Installation

As with Logitech's other mice, installation is fairly simple. You can install the MouseWare software, then shutdown your computer, change mice, and then boot up. Upon boot up, the MouseWare software will tell you that it's detected the MX500 mouse and prompt you to setup the mouse. Because, perhaps, the mouse has eight buttons, and eight buttons makes for a substantial amount of first-time configuration, this setup automatically assigns the default functions to the MX500 right after clicking the initial "Next" button, and then you're done! As I said before, I downloaded the latest version of MouseWare from Logitech's site, and used that instead of the version on the CD. As Logitech is quite rigorous in updating their MouseWare, fixing problems and adding new features, you'll do best to check their website for an updated version of MouseWare as well.

Initial setup.

Default configuration applied.

Every button can be customized.

The MX500 supports either a USB or PS/2 interface (with the use of an adapter), and I suggest the use of the PS/2 port, if possible, which is likely. Not only does this free up a USB port for another device that may be USB-only, but if you don't use the PS/2 mouse port on your computer, what will? Adding to that is the fact that when used as a USB device, the MX500 can only have a max refresh rate of 125Hz, due to the polling limits of the USB interface, if I am correct. With MouseWare, you can adjust the PS/2 polling rate up to 200Hz - so there are no ill effects from using the PS/2 port, and in fact, the use of the PS/2 port may even be better from a precision standpoint! (Just for the record, if put on the spot, I don't think I could tell the difference between a 100Hz and 200Hz refresh rate, but the difference between the PS/2 default of 40Hz and 100Hz is readily apparent.)

Once the mouse has been setup/installed, you can adjust any of the eight buttons' functions to your liking. Just with the default button assignments, there is room for adjustment. For example, the Cruise Control buttons, which act like the down/up arrow keys when used to scroll through a web page, can be adjusted in speed or sensitivity. I found the default configuration to be quite useful, especially the thumb buttons, which are used to go back/forward in your web browser.

PS/2 rate can be set up to 200Hz.

MouseWare 9.76 was used.

Button configuration.

There are almost too many options for each button to be set to, and definitely too many to list here. Among some of the more useful ones are "Minimize All", "Start", "Run...", and several keyboard commands like the functions keys, [Enter], [Ctrl] and [Delete], among others. The Application/Program Selector button is unique to the MX mice, so that feature deserves special attention. It's basically an Alt-Tab of sorts, but you only need to press one button, and don't need to hold it down to keep the menu of running programs up. The menu itself is a little more verbose than the Alt-Tab list, and you simply click the program you wish to switch to. You can even use the wheel to select from the list. Overall it's a useful feature, but one that'll take time to get used to, no doubt.

Available button configurations are extensive.

Application Quick Switch function.

MouseWare Advanced Settings Utility.

Lastly, Logitech has recently put up a new utility on their website for configuration of your Logitech mouse, to be used in conjunction with MouseWare. This program adjusts registry settings that mostly relate to gaming with your mouse, and does not run in the background like MouseWare itself does - once you click OK, changes are saved in the registry, and that's it. This utility allows you to adjust a number of useful options. You can turn off accelerations on the mouse speed when games are run, undoubtedly a useful thing to do, and adjust a few other features. You can read about what all the options adjust in Logitech's document here.

Testing

I've been using this mouse for close to three weeks - not a really long period of time, but during this time the MX500 has replaced the mouse on my main PC. I really do love it that much. I've used it for everything, from regular desktop usage such as web browsing and document/image manipulation, to extended gaming sessions with Desert Combat for BF1942, Unreal Tournament 2003, Splinter Cell and MoH:AA, my steady gaming pastime. The resolution during most of these tests was 1280x1024.

As I said before, this mouse took next to no time to get accustomed to. The side rubber grips and shape felt like the perfect combination, and the thumb buttons were well within reach without being in the way. The main mouse buttons had the Logitech feel to them - they did not have too much play and had a firm response. The wheel had about just the right amount of resistance, and wasn't prone to accidental scrolling movements when depressing it as a button. The wheel provided nice feedback, but wasn't noisy, I found. During usage, I could not get the mouse to reproduce the twitch effect - no matter how fast I jerked it in unnatural tests, it did not seem to indicate erratic cursor movement. Score one for the MX engine! The accuracy and precision of the MX500 are by far the best I've seen in a mouse - any mouse. Though it may seem like I have been writing a prose version of "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways", about the MX500, there are a few quirks, related to button placement that I must address. Firstly, the Cruise Control buttons, one above the wheel and one below, can be hard to use. The "down" one isn't too hard to hit, but the "up" one, being beyond the wheel, is a little hard to reach, and for me, I must somewhat move my hand to press it. The Application Switcher button, being just behind the "down" cruise control button, is also a little harder to press, but this may change with familiarization.

Another issue I have to address is that of the wheel usage in games. If you've been reading around a lot, especially with the popularity of the MX series of mice, the problem of the wheels on Logitech mice not working properly in games when MouseWare is installed should not be new to you. Indeed, this has been a big turn off - to use the extra buttons, you need MouseWare; but what good is it when it makes the wheel nothing but a button in games? Indeed, the problem was linked to MouseWare replacing the native scroll wheel messages with scrollbar up/down messages in order to make the wheel scroll with all programs. This, however, rendered it useless in games in terms of input, as most games were designed to look for native scroll wheel messages. Logitech has had an option of using only native scroll wheel messages in their MouseWare for some time, and this or a registry file fix usually worked. But Logitech has finally gotten it right once and for all with the latest version of MouseWare. This time, the wheel is configured to send *only* native scroll wheel messages, and this cannot be changed, and should alleviate the problem of wheels not working in games. Additionally, MouseWare also detects when games are running by looking for Direct Input and/or OpenGL usage, and then disables special button assignments so that your mouse buttons will work as standard buttons, for better usage in your games. For example, you may have the thumb buttons set to forward/back when you're browsing the web, but when you launch UT2003, these buttons will appear just as mouse button 4 and 5 to the game.

I'm happy to report that with MouseWare 9.76, and without having to adjust anything using the advanced utility, games worked great! UT2003, in particular, has been of concern to some, and I can tell you that the wheel worked great in this game, along with five mouse buttons - left, right, middle (wheel button) and the two thumb buttons. The Cruise Control and App. Selector button did not work, and will not work unless you perform the workaround Logitech details here. Just as a little test, I set the PS/2 refresh rate to 200Hz, and gave the MX500 a quick run around to check the actual refresh rate - it turned out to be around 192-193Hz. Impressive!

Mouse Rate Checker.

Conclusion

The MX500 surpassed my expectations. I was merely expecting the next MouseMan-like mouse, with a right hands-only design that lacked much beyond that, but instead I was astounded by the comforting design and ability to use five mouse buttons in-game. The accuracy was equal to or better than any other mouse's I've used, and I truly believe the MX Optical Engine has lived up to its hype. The advantages here are clear: The MX500 is an unhindered optical mouse that by nature requires minimal maintenance for optimal performance. If you're a gamer, or even if you're not a gamer, the MX500 will be for you. It works well in any situation, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it - as long as you mouse with your right hand, perhaps the MX500's only real downer.

Pros

• Very accurate; no erratic cursor movement
• 8 buttons!
• Extremely comfortable design
• Nice rubber-like side grips
• Thumb indentation fits great
• Thumb buttons easy to use
• Mouseware has a wide range of options, and functions well with games
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Right hands only
• Cruise Control buttons a little hard to get used to
• Application Selector button is somewhat out of the way

Lastly, I want to thank Logitech for providing the MX500 for review. Thanks guys!

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