Reviewer: Andy Mason (Warthog)
Product: Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks
Manufacturer: Logitech
Price: MSRP - $69.00

Not long after I purchased my first desktop home computer I was channel surfing and stumbled upon a most intriguing show on TechTV featuring a kindly gentleman explaining the complexities of personal computing in layman’s terms. He was even taking calls from viewers at home and answering questions on the fly. I owe much of my early computer education to Leo Laporte and his co-workers at Call for Help and The Screensavers.

But I also blame Leo and his cohorts for planting the seed of tech-envy in my heart. Day after day I watched as they paraded the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos before my eyes and I began to develop the “I-just–gotta-have-one-of-those-for-my-own” mentality. In fact, the very first computer peripheral purchase I made for my home setup was a Logitech® Cordless iTouch keyboard and mouse . . . just like Leo used on Call for Help. I loved that keyboard. It served my needs for many years until I decided to upgrade to one of Logitech’s newer keyboard/mouse combos. I have owned three Logitech wireless keyboards and four Logitech wireless mice over the years. They have all been solid devices and continue to function to this day! Tech-envy is the only reason I ditched one Logitech keyboard/mouse for another. Thanks, again, Leo!

I was offered a Logitech® VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for notebooks and I jumped at the chance to review it. Admittedly I entered this review a little biased but, why wouldn’t I? From my personal experience, Logitech has a track record of producing solid peripheral devices. Did Logitech produce yet another winner with the VX Nano? Let’s find out…..

What’s in the box:

· Logitech® VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks

· 2.4 GHz Nano-receiver

· Logitech® SetPoint™ Software CD

· Protective Pouch

· User’s guide

· 2 AAA batteries (Duracells, no less!)

· Desktop USB Extension Cord

A Closer Look at the VX Nano

At first glance, there is nothing particularly impressive about the VX Nano. It has Logitech’s tried and true laser engine, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, a slim design and a classy black/dark gray color scheme. Been there, done that.

Left to Right: VX Nano, Cordless Optical Mouse, MX Revolution

Top to Bottom: VX Nano, Cordless Optical Mouse, MX Revolution

The topside is where things take a turn for the good. The VX Nano sports Logitech’s hyper-fast scrolling wheel (as featured on their top-of-the line, full-size MX Revolution mouse), left/right buttons and three additional programmable buttons.

The ergonomics of the VX Nano are fantastic, as is the case with most Logitech mice I have used. It has a good feel and conforms well to the hand. The contoured, rubber sides provide a good grip.  If you have very large hands, you may have a problem with hand-fatigue if you are using the mouse for a long period of time. Small to medium-sized hands should find the VX Nano to be quite comfortable, even for extended use.

The bottom of the VX Nano features an on/off switch so you can preserve battery life when not in use. When the laptop is on, a green indicator light on the mouse lets you know that the VX Nano is switched to the on. When the laptop is turned off, the mouse automatically turns off, too. There is a recessed release button that pops open the battery compartment. I found that to be a nice touch considering some of the mice I have used have battery doors with latches that seem vulnerable to breakage.

The USB receiver is unbelievably small. This is the “Nano” part of the VX Cordless Laser mouse. Once inserted into the laptop’s USB port, it protrudes only about a quarter of an inch; just enough to let you comfortably remove it again. Did I mention this thing is small?

This receiver is so small that it doesn’t get in the way; you can leave it in your laptop’s USB port indefinitely. If you do want to remove it, Logitech provided a secure internal storage slot for the receiver. Open the battery compartment and you will see a red button that ejects the receiver out its internal storage port when you’re ready to reinsert it in the laptop.

Setup/Software

The mouse works great right out of the box with standard left and right click buttons, and scrolling wheel. Although you can plug in the Nano and start using it right out of the box, you need to download the installation software on the included SetPoint™ software CD (Mac users have to download the appropriate installation software at the Logitech site) in order to take advantage of the more advanced features such as one-click access to your favorite search engine, email, MS Office applications, Media Player, or a number of other options. You can set vertical and horizontal scrolling speeds. There is even a tab to set up gaming use preferences. Installing the software is straightforward and takes approximately ten minutes.

Scroll Wheel

I’m sure you’ve noticed that some mice have scroll wheels that click (friction) as you scroll and others don’t click at all (frictionless). Well, the VX Nano does both. What’s more you can toggle between the two modes on the fly by simply depressing the scroll wheel. Click scrolling (friction) is best for precise scrolling while Hyper-fast (frictionless) scrolling allows you to fly through long documents. The scroll wheel also tilts right and left to allow for horizontal scrolling through wide documents.

Connectivity & battery life

As I mentioned earlier, I plugged in the USB receiver, put batteries in mouse and the mouse went to work right away. I’ve used other portable mice that seem to shut down unreasonably fast when idle. Sometimes waking up a sleeping mouse calls for either moving the scroll wheel or pushing the buttons on both the receiver and mouse. The VX Nano required neither. It woke up every time I moved it.

Another nice touch is the battery indicator for the mouse. You do not have to guess when your batteries should be replaced. The battery life meter that comes with the SetPoint software, indicates that I have 160 days of expected battery life remaining. Actual battery life may be less depending on usage patterns and preserving the battery life by remembering to turn the mouse off when not in use.

Conclusion:

Logitech paid a lot of attention to detail when they were designing the VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks, and it shows. The Logitech VX Nano is a great ultra portable and cordless mouse for the money. The nano receiver alone makes it a worthy buy. The new SetPoint™ software is excellent.  Set up is straightforward and makes the VX Nano customizable to your heart’s content.  I’ve had no problems with it. Using the VX Nano is a pleasurable experience. Next to the Logitech MX Revolution, the VX Nano is the best mouse I have used.  I highly recommend it for any road-warrior's laptop bag!

Pros:

· Nano-receiver!  Store it internally in the VX Nano or leave it plugged in to your laptop USB when not in use!

· The MicroGear™ Precision Scroll Wheel - Hyper-Fast or Ratchet – ability to toggle on the fly.

· Logitech zippered case included

· It comes with an “extension cord” for use with desktops

Cons:

· placement of the front/back buttons on the top, right side of the mouse takes some getting used to for right-handers. Lefties would have difficulty utilizing those buttons.