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jeff k · May 2, 2011, 08:29 PM

This company used to make great mouses. I just ordered the new version of my MX500 (has new number now) and the software does not have Mac on it.
I called them up and they are staffed by imbeciles who know nothing of their products. nothing.
Why would they go from Mac/Windows to Windows only? Isn't Apple more popular now? Frustrated.

AKcrab · May 2, 2011, 08:42 PM

All you should need is the Logitech Control Center software.
MX™ 620 Cordless Laser Mouse

jeff k · May 2, 2011, 08:56 PM

thanks AK
I got the new MX 518, will that work for that one? Why is it not on the CD? Why can't different guys at Logitech mention what you just mentioned? the ignorance there is just staggering! How/ why do they get paid?

CharlesS · May 2, 2011, 09:36 PM

You don't actually have to use the software that comes with those mice. I just run mine with no drivers, and assign the extra buttons to Exposé functions.

jeff k · May 2, 2011, 11:05 PM

Charles, what does that mean? You lost me there.

AKcrab · May 2, 2011, 11:21 PM

If you want to use Exposé (look at it in system prefs if you're not familiar with it) for the extra buttons you don't need any software at all. Left click and right click should also work right out of the box. BUT if you want full control over all the buttons, grab the Logitech software.

jeff k · May 3, 2011, 12:42 AM

A
I put in the control center on my laptop, but when I plug in the new mouse, no device is found. When I plug in the old MX 500 it sees it right away? any ideas on that?

AKcrab · May 3, 2011, 01:08 AM

Huh.. Well the MX 518 is listed on Logitech's site as windows only, but since it's USB I can't imagine why at least the left and right click and the mouse as a pointer wouldn't work fine...

They have 12 mice listed as mac compatible. Maybe just go with one of those and return that one?

reader50 · May 3, 2011, 01:29 AM

I've been using the MX-518 for several years. Usually without the Logitech drivers. All buttons work under 10.4 and 10.5 - can't test 10.6

P · May 3, 2011, 03:53 AM

Originally Posted by jeff k

A
I put in the control center on my laptop, but when I plug in the new mouse, no device is found. When I plug in the old MX 500 it sees it right away? any ideas on that?

My guess is that your new mouse is broken. Does it work if you plug it into a Windows machine?

ibook_steve · May 3, 2011, 01:16 PM

There is no such thing as a Windows-only mouse. And who actually installs software off the CD? You should always get the latest from the web site.

In any case, with the Logitech mice, you may need to run the Logitech LCC Connection Utility, which is in the Utilities folder when you install LCC. I thought I had a broken Logitech mouse a few years ago until I realized that this app walks you through the steps of making the connection.

Steve

olePigeon · May 3, 2011, 01:27 PM

Your last best bet is USB Overdrive. It's only $20. It gives you complete control over pretty much any USB input device.

jeff k · May 3, 2011, 02:25 PM

Thanks everyone, appreciate this.
Ok A & P -- the 518 is working. Works fine, scrolls, clicks etc, but I really want it to be seen in the Control Center so I can assign it to launch application to it's 4-5 buttons, That's why I bought it.

When I plug it into either my desktop which is Leopard, or my Laptop which is snow leopard , the Logitech Control center says, no device found.
Both, however find my old mx500 no problem.

Steve, can you send the link to the LCC Connection Utility. You think this will solve the issue of it not being recognized.

Thanks ol P. I ask you about usb overdrive that if Steve's idea does not work.

I really want to use the 518 and be recognized as I'm so used to and happy with the MX500 it's predecessor which is not made anymore. thanks for help!

MacAssemble · May 3, 2011, 03:31 PM

It's true Logitech has all but given up on the Mac, I had their new wired Back-lit keyboard for a week or two and returned it. I am however very happy with Microsoft Keyboards and Mice, they come with Mac drivers right on the disk and work very well.

angelmb · May 3, 2011, 03:34 PM

Logitech ceased the development of Mac only hardware months ago, so I was told by some guy working at Logitech.

Anyhow, you can download the LCC software via FTP from Logitech servers.
ftp://ftp.logitech.com/pub/techsupport/mouse/mac

Chongo · May 3, 2011, 04:31 PM

Logitech is making big money in the remote business.

ibook_steve · May 3, 2011, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by jeff k

Thanks everyone, appreciate this.
Ok A & P -- the 518 is working. Works fine, scrolls, clicks etc, but I really want it to be seen in the Control Center so I can assign it to launch application to it's 4-5 buttons, That's why I bought it.

When I plug it into either my desktop which is Leopard, or my Laptop which is snow leopard , the Logitech Control center says, no device found.
Both, however find my old mx500 no problem.

Steve, can you send the link to the LCC Connection Utility. You think this will solve the issue of it not being recognized.

Thanks ol P. I ask you about usb overdrive that if Steve's idea does not work.

I really want to use the 518 and be recognized as I'm so used to and happy with the MX500 it's predecessor which is not made anymore. thanks for help!

As I said, it's installed along with LCC in the Utilities folder.

Steve

CharlesS · May 3, 2011, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

Logitech ceased the development of Mac only hardware months ago, so I was told by some guy working at Logitech.

How does it make sense to make a Mac-only mouse anyway? USB is USB.

cgc · May 3, 2011, 06:48 PM

I've been using my Logitech laser mouse for a few years with no drivers and it works great. No need for drivers really unless you want to change the horizontal scroll but for that you could use SteerMouse (or LCC).

turtle777 · May 3, 2011, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by ibook_steve

There is no such thing as a Windows-only mouse.

Yes, there are, they have (had) PS2 connectors.

-t

jeff k · May 3, 2011, 08:49 PM

Steve,
Ok, found it in utilites but when I double click it it says,"Please connect your Logitech Cordless Mouse"
But the 518 is a corded mouse.

CharlesS · May 4, 2011, 02:48 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Yes, there are, they have (had) PS2 connectors.

-t

Not so, my old PowerComputing clone had a PS/2 port on it.

angelmb · May 4, 2011, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

How does it make sense to make a Mac-only mouse anyway? USB is USB.

Keyboards on the other way… hence I did mention hardware.

turtle777 · May 4, 2011, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Not so, my old PowerComputing clone had a PS/2 port on it.

Does a clone qualify as a Mac ?

-t

jeff k · May 4, 2011, 01:15 PM

thanks for the side discussion guys, but if you can help -- I'm still stuck! see my last post.

CharlesS · May 4, 2011, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Does a clone qualify as a Mac ?

-t

Well, it definitely wasn't running Windows.

CharlesS · May 4, 2011, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by jeff k

thanks for the side discussion guys, but if you can help -- I'm still stuck! see my last post.

As someone mentioned earlier, USB Overdrive is a great solution. It's a universal driver that can be used to assign shortcuts to buttons on just about any USB device, including your mouse. As a side bonus, it's probably less likely to cause problems than Logitech's often problematic Mac drivers.

turtle777 · May 4, 2011, 01:52 PM

Yes, USB Overdrive is the solution.

Sure there are other options, but you should go ahead and try USBO, since it will do the job for sure.

-t

ibook_steve · May 4, 2011, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by jeff k

Steve,
Ok, found it in utilites but when I double click it it says,"Please connect your Logitech Cordless Mouse"
But the 518 is a corded mouse.

You didn't mention this was a corded mouse. The connection utility is only for wireless mice.

If you have LCC installed and it doesn't see the mouse, then there is something wrong with the mouse. Return it.

Steve

jeff k · May 4, 2011, 03:23 PM

Steve,
you lost me. Yes this is a corded mouse.

"The connection utility is only for wireless mice."
But then you say,
"If you have LCC installed and it doesn't see the mouse, then there is something wrong with the mouse. Return it."
But you know it's a corded mouse.

But the mouse works, it clicks it scrolls, etc, it's just not seen/recognized by the control center.

Anyway to get the new mouse to be recognized? the old mouse is recognized.

This is what I would prefer, Turtle, Charles. Steve -- the control center is geared toward assigning all buttons on the mouse. It has always been very reliable with the old mx 500

USB overdrive I will try as last resort.

turtle777 · May 4, 2011, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by jeff k

This is what I would prefer, Turtle, Charles. Steve -- the control center is geared toward assigning all buttons on the mouse. It has always been very reliable with the old mx 500

USB overdrive I will try as last resort.

What is your second-last resort ?

At this point, you have two options:
1) return the mouse, maybe something *is* wrong with it
2) Try USBO

-t

ibook_steve · May 4, 2011, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by jeff k

Steve,
you lost me. Yes this is a corded mouse.

"The connection utility is only for wireless mice."
But then you say,
"If you have LCC installed and it doesn't see the mouse, then there is something wrong with the mouse. Return it."
But you know it's a corded mouse.

But the mouse works, it clicks it scrolls, etc, it's just not seen/recognized by the control center.

Anyway to get the new mouse to be recognized? the old mouse is recognized.

This is what I would prefer, Turtle, Charles. Steve -- the control center is geared toward assigning all buttons on the mouse. It has always been very reliable with the old mx 500

USB overdrive I will try as last resort.

No, I did not know the 518 was a corded mouse because you never said in any of your posts that it was a corded mouse. But my response still stands. If LCC doesn't recognize the mouse even after you've installed and reinstalled the latest software and repeatedly plugged and unplugged it (along with other USB devices you have connected), something is defective with the mouse. Return or exchange it.

Steve

CharlesS · May 4, 2011, 04:15 PM

... or just try USB Overdrive, which I believe has an unregistered evaluation mode.

AKcrab · May 4, 2011, 04:17 PM

Everything I read about the MX518 says windows only. We can argue till we're blue in the face if this is true or not (or if there is a valid reason it should be true), but facts are facts.

What I'm saying is that the Logitech software is not going to work with it (as jeff has discovered) and the only option is a different mouse, or USB Overdrive.

angelmb · May 4, 2011, 04:21 PM

Also, take a look at Steer Mouse. The Logitech MX518 is listed as recommended mouse. I used to run Steer Mouse with my MX Revolution and liked it more than USB Overdrive X. It wasn't until I got the diNovo Mac keyboard than I went back to Logitech software.

AFAIK, those softwares are incompatible with each other, you can't run nor have installed more than one at once. So, you should uninstall the Logitech software in before of installing either USB Overdrive X or Steer Mouse.

jeff k · May 4, 2011, 07:46 PM

Ok, I'll try Steer Mouse, based on Angel's advice. Crazy I have to pay $20 more bucks, the mouse I think was just $40 or so!

But we agree my mouse is ok, right? if it's clicking fine, in a general sense, it's just not meant to work with Mac Logitech contraol panel. -- period correct?

But then help me understand this:

5 years ago, my mx 500 came with a CD with Mac software on it.

Apple sales have (from what I've heard on the news), done much better in the last five years not worse.

And so now Logitech is making the same mouse windows only?

Can someone help me understand that??

CharlesS · May 4, 2011, 08:33 PM

I'd bet money that your mouse is fine. Logitech's software just sucks. It's always sucked, though. You generally don't want to have it installed, anyway — it tends to use unsupported hack interfaces such as Application Enhancer or fake InputManagers instead of a proper driver. I still remember the fiasco when the Logitech drivers rendered Leopard unbootable by installing APE.

jeff k · May 4, 2011, 11:36 PM

Ok, Steer Mouse seems to work. but I would love to know why they go Window now, when Apple has skyroacketed, bizarre no?

Final: the middle scroll wheel on the 518 feels horrible compared to the old mx 500. It's not fluid. Its cranky and slow. Anything I can do?

turtle777 · May 4, 2011, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by jeff k

Final: the middle scroll wheel on the 518 feels horrible compared to the old mx 500. It's not fluid. Its cranky and slow. Anything I can do?

Add some WD40.

-t

reader50 · May 5, 2011, 12:55 AM

The wheel will loosen up a bit with use. Your 500 wheel was probably stiffer in the beginning too.

angelmb · May 5, 2011, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by jeff k

I would love to know why they go Window now, when Apple has skyroacketed, bizarre no?

There were several posts regarding this at Logitech boards. Nothing clear came out of it besides the fact that Logitech had discontinued development of Mac-specific keyboards; either those didn't sell well or it just was some cost-cut measure.

jeff k · May 5, 2011, 01:10 PM

Angel, this is a mouse, it it that much harder for them to have the Mac control center provided with purchase? leaving out millions of Apple users.

angelmb · May 6, 2011, 02:25 AM

I know, it is just like a snowball going downhill, first the 'most obvious' cost-cut measure, ditching the Mac-only keyboards, then what the heck, stop providing Mac bundled drivers as well.

Such a disappointment, its new Windows-only K800 illuminated keyboard is top-notch.

olePigeon · May 6, 2011, 11:47 AM

Yeah. It must cost like .0003 cents to screen an Apple logo instead of a Windows logo on one of the keys. Every millionth of a penny helps.

jeff k · May 6, 2011, 02:36 PM

What I don't get is this guys:
6 years ago Apple was kind of struggling.
Now its booming like heck.
You would think they might drop windows users?
Do they watch the news?
Their customer service is horrible. If you can get through, they are total imbeciles.
Yes I agree, they make great products.
But seems beyond the people who make them, it's a disaster over there in every other way.

-Q- · May 6, 2011, 02:52 PM

You're assuming their Windows software is better than their mac. In my experience, they just make crappy input software as a whole and it's not a "against mac" thing.

jeff k · May 6, 2011, 04:32 PM

Ok, but the implication is, when I call them, that their products are not for Mac.

CharlesS · May 6, 2011, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by jeff k

What I don't get is this guys:
6 years ago Apple was kind of struggling.
Now its booming like heck.

That's not the question, though. The question is: Are Mac users buying Logitech keyboards?

jeff k · May 6, 2011, 10:38 PM

Charles,
why wouldn't they?
And if they are not why not market to them?
This is not a fringe group.

turtle777 · May 7, 2011, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by jeff k

Charles,
why wouldn't they?
And if they are not why not market to them?
This is not a fringe group.

I really doubt that Mac users are such a big group of buyers.

Macs come with keyboards and built-in isights. That rules out a lot of their products.
In terms of mice, Macs come with mice by default, and now you can chose between a mouse and a MagicPad.

Only few Mac users will buy another mouse.

-t