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Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

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31–40 of 274 posts

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does a mouse need an app, again?

reprogrammable buttons, adjustable dpi, customizeable lights, etc

Personally, I can understand that for initial setup but hate that the way they're implemented means that it has to always be running, and it frequently has to be restarted to recognize the mouse correctly and apply those settings. Many keyboards have figured this out and don't require anything to be running to keep their settings across multiple devices so it feels like logitech will never improve in this area for the sake of keeping their bloat/spyware on your machine.

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does a mouse need an app, again?

reprogrammable buttons, adjustable dpi, customizeable lights, etc

some mice can have the config saved onboard, then don't require a driver.

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#33
post #23

Since we're on the topic of Logitech keyboards, does anyone know of a wired-only keyboard that has the same feel as the "Logitech MX Keys S Wireless"? I love this keyboard's feel, but I need to switch to wired-only for $reasons.

It has PerfectStroke keys, so maybe the K740?

Thanks for the tip. There might be two issues with that particular model:

(1) It's out of production AFAICT, and (2) one thing I really appreciate about the MX Keys is the indented key caps.

IIUC, if I'm willing to put together my own keyboard, I can ensure it's wired-only and I can have the key caps that I like.

The only remaining challenge at that point (I think) is finding switches with a similar feel. This is the part that's tripped me up in the past:

I've bought a few switch testers (e.g., [0]), but all of the switches I tried were way more clicky than I wanted. I really like the travel-distance, gentle landing, and relatively quiet action of the MX Keys.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZK6LKZL

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If they want more credit, they should make it an on switch

I think it's implicit that a switch has to be on/off. Do you mean opt-in rather than opt-out?

Not parent, but yes.

A switch that must be turned on (opt-in), rather than a switch that must be turned off (opt-out).

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#35
post #23

Since we're on the topic of Logitech keyboards, does anyone know of a wired-only keyboard that has the same feel as the "Logitech MX Keys S Wireless"? I love this keyboard's feel, but I need to switch to wired-only for $reasons.

It has PerfectStroke keys, so maybe the K740?

Thanks for the tip about PerfectStroke keys, btw.

Based on [0], it sounds like what I'm looking for is something like "fake PerfectStroke" keys.

[0] https://deskthority.net/wiki/Logitech_PerfectStroke

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#36
post #22

Since we're on the topic of Logitech keyboards, does anyone know of a wired-only keyboard that has the same feel as the "Logitech MX Keys S Wireless"? I love this keyboard's feel, but I need to switch to wired-only for $reasons.

If you can find mechanical switches you like that is your best option. Lacking that, nothing stops you from ripping out the electronics and putting in the controller from a mechanical keyboard. It would be a lot of work to trace the circuit board and figure out where to jump in (and what to cut out), but any mechanical keyboard controller should work (QMK seems to be the most popular today)

Razer and Cherry both have low profile switches, apparently Kailh are also low profile.

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#38

Pardon my ignorance but why would you need an app to manage keyboards and mice in the first place? Aren't they supported out of the box by generic drivers?

They are supported out of the box by generic drivers!

But most Logitech devices have settings that can be changed. This allows you to change them.

Using this software, I disabled tap to click on my K400 Plus’s trackpad. Super useful.

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#39
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

reprogrammable buttons, adjustable dpi, customizeable lights, etc

Personally, I can understand that for initial setup but hate that the way they're implemented means that it has to always be running, and it frequently has to be restarted to recognize the mouse correctly and apply those settings. Many keyboards have figured this out and don't require anything to be running to keep their settings across multiple devices so it feels like logitech will never improve in this area for th…

One big thing your keyboards probably aren't doing that mouse drivers are: different settings for different apps.

Re: Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices

#40
post #5

This saved my butt when I lost my mouse dongle and only had an Ubuntu instance available at the time. I was able to pair my mouse to the same dongle my keyboard used and have been using the software ever since without issue. Thank you!

Yooo, I've been so frustrated with Logitech! I have an MX Mechanical Mini keyboard and MX Ergo mouse. For some reason they don't pair to the same dongle because the dongles are different and not interchangeable. In addition, whatever dongle is plugged into the right USB-A port of my laptop always lags for some reason. Does Solaar solve those issues?
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