Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Logitech MX Revolution Review

Is the thumb wheel finicky for anyone else when using the application switcher? I can never get it to go to the app I want it always over shoots it like drunk mousing....
 
Apple2Mac said:
Is the thumb wheel finicky for anyone else when using the application switcher? I can never get it to go to the app I want it always over shoots it like drunk mousing....
Click to expand...

I can't effectively use it for application switching either, and since I can't set it to type a keystroke I have it disabled.
 
Chaszmyr said:
I can't effectively use it for application switching either, and since I can't set it to type a keystroke I have it disabled.
Click to expand...

Yup, disabled in OSX here as well. Shame you can't set it for something else. Thinking zoom in and out would be cool.
 
rtdgoldfish said:
Yup, disabled in OSX here as well. Shame you can't set it for something else. Thinking zoom in and out would be cool.
Click to expand...

what are you talking about? i use it for opening Firefox. the reason is, since it's hard to press, i won't accidently open FF. for switching application, you should use some thing that allows you to click on instead of scrolling uncontrollingly through everything. i think the Search button is good for that task.

oh by the way, the smart wheel is customizable. i customize it to simulate Cmd+R so that i could refresh things at my finger tip.
also, my Search button now opens dashboard ^^
i think i love this mouse more and more everyday. it's just that cool.
 
Ya, i just like to spin the wheel no matter wat, it just feels damn cool. It keeps my fingers busy :D

Anyways, i have been having some trouble trying to get some sync going. I was able to get the One-Touch search to expose (via f9), but doesn't work if i want expose on left or right command key.

I saw a list of mouse buttons (up to 35) on the 2nd column of Expose/Dashboard pane, but none of those work except right click which I don't want :(

My best current setup so far:

Left Click - Primary
Right click - 2ndary
Left/Right side buttons - FireFox back and forth
One-Touch - Expose
Thumb scroll - Zoom in/out
Thumb scroll button - Open new tab
 
I just got this mouse, and I'm liking it. But it's pretty lame that you can't assign the thumb wheel to do much.
 
Bored, sitting here on the web waiting for my MX Revolution to arrive later this week...I went searching for information and came across this site...

Something that might be of interest to you guys is "uberOptions." The program is designed for the Windows version of Setpoint, but if they use similar xml files for the configurations...it might be of use to you guys. uberOptions allows you to assign any keystroke, or function they've thought of to any button on any logitech mouse (or keyboard that uses Setpoint). I currently use it on my MX1000, but it will work with the Revolution to allow you to change the horizontal wheel.

I figure it might be worth a shot for you guys at least:
http://www.mstarmetro.com/~rlowens/uberOptions/index.html
 
Alpha352 said:
Bored, sitting here on the web waiting for my MX Revolution to arrive later this week...I went searching for information and came across this site...

Something that might be of interest to you guys is "uberOptions." The program is designed for the Windows version of Setpoint, but if they use similar xml files for the configurations...it might be of use to you guys. uberOptions allows you to assign any keystroke, or function they've thought of to any button on any logitech mouse (or keyboard that uses Setpoint). I currently use it on my MX1000, but it will work with the Revolution to allow you to change the horizontal wheel.

I figure it might be worth a shot for you guys at least:
http://www.mstarmetro.com/~rlowens/uberOptions/index.html
Click to expand...
Thanks, but this is MacRumors.com ;)
 
THis mouse (MX revolution) performs wonderfully but the dirty little secret is that the battery life lasts only 2 days under full workday use (design workday = 12 hours :) ).

I'm returning it for something else - I find it unacceptable that you have to recharge everyday.
 
PCM said:
THis mouse (MX revolution) performs wonderfully but the dirty little secret is that the battery life lasts only 2 days under full workday use (design workday = 12 hours :) ).

I'm returning it for something else - I find it unacceptable that you have to recharge everyday.
Click to expand...

Are you serious? I think 24 hours of basically continuous use is pretty good! Its not like it burns out in 4 and you need to stop working to recharge.

I use mine probably about 4-6 hours a day, and I need to charge it just under once a week. I love this mouse!
 
"SmartScroll" on the Mac?

rtdgoldfish said:
Scroll wheel is amazing. I've got it set to free scroll in Safari and I love it. It switches to click-scroll when I go to certain applications all by itself! Very cool.
Click to expand...

How did you do this?! Auto-switching of the scrolling mode is done via "SmartScoll" technology... and "SmartScoll" is only included with the SetPoint driver... which is not available for Mac OS X!!

So how did you get the scroll mode to auto-switch on your Mac????
 
It doesn't suck as such and the shape is nice, but I don't see any real advantages at all when compared to my Microsoft Intellimouse Wireless. The thumb wheel is fricken useless on a Mac and the Smartscroll is more of an annoyance than an advantage. I'd rather have it free - it's not like I don't have any finger dexterity.

Just as well I only opened one of the Revolutions I got. I'm sending the rest back. Not a bad mouse, but just not worth it for Mac use even when compared to the wireless Mighty Mouse. Once I receive the Dell gaming PC, I'll swap the MX1000 I got bundled with it with the Revolution and see how I get on.
 
How to Set Up Forward & Backwards Keys for Safari?

I just bought a Logitech MX Revolution today. I would love it perfectly if I could only figure out how to get the forward & backward buttons to work in Safari for when I'm web surfing.

Although I doubt that this is a factor (at least I hope not), my keyboard is a Microsft Wireless 6000 unit. I'm running OS 10.4.8 and I have the latest version of LCC installed.

TIA,
Amy:confused:
 
I managed to do some cool things with the buttons using Quicksilver ( http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/ )

The thumb scroll button, if switched to zoom just triggers command + (?+) and command - (?-)

So using quicksilver I was able to trigger next song / previous song using the thumb scroll!

To make the search button use expose:
System Preferences > Dashboard & Expose
For whatever action you want to perform, im chosing Desktop
In the second menu, select Mouse Button 3

Now in The Logitech configuration program:
Select One Touch Search Button with action Advanced Click
Click Type: Click
Button Number: 3

All done.

Note: I deleted all program specific settings.
 
I just got this mouse, I love the hardware, but Logitech Control Centre is a terrible piece of software.


I'm using Steermouse as my controller. However, I couldn't get several options achieved using steermouse.


1) I can't get the thumb-wheel's scrool +/- to behave like LCC's way of switching app (pressing +/- on the thumbwheel basically is like... cmd+tab or cmd+shift+tab).

2) I just wished that the trigger between freespin and click-to-click can be assigned under a different button. like, I use the scrolwheel (under Firefox) as middle click. But if go into terminal and do that thang to activate manual switch, then I can't use my regular middle click feature anymore. It'll just be a switch button.
 
I have the VX Revolution and for the first few weeks it was fine, but then the tracking got progressively worse until it is now in it's currently unusable state. Luckily Logitech is providing a replacement. Just a word of caution.
 
Chaszmyr said:
Years ago, I bought the first Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, and later upgraded to the "2.0" IntelliMouse Explorer. For a very long time, I continued to use that mouse, despite having bought various other mice (including an IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 and a Logitech MX 1000). Today, though, I'm sitting here using an MX Revolution, but it's not all good. Here's what I think:

Comfort: The MX Revolution is the first mouse I've ever used that is as comfortable as my Intellimouse Explorer 2.0. I really have no complaints about it. I thought the thumb wheel would feel in the way, but while the mouse might be mildly more comfortable if it weren't there, it does not feel in the way.

Appearance: Normally, when reviewing a mouse, I wouldn't put this category, but I am a big fan of the appearance of the MX Revolution.

Ergonomics: The ergonomics of this mouse are good but not great. The "forward" and "back" buttons arguably stick out a little too far, and the one-touch-search button requires me to reposition my hand a little to press. My largest complaint about ergonomics is that the thumb wheel is a little bit stiff, and I often can't hit it without bumping the mouse a bit. Size and weight are excellent, in my opinion.

The New Scroll Wheel: I love it. You can press it in to make it "click" the way old wheels did, or press it again and it freely rolls, such that it continues to roll until you stop it. I often scroll past what I am trying to scroll to, but I just love spinning the wheel around, and it is great for scrolling long documents. Keep in mind, because you press in the wheel to change functionality, it cannot be used as a button the way it is on most other mice.

Battery Life: The MX Revolution has a rechargeable battery, and is designed to be put on the recharger each night. I find that the battery life is more than adequate, however, and if you forget to put the mouse on the recharger one night, it will still work when you come back to it the next day.

Software: This is where the mouse is hurt. The most advanced Logitech software is for Windows only, I don't know if it would solve any of these complaints or not, so I'll write this section specifically for Mac users. Here are my complaints:
1. Like every other mouse I've used, horizontal scrolling (with tilt wheel) is too slow to be worthwhile, and cannot be adjusted to make it anywhere near fast enough.
2. The "forward" and "back" buttons don't have a real forward and back command programmed into the software, rather they type the keystroke cmd+left arrow and cmd+right arrow. Effectively, this makes it work the same as my Microsoft mouse in a web browser, but makes it not work in the finder. If there is a key command I can use to make it work in the finder, I do not know what it is.
3. The thumb wheel can only be used to switch application or to zoom. It cannot be assigned a keystoke or anything like that. Furthermore, I don't feel like it works well for switching applications, so it is completely useless for me. I would be much happier with this mouse if I could assign it to perform any task, like I can with a button.


Overall Rating: 8/10

Final Thoughts: I feel like the 8/10 rating is misleading. In many ways, it deserves a 10/10. Normal use of this mouse is very pleasant due to exceptional appearance and comfort, as well as good ergonomics. However, I docked it due to inadequate software.
Click to expand...

Your review of the mouse explain that you not examined it well.
First, the upper wheel button (like all button of the mouse) are fully customizable. You simply used the basic configuration. If you fast-roll the wheel it automatically turn in free-roll mode. This mouse need to be taken in a specific position, when you find the correct position all key fit perfect in every (right) hand. The only one thing that can be partial configurable are the side-wheel. It cna be used only for volume control, zoom control, navigate trough open windows and multimedia purpose (play/pause forward/back tracks). The software can change the configuration of the mouse by application, that means when you open a specific application the mouse change its keymap whit the one you configured for that. The MX Revolution are a great product. The only issue i can highlight are the recharege: if the mouse get their battery very low, few time not recharge before the fully consumption of the charge. The recharge bay fully empty the battery and you need to take off and place again the mouse in the base.
For software issue i think Logitech release a better one in future. Mac user usually not buy special mice, also thanks to mighty mouse.

9,5/10
 
Beware of installing the Logitech Command Center software. It will install APED on your machine without your knowledge which can cause extreme stress on your GUI. NOt to mention the security risks.

Pulled from another forum, this is an accurate description of what Aped is.

APE - so called "Application Enhancer" by unsanity.org. Probably the single worst offender. This 'framework' is used by other 'haxies' and programs like Shapeshifter that change the way that MacOS works. Generally these are cosmetic fluff like transparent docks etc that most people can live without. The danger with the APE framework is it runs as a kernel extension and system level daemon and like a predator is constantly searching for candidate programs to inject with code. The framework 'injects' instructions into the normally protected memory space of applications leading to varied behaviour. This feature has also been used to crack or bypass copy protection on some popular programs. Running APE opens your machine up to risks that is simply not worth the fluff it provides. One such 'enhancer' called "The BAD APE" is particularly worrying. It is conceivable that a malicious enhancer can bypass all system level security to wreak havoc.

The other side-effect of this software is that by doing what it is doing it is slowing down your system considerably. I personally had noticed that my mac was just not running up to par lately, and not being an expert I didn't know why. I did some research, found several standard things to do, all to no avail.

Then I saw APED in my activity monitor and after doing some research discovered what a bad egg it truly is. After some dinking around I finally removed it completely from my system, rebooted and my mac is running like new.

I believe there is a way to install the Command Center without installing the APE framework, but you will not be able to use some of the more sophisticated scrolling functions of the revolution series mice.

It's possible the newer software does not have it anymore, but LCC installed on my machine in december of last year was the culprit.
 
I've been using the MX Revolution for about 6 months and it's easily the best mouse I've ever had. Maybe I didn't read the thread thoroughly, but I'm surprised nobody mentioned SteerMouse, which is way better than the LCC in my opinion.
 
hidea said:
I just got this mouse, I love the hardware, but Logitech Control Centre is a terrible piece of software.


I'm using Steermouse as my controller. However, I couldn't get several options achieved using steermouse.


1) I can't get the thumb-wheel's scrool +/- to behave like LCC's way of switching app (pressing +/- on the thumbwheel basically is like... cmd+tab or cmd+shift+tab).

2) I just wished that the trigger between freespin and click-to-click can be assigned under a different button. like, I use the scrolwheel (under Firefox) as middle click. But if go into terminal and do that thang to activate manual switch, then I can't use my regular middle click feature anymore. It'll just be a switch button.
Click to expand...

Should have got USB Overdrive. Granted it doesn't get updated as much as Steermouse, but at least USB Overdrive has multiple mouse profiles which is handy for me and more configurations. As I switch between two mice.
LCC has so many problems its not funny, I stopped using it before it was bundled with APE. Though that wasn't the reason I stopped using it. It was so limited and utter trash. Which must be 1.6 years away the last I used it.

zortag said:
Your review of the mouse explain that you not examined it well.
First, the upper wheel button (like all button of the mouse) are fully customizable. You simply used the basic configuration. If you fast-roll the wheel it automatically turn in free-roll mode. This mouse need to be taken in a specific position, when you find the correct position all key fit perfect in every (right) hand. The only one thing that can be partial configurable are the side-wheel. It cna be used only for volume control, zoom control, navigate trough open windows and multimedia purpose (play/pause forward/back tracks). The software can change the configuration of the mouse by application, that means when you open a specific application the mouse change its keymap whit the one you configured for that. The MX Revolution are a great product. The only issue i can highlight are the recharege: if the mouse get their battery very low, few time not recharge before the fully consumption of the charge. The recharge bay fully empty the battery and you need to take off and place again the mouse in the base.
For software issue i think Logitech release a better one in future. Mac user usually not buy special mice, also thanks to mighty mouse.

9,5/10
Click to expand...

You've also missed one major thing that so many MX Revolution users have been plagued by and its all over Logitech's forums. Its crappy receiver. Take the receiver more than one foot away, and you'll start to get stutters/skips pauses whatever you want to call it, and long delays as the further it is away from the mouse.

Aelyrin said:
It's possible the newer software does not have it anymore, but LCC installed on my machine in december of last year was the culprit.
Click to expand...

Quite the opposite, I think since 2.0/2.1 APE started to appear and is still there to this day. What are they doing installing this if it creates so many problems?

Personally I haven't seen these issues, you describe in your more detailed post...
 
how do you turn on/off the automatic scroll speed switching feature thingy, better yet is their a manual somewhere online?
 
00PS said:
how do you turn on/off the automatic scroll speed switching feature thingy, better yet is their a manual somewhere online?
Click to expand...

Logitech Control center and Steermouse controls that. With USB Overdrive, you can manually switch between ratchet and fast scroll as the software doesn't control the wheel.

I don't think there is an online manual. The only way to get the wheel to work without software controlling it is, press once on the wheel then it'll be in free spin mode, press again and its in ratchet mode.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/130&cl=us,en Click Product Tour.

If you are using steermouse:
Q. How can I get the Logitech MX Revolution to the Free-spin mode?

A. In ver 3.5 or later, to get the Free-spin mode, enter the following command in the Terminal application which is located in /Applications/Utilities and press the return key and finally, relogin your account.

defaults write jp.plentycom.SteerMouse LOGITECH_MX_REVOLUTION_WHEEL -int -2
You can select other modes by changing the values as below:

-3 : Manual Shift.
-2 : Free-spin.
-1 : Click-to-click.
0-12: Automatic Shift. Smaller values reduce the timing for its shift.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back