Logitech MX1000 Review - Logitech's MX Laser Engine and FastRF technology
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In most cases, the sensors have come so far that even cheap optical mice have unbelievable precision for those used to ball mice. However, "power" users always need more. If you do a lot of CAD work, precision means everything. Gamers, too, rejoice over any advantage to help them get one more kill shot.
And that's where two technologies in this MX1000 are going to help them. The first one is the "MX Laser Engine."
The problem with LED light is that it doesn't always return the clearest of pictures. On surfaces that are textured, or have non uniform patterns on them which can be picked up by the sensor, it works fine. The problem begins when you have something lacquered, or very smooth and uniform.
At one point I had a desk with a glass surface. It wasn't completely transparent, but instead had a smokey look to it. Obviously, the typical optical mouse had no idea what to make of it, so a mousepad was needed. I now have a lacquered woodgrain desk, which again, most optical mice can't make heads or tails of for whatever reason. The reflected light beam that the sensor received must have looked the same most of the time, because usually tracking is jumpy at best.
As I've moved through various mice, they've progressively gotten better, to the point where it's almost like they have a clue what they are doing now, without the pad underneath them. Logitech, and their partner in crime Agilent, have gone one step further. Instead of increasing the resolution of the sensor and processor alone, as has been done typically in the past, they improved the light source.
By moving to a laser, and the tightly controlled wavelength that comes with it, the sensor gets a much better reflected picture to send along to the processor. The laser allows for much more contrast to be apparent, which of course allows for structures and textures to be visible. Use your monitor as an example. When you turn down the contrast, everything starts to go dark and blur together. Turn it up, and suddenly features stand out much more.
The other part of the technology is getting that data from the processor to the USB hub, and on through the driver and finally to the screen. Continued from the MX700 is Logitech's FastRF technology. Why does that matter? Well, one of the reasons that cordless mice have not been a huge hit with gamers is because of the speed and responsiveness (or lack thereof) of the interface between the computer and the mouse. In games, reaction time is key to keep from getting schooled by an opponent.
Having a mouse that's precise but reacts slightly too late isn't a good way to keep people from throwing that mouse across the room. Which is why many have stuck to using input devices of the corded variety, as PS/2 and USB mice typically have had higher refresh rates as well as less latency. Logitech claims their FastRF wireless technology brings wireless mice up to speed with their tailed cousins. We'll have to see about that in subjective tests.
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