Mice: MX500 skips, while IE3.0 does not?

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Floydian

Senior member
Dec 13, 1999
506
0
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Even my IE3.0 skipped on MANY different pads, right now I'm using a mousepad with a "lexan" surface that is easy to clean, it's actually a where's waldo ? mousepad, and has worked the best next to my cloth pad :p

I'm using PS/2... <scared of usb>
 

MrCoyote

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,001
5
81
Okay it started freaking out again today, so this time I quickly grabbed a white piece of paper and put it underneath. The mouse started working fine. I emailed Logitech, and they said it could be defective and to return it. But I doubt that. It's probably skipping because of my dark mousepad. I'll have to try another mousepad.
 

marks70

Senior member
Apr 20, 2000
611
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I just received the MX-500 as a gift, and I'm having the EXACT same problem. Seems to work fine for a little while, then it will start freaking out, moving erratically, skipping, etc., and then goes back to normal. I exchanged it for another one, and its doing the same thing. When I put the mouse on a blank piece of paper, it seems to work perfectly fine, however, it doesn't scroll anywhere near as smooth as on my mousepad. My Logitech Dual Optical never had a problem, and yes I've got the latest Logitech drivers installed. I can't believe Logitech doesn't have this problem stated anywhere on their website, and I haven't read about it much anywhere else. I guess despite the "new and improved" optical lens/engine on the MX-500, its considerably pickier about the mousepad its used on.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
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I've still yet to notice any skipping with this mousepad. I've thrown every surface I have at it and no problems. Tried on my wood desk, my bed (dark blue sheets), a few books, white pieces of paper, a metal CD binder I have, and the thing I use most, my Surface 1030..
 

joeryu

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2000
1,678
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i just retired my IE 3.0 for an mx 500...and im loving it. i love the feel of the mouse the most.
i do have one question though, is the red light on the bottom supposed to become darker when u pick up the mouse upside down (like it did with all my previous microsoft optical mice) or does it stay lit bright red? juss wonderin since this mouse seems to be popular...
 

Junin

Member
Sep 15, 2002
96
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I never installed the Mouseware. Some pretty crappy software, there.
My MX500 works perfectly. I use the USB port and a fUnc 1030 surface.
 

MrCoyote

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,001
5
81
The red light does stay on bright all the time. I never notice it dim.
I found out what the problem is with my 3M pad and my mouse skipping. I have the 3M pad that has a picture of space & stars. Right in the middle of the pad is a medium-sized white star. The rest of the pad is darker colors. I'm one of those users who sometimes picks up the mouse to reposition it on the pad. If I pick it up, and put it down right on top of the "white star", after it has been sitting in a dark place on the pad, the mouse starts jittering and freaking out.

If I then pick it up , and reposition it on a darker spot, it returns to normal. So apparently, the mouse has issues in detecting the surface, if you pick it up and move it from a dark, to a light colored portion of the mousepad. Or vice-versa.

 

Ilmater

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2002
7,516
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This reply is directed at all of those that ridicule me when I recommend the IE 3.0a, and especially to those that ridiculed Cat for not using the Mouseware drivers (are you listening Sudheer Anne?):

1) I have never heard of mice that NEEDED their drivers to be installed for the sensor to work properly. Ever. I wouldn't call someone an idiot for expecting their mice to work like every other mouse.

2) I'm tired of saying it, but not so tired that I can't say it one more time. I don't care what you Logitech lovers say, this only reaffirms what every review I've ever read all say: while the MX mice work on most surfaces, there are a few surfaces where they won't work on and the IE 3.0a will, however, there are zero surfaces that the MX mice will work on that the IE 3.0a won't. Hey, I hate M$ as much as the next guy, but I wouldn't put Linux on a system for my parents' computer. If an M$ product is the best product on the market, it's the one I recommend.

I only have one question: why in the world did you buy an MX500 when the IE 3.0 was working just fine?
 

DeRusto

Golden Member
May 31, 2002
1,249
0
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I for one, never install the drivers for my mouse...they suck, at least the Logitech ones.

I may be a Logitech-fanboy for saying this but, I also like the feel of most Logitech mice over Microsoft offerings. I also like Logitech because they aren't Microsoft, so why not;)
 

RanDum72

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2001
4,330
0
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Using a 3M PMS.

Yu can use the MX500 with any mousepad EXCEPT the 3M. I had the same mousepad before and my MX500 dances around like a drunk college girl with it:).
 

nickname1

Member
Aug 5, 2001
39
0
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I have a plain grey mousepad and a mx500, never had an issue. I had a MS Wireless Explorer mouse and I think my Logitech MX5 blows it away, it seems to "feel" more accurate, and I think I would be lost without the two scroll buttons around the scroll wheel. I miss them on every other mouse I use. I don't like the smooth scroll wheel though.