Review : Logitech VX Nano

Introduction

There isn’t a lot of enthusiasm for laptop track-pads. Most of the people I speak to seem to hate track-pads and normally opt out for a trusty old mouse. However, using a big fat chunky mouse on long journeys where you don’t have much space isn’t really ideal. Thankfully, Logitech have saved us with their VX Nano; a cordless pocket size mouse. Let’s see how it performs…

 

Features

• Plug-and-forget nano-receiver: Barely larger than a coin, the receiver is so tiny you can plug it into your notebook just once – and forget about it.


• Small, yet powerful: Expect a robust wireless connection with advanced 2.4 GHz cordless technology.


• Always ready: Leave the nano-receiver plugged into your notebook—your mouse is always ready.


• Protective pouch: Use the stylish pouch to protect your mouse when it’s not in use.


• Longer battery life: Get up to 6 months of use (or longer with the convenient on/off switch).


• Ultra-portable mouse design: So slim, it slips easily into your notebook bag.


• Attractive style: Complements your active lifestyle with an ultra-slim, sleek design.


• Storable receiver: Store the nano-receiver inside the mouse when you need to free up a USB port. Shuts down when stored, saving more battery life.


• Hyper-fast scrolling: Fly through long documents at hyperspeed with the nearly frictionless scroll wheel, or shift instantly to precise scrolling.


• Forward/backward buttons: Effortlessly navigate the Internet with Forward and Back buttons.


• Five programmable buttons: Customize the mouse controls to fit your needs with included SetPoint™ software (or, for Mac® users, with downloadable Logitech® Control Center software).


• Laser precision: Experience smoother cursor control on virtually any surface. The VX Nano outperforms ordinary optical mice.

Packaging

The VX Nano arrives in Logitech’s standardized black and teal cardboard box. On the front of the package Logitech boast about the included USB receiver being the world’s smallest. The centre of the package is transparent letting you get a glimpse of the mouse and its receiver.



The back of the box has some short features listed which the Nano entails. These features are listed in 27 different languages – - that’s what you call multilingual!



Inside the box you will find the mouse and all its accessories carefully positioned in another cardboard box. The transparency which holds the receiver and mouse is a piece of vacuum formed plastic.

Included with the Logitech VX Nano are the following accessories:

• 2.4 GHz Nano-receiver


• Desktop USB extension stand


• 2 AAA batteries


• Logitech SetPoint™ Software CD


• Protective pouch


• User guide


• 3-year limited warranty

The protective pouch is a great addition to the mouse. It’s a zippy pouch which is made from a breathable material. This makes the mouse very easy to transport in your rucksack / notebook bag without the mouse getting damaged.

The included desktop USB extension stand comes in handy when people would like to use this notebook mouse on their desktop. Reasoning for this is because it allows better signal strength to the mouse and is also much more convenient.

Logitech VX Nano

The VX Nano is dark grey in the centre with a glossy black surround and dimpled rubber placements where your thumb would be positioned. The whole mouse is very smooth and positions nicely over your fingers. It’s designed for both left and right hand users which is a good compatibility feature. The rear of the mouse hangs over the back instead of curving down to the surface. This is purely for aesthetics not ergonomics. Although the VX Nano is a notebook mouse, it’s about as wide as a standard desktop mouse, though much shorter in length and smaller in height. Also to the rear of the mouse is the Logitech logo printed in white.





The front scroll wheel does horizontal and vertical scrolling. Unlike most scroll wheels, the Nano’s can ‘free wheel’. So with a flick of the finger, the scroll wheel will comfortably spin round on its own accord. However, when pressed hard, you can switch the scroll wheel to normal mode. Above the scroll wheel is a button. When the software is installed, the button works as an internet search button. When no software is installed, the button is for ‘auto scroll’.

To the left hand side of the mouse there are two more buttons which are easily accessed by your index finger. These buttons are programmed to do back and forward functions.



The receiver for the VX Nano is absolutely tiny, so small I’d worry about it getting lost. However, the receiver can be stored for safe keeping in the battery compartment of the mouse, where it simply plugs into a designated port and can be ejected by a button. Furthermore, most users will most likely leave the receiver plugged in, so losing it isn’t really an option.

Testing

I’m not going to blabble on about Installation as it’s a fairly similar process to the installation I did on the Logitech G5, except the set point software for the VX Nano has none of the features mentioned in the G5 review.

To test the VX Nano, I felt it would be unfair to use a mouse pad – - most notebook users do not carry mouse pads around with them. Therefore, I just used my desk as a surface. The Logitech glided along my desk smoothly without much friction causing a problem. I was amazed by how accurate the laser was and how strong the signal was. Even being 15m away from the receiver, the mouse still performed very well without a drop in performance. To me this is very impressive for a cordless mouse, as many cheaper wireless mice seem to be jumpy and lacking in performance.

I did actually try a quick round of Battlefield 2 with the VX Nano, but it was a slightly unfair test as I’m use to gaming with a higher DPI setting than the VX Nano caters for. However, it did perform quite impressively and performance remained similar between the Nano and MX518.

For general usage though, this mouse is perfect, very accurate and the buttons are easy to reach with your index finger. One slight annoyance though was the scroll wheel, which doesn’t act as a third button like most mice. To make up for this, there is a button behind it, however it’s not in as good location as the scroll wheel.

Conclusion

The VX Nano is a mouse with a lot of positive features. The performance of the Logitech is quite outstanding for a notebook rodent and the wireless connectivity is also very good. To use, it’s very comfortable if you’re use to notebook mice – - where you have to claw your fingers over the mouse. The buttons dotted over the mouse are a great feature for internet browsing.

However there are some down sides to the mouse. Firstly, the scroll wheel, this scroll wheel when free spinning is quite pointless. Even though when clicked it turns into a normal scroll wheel, the mouse would benefit if the free wheeling scroll wheel was removed and just replaced with a normal scroll wheel and third button. A third button in this location cannot be replaced with buttons elsewhere. Secondly, the price, £50 for a notebook mouse is quite expensive and should be seriously considered before purchasing.

Therefore, I’m going to award the Logitech VX Nano 4/5. It’s a very good performer, but the price and scroll wheel really lets this product down.