Logitech v450 Notebook Mouse Review and Comparison to v200

Logitech V200 VS. V450 Notebook Mouse Review

Logitech, for many years, has created top quality mice among other things. Currently their best portable notebook mouse is the v450, which only recently came out. Having used the ever-reliable v200 for quite some time now, I decided to try out the new v450.

v200 on the left, v450 on the right (view large image)

Similar Overall Specifications:

• PC and MAC compatible
• Cordless/storable USB 2.4 GHz receiver
• USB operated
• Left and Right hand usage
• 4-Way scroll Panel
• Estimated 1-year battery life
• Low battery life warning
• 3-year warranty

(Very few) Different Specifications

Logitechv450	Logitechv200
- Laser tracking	- Invisible light optical tracking
- Rubberized side grips	- Plastic construction
- Really really small micro receiver	- Small micro receiver
- $49.99	- $39.99

As you can see, both mice are very similar to each other. They even use the same Logitech SetPoint software. Both come with 2 AA batteries, an installation guide, and a pretty reliable 3-year warranty. However, both mice aren't the same as you will know why very soon...

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The packaging on these mice is really great. They have perforated outlines that allow you to easily open them from the back (no scissors required)

Design

v200 on the left, v450 on the right (view large image)

The Logitech v450 looks rather different from the more traditional looking v200. Whereas the v200 looks like, well, a mouse, the v450 was created with more ergonomics in mind. It has a curvy shape, with more contoured bodylines to accommodate the placement of your hand and has slightly indented grooves for your fingers. The mouse buttons are seamless and give the mouse a more stylish and flowing look.

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Like the v200, the top part of the mouse is made of plastic, but has rubber side grips that make the mouse feel better constructed -- adding to the very sturdy feel both devices have. As for colors, the v200 comes in black, blue, red, and silver while the v450 comes only in a silver and black mix. Some other countries actually have a charcoal and black mixed v450 available, but this is not so in the US.

v450 below (view large image)

v450 on the right (view large image)

The v200 is longer than the v450 but the v450 is a bit wider.

v200 on the left, v450 on the far right, a regular Logitech mouse in the middle for size comparison (view large image)

Since both mice are intended for mobility, they are smaller than your average size mouse. Some people with big hands might not like the v450 or the v200 so you should try it before you buy it.

Usage

Both mice are plug and play devices. There is no button to press to connect the mice to the USB receiver. After using both mice, I really can't say there is a difference between the invisible optical technology and the laser technology. Maybe there is a slight difference when playing games with the mice but then again, notebook mice aren't really that great for gaming anyway. Overall, both tracking technologies seem great and they work on almost all surfaces.

SetPoint software (view large image)

The SetPoint software that both mice come with is really useful. You can check the status of your battery life and configure all the buttons on the mouse. The side-to-side scroll wheel is really helpful in that it can be set to go back and forward on websites. Both mice have the same amount of buttons and you can only configure them and check their battery lives with the SetPoint software but you do not need the software to use the mice.

v200 on the top, v450 on the bottom (view large image)

v200 on the top, v450 on the bottom (view large image)

bottom view of v450 with receiver going into storage slot (view large image)

bottom view of v450 with receiver snapped in for storage(view large image)

One of the important differences between the v200 and the v450 is that the v450's USB receiver actually goes into the mouse and does not stick out while the v200's USB receiver is snapped onto the bottom of the mouse. The v200's receiver is easy to knock off when you put it in a bag to travel, which can waste battery life. Initially I found that the v450's receiver actually fit too snugly into the mouse and was hard to take out, but after a while the receiver got a little looser and is now a little easier to take out of the mouse.

Both mice turn off when the USB receiver is put in/on them, but the v450 has an on/off button on the bottom of the mouse that allows you to turn it off even without the USB receiver inside it.

v450 receiver is the smaller one on top (view large image)

here you can see how much smaller the v450 receiver is (view large image)

Another major difference between the v200 and the v450 is that the v450 has a smaller USB receiver, which doesn't protrude as much when plugged into a laptop. It is the tiniest little thing I have ever seen.

Both wireless USB 2.4 GHz receivers work past five meters. In testing the v450 goes about a meter more, but that could just be because of newer batteries. Either way, five meters is more than adequate for a wireless mouse designed for a notebook.

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Both mice hold 2 AA batteries. You are able to open the v200 just by sliding the top cover down. This can be a problem if it accidentally opens in a laptop bag. The v450 actually has a button (circled in red) that releases the battery cover, which makes it immune to accidental openings.

Here's a comparison of the mice size to a human foot, look at that tan line! (view large image)

All in All

I must say, Logitech really made two great notebook mice that beat anything else out there. Some differences between the v200 and the v450 make the v450 a bit better overall. But if you don't want to spend that much on a notebook mouse, the v200 is still great.

General Pros and Cons Pros -- v200

• Good response/tracking
• Good USB receiver range
• Easy to install (so easy, why do they even include directions...)
• 1-year battery life

Cons -- v200

• Can accidentally open the cover of the battery compartment
• Can accidentally knock off the USB receiver when it is on the mouse, wasting battery life.

Pros -- v450

• Includes all the same pros as the v200
• Ergonomic design/Rubber side grips
• USB receiver slides into the mouse
• On/off button
• Battery cover release button

Cons -- v450

• USB receiver is hard to take out of the mouse (in the first week of use)
• I Wish they had the charcoal/black color in the US

 

Very nice and timely too as I was in the market for a portable mice like the v450. A quick question is how long will the battery last since it's not rechargeable, thanks!

 

V450 is looking right up my alley, thanks for the review mjlee60!

 

Hey. Battery life is stated to be 1 year for both. I dont know how long the v450 lasts since i have had it for a few weeks now but the v200 does last about a year. hope that helps.

 

I still love my V500.
Looks so much sexier than this bulky new version.
I hope they will release a bluetooth V500 soon.

 

Have to disagree.

The V450 has sporadic tracking and feels flimsy.

The V200 feels solid and responsive and precise.

I've also got the V500 and indeed it's coolest looking
and is on par with the V200 for precise response,
but the scrolling device really sucks.

 

When you talk about the "scrolling device", do you mean the wheel on the top of the mouse or the tracking mechanism on the bottom?

 

The V200 is an awesome mouse for people who need something to use other than the trackpad(like poor college students like me ). It does what is says it does: Be a mouse. Works flawlessly in gaming(HALO; sniping people is perfect!). The USB dongle is in a precarious position that can possibly fall off, but havent had that happen yet. The v450 will be a possible upgrade for me in the the longrun.

 

Fred:
I used the phrase " scrolling device " because it's hard to explain exactly what it is on the V500. It's definitely not a wheel, it's supposed to take the place of a scrolling wheel. It's sorta like a 3rd mouse button in the middle of the mouse but it doesn't depress like a mouse button. You slide your index finger to and fro and sideways to mimic the action on a regular mouse wheel. I find that it doesn't work as well as regular wheel.

 

Is the foot available wireless too

 

I purchased this mouse couple of weeks ago and I think it's an excellent mouse. The only con is that I set the left scroll button as back button and sometimes when I clicked the middle button (automatic scroll), it also click the back button. Besides that con, it's a very nice mouse to have.

 

I just got the V450 and I'm thoroughly displeased with it, because of a major problem.

It has BLIND SPOTS not even two feet away from the computer and the only way to avoid it is to put the receiver on the same side as the mouse, but when I do that, the receiver gets in the way of my arm as well as risk my USB port from being damaged from being bumped.

I have Logitech's cheapest cordless mouse, Cordless Optical Mouse Mini and it doesn't have any wiring spot.

A cordless mouse with dead spots to me is like a car that looks very nice and works very well, except the engine.

 

hey i think you may possible just have a bad mouse. you should probably get it exchanged.

 

I have a V200, and a V470 and yesterday received the V450 Nano to use with Acer One. It was DOA. Don't know if the problem was the mouse or the receiver. Troubleshooting was completed on two notebooks and one desktop before I conceeded the V450 was defective.

One thing that has surprised me is that the V200 tracks better than V470, at least in my use.
Also, V200 is better build quality than V470, and V470 better than V450 IMO.

 

V200 is the way to go...