Logitech New Mouse Range Goes Back to the Future

Calculation Speed

As for responsiveness, it's the capture speed and analytic ability that determine the result. Not only does the mouse need to take a maximum number of shots in a given amount of time, but it also needs to be able to interpret and compare them at breakneck speed. Logitech had achieved 5,350 shots a second using the MX sensor. This didn't break the record, which is held by Microsoft's mice with more than 6,000 shots a second. On the other hand, this figure only counts if it is combined with a high image quality produced by the sensor, which itself is also determined by the quality of the optics, so it gets more complicated.

The MXs were the most responsive mice. Here again, Razer took us by surprise. Its sensor that produces a mere 2,300 shots a second doesn't stop the Viper from being as reactive as an MX. Razer claims that in any case it isn't possible to process more than 2,000 shots a second and that this is merely a statistic used as a marketing ploy. This is going to be the subject of a hot debate, because that is just where the improvement lies in the MX510 - in the speed and processing. It has moved up to 6,400 images a second and the bus has increased from 8 to 12 bits so as to be able to process a larger amount of data simultaneously. So, who's telling the truth? Only a practical test will tell.

The Controversy About Resolution

Another yardstick is used to sow confusion in users' minds and the number of emails I have gotten after the last two articles I wrote on this subject has led me to take a more cautious approach in my explanation. For those who are interested, this is a new way of tackling the complex problem of resolution. As for everyone else, you can skip this bit and go on to the next page. The CPI or "count per inch" determines the number of coordinate measurements of which the mouse is capable over a specified distance. It should be understood that this is a different measurement from the previous ones. Increasing the CPI is not synonymous with greater accuracy. To represent the CPI more simply, it is enough to say that the higher the figure, the shorter the distance covered by the mouse on the desk in relation to the screen. To complicate matters further, screen resolution will obviously affect this parameter. At 1600 x 1200, for example, at 400 CPI the mouse physically covers five centimeters (two inches) to cross the screen from right to left. At 800 CPI, it will only need 2.5 centimeters (one inch). The user will get the impression of having a faster mouse.