Logitech MX5000 Wireless Keyboard and Laser Mouse Review (pics)

by Daniel Stubbs

The Logitech MX5000 package includes the Logitech MX1000 wireless laser mouse, wireless keyboard with LCD readout and a wireless USB dongle that provides the Bluetooth connectivity between your peripherals and laptop. The MX5000 package is Logitech's high-end offering for wireless keyboard and mouse technology. Following is a full review of this product.

Included in the MX500 package is the keyboard, laser mouse, wireless connect dongle and mouse charger unit

Included with purchase of MX5000 Wireless Desktop set:

• MX 5000 keyboard for Bluetooth
• MX 1000 Laser mouse for Bluetooth
• USB Bluetooth mini-receiver
• Rapid-charging base station with AC adapter
• 4 AA alkaline batteries
• CD with software, comfort guidelines and Help Center
• Quick Start Guide
• Three-year limited warranty

MX1000 Laser mouse:

The MX1000 mouse is absolutely amazing! The Bluetooth version of the Logitech MX1000 wireless mouse that can be bought as its own separate product is actually the same in every way as the mouse included with this MX5000 package. The color on top of the mouse is gray, in the older version of this mouse it was more of a blue (the MX700). This mouse can be used as a gaming mouse as it has amazing response, precision, comfort, and enough buttons to match anything you could dream up. Some included buttons are: forward and backwards browser buttons, scroll wheel, a paste button, and a zoom button (this button is great for Photoshop fans). And for those interested in benchmark numbers, I'm getting a refresh rate of 82-98 Hz (this is a very good rate for a Bluetooth mouse, and any wireless mouse for that matter). As a comparison, the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth 2.0 gets a refresh rate of only 41-54 Hz. Remember, a mouse with laser tracking = more accurate mousing.

MX5000 Keyboard:

What can I say? It's another keyboard. The keys are of a soft-touch type and less clickety-click than Logitech keyboards used to be. There's a sleep mode so if you don't hit any keys for over 30-seconds then keyboard sleeps and then when you hit a key it takes about a half-second to register while the keyboard "wakes up". The time for sleep mode to kick in seemed kind of short, but it's designed so to help save the battery life (keyboard requires 4 AA batteries). There's an LCD screen to provide feedback on keyboard status, it's okay if not slightly gimmicky, it would be better if I were a multimedia or messenger junkie. The touch area of the keyboard I find hard to use and is not properly set up for most quick set applications (in my case Dell's QuickSet). To increase the volume there's a touch sensitive slide controller, but it takes multiple "strokes" of the finger to get volume up or down all the way, a scroll wheel for volume would have been better.

I had a problem with the keyboard right out of the box. Upon a single press of a key it would register multiple presses. So for instance, if I'm trying to type in www.google.com I would sometimes but not always get www.ggggggggggggoogle.com. I called Logitech and told them about this issue, so they told me to take the batteries out and type on the keyboard for 2 minutes (all the while looking like an idiot). I rebooted my computer and tried using the keyboard again, but the problem persisted. I'll be calling Logitech back again soon, and they will be telling me to go back to the store for an exchange I know. Rather frustrating, oh well.

Mini Receiver (Bluetooth Wireless Dongle):

The mini receiver has a connect button, which really reduces the headache of going through your OS to search for a connection. You simply plug this receiver into your USB port (after installing the drivers and setup software) and then the hit the raised connect button on the receiver to allow you to connect to the mouse and keyboard. The mini receiver only works with the keyboard and mouse peripherals, you cannot connect it your favorite Bluetooth enabled cell phone or anything like that.

An important thing to note is that the mouse and keyboard will work flawlessly without the Bluetooth receiver they give you if you have Bluetooth built-in to your notebook. But if you do this, you won't get certain readings on your keyboard LCD display such as current room temperature (the receiver has a built-in thermometer that feeds this back to the keyboard) messenger, user name, time and date. You have to use the dongle for all of these features to work properly, plus you can't change any settings without the dongle plugged in and the peripherals connected to it. In my opinion this wasn't a smart move on Logitech's part because a lot more people are moving to internal Blue tooth on laptops. For Windows XP users: use the dongle and mouse + keyboard in together. For Linux users, use internal Bluetooth if you have it as the software and drivers for this MX5000 set do not work in Linux yet. I actually found the repeating key problem on the keyboard was not as big a problem when using Linux (I use Linux Kubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger).

Rating:

Wireless LaserMouse: 10/10 This mouse is simply amazing!

Wireless Keyboard: 5/10 While this keyboard was comfortable and had lots of features and buttons, the touch sensitive area is anything but fantastic (it's hard to use and when it comes to changing the volume it is not synced with anything but Windows XP volume manager). The keyboard side of this set was designed specifically for Windows XP, all nice and dandy, but I use Linux most of the time and it is not supported.

Conclusion

So do I think the set is worth $150? No, but no mouse and keyboard are unless they are gold plated. This is the high-end Logitech offering for a wireless keyboard and mouse though so you expect to pay a bit more. They make a good product and need to make money, so you cannot argue with that.

Should you buy this? I would wait until the price goes down or you can find it on sale. Right now the keyboard is not as spiffy as they say and in my case has problems with key repeating, and cannot be used for playing games. If you have$150 to spend and really, really want this set for the mouse and the Keyboard's flaws do not bother you, then yes, buy it.

Pricing and Availability: Logitech MX5000 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, Logitech MX1000 Laser Mouse

 

Nice review Delvien.

Yeah, I'm looking at getting a new keyboard and mouse for my desktop (you know you need a new keyboard when you push down a key and it stays there ), and this was on my list of canidates.

Agreed - $150 is very expensive and not worth it. I have the MX1000 laser mouse right now. That is an excellent mouse, works for everything. But, I can't see how the keyboard paired with it in this combo is anything special, just as you confirmed in your review. LCD screen looks useless for the most part, a gimmick as you said.

Anyways, thanks for the article.

 

hey Delvien, you're not the only one I've heard as being dissapointed with the keyboard but praising the mouse. In particular, the touch sensitive areas on the keyboard such as volume control do seem to get knocked as being hard to use. Seems maybe just the Mx1000 mouse is a good buy on its own, good luck with getting the keyboard issue resolved -- or just with storing the keyboard somewhere and not using it!

thanks for the contribution.

 

I use it in linux no problem, the only reason i boot to windows is to play games, which i cant play with this keyboard.. Have to use my old itouch Logitech keyboard, which is white ugly, and very dirty

 

I've got a few things to contest that are written in the review.

1) Everything CAN work without the supplied dongle, and on internal bluetooth of any system. I'm using the Setpoint software on my W3V right now, and the keyboard is showing me that I'm playing media, BT - Communicate (a song), and that my ambient temperature is 23. All the media keys work, and all the additional buttons on the mouse work also. Perhaps following this post can be your guide. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=29356&page=2&pp=17

2) since I'm not using the Dongle on my laptop, I've plugged the dongle to my desktop, so that I can bluetooth sync my phone to my desktop... that works quite well too! along with Bluetooth Headset, and my Ipaq activesync via bluetooth.

 

add to above.. Please see logitech documentation:

http://www.logitech.com/lang/pdf/bluetooth/installing_uninstalling_logitech_bt.pdf

quote: I have a computer with Bluetooth built-in. What should I do?
You should not have two different Bluetooth stacks and antenna running on the same
computer, as this not compatible with the Logitech configuration.
If the Logitech installer detects an existing Bluetooth stack, it does not install the stack included
in the SetPoint software. In this case, the Logitech wireless hub acts as an access point for the
Logitech mouse, keyboard and MediaPad2, giving them full functionality. The Logitech wireless
hub will provide an access point for other Bluetooth devices only if WIDCOMM® or Microsoft
stacks are available.
However, to fully enable the Logitech wireless hub and enjoy all of its features, we recommend
that you check your version of your Bluetooth software, and look for an upgrade from your
computer manufacturer. In many cases a recent version of your Bluetooth software will be
compatible with the Logitech products.
Can I use my existing Bluetooth support?
Wondering whether you should use your Bluetooth® support with the Logitech wireless hub?
Current Logitech products support the following Bluetooth® software (stacks):
• WIDCOMM® Bluetooth® software.
• Microsoft® Windows® XP SP2 Bluetooth® stack.
• Dell® Bluetooth® software, delivered by WIDCOMM.



My computer has Bluetooth support built-in. What should I do?
If your computer has Bluetooth support built-in, then:
1 Install the latest version of Bluetooth software, which is available on the website of your
computer’s manufacturer.
2 Plug in your Logitech wireless hub.
3 Install the Logitech SetPoint software.
4 Unplug your Logitech wireless hub.
If the installation is successful, then your Bluetooth support is compatible… enjoy all the
features! You can now use your Bluetooth devices without plugging in the Logitech wireless hub.
Remember to charge your mouse.



If you don't have one of the compatible stacks, follow my guide above and install one

other than that, Good review!

cheers,

Mike

 

Well that could be the problem with the Setpoint software, but the keyboard doesnt work well anyway. Im not interested in putting that much work into an broken OS like XP. hehe All i do is plug in the dongle anyhow.

 

I didn't find the lag on the keyboard too too bad... although getting out of sleepmode does suck. I play BF2 a lot, and I haven't found any problems with using it at all. My concern is that the reviews we write affect potential consumers, and stating that "you won't get certain readings on your keyboard LCD display", and that "you cannot connect it your favorite Bluetooth enabled cell phone or anything like that", would sway people from buying a product that IMO is well worth the price because of exactly those 2 reasons. Yes, Logitech setpoint software sucks, and yes, they really need to revamp the installation procedure, but with a little effort, the keyboard and mouse do work 100%, without any loss of functionality. Yes, 150 is a lot to spend on a keyboard/mouse. I shopped around, found it at a local retailer for 157 CDN. Staples was carrying the mx1000 cordless RF mouse for 117. Lets do the math on that.

USB Bluetooth 1.2 dongle from IOGear or whoever = 69.99CDN
MX1000 Logitech Cordless Laser mouse = 117.99CDN
total 187.98, and we havent' said anything about a keyboard yet.


For 157CDN, I got the same mx1000 mouse, but Bluetooth so no annoying dongle out of the side of my laptop, I got a USB Bluetooth 2.0 EDR Dongle so now my desktop gets Bluetooth too, and then as a bonus, I get a keyboard to save the wear on my laptop keyboard while I'm at home, that even lets me know with a beep that I have email, or a friend msgs me on msn, tells me what the room temp is, and lets me pick playlists, and tells me what songs I'm playing. Is the LCD a gimmick? For sure! Will I use it? nah... but hey, as per the math, it was a free gift!

 

The point in writing a review is to inform a potential buyer about product information that traditional marketing doesnt tell them. My review was to inform thats all. I did not say anything that was not true. btw you cannot connect your favorite cell phone or pda to the reciever but it can pass through the Keyboard, it serves as a gateway so to speak.

 

Uhmmm... I have my Moto RAZR, and my Ipaq 2210 linked to my Desktop PC right now... the only bluetooth device on my desktop PC is that Bluetooth dongle from the mx5000 kit.

Yes, the purpose of a review is to inform potential buyers about the products, but you're MISinforming them. If you're going to take the time to review something, be thorough. Don't make comments like "Im not interested in putting that much work into an broken OS like XP. hehe All i do is plug in the dongle anyhow." Research it, be informed, and certainly don't take turn away knowledge from others that are just trying to help you out, along with the rest of the people reading the review. Fact is that you state the keyboard/mouse combo don't do certain things when in fact it does. Instead of taking an aggressive approach, you could just say kewl, I didn't know that, or I didn't go that indepth, let me add that to the review, and everyone would be aware of all the capabilities of the mx5000.

 

What is said is said. He wrote the review as he saw fit, and I don't see a problem with it. People have different opinions - that is the basis of many reviews. Everybody has their own, so respect the difference.

It is you that should consider saying something such as, "Let me also add..." instead of, "You should have done...". So keep this civil.

 

If you read my last post i said any bluetooth device can be used with the keyboard. I could not connect a bluetooth device to the dongle alone, But again you have the fixed stack. So while this might be true for you. It isnt for others. Other than that i dont know. I gave the best knowledge i knew at that time. Don't bite my head off.

 

I'm not trying to bite your head off at all and I'm sorry that you feel I am.
Just trying to give you all the sides. It's technically Logitech's screwup with their setpoint software, but there are workarounds, so perhaps you could add the fact that it's "Possible" to have full functionality to your review.

Cheers,


Mike

 

Well the only problem with that is if we say that and people buy the product and it doesnt work for them, it creates distrust in reviews people write here. So better to not say anything, than say something that isnt true for everyone. And The mods and admins at the site or me for that matter do not want to get into having to support the claims of a review.