I bought a Microsoft wireless optical mouse last summer. It died. Huge. The stupid piece of junk didn’t even last a year and I couldn’t find the receipt. So annoyed beyond recognition, I ran to the computer store - on a very limited budget - to find a mouse that would at least get me through until I could get another wireless.
At the $39 price point (remember I’m talking Canadian funds) I faced the following choice: No-name wireless, or name brand wired? Despite how much I’ve heard people gripe about the low quality of Logitech mouse drivers, I pounced on the Logitech MX310. It matched the colour scheme of my computer and… how bad could it be?
My initial impressions when I first opened the box a few months ago, summed up in one word: CHEAP! I’ve had more than a few Logitech pointing devices in my life, and I can honestly say that this thing feels like a piece of crap in your hand. Flip it over on it’s belly and it looks even cheaper. I can’t really explain why it looks so crappy, but it does. It looks like they took a mouse chassis from another mouse and stuck an optical sensor in it. I guess that’s the best way to put it.
The Microsoft drivers uninstalled easy enough, and the Logitech drivers went in without a fuss. One of the things I liked about this mouse when I got it was all the buttons. They’re not nearly as customizable as I’d hoped. And the task switch button is nearly useless. I’ve tried to use it, but my fingers are just too used to ALT-TAB. It’s also in a very inconvenint and unergonimic location.
It tracks well. It seems to have a very good sensor in it, and that - really - seems to be it’s only truly positive characteristic. I like a fast mouse. Most mice - including all the Microsoft products I’ve owned - I’ve set at the maximum speed. Maximum on the MX310 is too fast for me.
And let’s get back to the drivers. The default functions of the left and right buttons on the left and right sides of the mouse are web browser forward and back. For some reason I can’t figure out… this stupid thing forgets the button assignments from time to time. The only way to get them back is to double click on the mouse icon in the system tray and reconfigure the mouse. Boo hiss. Crappy programming. Way to go, Logitech.
I admit… I chose this mouse - for the most part - because it was a name brand unit and out of spite for the expensive Microsoft unit that lasted less than a year. But they won’t get another dime of my money. This is without question the worst of all the optical mice I’ve used.
I think my next purchase will be one of these. Matt has one and loves it. But I think I’m going for either “black leather” or the new “night vision” colour. I’m not sure which colour he has.
Overall Rating: **