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Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

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Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#331

Post by filoleg »

ubertaco wrote: post #16

This looks like a non-hotswappable board with proprietary switches, and it's still tied to Logitech's wireless dongles (which are notoriously bad about both causing and being super-sensitive to 2.4Ghz-spectrum interference). I mean, I _think_ the switches are proprietary -- the page has no real information about the switches at all, which is a bit like selling a computer by showing you a picture of the case and telli…

> the page has no real information about the switches at all

It does, though. They are all MX switches, and they have 3 different ones: tactile silent, clicky, and linear. Each one of them has a short basic description.

Reading the engadget review[0] of it, it seems like the naming was fairly accurate. The author points out that "linear" is an equivalent of MX Red, and "clicky" is an equivalent of MX Blue. The "tactile silent" switches weren't explicitly called out in the review, but it sounds like they would be the closest to MX Brown.

0. https://www.engadget.com/logitech-mx-mechanical-hands-on-gam...

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#333

Post by kstrauser »

peeters wrote: post #319
sandGorgon wrote: post #316

so what's the recommendation for a mechanical keyboard that can be used in a silent, office environment (with coworkers) ? i went over some of the comments and read about "MX Browns" and "low profile switches", etc. What should I be googling for ? this is one of the reason me and several of my colleagues never got into mechanical keyboards - the sound. not all of us have the liberty to work at home because we prefer…

Browns (Cherry MX is the brand you might have heard referenced, but other switch manufacturers tend to align their colour coding for analogous offerings) are noticeably quieter but they're not going to sound like a mushy non-mechanical switch. Also, they're not meant to be bottomed out but many typists do bottom them out frequently, which makes them louder. Still I find they are a lot more forgiving to your coworkers…

Two things made my WASD Keyboards's blue switches much quieter:

- Installing the little rubber O rings around the base of each switch so that it's not super loud if I do happen to bottom out.

- Replacing the ABS keycaps with PBT. I was genuinely surprised at the difference that made. It's not subtle in the least.

I still probably wouldn't use it in a coworking environment because I don't hate my colleagues.

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#334

Post by tailspin2019 »

treyfitty wrote: post #2

I suppose the only thing that makes this a better proposition is Logitechs Flow software, which allows you to use the same keyboard/mouse across multiple devices on your network, without having to manually switch. Otherwise, keychron's low-profile keyboards are a better value.

> the only thing that makes this a better proposition is Logitechs Flow software

Not sure if you've tried Flow but personally, in my experience of using it (on Mac), I would not recommend it at all.

Their hardware is very good (I have an MX Keys keyboard and MX Master 3 mouse) but the software is buggy and doesn't live up to its marketing promises; especially Flow. To the degree that it somewhat devalues the otherwise well built hardware devices.

Flow is not very reliable for me. It wouldn't be quite so bad but Logitech have a very strange design flaw in their Flow implementation which compounds the software issues; the MX Keys keyboard has 3x dedicated device buttons to allow you to manually switch between host computers, but this does not sync with the mouse - which has its own button on the underside.

When you switch between computers via software using Flow (when it works), it moves both mouse and keyboard at the same time. But when Flow flakes out, as it often does, you have to revert back to using the dedicated button on the keyboard AND turn your mouse upside down and click the switch button multiple times to also switch it to the new host.

It seems to be madness that they have designed a matching pair of keyboard and mouse, with this advertised "multiple host" capability, and yet the very obvious feature of switching both keyboard AND mouse together, to the same host via the dedicated keyboard keys is absent.

Here's a 2 year old Logitech forum post about this issue with 674 upvotes: https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/3600507556...

And another 2 year old post with 275 votes: https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/3600493206...

Logitech say its "difficult to implement" and yet there are a number of workarounds on GitHub that people have come up with to fix this behaviour. Knowing that the Flow software has full control over which host the keyboard and mouse are assigned to, having the software/driver automatically switch both devices when the dedicated button is pressed on the keyboard seems like it should not be difficult to implement.

I'm now using macOS' new Universal Control feature instead which is a good reliable implementation of what Flow tried to achieve. Switching between my Macs has been 100% reliable since using Universal Control. The downside is the special functions of the MX Master mouse do not carry over to the second Mac (scroll wheel behaviour is different and difficult to control, dedicated buttons don't work). So there are a different set of compromises. I now plan to look at hacking up something that uses a combination of Universal Control and some custom messages sent to the keyboard/mouse to have them switch hosts based on when Universal Control switches hosts.

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#335

Post by AdrianB1 »

ascagnel_ wrote: post #226
metaphor wrote: post #40

> Compatibility: Logi Bolt USB Receiver[^11] > [^11] Not compatible with Logitech Unifying USB Receiver technology So you'll have to throw away your existing MX Anywhere 3 and repurchase this seemingly vaporware "for Business" variant[1] if you want a single transceiver for mouse+keyboard? Hmm... [1] https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/mice/mx-anywhere-3-f...

The decision to go from Unifying to Bolt is mystifying to me, since there's seemingly no user-facing benefit. It makes upgrading less enticing -- they should have either rolled out a new set of peripherals that all supported Bolt at the same time, or they should have rolled out an interim generation that supported both Bolt and Unifying.

At first look, the Bolt stuff is supposed to be more secure, with better encryption or the data transferred and maybe with narrower band to allow more concurrent users in high density offices. I don't know how much it is correct and how much it is marketing, this is what I read.

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#336

Post by jermaustin1 »

bayindirh wrote: post #21
ubertaco wrote: post #16

This looks like a non-hotswappable board with proprietary switches, and it's still tied to Logitech's wireless dongles (which are notoriously bad about both causing and being super-sensitive to 2.4Ghz-spectrum interference). I mean, I _think_ the switches are proprietary -- the page has no real information about the switches at all, which is a bit like selling a computer by showing you a picture of the case and telli…

> I don't get who this product is for, other than maybe someone who has heard mechanical keyboards are cool but is daunted by doing any research into what mechanical keyboard options exist out there. Me, or anybody who needs a no-fuss, one-shot, buy-and-use-it-till-it-dies type of consumer. I don't care about changing switches. I don't care about DIY. While I'm perfectly capable, I don't want to spend time on that. I…

Me as well. I usually just go for the cheap $20-$40 keyboard that I know will break after about 12-18 months, and replace it. The only thing that I now pause on is 2.4ghz which REALLY sucks in an apartment. My last 2 wireless keyboards stopped working consistently (due to radio interference from what I can tell) and have been replaced with a second-hand alienware mechanical gaming keyboard.

It is quiet enough that I can type (albeit VERY slowly/softly) while I'm on a call, but nowhere near as quiet as the crappy logitechs I always get.

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#337

Post by perrylaj »

cestith wrote: post #122
leohonexus wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How are they on a day to day basis? I’m thinking on getting one but not sure how big of an upgrade it is from unsplit ones.

I've been using Keyboard.io Model 01 boards for a few years now as my daily drivers for typing, ever since they arrived from backing the Kickstarter campaign. For my broad-shouldered build, the split has been good for my shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers while the ortholinear key arrangement seems to be good for my wrists and fingers as well. Those shipped with Mathias Quiet Click (or optionally Clicky) switches…

I'm in the same boat - backed the original Kickstarter for the 01, bought a second to keep at the office, and have a 100 on order through the more recent Kickstarter. Took a bit of getting used to, but I really enjoy them. My biggest complaints were handled with the model 100 (serviceability), looking forward to the new one arriving.

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#338

Post by tailspin2019 »

kitsunesoba wrote: post #139
sogen wrote: post #60

Avoid installing their Logi Options software. It installs as root on OSX and is a nightmare to uninstall.

In my experience their software in general is terrible. For a while I had the Logitech G Hub software installed for configuring a G604 Lightspeed mouse, and it would randomly start eating 100% of a core for indefinite periods while sitting in the background for no apparent reason. Saw this behavior under both macOS and Windows. Their hardware is decent but they gotta ditch the crappy lowest bidder offshore contractor…

> Their hardware is decent but they gotta ditch the crappy lowest bidder offshore contractor software. It’s garbage.

Completely agree. The difference in quality between hardware and software is really noticeable.

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#339

Post by jszymborski »

bayindirh wrote: post #21
ubertaco wrote: post #16

This looks like a non-hotswappable board with proprietary switches, and it's still tied to Logitech's wireless dongles (which are notoriously bad about both causing and being super-sensitive to 2.4Ghz-spectrum interference). I mean, I _think_ the switches are proprietary -- the page has no real information about the switches at all, which is a bit like selling a computer by showing you a picture of the case and telli…

> I don't get who this product is for, other than maybe someone who has heard mechanical keyboards are cool but is daunted by doing any research into what mechanical keyboard options exist out there. Me, or anybody who needs a no-fuss, one-shot, buy-and-use-it-till-it-dies type of consumer. I don't care about changing switches. I don't care about DIY. While I'm perfectly capable, I don't want to spend time on that. I…

I'm by no means a "keyboard person", but I do try to minimize my e-waste and and my costs.

Swappable keys aren't exactly a power-use feature. I remove my keycaps every so often to clean them, and swapping a broken switch is basically as easy using the keycap/switch tool that came with my board. It also means I can do a repair for a couple of dollars over buying a whole board. Not to mention I have a bunch of spare switches that came with my board so I can do a repair in a minute.

Re: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

#340

Post by elorant »

bayindirh wrote: post #21
ubertaco wrote: post #16

This looks like a non-hotswappable board with proprietary switches, and it's still tied to Logitech's wireless dongles (which are notoriously bad about both causing and being super-sensitive to 2.4Ghz-spectrum interference). I mean, I _think_ the switches are proprietary -- the page has no real information about the switches at all, which is a bit like selling a computer by showing you a picture of the case and telli…

> I don't get who this product is for, other than maybe someone who has heard mechanical keyboards are cool but is daunted by doing any research into what mechanical keyboard options exist out there. Me, or anybody who needs a no-fuss, one-shot, buy-and-use-it-till-it-dies type of consumer. I don't care about changing switches. I don't care about DIY. While I'm perfectly capable, I don't want to spend time on that. I…

Then go and buy a DAS keyboard. Reliable, simple, traditional key mappings, nothing fancy, and a usable volume knob.
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