Logitech MX Revolution

Logitech MX Revolution

The Logitech MX Revolution is a wireless laser mouse manufactured by Logitech and released in 2006 in celebration of the company's 25th anniversary. The MX Revolution is the first mouse to feature a free-spinning alloy scroll wheel,^{[citation needed]} which allows continuous scrolling for several seconds with a single user action. The Logitech VX Revolution is the equivalent product intended for laptop use.

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 6–9 m (20–30 ft). It has a rechargeable lithium battery and includes a battery charger on which the mouse is mounted. Earlier revisions of the mouse have the L-LY11 battery which has three wire leads that connects to the mainboard. On later revisions, the almost identical L-LL11 battery is used (it has three surface contacts instead of leads), which is the same removable battery used in the G7, but is stored in an internal holder inside the MX Revolution, making it inaccessible and thus non-removable. The mouse also has four LEDs which indicate battery state, and turn 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) with an advertised sensitivity of 800 dpi.

Other features include single-button web search, a document quick-flip side wheel, and ergonomic enhancements. 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 of them 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. The package includes a Bluetooth-powered MX Revolution, a wireless Bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth receiver which works as a Bluetooth hub for other devices as well. According to Logitech's website, the keyboard uses AA alkaline batteries, and the package includes four.^[1]

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 all-polymer scroll wheels.^[2] 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 and horizontal scrolling.

There are three ways to toggle between normal operation and "hyper-scrolling": (1) clicking the scroll wheel (alternatively, mapping the hyper-scroll activation to a separate programmable mouse button achieves the same effect), (2) using included software to tie scroll wheel operation to specific applications, (3) auto-detection of rapid scrolling. The transition between the two 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, allowing a free spin for up to seven seconds.^[3]

See also

• Logitech VX Revolution

References

1. ^ Logitech MX5500 Overview and specifications at logitech.com
2. ^ Logitech Innovation Brief
3. ^ 31 October 2006, The Engineer Online (UK) retrieved 29 Mar 2007

External links

• Logitech MX Revolution site