reviewsTESTED. REVIEWED. VERDICTIZED
90 MA XIMUMPC DECEMBER 2005
L
ogitech’s monopoly on the Agilent
laser-powered optical-mouse sensor
has finally expired, and as a result,
we’re starting to see more laser mice from
other companies, as well as expanded offer-
ings from Logitech, who needs to keep up
with the new competition.
This is where the Razer Copperhead
and the Logitech MX610 enter. Both use
the 2000dpi laser sensor, which tracks on
nearly any surface and delivers ultra-smooth
performance. The Copperhead is Razer’s
response to Logitech’s G5 gaming mouse
(reviewed last month), and Logitech’s MX610
is designed for more general-purpose use.
While both mice performed reasonably well,
both also revealed some nasty flaws.
—WILL SMITHLOGITECH MX610
Wouldn’t it be nice to have some little status
lights that let you know when you’ve received
an email or an instant message, without hav-
ing to actually wake your computer from its
Standby slumber? We think so, and appar-
ently so does Logitech, because that’s one of
the features of its MX610.
This 2.4GHz cordless laser-sensor mouse
uses the same uber-precise technology as
Razer’s Copperhead, and the results are pre-
dictably the same. The only difference is thebattery-saving sleep feature,
which puts the mouse in a sleep
mode after a few seconds of
non-use, and causes a slight, but
perceptible lag when you first
move the rodent. Frankly, we’d
rather have a less aggressive bat-
tery saver and use rechargeable
batteries instead.
The MX610 has the same
body shape as the G5, but
adds a much-needed second
thumb button in addition to the
email, IM, and volume-adjust-
ment buttons. It’s comfortable
in your right hand, but lefties
will want a different mouse.
Our big gripe is that the
email and IM lights work with a
frustratingly short list of apps—
Outlook, Outlook Express, Yahoo IM, MSN
Messenger, and Windows Messenger. Not
only are other popular clients missing—why
no Thunderbird or Trillian?—but the IM noti-
fier doesn’t work with the most popular IM
client of all, AIM! That’s just silly!RAZER COPPERHEAD
The nitwit who thought that updating firmware
on a mouse was a good thing should be kicked
in the groin. Hard. Updating firmware is a nec-
essary evil that’s only acceptable for complex
devices whose functionality need change over
time, not simple devices like a mouse.
It’s a good thing Razer included the
ability to update the firmware, though,
because out of the box, the mouse just
ain’t right. Using the shipping firmware,
you have to unplug and reconnect the
mouse every time you power on your
computer, to get the device working. After
a firmware update, the mouse still isn’t
recognized by Razer’s configuration soft-
ware when there’s more than one mouseconnected to the PC, but at least Windows
detects it without any shenanigans.
Performance is virtually identical to the
Logitech G5. Tracking proved razor-sharp on
every surface we tested, including surfaces
such as glass and black metal, which would
make most optical mice beg for mercy. And
we like Razer’s sensitivity-shifting software
much better than its previous attempts.
Instead of scrolling the mouse wheel to
determine sensitivity—which sounds like a
good idea on paper, but doesn’t work well in
practice because it’s difficult to hit the setting
you expect—the Copperhead has a series of
detents at different sensitivities.
We’re not thrilled with the physical shape
of this mouse. While we appreciate that it’s
ambidextrous, and we like the oversize main
buttons, we wish the “thumb” buttons on
either side were placed higher on the mouse,
so as to be more easy to use, particularly by
the pinky and ring finger.
You can purchase the ProTools kit to add
weight to your Copperhead, but the kit costs
extra, and using it voids your warranty.Mousing Mumbo Jumbo
Two laser-powered mice promise more than they can deliver
The Razer Copperhead uses a state-of-the-art laser sen-
sor, but great performance can’t make up for its devas-
tating flaws.Don’t expect to use the Logitech
MX610’s fancy instant-message notifica-
tion light if you use AOL IM or Trillian. $0, http://www.rAZerZone.comRAZER COPPERHEADMICE
Great tracking; nice
ambidextrous design and
sensitivity adjustment.
RATS^3
Adding weight voids warranty;
firmware update required; no tilt wheel.$0, http://www.loGitech.comLOGITECH MX6102.4GHZ
Great range and good per-
formance from laser sensor;
cheap for wireless.
2.4HZ^5
Rechargeable batteries would
be nice; IM and email lights work with
just five apps.