A user invested $280 to improve their mouse. Logitech made the same changes in a new model for 2024. Therefore, the user should have just bought the new model and would have saved a lot of money.
A tech enthusiast spent around $280 (about €240) to fix the weaknesses of the Logitech MX Ergo trackball from 2017 through modifications. This is reported by the English-language magazine TomsHardware.
The frustrating part: Logitech released a new model of the mentioned mouse in 2024 and solved almost all the problems for which the user invested nearly $300. And the Logitech MX Ergo (2024) is now available for significantly less than €100.
User invests $280 for a better mouse in everyday life
The tech fan Sam Wilkinson presented his upgrades for the MX Ergo in a personal blog post in more detail. He made extensive modifications and replaced components, upgrading the device both technically and ergonomically to eliminate the shortcomings:
- He replaced the mouse’s circuit board to replace the micro-USB port with a USB-C port.
- In another step, he changes the mouse switches, which were too loud for him. He opted for Huano Silent switches, which he described as “almost completely silent.”
- In a third point, he replaced the “Logi Options+” software with SteerMouse, which supposedly cost him about $20. He himself described Logitech’s old software as “overloaded, faulty, and occasionally malware-like.”
Overall, the upgrades cost him around $280. Most of the expenses were due to the fact that he had to buy the tools. He explained that he spent over $200 alone on a hot air soldering station. For the rest, he claims to have put down another about $55. He explains:
In total, I spent $45 on the circuit boards and about $10 on the necessary components, which makes this modification quite an expensive affair.
He himself stated at the end that he was very satisfied with the project. In particular, the new switches marked a significant improvement that he recommends to everyone. In addition, he gathered a wealth of experience and some new ideas for future projects. Wilkinson explains in his post:
Overall, I am very satisfied with the outcome of this project. I generally find it very entertaining to customize the items we use daily according to our preferences. Apart from a great mouse, this project has given me a number of ideas for further projects.
What about the new model now?
- The charging port has been switched from micro-USB to modern USB-C, resolving his first criticism.
- The click sounds of the buttons have been reduced by 80% in the new model, making the operation significantly quieter. Thus, his second criticism is resolved.
- The ergonomic concept and the tilt mechanism (0° or 20°) have remained the same, as have the size, weight, and number of programmable buttons.
- However, his last criticism, the overloaded software from Logitech, has not changed. The company continues to rely on Logitech Options+ as software for the mouse.
Theoretically, tech enthusiast Sam Wilkinson should have just bought the new, improved mouse and saved a lot of money in this way. But he also would not have gained the many valuable experiences.
Other users also become inventive when they want to solve problems from manufacturers. For instance, NVIDIA’s current RTX 5000 generation has been criticized due to power cables burning or being severely damaged. One user developed a daring design to prevent this. However, his method is not space-saving: Hobby technician creates daring construction to prevent his RTX 5090 cables from melting
