Microsoft on Logitech's Darkfield mice: Pants!

I don't normally indulge statements from vendors in response to other company's announcements. Guess what? They think you should buy their product instead. Normally it's the graphics card guys that snipe back and forth via my in-box, but this morning was the first time I've seen competing PR over mice.

Microsoft's BlueTrack-powered Explorer Mouse can track on your pants, but not a glass coffee table.

(Credit: Microsoft)

After extensive research to determine where people want to track, BlueTrack was designed to work where people use their PCs most--around the house on granite, carpet or a bedspread to on-the-go at a coffee shop table, on an airplane tray or even on your jeans. Tracking on glass is not a high priority for users--in fact, 93 percent of people admit glass is not a surface they encounter when using their computer.

The above was from a Microsoft spokesperson vial email. BlueTrack refers to Microsoft's mouse sensor released last year, which, while versatile, can't track on glass like Logitech's new Darkfield laser, announced in two new mice this morning.

The reason I'm willing to give Microsoft some air time on this is mostly because I'm curious. If, according to Microsoft, Logitech's glass-tracking Darkfield laser meets the needs of only an additional seven percent of users beyond those satisfied by BlueTrack, exactly how many people were clamoring to track on their jeans prior to BlueTrack?

Logitech's Darkfield-powered Performance Mouse MX, on the other hand, can handle glass.

(Credit: Logitech)

Microsoft actually makes a decent point later in the e-mail when it says that you can get a BlueTrack mouse for around $40. Logitech's new Darkfield mice go for $99 for the desktop model, and $79 for the laptop version. The price gap isn't surprising given that the Darkfield products hit the market today, but if you're currently experience mousing surface difficulties and you don't need to track on glass, Microsoft's BlueTrack products are a more cost-effective option than Logitech's new mice, at least for now.

Once Logitech's Darkfield prices start to drop, however, Microsoft's argument will be a little harder. If you're not a member of Microsoft's unserved glass-tracking seven percent, you wouldn't pay extra to track on glass right now. But as the price gap between Darkfield and BlueTrack mice inevitably narrows, why would you not opt to have glass-tracking capability for the same price? You could even keep it (wait for it...) in your jeans' back pocket.

[hafenbrack]

This is interesting. I have a glass desk, but it has no back, so neither of these mice would work. MS does seem to have a point here. I only know one person who has a glass topped desk, but it's backed by a wood desk. I tried the MS mouse and it work just fine, actually.

[rhbrown]

Actually, Logitech's new mice work on transparent glass that's at least 4mm thick. It won't work on mirrors, but most glass desks/table tops should be fine.

[kevjohn2007]

I unwisely bought a glass top desk, on sale from Office Depot. It looks neato but it's functionality is limited due to me being afraid of breaking the darn thing every time I set anything more than a bottle of Sam Adams on top of it. I'll be keeping my MS Trackball though, so neither BlueTrack nor Darkfield interest me much.

[skasner]

Most of the surfaces in my house (tables, desk, etc.) are modern glass/metal designs and I've always been aggravated that I have to use a mouse pad or some other opague/solid object to use my mouse on.

If I needed a new mouse, I'd definately grab the Darkfield over the BlueTrack for this capability. That being said, I'm not going to spend $100 to replace my current with my older tech optical mouse just for this extra versatility.

Just more sour grapes from M$ because they did not come up the idea first.

[gfritts451]

Here's why I would NOT consider Logitech's "Performance Mouse MX" over the MS "Explorer Mouse". I am left-handed. Logitech clearly had no interest in marketing this mouse to me. Why do manufacturers insist in making left-handed consumers conform to their products?! It's 2009, people. I understand that it would probably not be cost-effective to manufacture a version with the thumb rest/buttons reversed on the body of the mouse, but seriously? At least Microsoft made a mouse that is usable. I'm not forking over TWICE the $$$ for a "performance" mouse that is not ambidextrous... so annoying.

[obmot]

grfitts, I have to agree completely, once again a manufacturer that completely ignores about 10%of the market. I have a glass desk but wont buy the LT mouse because it is only for right handers. Also $100 for a piece of hardware that costs no more than $5-$10 to produce it a bit over the top.

I will say that I absolutely love it when I use a public computer - I move the mouse to the left side, and then leave it there when I'm finished. Invariably, a right hander sits down and utters some form of annoyment that someone would DARE to leave a mouse on the left side (causing them to have to move it to the other side), never once giving thought to the reality that us left handers have to do this 99.99% of the time WE sit down at a computer. Try it, it's great fun to watch them get so annoyed!

[bohspa]

Actually, Logitech does make left handed mice...perhaps they will expand this product line, as well. Also, what I love about the MX series mice (and what probably makes them more $$) is the scroll wheel. Being able to switch between a ratcheted scroll (for spreadsheets) and the hyperfast scroll (or whatever they call it, for long email lists) is as addicting as using the tiltwheel for horizontal scrolls...

Nice job, Logitech! and keep up the cool designs!

[PapaGamer]

I run into glass and other highly reflective surfaces frequently. I haven't tried one of MS's Blue Track mice; but, the Darkfield mice sound very appealing to me. Just, not $100 appealing.

[cmentmixer]

Two words - Track Ball...'nuff said.

[rahhbriley]

Might mouse. End of story.

[c|net Reader]

That's a lousy story.

[MadLyb]

I have a sheet of glass on top of my desk to protect the wood and mice have always been a problem.

Logitech previously made a portable mouse, the V400, that had dual lasers with different frequencies and different relative angles to the surface, so they could track in 3D. It would track on about any surface, but glass or mirror. Some super smooth surfaces would have issues, but it is still the mouse of choice for my laptop.

I like the Darkfield, but they look a little big in size...and price.

[tipoo_]

Theres a new Logitech MX mouse out? The last one was fantastic.

[drksilenc]

really i know of a great way to solve this problem you get them from anywhere from 1-40 dollars.... its called a MOUSE PAD

[winexz]

I wish they would produce a bluetooth version. No need for a universal receiver and no USB port used up. You would think this would be a big demand with the popularity of netbooks.

[meruhl]

The glass surface issue seems to me to be much ado about nothing. Whenever I need to mouse on a glass tabletop with my Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, I just throw down a piece of paper, a newspaper, magazine, or placemat. No big deal. I have also been known to mouse on my pants leg - my MS optical mouse works well on jeans. About the only thing I find interesting about these new laptop mice is the micro-receiver.