About Logitech
Logitech is a global provider of peripherals for computers and other digital platforms, and is headquartered in Switzerland. Logitech develops and markets many products for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers and webcams. Logitech also makes home and computer speakers, headphones, wireless audio devices, as well as audio devices for MP3 players and mobile phones. It is particularly well known for it’s computer mice, keyboards and webcams.
Logitech MX Revolution
The Logitech MX Revolution is a wireless laser mouse originally released in 2006 to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary. The Logitech MX Revolution was the first mouse to feature a free-spinning alloy scroll wheel, which allows continuous scrolling for several seconds with a single user action. There is a laptop equivalent, name the Logitech VX Revolution.
Logitech MX Revolution Features
The MX Revolution and VX Revolution are wireless USB 2.0 mice which operate on the 2.4 GHz band with an operating range of around (20–30 feet). It contains a rechargeable lithium battery and comes with a battery charger on which the mouse is mounted to charge when not in use. The Logitech MX Revolution battery is stored in an internal holder inside the MX Revolution, making it inaccessible and thus non-removable without voiding the warranty.
The mouse has four LEDs, which indicate battery state, and turn solid red in case of critical battery or flash red in case of a charging error. The optical sensor employs a small infrared laser (848 nm) and has a class leading sensitivity of 800 dpi.
Other features include single-button web search, a document quick-flip side wheel, and various ergonomic enhancements to improve comfort in prolonged usage. The mouse has a total of eleven buttons: left, right, middle (mouse wheel pressed inwards), another just below the middle, two buttons are activated by moving the mouse wheel left or right, two to the left side plus a three-way digital button which is shaped like a scroll wheel. All are programmable using the Logitech’s SetPoint application, but some functions can only be programmed by using a 3rd party SetPoint add-on called uberOptions.
The Logitech MX5500 was released in late January 2008. This package includes a Bluetooth-powered MX Revolution, a wireless Bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth receiver, which can be used as a Bluetooth hub for other devices.
Logitech MX Revolution Scroll wheel
The most significant new feature of the MX Revolution is the “hyper-scrolling” scroll wheel, which enables the scroll wheel to spin freely for several seconds, enabling rapid scrolling through long documents or spreadsheets. The design of the scroll wheel is a radical departure from existing scroll wheel designs. In order to maximize free-spin time, the MX Revolution employs a rubber-coated alloy wheel which weighs 14 grams, nearly seven times as much as conventional scroll wheels on mice. In order to maintain the feel of a lighter, conventional scroll wheel, the wheel is counterbalanced by a spring-based suspension system, which also allows the travel required for push-to-click operation as well as horizontal scrolling.
There are three ways to toggle between normal operation and “hyper-scrolling”:
- Clicking the scroll wheel (alternatively, mapping the hyper-scroll activation to a separate programmable mouse button achieves the same effect);
- Using included software to tie scroll wheel operation to specific applications;
- Auto-detection of rapid scrolling.
The transition between the different modes of operation is controlled by an internal switch which delivers current to a small DC motor. In the conventional mode of operation, the wheel’s motion is governed by the action of a small spring-mounted ratchet mechanism. When the switch is activated, the ratchet mechanism retracts, which allows your Logitech MX Revolution a free spin for up to seven seconds.