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Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse by Logitech
Digital product summary informationManufacturer: Logitech Audio: English (Original Language) Model: 931633-0403 Color: Silver/Black Product features: - Bulk/Retail - Retail
- Connectivity - Cordless
- Button Count - 8 buttons
- Buttons -- 8
Digital camera reviews of Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air MouseDigital camera Review: Interesting concept... takes some getting used to. Summary: 4 StarsAs part of the Amazon Vine review program, I received a review unit of the Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse. This is one of those items that sounds interesting in concept, but it takes a bit of work to get comfortable with it. I definitely will keep and use it, especially in certain circumstances. But I don't know that it will replace the current optical mouse that I use...
The feature that sets the MX Air apart from other mice is the fact that it can function as both a desktop mouse and an "air" mouse. If you pick up the mouse and hold it like a remote control, you still have full control over the cursor activity on the screen. The left and right mouse buttons blend into the overall flow of the mouse design, and it takes just a slight amount of pressure to activate them. The mouse wheel, a feature I can't live without in a mouse, is replaced by a touch-sensitive strip that allows you to slide your finger up and down to get the screen to scroll. You can also press on the upper or lower range of the strip to get continuous scrolling. Underneath the touch strip are four buttons that are set to navigate back, navigate forward, start/stop video, and control the volume. The start/stop button also allows you to "freeze" the cursor on the screen so you can reposition your hand without having the cursor react.
When I first started using it as an air mouse, my cursor was all over the place. Any slight shake or tremor in your hand will, of course, show up as cursor movement. I found that trying to hit smaller targets on the screen wasn't exactly a piece of cake. I got better at it, but it's still not a natural sensation. Also, due to the strangeness of not resting your hand on the desk, the mouse wheel and buttons were a bit harder to control as you had to think about what you were doing. Again, it got better with use, but still isn't completely smooth yet. The fact that it can also be used as a regular desktop mouse is nice, in that you don't always have to be holding it. At that point, it starts to become a simple matter of whether it feels good in your hand. I've been a bit spoiled with my MX Revolution mouse, so I can't say that this would be my first choice to replace my normal desktop mouse.
Where the MX Air would really shine is during presentations. Just think... You could roam around a bit, have a real application up and running, and still maintain some level of control without having to bend over or sit down. Granted, keyboard input would still bring you back to your laptop, but other than that, you can interact much more freely with the audience. Given that I do present on occasion, this will likely become part of my techno travel bag. I just have to remember to practice with it occasionally, otherwise the effect on the screen could be more distracting than useful.
Summary of Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air MouseExplore your new media universe with a state-of-the-art mouse that's effortless to use - on your desk or in the air. On your desk, advanced laser technology gives you precise tracking and instant response. In the air, innovative Freespace motion sensing transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Sit back and listen to music, browse photos, or surf the Web - from your desk or across the room. The MX Air mouse is the perfect complement to your PC-based entertainment experience. The Logitech MX Air optical mouse tracks motion even after you lift it off the surface, making it great for home theater PC users and presentations. In the air, it works like a cross between a remote control and a wand as you simultaneously wave the mouse in all directions and press its buttons to navigate. It sounds wieldy to use, but I was able to get the hang of it within a few minutes. Holding the mouse in my palm like a remote control, the cursor ably followed my hand movement but it got a little tricky trying to hone in on smaller icons and button selections. Another issue was I'd often catch myself in an awkward hand position while still needing the cursor to go in a certain direction. But with the freeze button, I could hold the cursor steady and recenter my hand into a more comfortable position. For desktop use, optical sensitivity was comparable to other mice and picked up subtle movements, however the mouse did not have any side buttons that I am used to for back and forward browsing. The extra buttons (back, volume, play/pause) are placed in the middle of the mouse, which are easily accessible when you hold the mouse in the air, but not so much for desktop use because your palm sits directly over them. The SetPoint software can customize the buttons into functions that you may ordinarily use, such as copy and undo. I was also able to fine tune the cursor and scroll speed for even greater control. The mouse definitely stands out on your desktop, its sleek black design might fool you into thinking it's something else, but upon touch the buttons light up to display each function. The shiny plastic casing doesn't feel cheap, but the smoothed look seems prone to scratches. The mouse also tracked up dirt pretty easily within a few days of use, however a cleaning cloth is provided. The smooth design is conspicuously missing a scroll wheel. That's because that section of the mouse is a touch panel sensor where you directly slide your finger up and down. It's a surprisingly comfortable and natural feel, and you start to wonder how you ever got by with wheels. The rechargeable lithium ion battery typically provided about 20 hours of use. After placing the mouse onto the base charger, it took about two hours to reach a full charge. I was able to get a workable range of about 30 feet from the receiver before the signal went out. Overall, it's a nifty mouse that shows its stuff in the air, a convenient device for home theater PC's and couch browsing as well as a more versatile tool than a laser pointer in presentations. --Bradley Tran Pros: - Excellent range of up to about 30 feet
- Good battery life with fast recharging
- Stylish, black look with display lights
- Unique wheel-less scroll design
Cons: - Slight learning curve, requires a good deal of customization
- Button placement and selection
- Often needed to recenter hand position while in the air
- Not as accurate tracking movement in air than while on desktop
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