Logitech VX Revolution Wireless Mouse Review

Package Content & Compatibility
The VX Revolution is compatible with Windows XP and Vista as well as Mac OSX 10.2.8 - 10.4.7. No older versions of Windows are supported. The package contents are as follows:

- Logitech VX Revolution mouse
- 2.4 GHz micro-receiver
- Logitech SetPoint software CD
- User's guide
- AA Battery
- 3-year limited warranty

Ergonomic Design & Storable Receiver
Like the vast majority of mice from Logitech, the VX Revolution is a right hand only mouse. A lefty could use it, but the buttons are situated in a way that makes left handed use awkward. You can also change the mapping of the buttons to suit your needs in the SetPoint software.

The VX Revolution is sized perfectly for a portable mouse. Not so small that it feels like a child's toy in your hand, and not so big that it is hard to find storage space in your laptop bag. I would say it is about ¾ the size of the MX Revolution.

One of the coolest things about the VX Revolution is the storable micro-receiver. When you are ready to pack up the mouse and be on your way, you simply remove the USB receiver from your USB port and slip it into the little slot on the rear of the VX Revolution.

When you insert the receiver into the mouse body, it automatically turns the VX off to save battery power and make one less step for you to have to remember to do when it's time to go. When you are ready to work again you press the eject button on the bottom of the VX and the receiver is ejected for you to use. The ejection process also turns the mouse on automatically.

One-Touch Search
The VX has the one-touch search feature just like its cousin the MX Revolution. To use the one touch search feature you simply highlight a word you want to search on the page or in a document and click the one-touch search button under the scroll wheel.

You can choose to search for the word via Google, Yahoo! And Yahoo! Live Words. Also just like the MX I found the one-touch search feature to return some less than ideal results that do little to define the word in question if that's what you are trying to do. I again wished one of the search choices was a site like Dictionary.com.

Free-Wheel Scroll
I again very much enjoy the free-wheel scroll feature of the VX Revolution. However, in the VX the feature is not nearly as easy to use as it is on the MX Revolution. This is due to the fact that to change between free-wheel and ratchet scroll modes; you have to flick a switch on the bottom of the mouse rather than simply clicking the scroll wheel.

I also found that like the MX Revolution, the free-wheel scroll mode wouldn't work on all web pages. On some pages the scroll simply refused to work. I could pick the mouse up, turn it over and flick the switch from free-wheel to ratchet mode and scroll away. It is odd that the feature doesn't always work. You can change the speed at which the scroll functions work within the SetPoint software.

On the VX clicking the scroll wheel activates the task switching application, like the MX's document quick flip button. You can also press the scroll wheel left and right to activate the side scrolling function.

High-resolution Zoom & Laser Engine
Situated on the right side of the VX for use with your thumb is a zoom control. You can use the feature to zoom in and out on photos, spreadsheets and document. It works very well and was quite handy when editing photos.

The laser engine of the VX Revolution is very accurate and put the pointer exactly where you want it. The VX was every bit as accurate as the MX when it came to real-world use. I would put the sensitivity of the mouse at about 800 DPI, though I don't know what Logitech's official rating is.

The dpi resolution was not mentioned in the specs on the Logitech site. It felt basically the same as the MX Revolution, and well down on sensitivity to mice like the Razer copperhead and Logitech G5 and G7 series mice. That said, the VX is not aimed at gamers at all and the sensitivity works well for typical computer use.

You can change the speed of the cursor, which is very similar to changing the sensitivity, so if you want faster cursor movement with less hand movement needed, you can set that in the SetPoint software.

Forward & Back Buttons
Located to the side and further back on the VX from the zoom control is the two buttons mapped by default to web navigation forward and back. They are positioned for use with your right thumb and are very useful. They can also be mapped to other functions and keystrokes via the SetPoint 3 software.

Connectivity, Range & Battery Life
Unlike the MX Revolution, the VX Revolution doesn't use a rechargeable battery. Rather it uses a standard AA battery to power itself. In a mouse destined to be used on the go, this is a great decision by Logitech.

If you are on the road and your mouse battery goes dead, you can simply replace the old AA battery with a fresh one. AA batteries are like roaches, they are everywhere. I can hardly think of a place most of use would be using a laptop that we couldn't find a new AA if we needed it.

Battery life is superb on the VX Revolution. I am working on a bit over one months use on one single AA battery. Granted, I don't use my laptop all the time, if you do you will no doubt find shorter battery life than I have seen. At any rate, battery life is very good.

Logitech provides a battery life meter on the left side of the VX Revolution just like they do for the rechargeable MX revolution, which is a nice touch. With the battery level indicator, you should not have a problem getting caught with a dead battery.

As for the range, I could use the mouse from well across the room without any issues, the range is as good as the MX Revolution easily. The VX also was able to track on a variety of surfaces with no problems. I used it on my wood dinner table, the arm of my couch, my pant leg and my mouse pad with no issues at all.

Connectivity, Range & Battery Life
I found the VX Revolution to be very comfortable in my hand. While it is smaller than the desktop mice I am used to using, it didn't feel like I was going to break it. It's large enough to be comfortable and provide good mousing feel while being small enough to store easily for transportation. The shape and feel of the mouse is very much like the Logitech G5 in a smaller package.

Verdict
Logitech bills the VX Revolution as the ultimate notebook mouse, and they are correct. Not only is the VX Revolution a fantastic notebook mouse, it is better than may of the desktop mice on the market. The VX is very functional, size well and has great battery life. The VX Revolution just made the other notebook mice obsolete.

By Shane McGlaun, Contributing Editor