#1 2016-03-05 02:13:16

KrunchTime

Member

Registered: 2015-09-29

Posts: 857

Solaar - Logitech Unifying Software for Linux

I recently purchased 2 Logitech MX Anywhere and 2 Logitech MX Performance mice as replacements for my Logitech Trackman Marble.  The Anywhere mouse is ambidextrous for the most part, which is why I purchased it in addition to the Performance mouse.  The Anywhere mouse will allow me to switch to my left hand in an effort to stave off RSI-related hand issues.

So, I was wondering if there was any Linux software available for Logitech products.  Turns out there are a few packages under Debian.  I found one in particular that caught my eye; solaar.  Solaar enables you to pair a Logitech unifying device with the unifying receiver, which is a very small USB dongle.  Solaar can also provide a battery status icon, which sits in the tray area, for some Logitech unifying devices.

The battery indicator for the mouse is the graphic on the far left in the scrot below.

Edit:  Details when you mouseover on the icon:

Options:

Last edited by KrunchTime (2016-03-05 17:15:49)

Snap

Member

Registered: 2015-10-02

Posts: 465

Re: Solaar - Logitech Unifying Software for Linux

Yup. I've been using it for a while. Sometimes it works a bit weird detecting some mice (type and battery level), Particularly the M600. It used to work better with my now faulty Performance MX. Your mileage may vary. But yes, it's great for pairing the different gadgets to the unifying receivers. Or better said, to a single receiver.

Last edited by Snap (2016-03-05 06:39:25)

Martin

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From: Stockholm, Sweden

Registered: 2015-10-01

Posts: 800

Website

Re: Solaar - Logitech Unifying Software for Linux

Interesting!

(1/2 off topic): What to use for a Logitec TrackMan Marble?

/Martin

---

"Problems worthy of attack
prove their worth by hitting back."
Piet Hein

KrunchTime

Member

Registered: 2015-09-29

Posts: 857

Re: Solaar - Logitech Unifying Software for Linux

@Snap:  Yeah...it doesn't do to well for the battery status of my MX Performance.  Always shows battery low even when fully charged, but shows full in the parentheses. 

@Martin:  The Arch Wiki has a nice page about configuring the Logitech Trackman Marble:  https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Lo … rble_Mouse.  I had a configuration to reassign the buttons for lefthand and righthand use and to use the marble and one of the small buttons for scrolling.  I added the following to the end of /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-evdev.conf:

Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "Marble Mouse"
        MatchProduct "Logitech USB Trackball"
        # The following option is to switch large buttons for left-handed use.
        Option "ButtonMapping" "3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9"
        Option "EmulateWheel" "true"
        # Wheel button options: 8 is left small button, 9 is right small button
        # 8 for right-hand use, 9 for left-hand use
        Option "EmulateWheelButton" "9"
        Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
        Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Make sure the spacing for the above is the same as the other Sections in 10-evdev.conf.  It matters and use spaces, not a tab, to do the spacing.  One more thing...the Trackman Marble caused tendonitis in my left thumb and I think it was beginning to affect my right thumb as well.  Go figure...I've been using it since the fall, so why the issues now?

Last edited by KrunchTime (2016-03-05 17:22:01)