Logitech MX Revolution…first impressions

Logitech MX Revolution…first impressions

I have a new workstation so I decided that it was time to upgrade my trusty Trackman Wheel. Remembering what Philip Thomas said in a recent presentation, I looked for the mouse with the most buttons. The only self implied limitation was that it would have to be a Logitech mouse or trackball. Looking at the Logitech website I see that there are only 3 trackball styles available now. I’ve tried the cordless Trackman Optical before and found that it just doesn’t feel comfy in my hand. My daughter has a Trackman Marble and even thought I don’t cuss out loud I do write it down and sign my name to it every time I have to use it. So I’m left with the choice of going with another Trackman Wheel or switching over to a mouse. I decided to go with the latter.
The MX revolution arrived today and even though I’m not running on the new workstation yet I thought it might be good to start getting used to a mouse again so I hooked it up. It came with enough of a charge to start using it right out of the box. I installed the SetPoint software and I’m off to the races.
The mouse feels good in my hand, the buttons are placed in positions that are easy to locate and press. The wheels (yes wheels) roll very smoothly or with a ratcheting movement. The wheel on the top is your standard scroll up and down and side to side. I sacrificed the ratcheting movement so that a press of the wheel is now the middle button. There is a button behind the top wheel that by default initiates an internet search with the search engine of your choice. There are 2 more buttons above the thumb rest that are set as forward and back. The wheel that is controlled by your thumb is set by default to task switch between applications. The description of this button in the supplied help and instructions is incorrect, IMHO. It is described as a means to switch between documents (Ctrl-Tab) when in actuality it switches between applications (Alt-Tab). All of the buttons are customizable overall or per application. I added Solidworks.exe to the application list and went to work.
Right now I have the FORWARD button defined as ‘S’, the BACK button set as ‘Ctrl-Tab’. The thumb wheel can be defined as three functions as you can roll it forward, roll it back and press it. In SolidWorks I roll it forward for a fit to screen, press it for an Isometric view and roll it back for a normal to view. I’m trying to think of what I want the left and right tilt of the top wheel to do in SolidWorks. Anyone care to share how they have their mouse buttons programmed?
So far based on my limited use of the MX Revolution I can say that you might want to consider this. Even if you’re an old trackball man like me you can learn new tricks and enjoy the process.