Entered CNET Catalog: 07/07/2007
SKU: 0097855043214
Manufacturer: Logitech Inc.
Manufacturer description
Explore your new media universe with a state-of-the-art mouse that's effortless to use - on your desk or in the air. On your desk, advanced laser technology gives you precise tracking and instant response. In the air, innovative Freespace motion sensing transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Sit back and listen to music, browse photos, or surf the Web - from your desk or across the room. The MX Air mouse is the perfect complement to your PC-based entertainment experience.Product summary
The good: Media-friendly features in a gyroscopic mouse; extra sensors always know that up is up, even if the mouse is turned sideways.
The bad: No trigger for gyroscopic mode may make it difficult for beginners to use; gyroscopic mice in general are an acquired taste.
The bottom line: The gyroscopic mouse finally gets a mainstream makeover with the Logitech MX Air, aimed at Media Center users.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 07/12/2007
There are a lot of reasons why you may want to move your mousing out of the standard 2D, flat-on-the-desk mode. For computer users with persistent hand and arm pain caused by poor ergonomics or repetitive motion (sometimes called mouse arm), gyroscopic mice like those in the Gyration line have been good solutions, letting users lift the mouse up off the table and control the cursor by moving the mouse through the air. Later on, home theater enthusiasts also discovered gyroscopic mice, and these devices have become a popular, if not exactly common, choice for controlling the functions of a Media Center PC from the living room couch.
The MX Air is aimed clearly at the home theater market. Besides left and right mouse buttons and a touch-sensitive scroll panel (replacing a traditional scroll wheel), the mouse includes a dedicated Play/Pause button that works in most media-playing apps, and a volume button. When the mouse is on a desk, the Volume button mutes and unmutes the sound. When you pick up the mouse in your hand, hold down the Volume button and move the mouse to the left or right, and a volume meter will pop up on the screen, allowing you to raise and lower the volume with a wave of the hand. Logitech's included driver software lets you reprogram these buttons as well.
The mouse has a built-in rechargeable battery, and sits in a small recharging dock when not in use. A tiny RF receiver, about the size of a USB memory key, plugs into a USB port on your system.
With other gyroscopic mice, if you hold the mouse sideways and move your hand up, the cursor will still go sideways. We especially liked the extra sensors in the MX Air, which forced the cursor to move in the direction we moved our hand, no matter the physical orientation of the mouse. One feature we missed, however, was an underside trigger, common on the Gyration mice, which could be used to freeze the cursor while the mouse is in the air. It makes for much more precise movement, especially when trying to click onscreen buttons. Instead, the MX Air offers the option of an oversize cursor while the mouse is in the air, making it easier to see and control.
It takes a good 24 to 48 hours to get used to, but trying out a gyroscopic mouse can be an eye-opening experiment for any desktop or laptop user.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8out of 8 user reviews
Stuck in the pad because of the cheap-slip surfaces.
Pros: Construction is cheap and high price.
Cons: Construction is cheap and high price.
out of 8 user reviews
Love this thing!!!
Pros: This product does exactly what the company said it would. A perfect performer.
Cons: Somewhat pricey. Must recharge instead of replaceable battery, but battery life seems pretty good so far. Has a "back" button, but no "forward" button.
out of 8 user reviews
best ergonomic mouse
Pros: the mouse that dont need a table, works best with my injured shoulder
Cons: needs to get used to, battery drains pertty quick
out of 8 user reviews
Flawless. Best mouse I've ever used.
Pros: Light, awesome design, easy to use, rechargeable, comfortable on both on-desk and in-air modes, a breeze to start using (for beginners with air mice), etc., etc.
Cons: I have none so far. Haven't had the time to test the battery. For those with big hands, it might just be a bit on the tiny side.
I had never used an in-air mouse before. Installing was a breeze. On the desk it performs just a little better than my as-of-today old mouse (I own other logitech wireless rechargeable mouse). In air, it is very intuitive and it just switches to 'air mode' automatically.
Now that I've tried it, I wouln't trade if for anything. Great product from Logitech, a company that has gained my trust over the years.
out of 8 user reviews
Yes, there is a Freeze Button
Pros: Freeze Option, In Air Operation, Media Center Integration, Rechargeable, Cordless, Charging Base
Cons: None that I can see.
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out of 8 user reviews
I am deadly in love with this mouse,
Pros: easy to use, precise, confortable shape, design, and the air techonology
Cons: price for sure, the the fast scroll arrows are to far one of each other
First of all it is a beauty. The shape is so elegant, didn't saw something similar on any other mouse.Of course the shape is dictated by the fact that MX Air is also working on air not only on your mousepad.
The mouse is so easy to use on desktop, just plug the usb in the PC and is working.
Some complains are about the scroll which is not a scroll wheel but a smooth surface where you slide your fingers and is not so easy to use like the classic wheel. You can get used with it in few days, no more then a week.
The arrows for fast scrolling are a little bit to far away one from each other so in the begging I spent a little to much time to find them.
The Hyperscroll is a little bit to faster but you can adjust that from the SetPoint software.(take care of inertia scrolling)
When you take it up in air is simple amazing.
Very precise and fun to use is simply turn you pc in a multimedia center with all you need at your finger tips.
Don't do the same mistake I did and use it in your hand like a mouse when is in the air.
You will have to find the most weird hand and body positions to move it.
Handle it like a remote control and it will work perfectly.
Using it for a longer period in AIR mode will exhaust the battery faster.
Don't forget to set it off when you don't use it.
Will double the life of the battery.
In the end I must say that I have never been so happy with a mouse (and is not the first wireless mouse I have)or any other computer device so far.
Price is big but believe me you will love it.
out of 8 user reviews
Best mouse used yet
Pros: Looks, battery life and cool factor
Cons: Price and it takes some time to get used to in the air
out of 8 user reviews
If you are used to the Gyration air mouse, this will be a problem
Pros: Overall functionality is OK
Cons: Lack of a cursor trigger button is a major deficit
Updated on Jan 23, 2009Pressing the back button for two seconds is hardly a usable substitute for an instantaneous move/lock button on the Gyration mice. Plus, it is exactly opposite from the way it should work, it should be normally "frozen" and move when you hold the move button. This is far more like a regular "table" mouse. You don't have to order your optical mouse to "not move" on the desk. That is very counter-intuitive. This doesn't change my opinion. If you have used a Gyration mouse for a while you will have a hard time adjusting to the Logitech air mouse.
