Logitech Wheel Mouse Optical

Last year (2000), Microsoft introduced a revolutionary mouse that has no ball. Instead, the ball's place was taken over by an optical sensor which is more accurate & doesn't need any cleaning. It scans the surface 1500 times per second to determine any position changes. The mouse also glides more smoothly on any surface than a mouse with ball since there's virtually no friction. This technology has revolutionized gaming, particularly first - person shooters, where players experienced more accurate & responsive weapon shots in their games. The downside of this great technology is its price : the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer costs RM189.00 (SRP) while the other one, the Intellimouse Optical costs RM180 (SRP).

After almost a year, Logitech came out with their version of the optical technology. They've been talking about releasing the optical mouse for a while, then finally they came out with three versions : the Wheel Mouse Optical (SRP RM148), the iFeel Optical (SRP RM189) and the Mouseman Optical (SRP RM229). The Mouseman Optical is the optical version of the ergonomic Logitech Mouseman. There's also another model, the Logitech Mouseman iFeel Optical mouse, the force - feedback version of the Mouseman Optical. Unfortunately I've yet to see this model here in Kuala Lumpur. Now that the technology has become more accessible to everybody, it's hard not to migrate to a ball-less mouse.

Logitech iFeel Mouse Optical		Logitech Mouseman Optical		Logitech Mouseman iFeel Optical
All mouse uses USB interface, with USB to PS/2 adapters included for the Wheelmouse & Mouseman Optical mouse. All mouse also includes the excellent Logitech Mouseman software, which allows the user to use a single driver for all Logitech's mouse & trackballs (except for the iFeel models), including the ball mouse.

	The Logitech Wheelmouse Optical.
The shape of the Logitech WheelMouse Optical is similar to Logitech's WheelMouse wireless offering. In my opinion, this mouse looks cool, & it's much better looking than the executive look that the Microsoft mice has. It's hard to miss this mouse on display in many shops around KL, the box has a blinking LED and is capable of catching the attention of anybody. & it's the only reason why I still keep it. The Logitech logo was designed in a raised rubber motive that is not easily scratched & looks very attractive too. Certainly scores high in the coolness factor. The bottom part of the mouse is in transparent red, with the Optical sensor glowing in bright red. The mouse has a feature that will make the sensor's light dim if the mouse has not moved in 2 seconds. Certainly a good feature if U can't bear the bright light at nite. And for those who keep their system running all the time, this sensor will turn off automatically in Suspend mode.

		The package includes the driver software (Logitech's Mouseware version 9.00), & a USB to PS/2 convertor. This is certainly useful for those who doesn't have USB ports in their PCs. Some of us, gamers especially, still prefer PS/2 interface so that they can adjust the polling rate for the mouse. You can do this using the Mouseware or the PS/2 Rate Plus. Unfortunately, my tests using PS/2 port revealed that even if you push the polling rate up to 200 reps/sec, the mouse will still report a maximum of 125 reps/sec. Using the USB interface will give yo a constant polling rate of 125 reps/sec. The Mouseman software allow for various tweaks & adjusments for the mouse.