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87 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bluetooth Bundle - Logitech May Have Done It Right This Time!, February 3, 2008
I have been a fan of Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combos for several years, and have owned nearly every new model they have come out with. My family has three computers, and all of them get used several hours a day, so I replace they keyboards and mice quite regularly. Logitech has always impressed me with their RF combo models, which have a great range and an extremely reliable signal. However, recently Logitech started dabbling with Bluetooth, and I have been disappointed with them for doing so. When the MX 5000 desktop combo was first released, I was quick to snag one immediately. It took me over two hours, and several reinstallations of the SetPoint software in order to get the combo to work. I encountered similar frustrations when I purchased the diNovo Laser combo for my wife's PC. Both of these keyboard/mouse combos use Bluetooth wireless to communicate with the PC, and both have proven to be extremely unreliable and frustrating to use. Many of the problems involved keystrokes not being recognized, sluggish mouse response, or even one of the devices losing connection entirely; requiring device reset or a complete reboot of the computer. I recently replaced both the MX 5000 and diNovo combos with Logitech's RF model MX 3200, which works flawlessly, and I swore that I would never buy a Bluetooth wireless desktop combo from Logitech again. Well, when I saw that Logitech was releasing a combo that offered the MX Revolution mouse, I just had to have it. You can imagine how disappointed I was to see that Logitech had decided to make this a Bluetooth set. Why would they do this? After all of the problems people have had with recent Bluetooth models, and all of the complaints that have been posted all over the net, I Should think that Logitech would have learned their lesson! Yet I had hope that maybe Logitech had learned from their mistakes and had improved the design and communication of this new model. I decided to order the MX 5500, as soon as it was released, and I have been using mine for the past few days. So far I am VERY impressed.
Installing the MX 5500 system was far better than my previous experience with Logitech Bluetooth combos. As recommended by Logitech, I first uninstalled my previous SetPoint installation and rebooted the computer. I still found that I had to use my MX 3200 keyboard and mouse to let logged into my computer, as Windows had still not detected the new Bluetooth dongle (included with the MX 5500) I had inserted into a USB port. Once I was logged into my Windows account it popped up a message saying that new hardware had been detected. Windows first sees it as a USB hub, and soon installs a two new HID devices, one for the keyboard and one for the mouse. I was then able to remove my 2.4GHz RF dongle for the MX 3200 combo, and my new MX 5500 was working just fine. This is BEFORE I reinstalled the SetPoint software! Logitech has found a way to pair the MX 5500 devices at the factory, to make it easier to install your new devices. This improvement alone won some big points with me. I then proceeded to install the included SetPoint 4.24 software, included with the MX 5500 combo. Installation was a breeze and a Bluetooth Connection Assistant soon popped up on the screen. It showed that the MX Revolution mouse was connected but that the keyboard was not. As the Connection Assistant suggested, I pushed the little red "Connect" button, located on the bottom of the keyboard, and was soon prompted to enter a 4-digit PIN number from the keyboard. After completing these simple steps my keyboard was successfully connected, and both the keyboard and mouse have remained connected every since.
I spent some time customizing the features of my new MX 5500, which can take a while since there are so many possibilities with this combo. The so-called backlit 2.95- x .79-inch LCD on the keyboard is very nice. This display can be toggled to several different modes, including time/date, media (shows artist name, song title, and progress bar), temperature, ABCD "favorites" key assignments, key counter, and e-mail inbox. Very impressive is the fact that the LCD updates quite quickly, when you receive a new e-mail or start playing a music track. This LCD also displays information like Caps Lock status, calculator, volume level, mute indicator, low battery warning, etc. The LCD is not really backlit, persé, but rather has a type of reflective property that shows up really well (if you have enough ambient light in the room).
I will not go on about every feature of this desktop combo. Most everyone will have already heard of (or used) the Logitech MX Revolution wireless laser mouse. The only change made to MX Revolution, from the original, is the change from 2.4GHz RF to Bluetooth. For a complete review of the new MX 5500 wireless keyboard/mouse combo, please look here:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,2252551,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532
As mentioned before, I have never been impressed by Logitech Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combos. In fact, I have not been impressed with Bluetooth technology as a whole. RF seems far more reliable and works at much greater distances. Bluetooth is OK for cell phone headsets but I have never thought of it as a sensible wireless technology for keyboards, mice, or anything else in my home. I am happy to say that Logitech has changed my mind, and has proven to me that this technology can work in a home or office setting. They now use Bluetooth 2.0 technology and claim a range of 30 feet. I have tested both the mouse and keyboard at a range of roughly 16 feet and they continue to work very well. My only complaints are as follows:
- Scrolling feature on mouse sometimes hesitates, but eventually smooths out.
- Caluculator button on keyboard uses keyboard LCD as a calculator, rather than bringing up the Windows calculator.
- Keyboard volume controls use LCD to display volume level, and the level indicated is not very accurate.
- No included USB extension cable and/or desktop Bluetooth receiver (they just give you a USB dongle).
Other than these small complaints, I am very happy with my new MX 5500 wireless keyboard/mouse combo. It appears that Logitech got it right this time. I am still not a big fan of Bluetooth technology, but the MX 5500 may potentially change my outlook altogether. One little thing to mention, the Bluetooth USB dongle that Logitech gives you should really not be plugged into the back of a PC, but rather out in front or preferably up on the desktop itself. I would suggest using a USB extension cable. Logitech should have included one with the MX 5500 kit. In fact, I am using the little USB cable and stand that Logitech included with the MX 3200 RF combo kit. Why they didn't include one of these with the MX 5500 is anybody's guess. So if you are considering the MX 5500 for youself, but have been holding back because of the troubled Bluetooth problems from previous models, I can honestly tell you that my experience has been wonderful and trouble free. At over $160, this combo is not for everyone. But if you have been waiting, as I have, for a wireless combo that includes the fabulous MX Revolution laser mouse, then order up the MX 5500 today and try it for yourself. I think Logitech has really done it right this time! =o)
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not a real upgrade from the MX5000, March 20, 2008
I have been using Logitech products for many years and have always found them to be of the highest quality and innovation. However, I was somewhat disappointed with MX5500 Desktop. I base this on a direct comparison with the MX5000 Desktop which this product is designed to replace.
The Keyboard: The MX5500 keyboard doesn't really improve on the MX5000 keyboard. The display is smaller and you have to scroll to access some features that are included in the main MX5000 display. The section of the MX5500 that contains the display is raised higher than the MX5000 which makes the keyboard taller. In my case, with the legs extended, the top of the keyboard rubbed against the bottom of my desktop. (My desk has a slide out keyboard platform. I would expect folks with similar arangements or who use keyboard drawers to have the same problem.) In general,the MX5500 keyboard feels lighter and less substantial than the MX5000. I think the silver/blue and black colors of the MX5000 make for a "classier" appearance. I also prefer the detachable wrist rest on the MX5000 (a concern if space is a consideration.) In a nod to the MX5500, I do not miss the touch sentitive keys for Zoom and Volume control on the MX5000.
The Mouse: I absolutely love the scroll wheel on the MX Revolution Mouse! That said, I much prefer the shape of the MX1000 Laser mouse that comes with the MX5000 Desktop. For me, it just feels more comfortable and is less fatiguing to use over extended periods. With the exception of the scroll wheel operation and search button on the MX Revolution, the mice are functionally identical. Additionally, the time between charges is longer with the MX1000 Laser mouse.
The Bluetooth Connection: Much has been written about the issues (drop outs, mouse lag) with the Bluetooth connection on the MX5000 Desktop. These have been corrected with firmware updates and the later releases of the Setpoint software. I fould no such issues with the MX5500 and consider the two equal in this area. Both units use the same BT 2.0 dongle.
In Summary: The MX5500 is a good product. I just don't see it as an advance over the MX5000. I would recommend purchasing the MX5000 while you can - it is less expensive (plus a $40 rebate!), does just about everything the MX5500 does and has a better display. In my case, I returned the MX5500 and ordered another MX5000 to have in case the one I am using breaks (and before they are no longer available). Of course, all opinions are subjective - your mileage may vary.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best keyboard and mouse I have ever used., March 20, 2008
About 9 months ago I bought a large LCD screen TV for my living room and hooked up my computer from the next room to it. So I needed a keyboard and mouse to control the computer from the living room, about 25 feet away with a wall in between. I needed a bluetooth keyboard & mouse combo and purchased the Logitech MX5000. Eventhough it worked, it had a lot flaws. It would often disconnect. Mouse would jump all over the place. Keys would repeat itself. I looked around for alternatives, but could not find anything until recently.
Logitech 5500 looks almost identical to the previous model, but with substantial improvements. I do not have any of the problems I encountered with the MX5000. Keyboard and mouse have a very good feel to it. I am very pleased with this model, I highly reccomend this MX5500 to everyone.
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