Rage3D Logitech MX3100 Review Rage3D Logitech MX3100 ReviewLogitech, long known for award winning multimedia peripherals, is still regarded as the leader in the keyboard and mouse arena. A keyboard and mouse are two specific products that computer users everywhere must own. There are hundreds of different choices out there that would suit any requirement and budget. As a result, manufacturers are now focusing on specific niche markets when developing products. Traditional keyboards and mice can be found alongside highly stylized cordless ones that use high frequency signals and lasers. In this case, Logitech has created a keyboard and mouse combination including their mx1000 award winning mouse. This combination is filled with functionality, usability, along with the performance and quality we have come to expect in all Logitech products.
MX1000 Mouse
As we know Logitech has continually held the lead in manufacturing input devices, especially mice. They have always stepped ahead of the competition, bringing us new revolutionary features and products. The MX1000 is completely wireless, it includes a built in rechargeable lithium-ion battery along with a recharging base station. Logitech uses their Fast RF™ cordless technology to match the speed, reliability and performance of a USB connected mouse. Their laser guided technology is a first on the market. This is due to a partnership between Logitech and Agilent Technologies. They claim that this laser is capable of providing us with much more detail and accuracy then regular optical technology found in other mice.
The design of the mouse is superb. In comparison to the mx510, I found that the MX1000 both fits my hand and supports my thumb a lot better. It appears that they have created an extra support area where your thumb fits, in order to create a greater support and comfort. On top of the mouse there are battery monitoring indicators. These three lights display how much battery power is left in the mouse. When all three are lit up the mouse is fully charged. As the power goes down so will the indicators. Another terrific aspect of this mouse is the scrolling wheel. When comparing to a regular scrolling wheel, this one offers greater ability to scroll through a page. Logitech has introduces a tilt scrolling system that allows you to physically tilt the wheel horizontally and vertically in order to scroll or zoom, on the fly, as you need it. Along with this enhancing the scroll feature they have also improved the thumb button controls. For this aspect they have included three buttons instead of the normal two that was seen in previous Logitech mice. It still has the two main forward and back buttons, but also includes a center button for quick and easy application switching. If you are familiar with the mx500/510/700/900 then this feature used to be on the top of the mouse, behind the scroll wheel. I find that the new placement of this feature allows for quicker and easier use to switch between running applications.
Cordless Keyboard
This wireless keyboard is very similar to many of the other combination keyboards they include in their bundles. It uses two AA batteries to power and its primary focus is on assisting with navigation. The keyboard provides you with quick and easy access to a variety of features that are commonly used. On the left hand side beside the normal QWERTY letter layout are the main sets of navigation tools. These keys are similar to those present on the mx1000 mouse but allows you to gain access to them with both hands. It has buttons to Zoom, Scroll, Exit, Switch Applications and Enter. They claim that these buttons will allow you to increase efficiency and comfort when using the computer. Personally, I find it slightly redundant to put these features on the keyboard when they are also present on the mouse. However, I have found myself using the scroll wheel on the keyboard instead of on the mouse on several occasions. On the top of the keyboard are 3 other sets of buttons. Firstly, there is a set to allow fast access to all your data. It includes quick links to folders such as My Videos, My Music, My Pictures, and My Documents. On the opposite side there is a section of keys to access internet related functions. These functions include E-mail, Messenger, Messenger Status, and Webcam. Lastly, in the center they have included multimedia function keys. Integrated into this area is a volume wheel, play, pause, stop, rewind, fast forward keys and of course, mute. There is also a button for quick access to burn CDs, record audio clips and open your choice of a media player. Related to these multimedia controls there are three more audio buttons that you are capable of programming to anything that you wish. Finally, there is the Media Life button that allows you to access the Logitech Media Life application. This program simply brings you to a Logitech menu system to easily access your favorite media files. Please note that ALL these buttons that I have mentioned are completely customizable. Logitech has given us the ability to use every single one of these buttons for whatever task we may want. This could be to open up a commonly used program, file, folder or even webpage. They leave it up to you, the end user to either use the default settings, or to customize it for your own use.
Logitech's SetPoint application will help manage your mouse and keyboard settings. This program allows you to adjust and change the functionality of most buttons on both the mouse and keyboard. They provide pre-programmed options that you are able to pick from a menu in order to change certain button functionalities. It also permits the adjustment of the speed of several features, including pointer speed and scrolling speed. An important option that is also included is a way to secure your wireless keyboard. This feature will encrypt your keyboard to the receiver. It will block potentially block someone else from picking up your key strokes. Lastly, you are also able to monitor your battery levels for both your keyboard and mouse. When your battery levels are too low the program will automatically warn you to replace or charge your batteries.
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As many of you may know there has never been a real way to benchmark a mouse. Thanks to Hecter, we have found a program called "mouse rate checker". As described on their website this application should measure and display the sample rates of a mouse. A further and more in depth explanation of why we would want to do this is available at the creator's website.
I have compared the Logitech MX1000, to a basic Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse and to the Logitech MX510 mouse. As you can see the two high end Logitech mice are quite comparable. The basic Microsoft optical mouse really lags behind the other two. If these tests are truly accurate, which they may not be, this could indicate that the laser technology does indeed create performance equal to that of a high quality, wired gaming mouse. After further testing this mouse rate check on several different machines with the same mice, I have discovered that the rates on all computers are not equal. I can not figure out why they are different. Nevertheless, I believe that this still gives a good analysis of how the mouse performs on a particular system. At the very least it shows us that on this system, the mx3100 and the mx510 portray equal rates. When compared to a basic optical mouse, we can truly see how greater the results are with these high end mice.
From personal experience using both these mice in games and in application, they have both faired quite well up against each other. My reaction times in games are pretty much identical. I did not witness any wireless lag that you may experience from other products. Similarly, when working with graphical programs such as Corel Drawn and Adobe Photoshop I had absolutely no problems with accuracy. Some wireless mice do not have the precision to perform in this area. In spite of this, I could not tell any difference in using the MX1000.
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Logitech has been the driving force behind some remarkable innovations and have almost single handedly created an input peripheral market saturated with choices. The MX3100 is truly a revolutionary product. Logitech claims that the new laser technology in the MX1000 can surpass the precision of the optical technology. I can honestly say that their claim so far is proven to be true. This mouse does not let you down no matter what you throw at it. When bundled with the multimedia wireless keyboard it makes this combination nearly unrivaled in the world of input devices. However, much like similar mice, the MX1000 is only available in a right handed design. Though now a day, most left handed computer users have begun to use right handed mice. Yet it would still be quite interesting to see options available for lefties. At a price tag of approximately $140 USD, this product may be a little expensive for some people's taste. Then again, if you are looking for a high end combo wireless keyboard and mouse I cannot recommend anything else. I look forward to seeing what Logitech has in mind for future use of their laser technology. Logitech has also just announced a new MX518 gaming mouse as a successor to their MX510, we will have a review of that soon.
