Logitech M505 - Wireless Mouse Reviews

Well, maybe not, but it sure feels that way, and it's fun to say it in Jeremy Clarkson's voice.

Anyway, I travel a lot, giving presentations, busting out my laptop to take notes and give demos and invariably, my computer screen moves around a lot while people sit in front of it and get in the way of showing them things.

Sometimes it isn't always convenient to do a full big screen presentation, so it's nice to have a wireless mouse so I can control things from a distance while others look on.

The M505 just works so well.

Like other Logitech wireless mouse models, it features the Unifying Receiver, which is a tiny USB plug that makes the remote connection to the mouse. Plug it in once, no software to install, ready to go. It even lies flush enough that I can bag my laptop without worrying about ripping the receiver off. Stow the mouse, gone.

Unlike some other models, it has the all rubber wheel-button instead of the tire-treaded button - I just like this one better.

Logitech boasts 15 hours of usage on 2 AA batteries. I think I'm getting close to that, so I can't complain. My mouse came with 2 batteries so I was already ahead of the game. I use rechargeable AA and AAAs so even with the limited returns, I'm doing alright on fresh batteries and battery life.

The unifying receiver is also compatible with up to 6 other devices, so you don't have to plug in different receivers. The only problem I have is that I don't have any other devices to plug in that use the Unifying Receiver.

I DO use the Logitech R400 wireless presenter, which besides controlling presentations has a nifty onboard red laser. Unfortunately, the R400 comes with a different receiver, so I have to plug another receiver into another USB slot.

The R400 does have a cool feature - the receiver stows in the presentation wand itself, which is pretty wiz, but is not compatible with the Unifying Receiver - Come on Logitech!


I don't let this drawback affect my feelings about this mouse.

Wireless Trackball M570

Now, I really love my Trackman Wheel trackball, as I did my Marble+ before it, so why not get the M570? In a word, it's too big (OK, three words).

The M570 has the same shape as the Wheel, but that's it's downfall. I don't need to lug something that wide that will have to go in the back zipper pocket of doom with the network cables and other miscellanea, when the M505 slips snugly into the mesh pouch on the inside flap when I open the bag.

In defense of the M570 trackball, if my Wheel ever dies, I will get one of these instead. Logitech has decided they hate many of their customers and stand behind the Trackman Marble (which is inferior to the Marble+ in every way), so if I need another ergonomically perfect trackball in the future, it will be the M570, and I'll just have to settle with it being wireless, and thus minus one USB slot.

Drive a Logitech M505 home today (it kinda reminds me of a Beemer, but for a lot less).
Save 27-58% when you buy it from Amazon
(The black one with the red pinstriping costs more, natch).

I really like Logitech trackballs (I hope I've made this clear) and stopped using regular mice years ago except when it's convenient to do other wise (usually very small mice for travel).

Unfortunately, Logitech doesn't seem to understand that we love the older models, and they keep taking them away, replacing them with the Marble which I'm sure some people swear by, but I don't like 'em (Harumph).

So, I will eventually be working on a tribute lens to the trackballs that have since moved on, and ways to find and save old trackball models.

If you have an old trackball, use it until it falls apart, then try and fix it.

If you can find one on Craigslist or Backpage or a garage sale, snatch it up for cheap.

A Christmas ago, my wife bought me a TrackMan Wheel, which is pretty much identical to my old Marble+ (the plus means it's designed properly). I use it, and enjoy it, but I put my old Marble+ on a shelf in the closet.

I'm loathe to throw it away.

Or give it to someone else, who will just abuse it.

So it sits on a shelf, waiting, and if my Wheel ever goes kaput, the Marble+ is coming out, ready to get off the bench and roll to victory (over my documents and such).

People are hoarding gold and silver. Hoard Logitech Trackballs. They don't hold their value as well, but considering a new, discontinued Wheel goes for around $200, it's not too shabby.