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 Electronics : Logitech Cordless MX Duo 967300-0403 |
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Rating:  - The Duo Is OK, But Rebates Are Slow
I've had this duo for about six months and they work rather well. The lack of cords is the best thing. I haven't had any problems with configuration or software. One thing that I noticed is you have to leave the mouse on charge a lot of the time. I needed a new combo and responded to a rebate coupon in the New York Times. The rebate finally arrived about five months later. So what else is new?
Rating:  - Great hardware, frustrating software
I purchased this combo as part of an entire new system I built. While the keyboard and mouse are well built, have great features, and are very comfortable to work with, I've had continued problems with the mouse and/or getting disabled due to some XP startup services (or the loading sequence of these startup services). Of course, since it's a cordless system, you're dead in the water the second both stop functioning, which makes troubleshooting pretty difficult!
In the end, I've at least been able to get it to work at >90% reliability, but I've had the set boxed up and ready to return several times out of frustration.
Rating: - Wireless has it's place...
I must say, this is a very slick set. The keyboard has a great feel and the wrist rest they give you really does help (if you have room). I previously owned a similar Logitech wired keyboard and mouse, which (unfortunately) broke due to excessive spilling of various liquids directly into the keys (the wired mouse still works). It did, however, have excellent drainage, so I decided to give them another shot, and splurged on the wireless.
I have been using the product for about 6 months now, and the keyboard is only on its second charge (using NiMH AA batteries). Kudos to Logitech on this one.
The mouse, on the other hand, seems to need a charge every few days. I am a college student, and I probably sit at my computer more than 6 hours a day. Even so, it's a bit of a pain when the red light starts blinking and you know you'll have to stop working soon to let it charge (thank god they give you a cradle!). I've had to go searching for an open computer lab on a few occasions because of imminent deadlines and a dead mouse. If you work at your computer in large blocks of time, you'll have to remember to put it on the cradle at the end of the day, or you'll be forced to wait for it to charge or find another mouse.
Ignoring these problems, it's a great mouse. I really appreciate the scroll buttons which will scroll through a 100+ page paper in a few seconds if you hold them down.
Another problem with this set is in the range: It only works within about 10 feet of the cradle, which only has a 3 foot cord. Why make a wireless keyboard that is still tethered by such a short range? The base is connected to wall power, so it's not limited by USB power capability, and thus has the potential for fairly high gain. I don't understand why the range is so short. This combo would be such a dynamite product if I could plop down on my couch in the SAME ROOM and play video games on my television. I can't. Makes me angry!! I've been considering buying an extension cable for the reciever, but I can't bring myself to buy an extension cable for a wireless keyboard!!
As far as doing it's job as a regular keyboard sitting on the desk, it's not too bad. Sometimes, though, it seems like it has a mind of its own, and will start missing letters I type. The mouse will also skip around from time to time. Mysteriously enough, it always goes back to normal when I move either item from the desk to my lap. This is puzzling, but probably has something to do with Interference. Not acceptable, in my opinion, seeing as it's inevitably going to be used near many electronic devices (computer, monitor, speakers).
Now that I'm finished pointing out weaknesses, I do have a friend with the exact same keyboard who hasn't had any problems with it. Also, I mentioned before that my last keyboard died due to spillage. This one won't suffer the same fate, simply because it is an independant unit which can be easily moved out of harm's way, unlike the wired version.
There are a lot of extra buttons and knobs on the keyboard. The only ones I personally use are the media controls, which are quite handy. Particularly useful is the rotating volume knob, for quick changes. The rest of the buttons I could live without.
Upshot: A good keyboard in spirit, but poorly executed. I just fail to see the point in spending all this money on a wireless keyboard which really doesn't do much more than its wired counterpart.
Addendum:
I realized later that the keyboard's strange behavior was being caused by the USB hub it was plugged into. After this was corrected, the keyboard works fine!
Rating: - great upgrade if you are still wired
Purchased the duo to replace a wired keyboard and an MS Wireless Intellimouse Explorer Optical mouse. The MX700 mouse is clearly a superior product. Fits the hand much better and is so much more responsive. The software is better too. The keyboard is fine. Most of the new buttons aren't much use, but the media player controls can be helpful if you like to use a media player while you work, chat etc. Fine quality and I actually did have to call the Tech Supp in setup. Nearly no wait and a helpful person on the other end. Great overall experience.
Rating: - Mostly good
I agree with all the other praise given by other reviewers.
I'm a heavy First Person Shooter game player and the mouse and keyboard work great with no noticable lag and great resolution (unlike the Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer I have - unplayable with games). I can notice a slight lag in the keyboard when typing long sentences (I type around 70WPM) but I'm not an author or anything so it doesn't bother me at all.
Unfortunately the mouse battery life is horrid. If you just use the charger included in the base expect to have to charge it every night and even then it might give out. I had to quit a couple of games because my mouse gave out even after being charged the night before. Luckily I solved the problem by using an external charger and my own 2000mAh batteries. With that combination it can last for a week easy without being charged and since I always keep 2 batteries on standby its easy to swap in a fresh set in less than a minute once the red light starts blinking. But for comparison, I can't even remember the last time I changed the batteries on my MS Wireless Intellimouse Explorer...
Another problem: The mouse does NOT work with my PS/2 KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch. The KVM emulates a regular 3-button mouse but the extra buttons on the MX700 throw off Windows which expects to only see 3 buttons. This causes phantom button presses and other wierd things to hapen. I solved the problem by just connecting the MX700 directly to the main computer and hooking up my old MS Intellimouse to my other computer. Also, the keyboard works fine through the switch.
Overall I'm very happy with my purchase, the lack of KVM functionality disappointed me at first but the precision and feel of the MX700 plus the ability to use the keyboard on my lap easily make up for the difference. If you can get over the sticker shock and battery replacement regimen, buy this combo and you won't be sorry.
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