Laser, not Optical

Introduction

"Optical is obsolete" is boldly written on the box of the MX1000 mouse. Is it true?

Leave it up to Logitech to break the optical mouse mold, and bust out the new laser technology. Enter their newest offering: the MX1000 Laser Cordless Mouse. Shedding the old optical technology, Logitech cooperated with Agilent Technologies to develop the invisible laser light, capable of better tracking over almost any surface you would like to do your mousing on. After seeing all other companies releasing endless waves of optical mice, it was the idea of a fresh new mousing technology that drew us to the MX1000. Although, good design and cordless functionality didn't hurt our decision to pick it up either.

We will go over its features, technology, gaming performance, tests on different surfaces and bundled software. After all, haven't we had enough of those red glow of today's optical mice? Optical mice are so late 90's.

MX1000 Box, light from the right

Back of the box

Top lit

Laser Schmaser

No more red LED glow of optical sensors? Is this the end of optical mice as we know them? Not exactly, but the new 'Laser Engine Technology" co-developed by Agilent is the new boss in town. The marketing says that laser technology can track 20 times more powerful than optical technology. Logitech states that laser illumination and tracking 'responds to the slightest hand movement with extraordinary accuracy. And it does so on virtually any surface, white or black, solid or pattern, shiny or matte.' Is this true? Would anyone really use their mouse on a granite countertop with no mousepad, or even on a shelf? We tried to use the MX1000 on a lot of different surfaces, and you can find out how it performed on the following page.

How does the MX1000's laser technology work differently from LED-based optical mice? Well, Agilent's optical sensor takes around 6,000 snapshots of the surface, making even the slightest (or even the fastest) motion properly trackable. The invisible, but coherent laser light creates patterns of high contrast, even on glossy surfaces. On the other hand, incoherent LED light will see the glossy surface as totally uniform and will not function. But all this technical talk doesn't matter if the mouse doesn't perform well, right?

For those interested in reading more about the actual laser technology itself, you can view the tech brief as a PDF file on Logitech.com.

Packaging and bundle

The MX1000 comes in an attractive packaging, complete with hologram foil that reflects color when brought to the light. The mouse itself doesn't budge from its cardboard and plastic-shell casing, making its transit to customers a safe one. Extricating the product from the box is an easy task, as once the flap is opened from the side, the whole plastic shell smoothly slides to exit. Bundled in the package are the standard fare when it comes to high-end mice. For those who are not used to having a cordless re-chargeable mouse, the use of this mouse requires two cords to be attached to the charger / receiver. One is the USB/PS2 cord and the other cord is attached to the AC adapter. Another brilliant piece of engineering that Logitech did is to make the AC adapter housing aligned horizontally with the power socket, thus, freeing up any sockets that would be otherwise blocked by vertical (and more bulky) adapters. It's the little things.

» MX1000 Unit

» Desktop charger / RF receiver

» USB > PS2 adapter (green)

» AC Adapter and cord

» Manual and drivers on CD-ROM