Comment by yndoendo | Hacker News Reader

Comment by yndoendo | Hacker News Reader

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All programmable mice store their settings on the device itself, like Roccat and Razer. A true programmable mouse doesn't need software running in the background. A configuration application that needs to continue running is now just a background service running in user mode and not a true configuration application.

Roccat user because of the size of the mouse is bigger than others and all the buttons can be reprogrammed, along with the wheel. No background software needed and all configuration changes are OS independent.

Not a Logitech user because the wheel could not be programmed to control the sound volume. Last time I tried their products. Even contacted their support to verify the wheel, most useful for controlling audio, is fixed to page scrolling only.

Razer mice are too small for my hands and I feel like an Eagle clawing at a minnow. At least they allow for fully reprogramming all the buttons and wheel, unlike Logitech. And you don't need background software for the programming with it being OS independent after programming.

Only bad part is that Roccat is no longer Linux supported. The original developer that reverse engineered stop supporting the products. Roccat also is like most business and blows off 1st party support for Linux. Windows VM is needed just to program the mouse, which only done once.

> because the wheel could not be programmed to control the sound volume.

If that's your biggest gripe with Logitech, then I can say they're pretty successful. Personally, I'd not prefer to reach to my mouse just for volume, but everyone is to their own.

> A true programmable mouse doesn't need software running in the background.

Logitech Mice doesn't need the application to run in the background. I'm using my G700's profiles (which I set once under Windows) under Linux without any tools for (checks notes) 14 years at this point.

> Windows VM is needed just to program the mouse, which only done once.

How this is different from Logitech devices? It's exactly the same with Logitech.

My hand is on my mouse so often that is quicker to use the wheel as volume control, with a meta mouse button to switch between page scrolling and volume scrolling.

This is not only useful in games to increase or decrease the sound in real-time while to shunt loud sounds and to improve hearing the environment you are in. It is also useful in business. Quickly controlling the volume when a person interrupts.

*Note that the scroll wheel secondary meta key is used as volume control. Primary function without active meta is page scrolling.

User experience scenario. Click on a link that starts playing a video or audio source. The source is too loud with the same volume setting that worked with the previous video. It is faster to press the meta button on the mouse and scroll the wheel or press the middle button to mute then actually moving to a physical speaker, volume control on the OS, or keyboard, which often needs a meta key too.

Volume control is more natural with the wheel because it is no different the the rotational volume control on speaker versus continual button press to decrement or increment the numeric setting.

Logitech G mice dont need the app, but regular ones do. My Mx master 3s and Mx ergo reset to the default sensitivity and button functions if I leave them alone for a while.

That's interesting, thanks for the information. I don't use any apps with my M705s (yes, I have a couple). The user I was replying to was giving examples of mice which are in the same class with Logitech G series, this is why I directly quoted my experience with G700.

>reset to the default sensitivity and button functions if I leave them alone for a while.

I need to try that. Mine is USB wired with no battery.

I've got one of the lesser G USB 6-button "gaming" RGBs that was unused for well over a year. Never did try any Logi Windows apps or do any gaming either. Used as a mild-mannered office mouse instead :)

A while back I started using it again, this time on a Linux PC and it still glowed with the default pattern which I had never changed. Fine by me.

Then started dual booting Windows 11 and all was well until I connected to the internet, the Logitech firmware on the mouse got autoupdated, and lights out :(

Still glows during POST but LEDs go out unless Windows kicks it back on in some way or another.

You want it to do what it once was doing without an app? Your Windows 11 may already be updated far enough itself to give RGB control now.

Otherwise you can use the Logitech app.

Which doesn't have a Linux version.

Looks like mine needs a background app of some kind now if I want glowing again. Oh well.

Still looking forward to trying Solaar when I get back to that particular desktop :)

Some of the mice have a toggleable on-board memory mode, where you can configure profiles that are saved on the mouse. You may be able to change the default lighting pattern back.

Gonna have to update the apps on both Linux and Windows and give it a try :)

for Logitech G there is the Onboard Memory Manager, a portable tool to just set up the onboard profiles. Since they released it I've not had to use their normal software anymore: https://support.logi.com/hc/en-ca/articles/360059641133-Onbo...

Sure, Logitech "G" series mice are supposed to be "gaming", but for a very long time I used them exclusively for office work.

My first one was a g9x, followed by a g700s. Those may look a bit "gamery", but I later had a g703 which was as sober as they come.

And, even though it's not as critical for office use, I found it very pleasant to have next to no lag on a wireless mouse. I now have a mx master 3s, which has "ok" wireless performance and is surprisingly nimble for its size and weight. I can't complain about it while I use it, but I immediately feel the difference when I switch to a Logitech G Lightspeed or a friend's Razer with whatever their equivalent technology is called.

And since these aren't that expensive (the MX is actually the most expensive mouse I've ever had), this tends to reinforce my considering them as full competitors to logi's "office" line.

Logitech has an on board memory manager app, it's a single executable portable no install needed that changes the settings directly on your mouse and then terminates.

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