The V220 is a plug-and-play device but if you want to reprogram the button set-up you need to download Logitech’s proprietary software, SetPoint. Their mice usually ship with the application CD but this time the user has to get it from the company website. It’s a good thing since it means one less dust gathering CD on your desk. The software allows the user to reprogram the horizontal scroll to act like a web browser’s back/forward button, for instance. Besides that the SetPoint is not that useful as the V220 has fewer customizable functions than a regular or gaming mouse (it lacks thumb buttons).

click to enlarge
Figure 4: SetPoint software.

We’ve mentioned that the V220 is an optical mouse, and not a laser one. This doesn’t compromise its precision. The 1000 dpi optical sensor works in such surfaces as a naked leg and a vertical wall without missing a beat. The mouse kept working even though we let the laptop rest two meters away from us.

As we are gaming aficionados we plugged the V220 on our desktop machine to play Team Fortress 2. The performance, of course, didn’t hold a candle to using a gaming mouse like Logitech’s G9. Still, the V220 held its own even though some precision issues cost us a few “digital lives.” But as optical mice go it delivered a good enough experience.

The rubber grip provided a good rest for the thumb and the ergonomic design is good for such a small device. Fingers got a little tired only after hours of working, but no big deal. The V220 is best suited for travel due to its compact size and wireless function. Unfortunately it lacks thumb buttons for more navigation features and the transmitter can’t be inserted into the mouse like the bigger V450 model.