Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse

by Logitech

Product Details

Supplementary Guide [324kb PDF]

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Data Sheet [63kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006HZ0K
• Item model number: 930763-0403
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (144 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 29, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Logitech's MX500 features MX Optical Engine tracking technology that lets you mouse however and wherever you want, faster, and with great response. A new benchmark in optical systems combines high resolution and high frame rate to achieve superior performance, including an 800 dpi sensor for unparalleled accuracy.

Logitech has also added eight programmable buttons, including the innovative Cruise Control scrolling system, to give you a superior blend of power and convenience, especially in long documents or Web pages. The Quick Switch program selector lets you switch between active programs and documents easily, while two thumb buttons let you easily move forward or back between pages on the Internet. The mouse's sleek, contoured shape fits snugly in your right hand.

Product Description

Logitech MX 500 - Mouse - optical - 3 button(s) - wired - PS/2, USB

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Benefits outweigh the flaws, November 17, 2002

By 

S. Klender "sklender" (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse (Personal Computers)

I've been using the MX500 for a couple of weeks now as my primary mouse at home, and I'm overall happy with it. I chose the wired MX500 over the wireless MX700 because I didn't want yet another thing (rechargeable base station) taking up an outlet on an already overtaxed powerstrip. Plus, I like the ability to just yank the USB cable and pop it over to another computer.

Pros
---------------

*** Great ergonomic design ***
I was a little hesitant of the deep side groove for your thumb, but it acts as a wonderful little shelf. The rubberized paint keeps the thumb from slipping.

*** Precision ***
No problem at all; works as advertised. It would be hard to go back to the old rollerball mice.

*** Buttons ***
Yes, there are a lot of buttons. And yes, I find that I click all of them, even the seldom-used Forward button.

The two side buttons (Back and Forward) are well positioned for thumb operation, and they offer a nice tactile feel. I found that I would sometimes accidentally hit the Back button on my MS Intellimouse; this seldom if ever happens with this mouse.

The all-in-one piece for the Left and Right Click also works great. I have larger hands and I like how these two buttons extend longer to accommodate my fingers.

The Auto Scroll Up and Down buttons have also become mainstays in my mousing habits. There are really only two problems with them (one software, one design) listed below.

Though less useful, I do find myself using the Application Switcher Button periodically. But the old Alt+Tab habit is hard to break. ;-)

The Scroll Wheel/Button has a decent feel to the spin and click. But unlike the Intellimouse, it is not grooved. It's smooth like an old tire inner tube.

*** Software ***
Incorporates into the Mouse Control Panel. The device comes with a logical scheme right out of the box, but you can customize any of the buttons to your whim.

*** Aesthetics ***
I know color doesn't do anything to enhance usage, but I like how the black and silver matches my laptop.

Cons
---------------

*** Buttons ***
The oft used Auto Scroll Down button is located between the Scroll Wheel and the Application Switcher. I too often find myself clicking on the Application Switcher when I meant to scroll down. A possible workaround is to disable the Application Switcher or assign Auto Scroll Down to it. But I haven't done that yet since I want to see if the Application Switcher gains more value over time.

This is the only real hardware problem with the mouse. They could further improve on the design by giving the smooth surfaced Scroll Wheel the grooved texture found in Intellimouse.

*** Software ***
The software isn't as intuitive or universal as the MS Intellimouse. For example, I'm not sure if you can customize mouse behavior per application. I use Mozilla for some of my internet browsing, and I liked how I could Middle Click (the Scroll Wheel) and have it open a new tab. However, I only get the Software Auto Scroll with this function.

And the Auto Scroll - either the buttons or the mouse-movement variety - is not as smooth as the MS software. It seems to jerk line-by-line instead of scrolling smooth. This is not horrible, but it does take some getting used to.

*** Price ***
This mouse is a tad pricier than comparable offerings. But it is also brand new and will certainly drop down in price.

Conclusion
---------------

I use the MX500 at home and an MS Intellimouse Explorer at work, and I can honestly say that I would rather have the MX500 also at work. Minor flaws aside, I find myself looking for those few extra buttons at work. And the overall ergonomic shape of the MX500 wins hands down, something that truly surprised me. Logitech did some serious human factors work when sculpting. The MX500 was a good purchase!

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent mouse!!!, April 29, 2003

By 

"dpuppy" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse (Personal Computers)

For the gamers out there this is how to get the mouse working with games (I wish they mentioned this in their manual).
1) Go to the logitech website
2) Download the latest version of their MouseWare software
3) Download the advanced MouseWare software (it's on the same page)
4) install both and on the advanced mouseware properties/software there is an option for the mouse software to recognize when games are being played.

**This will allow you to use the full buttons of your mouse for games**. If you don't install the latest MouseWare etc.. you will probably not be able to use the full range of buttons on your mouse for games.

This mouse rocks!!

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Mouse - Highly Recommended, October 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse (Personal Computers)

I received my MX-500 a few days ago, and I was blown away at the difference between this and my previous mouse (a MS Intellimouse Optical). First, I appreciate the ergonomic feel - not being a lefty, I have no sympathy and relish the curves that fit my hand perfectly now. The rubberized feel of the sides allows for a good comfortable grip and tends to minimize slipping. The wheel accelerates well, and has enough resistance that you aren't going to scroll all over the page with the flick of a finger. The app switching button is only marginally useful, as are the buttons for "super-fast" scrolling above and below the wheel. The back and forward buttons are perfectly placed, however, and I have gotten back into the habit of using them for browsing. The tracking is the key feature of the mouse, however. Not a blip. Ever. I TRIED to make it skip by moving as fast as I could over my pad. Couldn't do it. Absolutely accurate. Also, the mouse is very stylish, and the matte black and silver go together well. The drivers are fine; I haven't had any problems, though they are a little un-configurable (I would have liked to make my app switching button Hide instead). Overall, I think this mouse is well worth the price, and I would certainly have paid more; a HUGE improvement over my old mouse, which had difficulty scrolling and couldn't browse files well.