surface. My "I'm gonna get one next Federal Refund" AMD mouse pad works fine, thanks. At the same time, I'd like to see just what sort of surfaces the MX1K will or will not work on, and how well or poorly it performs on each. Keeping in mind that I'm an end-user, and not a paid product tester, let's take a look at what works and what doesn't.

Mouse Pad: On my AMD-logo mouse pad, the movement was crisp and smooth, as I would expect from Logitech. The MX1K had a noticeably faster response than the MX510, even with the unit going into what I call its "sleep mode". If you do not move the mouse for a few seconds, the battery level LEDs along the side turn off, my guess begin to save power.[

Wood-grain surface: Mousing along on top of my desk actually seemed a little slower than on the mouse pad, but only a little. The movement was still crisp and smooth.

Paper/Documents: Movement while on top of a stack of A4 sized papers and documents was somewhat better than the wood-grain, but marginally so. I included this "test" to replicate what I would expect for someone with a cluttered desk. The movement was still sufficient to accomplish most tasks easily.

The bottom line: When it comes to the surface used, the mouse pad would be my preference. I'm sure that if I were to spend a proportional amount of money on a specialized gaming mouse pad, I would see more remarkable results.

Gaming:

Finally, the good stuff! How does it hold up under Far Cry, Medal of Honor - Pacific Assault, and Call of Duty - United Offensive? I picked those three games to test the MX1K, since I have them on hand, and since I'm playing them all right now anyways. To be fair, I played the same scenario/level on all three games, using my MX510 first, then the MX1K. The button settings were pre-configured to the same locations on both mice, to allow me to evaluate the MX1K's tracking.

In Far Cry, the difference in the mouse look movement seemed to be much improved from the MX510. Response time for the MX1K seemed the same, if not a little better or worse (hard to tell exactly). I will say that with the Sniper Rifle in scope mode, the reticle dot was easier to keep on target with the MX1K, even while at a standing position. Maybe the player's skills, but MAYBE the mouse helped, too...

MOHPA yielded similar results. The game is a bit slower than FC in the mouse-look movement, but I could detect a bit faster response from the MX1K, and the sniper rifle mode, again, was more precise.

CODUO sealed the deal for me. I found virtually the same results as in FC and MOHPA. The pre-configured buttons were a tremendous help in keeping my eyes on the screen, instead of hunting for keys outside of the usual AWSD range.

The bottom line for gaming with the MX1K, at least for me, is that it is a superb gaming mouse. The configurable buttons are a welcome feature, but I would like to have been given the option to set button functions based on application. Currently, the buttons can be configured globally, so if you get used to a certain setup, the next time you buy a game, you may spend some time assigning which mouse button you want for a particular action/function.

Overall Impression:

The MX1K is a sharp-looking, high performance cordless mouse. The 8 programmable buttons offer the user a variety of options when it comes to custom-configuring not only games, but specialized and everyday applications as well. The unit itself is a little on the heavy side, but given the fact that it is cordless and that its movement is smooth, crisp, and precise almost to a fault, I believe most users will be willing to overlook the weight issue. The price tag hovers around the $75US mark, and that may discourage some would-be buyers, if not drive them away screaming. After using the MX1K, however, I have to admit that Logitech have yet again put a quality product on the market, and for whatever my opinion is worth to you, I think you won't regret buying one for yourself.

The Verdict:


What's Pimp:

Quick battery charge, ready to go

Easy setup software, 8 programmable buttons

Gunmetal and silver color scheme, subdued but oh, so sexy

Cordless, rechargeable Li-Ion battery (no more swapping AA/AAAs

Button action is smooth as Pimp's Silk shirt

Crisp, clean tracking

Responsive even from "sleep mode"



What's Gimp:

Overall weight

Retail price

Pimp Hat Rating:

Between the MX1K and the MX510, I give the MX1K 9 out of 10 Pimp Hats, against 8 out of 10 for the MX510.

By itself, I give the MX1K 8 out of 10, for the Gimp issues.

Bump for approved member review.

I just got this mouse the other day, and i have mixed feelings with it. It is very comfortable to use, it is lighter than the MX700 I have (i also have the mx510 for lans). But I can't get the back and forward buttons to work with firefox. These buttons work with IE, but not FFox....

Woohoo!!! I got "published" !!!

CPU, you are not alone, I noticed the same thing... I did the testing and wrote the review while my IE6 was not yet overrun by spyware and the like. I've since moved to Firefox, and am getting reacquainted with it.

Not sure why, but I thought I included pics with my review... Anyhoo, here are some real-life shots of the MX1K for everyone else, not that fluffed up, professional-looking/enhanced stuff you get on the website...

The mouse itself... Purty, huh?



And everything that comes with it, out of the box...

nice mouse if you like to exercise. me I can't stand a mouse you have to move all over your desk the pick up and move part of mice drive me nuts and no i do not want to speed up the mouse movements..horrible for photoshop work. I will stick with my trackballs as i find i have more control over my work this way. i have spent upwards of hundreds of dollars on mice. Wired, wireless, optical...etc etc all have issues. once I moved to the trackball line of mice I was floored. takes about a good week to get use to a trackball, maybe we will see soon a laser trackball and i will have the best of all worlds.

Nice right up my friend I pointed it to a Doctor friend of mine who was in the market for anew mouse. he ran out and bought one later that day

Nice review and seems to further affirm that I want it. I'm disappointed, however, that you didn't try it on a glass surface or, as me and my friend excitedly did with his, a mirror. I think it said somewhere that it could but, alas, it could not. He seems pretty pleased with it though

Well, finally the laymen could be right about it being a laser in the mouse. I remember my 7th grade computer teacher telling us not to look at the bottoms of the mice because the laser would blind us. Of course i pointed out that it was an LED and not a laser and that there was no danger, and she sent me into the hall for being a smartass...

Quote: Originally Posted by FizzledFiend Nice right up my friend I pointed it to a Doctor friend of mine who was in the market for anew mouse. he ran out and bought one later that day

Fizz, please let me know how he likes it or not... I figure I'd better either like it or get used to it, since my wallet funded this review...

Quote: Originally Posted by _Sexy_Pants_ ...you didn't try it on a glass surface...

No, I didn't think to... Shoulda, though, since some people can afford tempered glass desks... (not me, unfortunately, but that would be Uber-Pimp, I think)

EDIT, 17 December: Since this post, I remembered to check the retail box, and it DOES state that the mouse will not work on surfaces that reflect, like mirrors or tempered/regular glass surfaces. My apologies for the lapse...

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyno01 ...Well, finally the laymen could be right about it being a laser in the mouse...

Thanks for reminding me, Cyno... Logitech included warnings about looking directly at the laser emitter/sensor... I forgot to do so in the original review, my apologies... Here's an excerpt from the Safety Guide, included with the mouse/accessories:

"Guidelines for Safe and Efficient Use: 1) Do not direct the infrared beam at anyone's eye..."

Good review. Guess I'll get one also. If it improves on the MX700 it has to be kick ass, cause the MX700 was (and is) "almost" perfect.

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 "Guidelines for Safe and Efficient Use: 1) Do not direct the infrared beam at anyone's eye..."

Not as good as the classic "Do not look into laser with remaining eye."

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyno01 Not as good as the classic "Do not look into laser with remaining eye."

rofl!!!

I bought an mx700 and I love it - has worked perfectly for me. Not only has long battery life but is very precise, with all the buttons I need.

A few questions I have on the MX1K - I read in the review that it was $75??? is that right? did I misread? if I remember correctly I bought my 700 for somewhere between $70-$90, bit hazy on the right number . Second question, I have a friend that bought the MX1K, but when I installed it for him, it seemed to have pretty "jerky" movement, even after I installed the softer... which was the last thing I expected, anyone else noticed this and/or know how I can fix?

Thanks, peace

BA: I went to a friend's house this weekend, and he swears by his MX700. In terms of weight, I am pretty sure the MX1K is a bit lighter, because of the Li-Ion battery, but I could be wrong...

Tristun: The price will vary from retailer to retailer... I paid $75 at my local PX (military dept store). Online e-tailers that carry them are charging from $72.50 (S&H included) up to $82 (S&H included), from what I could find on pricewatch...

AFA the "jerky" movement, I haven't noticed any with mine... When I got mine, I plugged the powerpack in, then set the mouse in the charger until all three green LEDs were lit (full batt charge). With my other mouse still plugged in, I installed the software, and instead of restarting immediately, I powered down, removed the MX510, plugged in the 1K, then powered up... Best I can think of is to check the cable connections (PS/2 or USB), move the base station around, away from the monitor or speakers (if they're closer than 8"), try a diff USB port, or press Reset button on top of charger/RESET on bottom of mouse. All that was in the fold-out instructions... After that, I'd call their tech support number, 1-702-269-3457, or log onto logitech's website and try the tech suppt there...

EDIT: browsed thru LT's FAQs on erratic motion: HERE Also look at the bottom of that page for erratic motion - optical trackballs and mice, that should help...

Quote: Originally Posted by CPU Killer I just got this mouse the other day, and i have mixed feelings with it. It is very comfortable to use, it is lighter than the MX700 I have (i also have the mx510 for lans). But I can't get the back and forward buttons to work with firefox. These buttons work with IE, but not FFox....

Hmmm, the forward and back buttons on my MX700 dont work with FF, Im geting jiped.

Anyways, I have an MX700 and Im really interested in getting this mouse but cant quite justify it yet - maybe someone will "force" it on my for Christmas. Any "real" improvements??? The battery meter looks handy but in 1 years time I have only ran the MX700 down once and I keep a second mouse plugged in and setting of to the side just in case (sounds excessive but I have it hooked thru a KVM and the MX direct to the PC via USB).

HaH my current mouse SUX! Its a logitech someting(not quite sure the stiker is worn). I paid I think 10 bux and its served me well but it think reading your review I will buy another one. well atleast before the last slidy foot thing rubbs off.

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 BA: I went to a friend's house this weekend, and he swears by his MX700. In terms of weight, I am pretty sure the MX1K is a bit lighter, because of the Li-Ion battery, but I could be wrong... Tristun: The price will vary from retailer to retailer... I paid $75 at my local PX (military dept store). Online e-tailers that carry them are charging from $72.50 (S&H included) up to $82 (S&H included), from what I could find on pricewatch... AFA the "jerky" movement, I haven't noticed any with mine... When I got mine, I plugged the powerpack in, then set the mouse in the charger until all three green LEDs were lit (full batt charge). With my other mouse still plugged in, I installed the software, and instead of restarting immediately, I powered down, removed the MX510, plugged in the 1K, then powered up... Best I can think of is to check the cable connections (PS/2 or USB), move the base station around, away from the monitor or speakers (if they're closer than 8"), try a diff USB port, or press Reset button on top of charger/RESET on bottom of mouse. All that was in the fold-out instructions... After that, I'd call their tech support number, 1-702-269-3457, or log onto logitech's website and try the tech suppt there... EDIT: browsed thru LT's FAQs on erratic motion: HERE Also look at the bottom of that page for erratic motion - optical trackballs and mice, that should help...

Great!! Thanks!

Between the IE6 and FF dealy - my mx works FINE with both, check your settings.

For the FireFox 1.0 users among us, go to the Logitech site and download the SetPoint v2.14 update (18MB). It will add the FF functionality to your MX1K. Thanks to Tristun for raising my curiosity!

oddly enough, my back and forward buttons on my MX700 have ALWAYS worked with Firefox.

Hey guys, I have an MX500 and LOVE IT! I am seriously considering getting this mouse, as I want to upgrade to wireless keyboard + mouse. My only gripe is that I dont want to have two transmitters; which means that I need to get a combo (like the MX Duo combo, both a keyboard and mouse on one wireless reciever). Anyone know if Logitech has any plans for releasing a combo w/ the MX1000? Thanks.

i am going to get myself an MX510

I thought my Cordless trackman wheel was big ....untill I saw that....