http://www.zapwizard.com/mods/mx700-laser Logitech recently released the MX1000. A $80 cordless mouse that promises that it will operate nearly any hard surface. The MX700 is also a cordless mouse, but it uses an LED. Could you install a laser into an MX700, and get better performance? Lets find out: --------------------------------------------------------------------- First the MX700, and a laser diode module from Radioshack. The module runs off 3volts, and should be able to run on the MX700's LED connection. --------------------------------------------------------------------- I took apart the MX700 to get access to the LED. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Laser diode is as bright as a normal key-chain laser. But it is made to run all the time. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Before changing the laser I tested the MX700 on the worst surface I could find. In this case it was the black mirrored faceplate from a Athlon64 Shuttle PC. As expected the mouse would not function at all. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Now I installed the laser in the same place as the LED. The laser works well as a replacement, and the mouse functions. But alas it did not improve the surface capabilities of the mouse. The mouse was just as ineffective. --------------------------------------------------------------------- In conclusion, there mush be a different focus point for a MX1000. Also the MX1000 uses a newer MX optical engine, that may be more sensitive. --------------------------------------------------------------------- But, there is a cool trick that you can do with a laser pointer and any optical mouse. Lift your optical mouse off the table a few inches, then aim a laser pointer onto the spot below the mouse's eye. The mouse will actually be able to move, even though it is off the table. With the proper aim and a steady hand, you can get the mouse to move a foot or more off of the table.
I've done that a few times. Kinda fun too, except the laser I was using was a piece of junk and kept flickering. I DID replace my red LED with an infrared one. Quite stealthy. And it seems that a bit of IR light gets out of the back of the diode and warms up the mouse body slightly (I swear it only does it sometimes though). Really wierd effect. No it's not a resistor heating up thing - I know that for a fact. Also, I've heard that the MX1000 uses a laser that's not visible to human eyes (presumably infrared) and would most certainly use a different sensor. Nevertheless, very interesting experiment. I could never justify spending $80 on a mouse but then again the one I use works fine and I really like the layout. Those logitech mice have a lot of stuff in them! Mine's just a single PCB... much simpler. Not that I care in the slightest.
I like the idea, but I thought even the mx 1000 wouldnt work on mirrored or glass surfaces, because of the way they refract light, you would have to try it on something that tracks it, but not well. then use the laser. Thats my 2 cents.
That's what I thought too, but the review I saw at 3DGPU says that the author tried it on a mirror and it worked. I'm thinking that maybe the laser can pick up dirt on the surface and tracks that, not sure tho,
my friend at college just bought one for his new gaming rig and, lemme tell you it does work on anything. It was sweet. Ive never seen anything quite like it. Amazing detail to, sometime my optical would bug out a bit and the cursor would shake on screen and this apparently has features to cancel it out. its buer cool.
