BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
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join:2000-01-13
Beaverton, OR
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| [Rant] Logitech Quality has gotten far worse
Their quality used to mean something... Then they became too big, and just started upchucking expensive crap. A common problem of theirs recently is their really cheesy assembly of a scroll wheel/middle click to save a penny or two, this usually is one of the first things to fail if not for one of the buttons failing.
He is a history of my logitech devices
--Mouseman Wireless, 7/5 year warranty, transceiver in the mouse started going nuts, I really liked that mouse
--Wingman Gaming mouse, 3/3 warranty, button stopped working, but I also got tired of having to clean it since it wasn't optical.
--MX 300 mouse, 3/3 warranty, no clicky again....
--MX 5000 mouse, 1.5/3 warranty, the internal battery is dying, but w/o the receipt they won't replace it. They offered me a discount to another one of their desktop sets....Bleh, and they don't sell the battery for this device directly either, they couldn't even give me a part number. I don't want another keyboard.
--Basic scroll mouse, 2/3 month warranty, the scroll wheel died, contacted their support, they told me they were going to send me a replacement, never came a week later so I called, and it had never gotten approved??? They said they would have it go out this week...
I'm left with some oem usb mouse with very poor dpi, the wireless with internal battery issues, and a very old Microsoft Bluetooth intellimouse, their first bluetooth mouse, it's dpi is very poor also. However these devices are still working. Even with the speed setting at max gaming with the low dpi mouse requires quite a bit of movement to go all the way across the screen.
Logitech's software ever since windows has been bloated, crashing crap, it was great for dos as it would load into the umb to allow you to have more conventional memory free, but everything since dos, is a bunch of crap.... If you have any non-logitech device connected it defaults the the standard mouse control, but the problem with that is due to their piss poor design it resets the settings for the default mouse drivers every reboot. With logitech you had the benefit of setting the speed, and functions of each mouse, if detected a logitech device as logitech... It didn't detect some of my logitech devices correctly, and didn't want anything to do with them.
I'm likely going to get Microsoft as long as their hardware has good dpi, and seems to have some quality still built into them, however I've seen their sidewinder mouse, that is quite an interesting design so likely not that one. I just can't stomach throwing more money at logitech when I know for a fact the parts they use consist of loose pieces of thin plastic, and very thin metal springs to save a few pennies when it just causes their devices to fail that much faster.
I remember when companies made devices to last, not be replaced right after their warranty was over.
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My hourly rates:
$25 per hour.
$35 per hour if you want to watch.
$45 per hour if you want to help.
$75 per hour if you tried to fix it, and failed.
$125 per hour if you called tech support, and didn't fix the issue while making things worse |
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sapo
I eat meat
Premium
join:2002-09-16
Sacramento, CA
3 edits | I'm using an MX510 from 04/05 and it's still working great for my gaming. I also had a Logitech Elite keyboard from the same time frame but I damaged it with heat, it still worked but the plastic got deformed partially so I got rid of it.
Only issues are a little wear on the textured black sides.
All my friends have also used their Logitech devices until replacing it with a diffrent model to upgrade.
Only issue Ive had is my Logitech Momo Steering wheel, those have some common issues.
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CA is Superior. |
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BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
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Beaverton, OR
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3 edits | You edited your reply, that mouse is one of the few I've heard good things about, but too bad it's discontinued now.
The only ones similar are the 400 laser, 518 optical, and g series(g5) which I'm guessing have the cheap ass scroll wheel parts now. |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ | reply to BlitzenZeus
EVERY logitech ive had, the scroll wheel has been the weak point! |
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CurtesyFlush
Bababooey, fafafooey, tatatoothy.
Premium
join:2002-08-23
Fontana, CA
| reply to BlitzenZeus
I bought a cordless keyboard and mouse in Jan of 07... by the 6th month, the paint had worn off the heavily used keys. I hate that.
That and the fact that they were both battery hogs put them on the shelf in retirement before the first year had passed.
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My dog walks on water. |
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BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
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join:2000-01-13
Beaverton, OR
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| reply to dvd536
I actually use the wheel/middle button quite a bit, and when it doesn't work it really bothers me. My first mice had three buttons, and I got used to using the middle button for general usage, along with games.
Open up the garbage mice you have laying around, I'm amazed at how cheaply they do the scroll wheel assembly. They save pennies in materials, literally.... On this last one it was only being held in by one part on the circuit board, which got loose.
What kind of mouse are you using now if you bought another name brand, and not just using some oem mouse?
--
My hourly rates:
$25 per hour.
$35 per hour if you want to watch.
$45 per hour if you want to help.
$75 per hour if you tried to fix it, and failed.
$125 per hour if you called tech support, and didn't fix the issue while making things worse |
|
Anonymous_
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127.0.0.1
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| reply to BlitzenZeus
said by BlitzenZeus  :I'm left with some oem usb mouse with very poor dpi, the wireless with internal battery issues, and a very old Microsoft Bluetooth intellimouse, their first bluetooth mouse, it's dpi is very poor also. However these devices are still working. Even with the speed setting at max gaming with the low dpi mouse requires quite a bit of movement to go all the way across the screen. blah just change the speed in windows |
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BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
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join:2000-01-13
Beaverton, OR | It already was... |
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Gbcue
E.I.T.
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Santa Rosa, CA
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| If you think Logitech is bad, don't even bother trying the Microsoft crap.
Their scroll wheels wear out over a month!
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sapo
I eat meat
Premium
join:2002-09-16
Sacramento, CA | What do you people do with your wheels. I constantly use mine for scrolling through websites and I use it actively in fast paced games. Must be some crap equipment.
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CA is Superior. |
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BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
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Beaverton, OR
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| reply to Gbcue
Thanks, it seems too many companies want to save a penny in materials, but still charge full rate when they know they are selling crap.
I actually press, and hold down my middle button while gaming, apparently the very tiny half hollow tube of plastic (upside down "u") holding up the scroll wheel wasn't meant to handle it being clicked and held enough for it's very short warranty, maybe it was a defect however I doubt it was due to the lack of other things. Every other mouse I've had has never had this problem.
It was only a 90 day warranty, but come on they made it so this device was going to fail by saving maybe a penny in materials... When that plastic half hollow tube failed it knocked over the light sensor which was being used for the scroll wheel, and it was only held onto the board by the soldering. They didn't even bother to put any glue around the light sensor on the board.
Logitech saves $.01 in manufacturing, and gives the device a 90 day warranty, hoping they don't have to honor that warranty.... $.01 in plastic could have prevented this problem in the first place.
--
My hourly rates:
$25 per hour.
$35 per hour if you want to watch.
$45 per hour if you want to help.
$75 per hour if you tried to fix it, and failed.
$125 per hour if you called tech support, and didn't fix the issue while making things worse |
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Bobcat
Premium
join:2001-02-04
Bedminster, NJ | reply to BlitzenZeus
I have a Logitech mini cordless optical mouse and the scroll wheel doesn't work properly. I never use it as a button, just a wheel.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. |
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BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
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join:2000-01-13
Beaverton, OR | Yet another bad/loose light sensor I'm guessing, unless they use a different method for that. Thanks for your input.
They sure are proving to be craptacular! |
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DrModem
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join:2006-10-19
USA
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| reply to sapo
said by sapo :What do you people do with your wheels. I constantly use mine for scrolling through websites and I use it actively in fast paced games. Must be some crap equipment. I use mine for scrolling through pages and changing weapons :P
My brother has an MX518 he got a few months back, it's really nice. I myself just have the optical mouse that came with "Belkin Internet Keyboard", but it has served me well so far.
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The experiment of building a world without countries or religion was called the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics. Between 30 and 60 million people died as a result of it. |
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cvrefugee
Premium
join:2003-09-15
Corona, CA
| reply to BlitzenZeus
I had an issue with my G5's scroll wheel, it was replaced and so far it's been working fine. The battery in my dad's MX Revolution totally died so they sent out a brand-new one, apparently with a revised battery/charger. So far no issues with that replacement either. |
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Mr Neutron
Hopped up on what you mopped up
Premium
join:2005-05-30
Gorham, ME
| reply to CurtesyFlush
said by CurtesyFlush :I bought a cordless keyboard and mouse in Jan of 07... by the 6th month, the paint had worn off the heavily used keys. I hate that. I believe that tampoprinting (silk screening?) the letters onto the keycaps is that way that many (most?) keyboard manufacturers go these days, even reputable ones. At least, if the now-common complaint of keycaps losing their lettering in a fairly short time is any indication.
Granted, it sounds like you're not interested in resurrecting the keyboard anyway, but I find myself wondering if its key caps aren't swappable with those of another keyboard. I don't know how common/rare it is nowadays, but at least some manufacturers still insist on laser-etching their key caps.
»park16.wakwak.com/~ex4/kb/tech_laser.htm
Not that you should really have to do that or anything to keep a keyboard that hasn't even passed the year-old mark working or anything. Just saying it might be a possibility. ::shrugs::
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We could use the £5,000 to buy a spoon. And then fill up with ice cream. |
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BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
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join:2000-01-13
Beaverton, OR
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| Well I think it's methods like this which might save the company a little money, but take away from the longevity of the device, however the irony is they want you to buy another later from them again.
The true irony is cheaply made devices must ruin a companies reputation, so they don't save $.30 in manufacturing, but the devices get better reviews leading them to more future sales.
I remember when devices were made to last, and not designed so badly that they only give a 90 day warranty since they decided to save a few pennies, but still charge the same prices. I still have some of those devices, but I don't use my old keyboard anymore for reasons like the loud clicking keyboards.
--
My hourly rates:
$25 per hour.
$35 per hour if you want to watch.
$45 per hour if you want to help.
$75 per hour if you tried to fix it, and failed.
$125 per hour if you called tech support, and didn't fix the issue while making things worse |
|
Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
| reply to BlitzenZeus
said by BlitzenZeus :Thanks, it seems too many companies want to save a penny in materials, but still charge full rate when they know they are selling crap. I actually press, and hold down my middle button while gaming, apparently the very tiny half hollow tube of plastic (upside down "u") holding up the scroll wheel wasn't meant to handle it being clicked and held enough for it's very short warranty, maybe it was a defect however I doubt it was due to the lack of other things. Every other mouse I've had has never had this problem. It was only a 90 day warranty, but come on they made it so this device was going to fail by saving maybe a penny in materials... When that plastic half hollow tube failed it knocked over the light sensor which was being used for the scroll wheel, and it was only held onto the board by the soldering. They didn't even bother to put any glue around the light sensor on the board. Logitech saves $.01 in manufacturing, and gives the device a 90 day warranty, hoping they don't have to honor that warranty.... $.01 in plastic could have prevented this problem in the first place. adds up when you make 10 million of them |
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BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
Premium,MVM
join:2000-01-13
Beaverton, OR | Well when your profit margins are high, already, saving $.01 in materials to degrade the quality of the device only hurts future sales due to your poor quality hardware, causing less profit in the future. |
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Mr Neutron
Hopped up on what you mopped up
Premium
join:2005-05-30
Gorham, ME
| reply to BlitzenZeus
said by BlitzenZeus :I remember when devices were made to last, and not designed so badly that they only give a 90 day warranty since they decided to save a few pennies, but still charge the same prices. I still have some of those devices, but I don't use my old keyboard anymore for reasons like the loud clicking keyboards. I think that's what it might come down to nowadays: the only way to keep from constantly having to replace peripherals is to use the old-school stuff that was built to last.
For example, I currently use a Logitech product, but the particular product I use is more than a decade old. Same deal with my "workaday" keyboard: it's going to turn 17 this year.
Peripherals like mice and keyboards have come down quite a bit in price since I started computing (and the earth was newly cooled). But the flip side of that is that they've also come down a lot in terms of expected service life, too.
Of course, it's only fair to point out that most systems purchased nowadays are only expected to be on someone's desk for a year or three, so the stock mice and keyboards that come with them aren't expected to last much longer than that. And third party peripherals, as a whole, seem to be more about making fashion statements rather than actually building something rock-solid that will be in service for years. However, from what you're telling us, it sounds like Logitech might be getting a wee bit carried away with the whole "peripherals are throwaway devices"-mentality. 
The cost-cutting measures you've described don't sound like the Logitech I once knew, but then, I haven't bought any of their stuff brand-new for quite some time so I have no idea what they've been up to lately in terms of shaving pennies. But one look at what's out there (Apple's latest atrocities keyboards come to mind) tells me that the bean-counters are hard at work just about everywhere, not just Logitech.
As an aside, I have to ask: can you not use your old school clicky keyboard for fear of annoying cow-orkers? Or is there some other reason you don't use it?
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We could use the £5,000 to buy a spoon. And then fill up with ice cream. |
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